Programming Your Pool for Profit

Today's fast-paced world requires efficiency and we program numerous aspects of our lives to save time, money and energy.

By: Julie See

"Programming your cell phone allows you to dial hands free with a verbal command. Programming iCal on your computer assures that you never forget your anniversary or important business meetings. Yet we often forget to program our pools for profit with new and innovative fitness options, which means that we are not reaching our full potential!"

Diving into better health follows the general trend of improving quality of life. The media continuously encourages individuals to take a closer look at how physical activity plays a critical role in all aspects of living - from improved family dynamics to better performance at work with reduced absenteeism. However, many individuals still lack the motivation and incentive to put knowledge into action.

Consumers don't know how or where to "start exercising." The aquatic fitness industry shares the advantage of a safe, effective and enjoyable exercise option suited for all ages and most ability levels. Reaching a diverse population allows facilities to increase bottom line profits and contribute to a healthier and more physically fit society. Now is the time to rethink your pool programming for profitability!

Vertical Versus Horizontal

The Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA), a not-for-profit educational organization committed to the advancement of aquatic fitness worldwide, defines aquatic fitness as activities typically performed in a vertical position in either shallow or deep water.

Aquatic fitness provides life-long exercise choices.

The goals, as with all forms of exercise, are to promote and enhance physical and mental fitness. The vertical body position sets this training format apart from horizontal swimming techniques - yet both utilize similar skills and can provide life-long exercise choices. The water's unique properties provide an environment that is comfortable, yet challenging. Buoyancy reduces joint impact and stress, while the water's resistance overloads the muscles with multi-directional resistance.

Water lends itself to a well-balanced workout that improves all major components of physical fitness as well as enhances activities of daily living (ADLs) by comfortably targeting balance, postural alignment and coordination.

"Aquatic fitness trends typically parallel those of the fitness industry in general. Hot land trends almost always make for popular water programs, too -- mind/body, Karate, Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi and Kickboxing, for instance. . . a modified version of these activities for the water can take advantage of the water's properties and draw in participants. So keep your eyes open for new ways to work out in the water. Most recently, Personal Training has taken the dive into the water, offering facilities the opportunity to profit from just one small area of the pool!"

Get Set - Get Wet

Obviously a facility must have a pool in order to offer revenue producing aquatic programming. The good news….nearly any pool can be turned into a profit center. Indoors or outdoors, shallow or deep, Olympic-size or spa-size - all pools have potential. You can't change your pool unless you are in the process of building or remodeling, in which case remember that in order to be profitable it should be more than just a swimming pool. What you can change is your perception of useable space in your existing pool.

If you are planning to build a pool or update an existing aquatic facility, don't miss the 4th Annual Build A Pool conference offered by USA Swimming.

The AEA 2008 Standards and Guidelines for Aquatic Fitness Programming suggest that a gradually sloped pool ranging in depth from 3.5 to 5 foot (1.07 - 1.37 meters) provides the most options for shallow water programming, whereas 6.5 feet (1.98 meters) and over is best for deep water training.

Water temperature varying from 83-86 degrees Fahrenheit (28-30 degrees Celsius) is the most comfortable for typical water fitness classes. Don't stress if your pool is not the ideal; most facilities don't meet all the recommendations. The key to success comes through matching the program to the pool design.

If your pool has a large space with waist-depth water, don't give up on aquatic fitness. Instead, keep your focus on low impact options with a water walking class that incorporates striding techniques to create a simple but effective cardio program. Or turn your pool into an aquatic weight room with a class that utilizes isolated and combination muscle conditioning exercises.

Not enough room for an entire class? Keep in mind personalized training options. From one-on-one to small group training, a shallow pool can be programmed for below-the-belt body sculpting.

Many older pools were designed for swimming, without considering vertical training options. Pool depths of 4.5 to 5 feet are a little too deep for the average female participant yet not quite suitable for a traditional deep-water workout.

Modified Deep Water classes can make the most of this situation with a blend of Level III (suspended) training and limited range of motion deep water exercises. Everyone craves core training - this pool design can be easily programmed to target the torso and attract even those fitness fanatics that have shunned past water workouts. Continued…