Low budget Garage Pool
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- Опубліковано 27 сер 2024
- Overview
I am a marathon swimmer and have in the past spent many hours training in pools and outdoors. It can difficult to get a balance with family life especially when you factor in the time it takes to get to and from swim venues. To solve this problem I wanted to create a low budget swim training setup in my garage.
Endless Pools
I had tried out a few different endless pools and was considering spending around £50k for a professional setup. I decided before taking the plunge into an expensive setup I would try and set up a complete training system with the lowest budget possible. I set a limit of £8k on the project and managed to get something half decent setup within that.
The endless pool head unit was purchased on eBay, a particularly clean example, only one-year-old. The rest of the changes to the garage to get it ready were also done as cheaply as possible.
Change to the garage
My garage had the most amount of clutter ever seen. I put the whole lot on eBay and raised over £1k. This paid for the main changes to the garage.
I deep cleaned the area and tidied up woodwork on the doors and windows. I then had the floor screed to make it level (with a slight tilt so water would flow out of the door ). I then painted the walls and floor with waterproof masonry paint. All the woodwork was also treated with waterproof outdoor grade paint.
For the fuse box and electricity meter, I did not want to have them splashed, so had a joiner build a cabinet on the wall to protect them. Also a handy store for chemicals and other bits and pieces.
Electrics
I had a professional electrician come and install a C-type breaker to my fuse box and connect up the head unit. A heavy-duty shielded cable was used in case I want to move the pool outside in the summer. The light switches and electrical sockets were changed for outdoor waterproof units.
Setup time
Setting up the pool itself with the Bestway tub and the wooden frame took 2 men about one day. It then took overnight to fill it. Once filled the water was only 10 degrees so the first couple of test swims were in my wetsuit.
Heating
Now I can set this pool to any temperature I like, the 3Kw electric heater increases the temperature by approximately 1 degree centigrade per hour. If I leave the heater on for 24 hours it consumes about £5 worth of electricity. However, as I get free electricity (with my current British Gas tariff) on Saturdays I leave at running that day and it can be enough for the week. In winter I need to give it a midweek booster heat. The heat loss is something I need to work on reducing, putting some kind of insulation around the pool would slow the heat loss. Even making some kind of Jacuzzi style lid would help. Currently, it loses about 2 or 3 degrees per day in the winter. In the summer it loses much less, and for the hottest months, there is no need to heat it at all.
Swim quality
As there is no water return (i.e. endless pool benches) - so the swim experience can be challenging. I actually prefer it as the pool exaggerates and critiques stroke. Also because the pool is relatively narrow strokes like the butterfly can be made more difficult. Personally, I can make it work - but I have had other swimmers use it and have their hands hit the side during the stroke.
The current of an endless pool will also exaggerate the downward pull of your legs. This means you have to really focus on a vertical profile whilst swimming - using fins or a pull buoy also helps. This does not affect the great swimmers I have had in my pool, they appear to be as flat as they would in a regular pool.
With all that said - I have done 7-hour solid training sessions in the pool and have enjoyed all of it.
The endless unit goes down to 1:14 per 100m. Personally, I swim at between 1:30 and 1:46 so the speed of the unit was not a problem for me. I have had very fast swimmers in the pool who wanted more speed. The faster units are very rare in the UK and much more expensive.
That’s real dedication to reach a goal! Love it
That is perfect for triathletes especially during Quarantine! Perfect!
I've been thinking about this idea and finally decided to see if anyone had a video of this
Thanks, only video I found that would mention how to dehumidify..if people don't they will be growing a mold farm in their garage
Great pool buddy. Thanks for sharing all the info, very good of you.
This is exactly what Im looking to do I didn't want the huge expensive of adding a pool and since I'm going to put the pool in the backyard I had no place to use a tether but if I can get the current machine then I can do the same as you!
Thank you so much.
I got into medium distance triathlons and the swim training is difficult. Venue, family, work... I have been thinking of how I could set one up. You have bolstered my desires. Thanks buddy
Great Job! Really helped out!
That's pretty cool. I am just looking to put a small pool in my garage to float in and wanted to see if anyone has put a pool in their garage. Don't want to take up yard space nor ruin my grass.
wow. that's awesome pool.
Wow man nice setup
Complete Part list
1. Endless pool fast lane unit 5 H.P.
2. 2 x remote controls
3. Endless pools digital pace clock
4. Classic Analog pace clock
5. Wooden frame to mount the fast lane unit
6. Bestway vinyl pool 4.19m x 1.85m
7. Bestway Steps
8. Custom vinyl pool cover (rollback)
9. Intex Krystal Clear Filter Pump (1,500gal per hour )
10. UV filter system for Coy carp pond (this mean less chlorine required)
11. Bestway 3Kw pool heater
12. Igenix IG9805 Portable Dehumidifier 740 W - 50 L
13. Chemicals - chlorine / PH reduce and increase / clarifier etc.
14. Water test kit
15. 2 x large waterproof LED strip lights
16. 2 x waterproof colour LED lighting systems
17. 3KW Fan heater
18. 2 x waterproof wall plugs
19. 1 x waterproof double light switch
20. C-type breaker for endless pools motor
21. Heavy duty shielded cable from fuse box to motor
22. Waterproof masonry paint
23. Waterproof wood paint
24. Floating temperature gauge (with remote display )
25. Bestway pool maintenance kit ( pole / net / skimmer / pool hoover )
26. Pool drain assembly ( basically just old pumps and hosing )
27. Portable toilet
28. Heavy-duty vinyl for window and door insulation and blackout
29. 2 x Remote control plug socket sets ( control electrical equipment without touching the switches )
30. Astroturf
why did you go for a normal pool, as opposed to like a pond/brick version?? Thanks
Love this! Thank you.
@@Jamesking195 because it's a LOT CHEAPER!!!! LESS EXPENSIVE !!!
I cant find this pool anywhere, its a perfect size for the setup im trying to build, do they still make this? Any chance you know where I can find one?
I'd love something like that in my place
Love this, although I would use a swim tether as cheaper. Also a hint from someone who lives with a fellow geek; if u want to attract a girlfriend/boyfriend, get rid of the portaloo (I am not saying pee in the pool, but it does not take too much effort to get out and go to the bathroom!).
Lol - good point, should have left that detail out.
When you get out of a pool, you're bound to drip everywhere. The reason people don't like going inside in the middle of swimming is because they don't want to be dripping all over the place and ruining their floors or carpet.
Nice setup. Lionel Sanders the professional Ironman has a mirror on the bottom on his so he can improve his stroke.
I love this.
Amazing what us brits can do in a small uk garage
This looks great. I’m hoping to do something similar but I’ve a couple of questions. What did you find you running costs to be roughly, I.e average electricity use per month? And do you find there is much splashing of water over the sides? So do you need to think about water run off/drainage? Thanks!
Way to go!
You no wot I r8 admire ya so wot we’re not all rich but u r in ya health gud luck for future xx
how did you set up the current machine in the pool is it sitting on that wood shelf in the pool? and what size is that pool? I'm 6ft so want to know what size pool I need if it's 14ft or 18ft
Hi nice idea. Only one slight problem is the mains and Distribution Board are way to close
Yeah maybe, boxed it off and had no problems so far.
How much did you pay for the endless unit itself? Thanks
I'd take this over a treadmill. I love water.
When u said 8 grand I laughed.
A large part of that cost is the endless pool pump! You can use a tether sure but pump is preferable!
Do you find this pool to be long enough? Also, do you stay fairly well put in the current or do you experience drifting side to side and back and forth?
Did you find any drawings to help with building the structure the Fastlane is affixed to? Have been looking for something and can't find. We have a soft sided pool so I am guessing we need something in the pool for the unit to rest against. I can't tell from the video if you have it resting against the frame because there was not enough room between the garage wall to have the support frame completely outside the pool or if it needs the support directly behind it. Any tips?
Bloody hell mate you should’ve just use the bungee cord not cheap
hi well done- some questions- did you by the fastlane with the hydraulic power unit with it- how much did you pay, also any idea how much that lot is new?
Hi my name is Ben I enjoy your video and I thinking to build one for my self I have a back problem and I want to make one for my self where did you buy the motor can you tell me pls. Thanks
I got mine off ebay - they come up occasionally. You can always go to endless pool California and get a new one imported.
Do you swim in this or use to practice holding your breath? Very cool either way
May I ask you,what is your personal expirience and toughts between hydraulic pump vs ordinary tether? Is the investment worth?
Thank you,and very nice setup.
Now, 3 years later. Are you still happy with all of your different components of your swimming pool? Have you, or would you change any of them for an alternative? I would like to use Endless pool fastlane for swimming breast stroke. Your pool is too narrow for that, but do you know anyone who does use that stroke with this system? Thanks in advance.
Hi, I'm hoping to build a budget endless pool and your video has been a great help, thanks. I can hopefully get the same pool but before I do can I re ask Emma's question re the structure of the fastlane support. Do you have more detail and how do you prevent it from rubbing/damaging the pool ? Lastly would you use the same one again or would you buy/construct a more robust pool ? Thanks
To avoid any rubbing / damage I just made the wooden frame sits on some rubber squares. No problem to report with that.
The main thing I would change if doing it again is to have a solid structure and have benches for return water flow.
I suggest setting up a tether system first to see if you really use it before go all out on the endless pools counter current unit.
Cheers
@@leonbox8870 Thank you - I have a 10' circular " deep paddling pool" which I use for tethered swimming (not ideal with long arms, but needs must ! ) and was hoping to upgrade in increments. Tethered swimming in deeper/longer heated pool in garage first, with option to purchase a fast lane which is transferable to a better pool eventually. How significant is Not having benches ? I have only tried endless pools with benches
how deep is the pool?
Water depth can really vary to suite your own need - I liked about 1.2 meters
What are the dimensions of this pool?
Hey I'm doing the same thing what kind of heater did you use
Just an electric 3Kw bestway heater - did the trick just fine for me.
www.amazon.co.uk/Bestway-Pool-Heater/dp/B00JQN461G
Clever idea. Well done. How's it holding up? Here we are, 2020, and the Corona virus scam is running rampant. Now my local school system has closed down our lap pool swimming. :( Something like this would be a good fill in. Thanks for sharing.
lol @ scam.
I imagine in this crazy time the price of second had endless pool units is going up. To be honest you can do something really similar using a swim tether for a fraction of the cost. Anyway fingers crossed the pools will be open soon.
@@Just-Ross it really was a scam
Hi Leon. Would it be possible to connect with you for 5-10 mins to ask a few questions about this? (I want to do the same but probably have a few too many questions to rattle on a page). Charge a consultancy fee if required ha
What’ size is this ?
Great job! have you had any breast stroke swimmers in there. That timer seem way too fast since in my fitter years I would overtake freestyle swimmers. Standard length 25-30 seconds isn't slow but that's just inside the max (pushing it!). I think it should be possible to calibrate the unit based on real world heart rate and inside since the water flow dynamics in a simulated setup like this are completely different to real world swimming. All that aside, respect for what you have done here, great job! It's still a good way to train..
I have had a few breaststroke swimmers in there - also like to do a bit myself. I am no expert on the stroke but I found the current helped me exaggerate the upward lift of my head before the pull, which seemed to translate into my stroke in a real pool. On the flow rate per 100m I think it is reasonably well-matched to real-world - but the important thing is to just compare the rate against itself and use it as a measure to see how your current session is going verses your previous sessions.
this is step one on training to become a salmon.. lol
Cool video I just did a coaching video on how you can modify it with a tether should check it out man like the channel
An endless pool for 1/3 the price
8000 pounds is low budget???? thats 10680 usd!!!! lol what an absolute waste. you know you can get resistance from a bungie cord too... seen a young woman, who was an olympian, make one of these using pallets, tarp, plastic, solar heater, and some bungies. costs equaled less than 250 usd when it was all done. that is 1/40th of the cost of this monstrosity. I think it actually worked better too, no electronics to zap your butt or pay for. just too funny. lol title sould be... throw away that budget on your extravagant garage pool!!!! getting a big huge thumbs down here
You paid 8k for that😂
A large part of that cost is the endless pool pump! You can use a tether sure but pump is preferable!
@@DigzGuy so does leon box know your in love with him?