For sure a full in ground swimming pool solution with a 16 x 32ft pool may cost in excess of £20,000 for just the most basic of pools, yet many people may be stunned to know that you could buy an easy set swimming pool 18ft in diameter for just under £350!

And unlike an in ground solution an easy set pool can simply be emptied of water, deflated and taken with you to a new house in around 30 minutes or less.
This is a very good reason as to why you should opt for an above ground pool, as whilst the vast majority of people love swimming, or simply going in a pool to cool down on a hot summers day, an equal number of people do not.

This means that if you go to the expense of building an in ground pool, then whilst it may attract a number of buyers when it comes to selling your house then likewise it may put off a number of buyers who are not interested in swimming, or do not want the hassle of dealing with a swimming pool.

Yet a swimming pool either an above ground one or a traditional in ground one need not be expensive to run at all. Whilst any pool is going to cost money to heat there is much that can be done these days to help with these costs. Firstly before thinking about any form of heating then you need to ensure that your pool has the best possible form of insulated cover on it, as money spent on a good pool cover can pay for itself ten times over on the amount of energy you spend heating it.

You can also invest in solar heating, which can dramatically reduce your heating costs, or even run a wind turbine and use free electricity to heat your swimming pool.
Your other biggest expense is likely to be chemicals to treat your pool yet when sourced online and bought in bulk these can be bought at a fraction of the cost that you might incur when going in to your local swimming pool supplies store.

This cost should not be underestimated as there are tests that you will have to carry out on your pools water everyday, and likewise you may have to add chemicals to your pool everyday in order to keep it healthy and free of bacteria. Of note is that you will need someone to do these tasks every day even whilst you are on holiday, as it can be fatal to leave a pool for the week unchecked.

However, overall if you are considering buying a swimming pool then you may find running it costs far less than you think.

Guest Blogger

Chris Miles is the Director at Splash and Relax, the leading supplier of Swimming Pools products in the UK. Splash and Relax specialise in Above Ground Swimming Pools from major brands worldwide.

So what do you do to keep fit? Well depending on the nature of your health you could go running, but for many people this is an “Impact” exercise that effects knee joints. So many people need to look towards lower impact exercises, and cycling or using a cross trainer are good alternatives to running.

However to use a good cross training machine you will need to invest thousands or join a gym, and when it comes to cycling your training may be governed by the weather.

So if any of this seems familiar and you still want to keep fit then why not try swimming? It is a low to zero impact exercise that works out your whole body, indeed when you look around how many fat professional swimmers do you see? Not many that is for sure.

But these days a gym membership with a swimming pool option included can be expensive, so much so that you might want to consider owning your own swimming pool.
Now for many people reading this that may seem just like a pipe dream, yet with changes in technology owning your own swimming pool may be an easily achievable dream.

This is because in recent years changes in pool design and technology mean that a basic round swimming pool can be yours for under £100, and when you consider that a months membership at a top health club can cost you more than that in central London, then maybe buying your own swimming pool is a cheaper option than joining a health club?

And for under £300 you can buy a substantial size swimming pool that you can use to do laps or circuits in.

The benefits of swimming to keep fit are many, firstly it does not stress joints with impact in the same way that running does, and it works out your whole body meaning that you lose fat from everywhere when swimming. Secondly by improving your overall fitness you will lower your blood pressure and increase your overall circulation.

However swimming does not burn as many calories as running or cycling over the same time period and thus you will need to do it regularly to keep fit, which is all the more reason to consider buying your own above ground swimming pool.

GUEST BLOGGER

Chris Miles is the Director at Splash and Relax, the leading supplier of Swimming Pools products in the UK. Splash and Relax specialise in Above Ground Swimming Pools from major brands worldwide.

Personal wellness and relaxation is vital to alleviate the stresses that we are all subject to these days. With the pressures of modern day life we all need time to wind down. More and more people are looking to lead a healthy, enjoyable lifestyle in the confines of their own home. There are many benefits to owning your own sauna, they are proven to induce relaxation, reduce tension, stimulate the circulation system, and help improve cardiovascular conditioning, reduce muscular pain, remove toxins from our bodies, cleanse and rejuvenate the skin.

Dedicating living space to a home leisure area is now commonplace, saunas being the choice of many. We often hear that a homes’ décor reflects the lifestyle of its owner. Sauna owners appreciate the benefits associated with using a sauna in a private, healthy and hygienic environment. One of the many benefits of using a sauna is to relax and unwind and there is no better place than at home. Owning your own sauna enables you to spend more quality time on your own or with the family, at a time that suits you best.

Why choose an iSauna

iSaunas are hand-crafted in a modern, highly efficient factory, resulting in beautifully finished products at a surprisingly affordable price. iSaunas are manufactured from cedar, widely regarded as the most desirable wood for sauna cabins. Cedar’s attractive appearance, durability and aroma make it ideal for an environment that is subject to swift climatic change. iSaunas are supplied with part-assembled panels, final installation typically takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour for 2 people. iSaunas are supplied as self-build kits, ensuring that, pound for pound, they are the best value sauna on the market.

Features include

Carbon heater

Infra-red should never be confused with ultraviolet, which can cause sunburn. Infra-red heat created by carbon fibre panels provides a “wraparound” heating effect, which is proven to be safe and therapeutic, without overheating the sauna cabinet.

Cabinet Construction

Constructed from cedar, which is renowned for its aromatic features as well as its ability to withstand climate changes and moisture. It is durable, nontoxic and an excellent heat insulator.

LED Lighting

Colour changing, remote controlled LED lighting comes as standard on the full range of iSaunas. Simply adjust the lighting to suit your mood.

Integrated Control Panel

iSaunas are supplied with both internal and external touchpad control panels for various settings, including temperature pre-set, heating timer, reading light and LED colour therapy lighting

Ergonomically designed back rest

We believe our contoured back rest offers far more comfort than our competitors. And it is not an expensive option – it is standard.

Integral Sound System

The iSauna’s sound system is cleverly hidden in an integral flip-down ceiling compartment containing a cd/radio with MP3/USB and Aux compatibility.

Oxygen Ioniser

iSaunas come complete with an Oxygen Ioniser to purify the air within the cabin.

MORE INFO CLICK HERE

However if you really want a swimming pool then you need not worry about having to rob a bank to buy one.

These days there are a wide range of options available to you, with a basic splasher pool starting at less than a £100 and yet coming complete with an electric filtration system.

Indeed just £350 would see you swimming around in an 18ft diameter pool that is 4ft deep, which is huge for a family fun pool or big enough to do circuits in to keep fit in. In this price range you will be looking at an ‘easy set’ pool, which as the name suggests is very easy to put up. Simply inflate a rubber ring on the top of the pool and fill it with water. The inflatable ring pulls the sidewalls up as it rises up with the water level.

You can also get this type of pool in oval sizes as large as 12ft by 24ft, which basically offers all of the benefits of an in-ground pool solution, but at a fraction of the cost at less than £600.

These types of pools can be erected in half an hour or less and so are attractive if you want a cheap pool erecting fast, or you may decide that you want something a little more permanent in which case you may opt to go for a metal frame set pool.

The metal frame set pool offers the same benefits as an easy set pool but features a metal frame to support the pool. It basically fits together like a giant mechano set, yet requires virtually no tools to put together as the supporting metal frame simply clips together. This means that it can be easily assembled by one person in just a couple of hours.

These types of above ground swimming pools can last for many years, even if used all year round.

The next step up would be to go for a pre-formed metal liner pool, which are becoming increasingly popular to install as they come pre-plumbed and pre-wired, meaning that all you need to fit them is an electricity supply and water. Typically this type of pool solution can be installed in just a few days versus six weeks for a traditional in ground swimming pool.

So as you can see there are a wide range of swimming pools to choose from ranging from budget models at less than £100 through to metal liner pools at around £8-10,000.

GUEST BLOGGER

Chris Miles is the Director at Splash and Relax, the leading supplier of Swimming Pools products in the UK. Splash and Relax specialise in Above Ground Swimming Pools from major brands worldwide.

Yes it is true, the swimming pool which was once just classed as a luxury that only a few people could afford is now available to the masses.
Indeed if you are looking at buying a swimming pool for the first time, then when it comes to above ground pools in particular, you may well find yourself spoilt for choice and unsure as to which one to purchase.

So I will assume that you have a moderate budget and are not looking at the expense of building a concrete in ground swimming pool, although there are a few modern variations of this that can bring a very professional in ground swimming pool within your reach at a low cost.

Innovations in technology in recent years have seen a vast range of above ground pools come on to the market, from the simple splasher pool, through to large frame set pools that need to be partially buried in the ground. With these innovations has come a massive drop in price, with a basic splasher pool without a filter for sale for less than £50, and a large one with a filter pump and heater for less than £200.

Yet for just a couple of hundred pounds more you could buy a metal frame set pool that offers all of the facilities of an in ground swimming pool for a fraction of the cost.

However if you have set your heart on a traditional in ground solution there are now some very credible alternatives available that can offer the same benefits, but at a lower cost and much faster installation.

One example of this would be a pre-formed metal pool, which comes with everything already in place, all it needs is a suitable hole dug in the ground and then power, water and drainage connecting. Typically this type of pool can be installed in around a week compared to 8 to 10 weeks for a concrete one.

Clearly with this kind of difference in labour required, the cost of the installation drops considerably, and if you are DIY minded then this is something that you could project mange the installation of yourself. After all, to dig the hole all you need is a mini digger and a skip or two to take away the soil. The only bit you need a qualified person for thereafter is an electrician, and possibly a crane driver to lift the steel pool in to place.

Alternatively you could opt to build a block and liner pool, which is as the name suggests built of blocks, which a liner is then placed inside, and they are ideal to build if you have a reasonable number of friends that have some building skills.
So as you can see choosing a swimming pool is not as easy as it seems, but it is most likely more affordable than you thought.

GUEST BLOGGER

Chris Miles is the Director at Splash and Relax, the leading supplier of Swimming Pools products in the UK. Splash and Relax specialise in Above Ground Swimming Pools from major brands worldwide.

It used to be the case ten to fifteen years back or so that it would cost you well over £20,000 to build even just a basic swimming pool, yet you can now buy an absolute top of the range above ground swimming pool for a fraction of that cost.

Indeed even a high end 16ft x 32ft rectangular frame set pool can be yours for under £1,500 or less than the price of a secondhand car, and with a pool this size you can easily hold a large pool party or quietly swim laps in to keep fit.

They need not cost the Earth to heat either and can easily be adapted to use a wide range of heating options from gas, through to more popular options such as solar electricity or wind power. The latter can provide 100% free heating if the size of the solar panels or turbine are big enough.

Above ground swimming pools offer nearly all of the benefits of in ground solutions but at a fraction of the cost, as you can get them with efficient heaters and water filters. They are also much quicker to get up and running with even a very large metal frame set pool simply clipping together and being capable of being put up by one person in just a couple of hours, with most taking less than an hour to erect.

This compares with around six weeks to install an in ground pool, and needless to say there is a considerable saving in installation costs as a result. Also they can be taken down just as fast as they can be put up, making them an ideal option if you are renting a property or are planning on moving soon. Also they will not put people off buying your house in the way that an in ground swimming pool sometimes can do. It is worth noting that not everyone wants a pool and a concrete one may actually put people off, whereas an above ground one will not as people will realise that you will be taking it with you.

So when looking at pools then give an above ground swimming pool serious consideration.

GUEST BLOGGER

Chris Miles is the Director at Splash and Relax, the leading supplier of Swimming Pools products in the UK. Splash and Relax specialise in Above Ground Swimming Pools from major brands worldwide.

However the cost of building a decent sized in ground outdoor swimming pool can be anything from £8,000 to well over £30,000. Now that is a lot of money to spend only to use the facility for as little as a quarter of the year. So why not invest a little more so that you can use your swimming pool all year round?
Well if you want to do that you basically have two options, either build an indoor pool (Expensive) or build walls and a roof over your outside pool, which is also going to be very expensive and almost certainly require planning permission.

In either case you are looking at spending big time and money!
So why not consider buying a swimming pool enclosure to fit over your pool?
A swimming pool enclosure may well be one of the best investments you ever make. Picture this, you have all of your relatives over for Christmas, it is snowing outside, yet on Christmas day you are all having a morning swim in your pool.

A swimming pool enclosure keeps the heat in and the weather out, and enables you to use your pool all year round.
They come in several forms from the traditional telescopic enclosure that slides back in sections, so that you can have an open air pool in Summer, or have it completely enclosed in Winter.
Or you could opt for a full height fixed pool enclosure that provides all year round cover for your pool yet lets natural sunlight flood in.
You can now even get swimming pool enclosures for round pools, with options such as air domes that are kept up by a positive air pressure from the inside.
Whatever option you choose a good swimming pool enclosure will allow you to considerably extend the length of your swimming season.
Chris Miles is the Director at Splash and Relax, the leading supplier of Swimming Pools products in the UK. Splash and Relax specialise in Above Ground Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs from major brands worldwide.

Secondly are you planning on staying at your current address for some time, or are you thinking about moving in the next 2 to 3 years? I ask this as it may have a major impact on which pool you decided to buy.

Predominantly this is because swimming pools now come in two formats, permanent in ground pools and temporary or semi-permanent above ground pools.
The cost of an in ground pool can only really be justified if you are planning in staying in the same property for several years in order to get the payback on your investment, as a typical concrete in ground solution will cost upwards of £30,000 and if you are planning on moving next year then you will not see the cost of this investment reflected in the price your house sells for.

However if you are planning on staying put for a few years then your investment is likely to be reflected in your house price, just note that in ground solutions actually rarely add to the value of a property as there are the running costs to consider, which your may even put prospective buyers off.

The other and increasingly more popular solution, due to cost and deployment benefits, are above ground pools. These come in several formats from basic low cost splasher pools costing less then £100 through to formidable 24ft x 12ft pools costing around £2,400 that offer all the benefits of an in ground swimming pool, but at a fraction of the cost.
For under a £100 you will typically be able to buy a large “easy set” pool around 12ft wide and 3 ft deep with a filtration pump, and for another £70 you will be able to add a heater to it. These pools are thus ideal for having family fun, but are a little too short to do laps in.

Moving up a level you come to frame set pools, which offer a semi-permanent option e.g. you could leave them up all year round. These feature filtration pumps and heater options, and whilst a lot are round, they also come in large oval shapes with ones of up to 24ft in length being ideal for exercising in.

Everyone of the swimming pools above has its good and bad points, but the above ground pools in particular offer fantastic value and can be assembled, often with no tools, in just a couple of hours.

Guest Blogger

Chris Miles is the Director at Splash and Relax, the leading supplier of Swimming Pools products in the UK. Splash and Relax specialise in Above Ground Swimming Pools from major brands worldwide.

The Badu jet system is becoming ever more popular and can be fitted to many pools of very many different sizes, and there are exercise pools which have been especially designed for this equipment. The typical exercise pool is only 2.4 metres x 4.8 metres although the system can be fitted to any pool. The Badu jet forces a flow of water directly at the swimmer who swims against the current. Thus they are able to swim at the pace they want to without going anywhere.

It is ideal for an exercise tool and can be adjusted for young and old alike. The Badu jet sits on the pool surround and the body projects down below the level of the water. The Badu jet produces some 40 cubic metre per hour flow rate of water in a continuous flow at a pressure of 1.8 bar form it 2.3 to 1.6 KW output pump. The Badu jet works with an air injection via a venturi system and all the controls are on the front of the jet so that they can easily be adjusted.

The system works very well as an exercise system and can build up the body at a very good rate. The flexibility of the flow enables the swimmer to increase the flow as the body gets stronger and the chnique gets better. On the opposite side it can be reduced for children and can be used as massage system and each Badu jet comes with a set of massaging accessories and hoses and a set of grab rails. It can also be switched off to leave the pool as a standard swimming pool when ever the people using it have enjoyed it fully.

Guest Blogger

Chris Miles is the Director at Splash and Relax, a leading supplier of Swimming Pools products in the UK. Splash and Relax specialise in Above Ground Swimming Pools from major brands worldwide.

The above the ground pool is also more difficult to police in terms of providing a continuous eye on the children playing in it. It is not possible to sit or lie down below the pool below a certain level and see the people in it, to be able to supply a complete supervision. This of course can be done in many ways, by spending time in the pool with the children, to providing a high chair for proper vision. The obvious solution is to put the pool in the ground but here are as many reasons for not doings so. The site might not be acceptable as it may have rock below the surface or it may not be possible to get excavators to the site.

One possible solution is to take the ground up to the pool, not literally but in practise it may well be possible to build the above the ground pool and then build a complete raised floor at the surface level of the pool. The pool would then look like it was sunken into the floor and it will provide an easy and secure access to the pool.
If the floor is built in good solid decking with a strong support network underneath, it can be used as a complete patio area fitted with loungers and chairs and tables and a BBQ. The decking would have to be surrounded by an adequate fence to the total pool, but consider building a walkway all round the pool and it would provide all the advantages of an in the ground pool.
The standard depth of a pool is 4 to 5 feet so the structure is not too high and if it can be sunk into the ground by one foot then it will not be too intrusive. It will provide a great seating area where the children can be safely observed and kept secure. It also has the advantage that the whole area can be locked off when not in use so that the children cannot get near enough to get to the water. Water is the ultimate attraction for children and you cannot be too safe.

Guest Blogger

Chris Miles is the Director at Splash and Relax, a leading supplier of Swimming Pools products in the UK. Splash and Relax specialise in Above Ground Swimming Pools from major brands worldwide.