So we are getting an endless pool/spa and its come down to the nice (and pricey) endless pool and one made by PDC spas www.pdcspas.com is there a huge difference in the current given off by EP as opposed to the jets of PDC? The reason i ask is because i can get the PDC at close to wholesale and would have to pay retail for the endless pool brand.
Of course the marketing is going to steer you in a certain direction so i thought I’d come here for advice.
Thanks
While I’ve swum in an endless pool I’ve never used one of those spa pools, so these are just my inexperienced thoughts.
I would definitely try the spa version if you are leaning that way. I’d have to think that the one that is geared specifically for swimming would be produce a much better swim. When something has more jobs to fill (swim, plus hot tub, plus therapy and any other kinds of exercise) I’m just not sure that you’d achieve as great a swim as with the one that’s really only for swimming.
One difference in feel might have to do with the return channel that you get with the endless pool but not with the spa. Endless Pools also sells the Fastlane pool which doesn’t have a return channel and from what I understand it’s not as nice a swim as the Endless Pool.
How much of a savings is it? If it’s just a thousand or so and all you plan on using it for is swimming than I’d probably still go with the Endless Pool.
I admitedly don’t know doodly about either option, but I clicked on the PDC link out of curiousity. It looks like you are swimming right in the middle of a boats wake…OTOH, the EP looks like a pretty smooth current. I think swimming in the PDC would drive me nuts.
and you’d have thought they would have video’s someone who could actually swim and not just windmill the water
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I bought one and put it in my warehouse at office. To be honest, i really couldn’t stand it. It was a pain in the ass to maintain, had leaks and problems and Endless Pools customer service sucked! They never shipped all the pieces to my lap counter and 2 years later still didn’t have it hooked up. I sold it last year for 7k and paid 12k for it. I would make sure to try it a few times and for at least 20-30 minutes to get a real opinion on if it will work for you or not. Good luck…
Do NOT get the PDC unless you try it first. Swim spas rely on very high velocity jet (with little flow discharge) to provide resistance. You get an extremely high turbulence flow. You will get a workout that barely resembles swimming. Endless pool displace lots of water to provide a deep and large relative;y smooth flow. They are nothing alike.
I have not tried the PDC but I have tried a couple of those swim spas. You have to decide, you want a spa (100 degrees water, therapeutic jets) or you want to swim ? If the latter, go with an endless pool.
Francois in Montreal
thank you… everyone’s input was great…and what I was thinnking. And yes, that dude in the video looks like he is swimming for his life. ha. I know we would save a lot but in the end if all I have is a huge spa for 10k I’d be pissed that we didn’t spend the extra $$ for something that works better. Maybe I can talk her into a lap lane in the backyard!
thank you… everyone’s input was great…and what I was thinnking. And yes, that dude in the video looks like he is swimming for his life. ha. I know we would save a lot but in the end if all I have is a huge spa for 10k I’d be pissed that we didn’t spend the extra $$ for something that works better. Maybe I can talk her into a lap lane in the backyard!
The VASA swim trainers have been getting some good reviews on this site as including from some 25ish HIM swimmers. Been looking into one myself. They’re about $1800-$2k, I think. Much less of a hassle, and much easier to resell (I’ve been looking for a used Vasa Erg for quite awhile now - there are none to be had!)
I have a fastlane pool. A litle different swim than the original EP, but not much and certainly cheaper and easier to setup/teardown.
I love it, no issues and fantastic customer service from Endless Pools when I needed it. I’ve never understood the swimspa thing. I keep the pool at 83 deg, and still get warm after a long swim. Yet it feels cold when you climb in. If you were to have it at a temp that you would want to soak in, you would never be able to swim long.
I went and tried out an EP before buying and highly recommend doing that, but be prepared for it to feel different than pool swimming. It takes a bit to get it, it will highlight your weaknesses, like sinking legs much more than a pool. The good thing is it makes you swim with good form. Took my wife a good month to get it, but now she has it down pat.
good luck,
FishHog
In terms of quality of workout what is the difference between the cheaper of the swim spas mentioned and using a tether?
No turbulence issue with the tether but not sure if there’s something that would offset that.
Glad you are going with the Endless Pool. I spent a lot of time looking and trying out swim spas and there is no comparison if you want a quality swim experience and if you swim faster than 1:45/100 meters. I just kept running into the front of the swim spas and also couldn’t breathe due to the turbulent jets smashing into my head. The swim spa would be perfect for the recreational retired couple who wants to do some low impact aerobic activity. I have had my Endless Pool for about a month now and even though it is pricey, I am extremely happy with the purchase. You will definitely want to include the mirrors and pace clock and I wish I had bought lights as well since I’m swimming in the dark quite often. We built our own walls with triple the insulation since our pool is outdoors in Colorado. It was a lot of work, but well worth it in the end.
What kind of insulation did you use?
We insulated with 2 layers of 2 inch foam insulation board sandwiching fiberglass insulation (6" total insulation). Outside of that is our walls made of 1/4" wood siding. The R-factor for the pool is 40. Still trying to brainstorm on a good way to add insulation to the pool cover which will be where most of the heat is lost. If anyone has a good idea, please send it my way. We will want to swim all winter, so it can’t be too cumbersome to remove as it will be 20 degrees F and snowing outside at times.
FWIW, Endless Pools is about to release a longer/deeper swim Spa.
Definitely make sure you take a swim in the specific model you choose before you buy one. My parents picked up an EP about 2 years ago, and I have two issues with it:
If I were buying an EP for me, I’d need the bigger motor to fix , and probably the 14ft or bigger model to fix (my parents have the 12ft model). It’s great for my parents though, and is great for slower or smaller or less-bubble-generating swimmers.
I have an EP 6hp. It works great. Ordered mine together with a buddy who opted for the 5hp. If installed at the correct height and angle, even the 5hp provides a strong enough current IMO. I’m a 50-55 min Ironman swimmer. The 6hp is great if you want to do sprints/intervals at higher than threshold.
Inquire about the Kona Ironman special (as it is just around the corner). I was able to get mine at a discount this way. I also recommend the optional mirror and a Finis swimmer snorkel (and nose clip) for swim stroke self-analysis.
buying an endless pool device is like buying a treadmill.
would you buy a treadmill by simply looking at it and based on what others say?
you hop on it and try it for 30 mins correct?
andrew
Diana,
Keep us posted and perhaps post some pictures. I have been considering one for 4 years now, but each time I decide that it’s not worth it given that my swim season in Canada is limited. I was thinking that I’d be able to use from April to end of Nov with some heating and a wetsuit, but that’s 8 months. I like the concept of the convenience, but having the unit sitting unused for 4-5 months has always dissuaded me.
Good idea on the lights. I’d definitely have to use lights too…never thought about it. If you don’t mind discussing, how much did the entire set up end up costing?
Dev
Dev,
I would post pics, but never bothered to learn how to post pics on ST…pathetic, I know.
One thing I would say about the Endless Pool…I would have a hard time using it as my sole source of swimming. I still swim Masters 2-3 times per week and use the EP as a supplement to that. I feel like I’m about done after 30-45 minutes in the Endless Pool, but I also feel like I get a fantastic workout and constant feedback on stroke mechanics (which is the real benefit to the EP outside of the obvious benefit to swimming in the sunshine with minimal chlorine). The mirrors are a must.
Also, there is a new cheaper version that is less aesthetically pleasing. I think it’s called the T2? It is deeper, like my pool, but much narrower than the standard EP. I think it saves you about $5000.
As far as the total cost of our EP, it’s 14x7 ft and extra deep (48"). My husband and I did all of the insulation and finish work ourselves, but we had the pool professionally installed. Most standard EP’s will run you about $23+K for the pool itself. Plan on another $1400 for shipping (depends on where you live), $1700 for the concrete pad and electrical, and $4000 for the installation without finish work. With my husbands mad bargaining skills, I would guess we have spent somewhere in the neighborhood of $26K for our pool, but we put in a fair bit of labor ourselves. We’re hoping to make some of that back in the coming years by being a customer demo pool.
Diana
there are 2 other “endless” pool companies: hydroworx and swimex
i believe the swimex is cheaper and better
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