Best temp for water?

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Fri, 03 Oct 2003 08:51:42 GMT

Real quick disclaimer - I don't work for the City of Portland, but live in the Portland area, and I manage the aquatics program for a Sports and Fitness Center. On to Gareth's question - I guess economic feasability is the issue. We have 2 to 3 aquatic exercise classes everyday (except Sunday) and yes our instructors give hard workouts (some are land based instructors who have crossed over to teach aquaX so they know the business of getting a heart rate up). Plus we do swim lessons 4 days out of the week. We are currently looking at doing something similiar to Germany with a slight modification - we are looking at shutting off our heating system at night and then turning the system back on in the morning, so the pool would be coolest in the morning when most of our fitness minded clientel are in and the pool would be warmest in the afternoon/evening when we do lessons and have rec swim. Our problem currently is our pool water heating system needs to be changed out - unfortunately when the pool was built about 3 years ago the specs given on the heating equipment wasn't that great. We are planning on doing this in about 2 months - so I can let you know how feasible and effective this is in a few months. Our current system can swing the pool temp 2 to 3 degrees in about 12 hour time, depending on the weather (another oddity is our Natatorium does not have a true HVAC system so our heating and cooling is actually done through humidity control and pool temp).

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Fri, 03 Oct 2003 06:36:30 GMT

I am glad that they found this solution. However many pools have daily classes in Water Aerobics, or learn to swim and other activities whose participants want hot water to bathe in. If a pool operator could schedule these activities on specific days and have cooler water for real swimmers on other days then it could work. Perhaps " Kaelonji " could tell us how feasible this is. Oh and BTW " the flippers do not fit "! I have not insulted you, why are you insulting me? A reasonable person would have said sorry for the "knucklehead" remark !!!

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Fri, 03 Oct 2003 05:58:32 GMT

On a visit to Germany, I noticed that many facilities (with a single pool) had figured out how to please almost everybody. On five days, they maintained the water temperature at about 80°, but twice a week they had warm days, on which they raised the water temperature to about 85° and raised their admission fee slightly to offset the extra cost of heating. Problem solved, with a minimum of acrimony.

RE: Best temp for water?

MegSmath — Fri, 03 Oct 2003 03:32:02 GMT

Originally posted by MrEarl On a visit to Germany, I noticed that many facilities (with a single pool) had figured out how to please almost everybody. On five days, they maintained the water temperature at about 80°, but twice a week they had warm days, on which they raised the water temperature to about 85° and raised their admission fee slightly to offset the extra cost of heating. Problem solved, with a minimum of acrimony. They must have different pools in Germany than they do here. My pool takes several DAYS for the water temperature to change! When they first fill it after it's been drained for maintenance in August, it is frigid. It takes about a week before you don't gasp when you first hit the water.

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Thu, 02 Oct 2003 15:59:13 GMT

This time I think Jeff is right. He should know about this since he is a recreational director of the city of Portland where he is in charge of several pools, he can correct me on this. I think in my city it depends upon different areas. The eastside of town has more adult lap swimmers and some aerobic water people at the rec pool where I do my workouts at. Swimmers range from many that are slower than me with a few that can clubber me in freestyle. There are a few older seniors that use a certain lane and swim a few laps and socialized. so, these peopl like Jeff states like different tempertures. Another pool in my area that I swam at once was cold because there is a slide and the day I went there they combine lap with rec. In other parts of the city particularly in the poorer sections there is a lot more kids. When these kids take swim lessions they probably like the water warm but during rec swimming they like it cold for the slide.

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Thu, 02 Oct 2003 15:51:11 GMT

Everyone has their opinion, unfortunately as being from the management side of things - numbers and dollars are the the issues I have to look at. Sure I'll admit I would rather swim in a pool closer to 80 degrees (as most, but not all competitive swimmers would). If the only people using my facility were of the same mindset, then there wouldn't be an issue -unfortunately I don't have that luxury in two ways. First off the competitive/lap swimmers can't even agree on a good water temp - we keep ours right about 83 degrees (plus/minus a degree depending on weather, pool maintenance and where in the pool you take the temp). About 1/3 of the lap swimmers think its too warm, about 1/3 think its just right and 1/3 think its too cold. The other issue is the lap swimmers only make up about 1/3 my facility users (depending on the day 1/2 to 1/3) so the other portion of my daily patrons (aqua exercise, swim lessons, rec swim, aqua joggers, sports rehab, scuba, etc.) tend to think the pool is either just right or too cold (a few think its too warm - a very very very minute percentage). We could drop the pool temp to 81 and about 1/6 of our patrons would be happy (the other 5/6 would think it too cold) or I could raise it to 85/86 and have about close to 1/2 happy and the other 1/2 too hot (of course that would drive up my heating bill). So we strive for a comfortable medium, which allows everyone to use the pool with it being not to unbearable.

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Thu, 02 Oct 2003 13:24:36 GMT

Mark, I got somewhere with the pool management. The temp was at 30 ' C (86 ' F) for a few months in the summer. The temp now is now around 28.5' C (83' F). Somedays it gets much warmer around 29'C (84'F). We are never down to 27'C (81'F) though. The pool IS too warm to do a big workout though, so I am making the best of it for now. Are you going to be at Sheffield for the Masters Nationals ?

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Thu, 02 Oct 2003 12:56:10 GMT

Gareth, Did you get that "over-heated" water problem sorted out at your pool recently??Did they actuallly concede that you really did know more about what you were talking about than they did?? :D Mark

RE: Best temp for water?

Michael Heather — Thu, 02 Oct 2003 12:12:17 GMT

Any aquatics director who allows his/her pool to operate above 83 degrees F (except at therapy facilities) should be shot. And those who consistently keep the pool 76-80 should get a big wet kiss. All you aerobics folks who think the water should be warmer aren't working hard enough. That is why you still gain weight and eat too much after your 1/2 hour of splashing and burning off 8 huge calories (while you talk about where to go to get cinnamon buns after class). Do all the real swimmers a favor and have virtual classes at Starbucks. We could use water for actual exercise. And you floaters.... go home and sit in the tub if you need warm water. Pools are ACTIVITY centers, not teapots where lethargic sluggards come to steep. End of current rant. Wiping foam from mouth.

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Thu, 02 Oct 2003 09:00:23 GMT

Not sure why there's such resistance to the idea of maintaining two pools... one - kept cold - for those who use a pool as an excercise machine, or for competition, and another - kept warm - for the majority of people who'd like to come swimming, but are put off by ice water. How many facilities have the luxury of 2 pools, side by side where you could do this ? I have not come across any yet, I am only 40 tho ! Or are you expecting seperate leisure centres in an area to co-ordinate where one pool is kept warm and another is cooler? This would be very unlikely to work in practice for all kinds of reasons. Oh and thanks for calling me a "knucklehead", much appreciated !! Only 8 posts and the use of personal insults already !!!

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Thu, 02 Oct 2003 08:03:04 GMT

Well, I seem to have gotten a few knuckleheads hot under the collar. Not sure why there's such resistance to the idea of maintaining two pools... one - kept cold - for those who use a pool as an excercise machine, or for competition, and another - kept warm - for the majority of people who'd like to come swimming, but are put off by ice water. I certainly agree that a compromise temperature isn't really going to please anybody... especially the 'serious' swimmers who need cold water. BTW, I'm 63 years old, 5' 6" tall, and weigh in at 121 pounds (soaking wet). I can climb 20 stories, taking the stairs two at a time. I can outrun most high schoolers. And, I can swim the entire length of a 50 meter pool underwater. But I can't stand swimming in water that's less than 83°, and I'd sure like to find these pools where the water is allegedly kept at 86°.

RE: Best temp for water?

aquageek — Thu, 02 Oct 2003 06:34:05 GMT

Mr Ed - I think you've found the wrong forum to rant about pool water being too cool. Most of us are serious swimmers, not noodlers, and think that 83 degrees is way too warm. I'm not sure why you even brought this complaint to this discussion forum. It has been documented time and again that hot water is not good for a decent workout. The only thing hot water is good for is a hot tub or a cup of coffee/tea. You're right, we may be knuckleheads but notice how the only person who is agreeing with you is you. I agree with Michael Heather below. If the water is too cool, try actually doing some phycial activity. That should solve the problem.

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 15:33:49 GMT

I'm a big baby in my middle years. I don't like the 85 to 86 degree water nor do I like the 78 and below. 78 and below and I have to swim 200 yards just to get use to it. I like in-between around 81 to 82. That's higher than most people here like but I think its a comprise with the different people who use the pools.

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 14:24:20 GMT

OK Guilty as charged. Some in the pool are unable to move quickly through the water. Could someone not invent "insulated swimsuits" that may help them to stay warm ? Should we all struggle with hot water for the comfort of a very small minority ?

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 12:24:54 GMT

These people have the choice to actually move their bodies at faster than a slow motion pace to warm up and get fitter in the process but choose not to do so. I have to disagree here. Yes some may be able to, but many of the little ole men and women can't because of age or medical conditions. I am almost 52 and can do the the floor and step aerobics classes but not as fast as the 20 something pretty thing teaching the class. She may do 4 reps of a partictular move in a certain amount of time and I can only get in 3. This summer was the first time I swam in a pool with a temperature above 82. In mid summer, the water in the outdoor competition pool was approaching 88, I could do some laps, but like you said, I got exhausted quickly. Ironically, water in the play pool was much colder because of the constant airation by all the fountains and 'water features.' Water temperature is a problem that won't be able to be solved until someone comes up with a way to 'zone' heat a pool. So all you engineers out there start thinking on a way to do that (I already have an idea but not sure it would work) When you come up with something, remember I was the one who gave you the idea and deserve some of the profit! Lainey

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 10:42:30 GMT

Originally posted by aquageek It would seem to me it would take more energy to keep an outdoor Florida pool at 78 than 88-90 in the summer. I Yes, it does, and the 78 was the pool temperature in the winter. In the summer they have to aerate the pool at night to cool it down, and in the good old days they would run the aerators regularly, which probably kept the temperature around 80 or so. Now that water aerobics rules, the guidelines call for the aerators being turned on then the pool temperature reaches 86. The Swimming Hall of Fame pool in Fort Lauderdale is kept at 78 year round, and they aerate it regularly - also, I think they may have something that cools the water down before it is pumped back into the pool.

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 07:56:00 GMT

Mr Earl Most pools used to be kept at about 83° as a compromise, but since lap swimmers are better organized (though fewer in numbers) than the general public, they've been able to convince pool managers to lower water temperatures (almost everywhere) to between 79° and 81°. The area you live in must be unique ! I have swum in many pools in different countries and in almost every one the water temp has been too warm for serious swimming. What really happens is that a facility opens with a temp of 80 to 82' F, which is the official guideline set for fitness/leisure swimming. Very quickly, the water aerobics, paddlers, floaters and others complain constantly until the temp is raised to 86' (or hotter). These people have the choice to actually move their bodies at faster than a slow motion pace to warm up and get fitter in the process but choose not to do so. A swimmer in training needs to work for at least 60 mins at a target heart rate of 120 to 140 bpm, for aerobic work, higher for anaerobic work and higher still for speed work. A well constructed workout will raise core body temp by 1'F for each 10 min of activity. That is an increase of 6'F in 1 hour. If the water temp is above 82' F then the body cannot dissapate heat into the water effectively. The result is that the swimmer gets overheated, which leads to exhaustion. The swimmer in training has 2 choices in warm or hot water: slow down and not get an effective workout or get out of the pool and abandon the attempt to swim. We could just give up altogether and join the floaters and noodlers but we do actually like to swim ! It is very hard to have planned a season of workouts leading up to a big meet, with your percentage of aerobic, anaerobic and lactic carefully measured only to turn up at the pool at 6:30 (after waking at 5:30 am) to find that you have to abandon your planned workout because some IDIOTS want to swim in water as hot as my bathtub !!!

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 06:18:49 GMT

Originally posted by Gareth Eckley Mr Earl What really happens is that a facility opens with a temp of 80 to 82' F, which is the official guideline set for fitness/leisure swimming. Very quickly, the water aerobics, paddlers, floaters and others complain constantly until the temp is raised to 86' (or hotter). !!! The pool where I swim was kept at 78F when it first opened. Then the water aerobes and floaters moved in......... Now if the pool gets down around 83, the heat is turned on - even if it is July!! This is an outdoor pool in Florida. Turning the heat on in July in FLORIDA not only makes for a pool that is stifling in 90 degree heat, it is also an outrageous waste of money and resources imho. But of course water aerobics rules at my pool, as it seems to at many YMCAs.

RE: Best temp for water?

aquageek — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 03:52:47 GMT

It would seem to me it would take more energy to keep an outdoor Florida pool at 78 than 88-90 in the summer. I swam at lunch today. I normally swim early in the morning. With all the talk about the water aerobicizers, I decide to observe them. Well, nothing has changed. In fact, it was worse than ever. So, I draw the following conclusion: Laineybug is the only legitimate water aerobic instructor in the land and she is tucked into an inaccessible corner of Georgia. I know this because I have been to her town and it is really far away.

RE: Best temp for water?

aquageek — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 01:25:08 GMT

Lainey - no need for engineers, just put 15 5 year olds in a one end of a pool and you will have a warm zone quite quickly.

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Tue, 30 Sep 2003 11:17:59 GMT

Yeah Right Aquageek, you just love us for our water temperature!

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Tue, 30 Sep 2003 08:24:59 GMT

Oh Aquageek, our indoor competition pool, which is used more by swim classes, aerobics, family swim, is maintained at 80/81/82 max and the lap swimmers are not 'organized.' The indoor pool is still undergoing reinovation and won't be openned until the end of December (at least thats the rumor). They have begun to heat the outdoor competition pool, which is again shared by every group, to a max of 82.

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Tue, 30 Sep 2003 08:11:37 GMT

No need to get your speedos in a twist. You've already won the war. Most pools nowadays keep the water at about 80° in order to satisfy lap swimmers (who tend to be well organized and unwilling to compromise). You can look up pool temps here: http://www.swimmersguide.com/ I guess I should have been more specific. I meant to say that 83° was the norm (in most, but not all, pools) before the great fitness craze that brought thousands of lap swimmers to neighborhood pools about 25 years ago. I am most comfortable swimming in 86° water, but I'm willing to deal with 83°, since I understand the need to compromise when there's only one pool for everyone. I'm not arthritic, but unfortunately, I can't bear 80° water for more than 15 or 20 minutes. I don't doubt that your experience is different, but not everyone is the same as you. That's why I suggested that the best solution is that taken by many Ys... one cold pool for team practice and lap swimming, and a warmer pool for the rest of us.

RE: Best temp for water?

Former Member — Tue, 30 Sep 2003 06:40:49 GMT

I prefer a water temperature of about 86°. Colder temperatures are suitable for racing, but not for recreational swimming. Most pools used to be kept at about 83° as a compromise, but since lap swimmers are better organized (though fewer in numbers) than the general public, they've been able to convince pool managers to lower water temperatures (almost everywhere) to between 79° and 81°. This trend has resulted in discouraging old folks and children from attending public pools, except in the hottest weather, although some YMCAs maintain two pools (one warm, one cold) so that all swimmers can enjoy the water.

RE: Best temp for water?

aquageek — Tue, 30 Sep 2003 04:39:09 GMT

Laineybug - I'm moving to Thomasville although it does worry me that you will force me into one of your agressive water aerobics classes where I will flail pathetically.