Summer 2011 DIY Lap pool project

I used to swim a lot before i moved to Richmond and was looking for another way to get in shape, without wasting time going and coming back from a gym when i have my gym in my basement. So, In popped the idea of having my own pool...but my backyard is so small? I figured I'd dig a hole, some cinder blocks, plaster, and attach myself by a harness to the garage wall. Well it turned into a bigger project with a 4hp pump to make it endless with no harness. On top of that, by the time I was done building it, getting in shape by swimming in it wasn't as pertinent lol!

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Badu swim jet system
• endless pool
• diy lap pool
• speck pump
• intex saltwater system

[SenatorTonyKreutzer]

Well, poured at the base.

HOW WIDE IS YOURS ?

[thehoffaman]

@SenatorTonyKreutzer Mine is about 6.5 feet wide. i'd have to run out and measure, I don't remember exactly. i do knwo that I would have liked it even a bit wider. My original plans called for it to be wider. i had planned on using 6 inch block. When I found the blocks i didn't really think about their width. I ended up with 8 inch blocks which took out 4 inches.

[thehoffaman]

@SenatorTonyKreutzer Mine is about 6.5 feet wide. i'd have to run out and measure, I don't remember exactly. i do knwo that I would have liked it even a bit wider. My original plans called for it to be wider. i had planned on using 6 inch block. When I found the blocks i didn't really think about their width. I ended up with 8 inch blocks which took out 4 inches.

[thehoffaman]

@SenatorTonyKreutzer Mine is about 6.5 feet wide. i'd have to run out and measure, I don't remember exactly. i do know that I would have liked it even a bit wider. My original plans called for it to be wider. i had planned on using 6 inch block. When I found the blocks i didn't really think about their width. I ended up with 8 inch blocks which took out 4 inches.

[Michiganatheart]

How much did this cost you overall?

[PLYNCH28]

I've seen a lot of videos but your is one of the best ever! I will use your guidelines to build mine when I get ready. Home Depot could do very well with an instructor like you. Thank you very much!

May I call you Joe?

[thehoffaman]

you'll want to have it as wide as your arm span across plus more to allow for a bit of side to side movement as you will likely not swim exactly straight

[thehoffaman]

@SenatorTonyKreutzer Thansk for watching, I'm glad it has helped! You can definitely do it by yourself. The thigns you will run into, especially at that length is keeping water out of your hole during the process. The rain was part of the reason it took me so much longer than I had anticipated. 5 feet will be too narrow if you plan on doing any strokes that take your arms out to your sides ie. the breast stroke or the butterfly.

[thehoffaman]

@geophreigh Thank you. It was a ton of work. When i first started laying the blocks, i thought to myself "what have I gotten myself into." LOL

[thehoffaman]

@darkbigb Thank you! the cost will vary greatly depending on how you source your materials. the pump, for example, I purchased used through ebay at a savings of over 2,000$ Most of the cinder blocks i purchased through craigslist. All in all i'd say I spent probably around 2k.