| Recreational swimming pools didn't become | | | | incredibly long-lasting. Legacy, a flagship |
| popular until the mid 19th century. Modern Olympic | | | | manufacturer of above ground pools offers |
| Games (which began in 1896) included many | | | | almost every shape and size, including ovals, |
| competitions that signaled the popularity of | | | | circles and standard rectangles-some can reach up |
| swimming pools, which eventually prompted | | | | to 52" deep! |
| Oxford to build the first public swimming pool | | | | Above ground pools require the same amount of |
| 1939. | | | | sanitation of a regular, in-ground pool and that's |
| Privately-owned, home pools became popular | | | | why most come with filters and pumps. Water |
| after the Second World War (partially due to the | | | | pumps are the base of operations of any sanitary |
| prominence of pools in Hollywood movies in that | | | | swimming environment. In pool pumps, an electric |
| era). The growth of the suburban life in the in the | | | | motor spins an impeller which draws water from |
| 1950s solidified the pool's role as a status symbol | | | | all the drains in the pool and through a metal |
| for middle-to-upper class Americans. | | | | strainer before entering the pump. The strainer |
| However, in-ground swimming pools are | | | | catches all the large debris. Then, water is |
| expensive and require major landscape | | | | pumped through the filter, where debris and |
| modifications-conditions that many people can't | | | | chemicals are removed. |
| accommodate. On the other hand, above ground | | | | Even lap pools can be above ground¬-Legacy |
| pools are light, affordable and are | | | | makes one that reaches up to 41 feet in length |
| easily-assembled. Also, many of them are | | | | and is the perfect option for privatized exercise |
| portable-favorable for prospective pool-owners | | | | instead of battling for lanes at the local gym. |
| who don't intend to stay in one location | | | | Exercise pools are also very popular and not as |
| permanently. | | | | pricey as lengthy lap pools. Developed over the |
| Because of their afford-ability, above ground pools | | | | last two decades, these recreation devices create |
| have allowed more people access to summertime | | | | adjustable resistance so the swimmer feels like |
| recreation than ever before. | | | | they are actually swimming long distances when |
| Above ground pools can be made of a simple | | | | they are actually staying in one place. |
| PVC-material and sold in any department store. | | | | Safety should always be the number one concern |
| Often considered "kiddie" or splasher pools, they | | | | for all pool owners. Never leave young ones |
| nonetheless provide a refreshing place to sit on a | | | | unattended around a pool area! It's also a good |
| hot summer day. Plus, many of them are now | | | | idea to keep the surface covered when it's not in |
| inflatable which makes storage easy when they're | | | | use. Common sense is probably the best |
| not in use, especially during the off-season. | | | | weapons against pool-related injury-according the |
| High-end models are more durable and | | | | Center for Disease Control, six people drown in |
| constructed of a steel frame. The liner is made | | | | pools every day and most of these cases are in |
| from vinyl or polyester, both of which are | | | | public pools with certified lifeguards on duty. |