Posted by Marcus Sheridan on Fri, Mar 19, 2010 @ 11:06 AM
My three year old daughter came to me on a recent morning and proclaimed vigorously, "Daddy, I need you to take me outside.....Now!".... And if there is one thing I've learned over the years as a parent to my kids, there is nothing better than a daughter grabbing the hand of her father and being lead to wherever her whim might take the journey....And so we were off.
Once outside, I was immediately hit by the azure skies and radiant sun, a happy reminder that we had finally moved past the mountains of snow that had engulfed our region just a few short weeks before. But what happened next is what brought me the biggest smile. My daughter lead me down to our swimming pool and proceeded to say, "Ok Daddy, let's get in the pool!" This was a cute statement, especially considering our pool is still closed and our high temperatures are barely in the 70's. Notwithstanding, her strong desire to enjoy the beauties and joys of swimming got my mind thinking about just how many wonderful benefits swimming pool ownership has.
That being said, I've come up with a list here of the top 10 ways swimming pool ownership can improve one's happiness, health, and family. Although many pool shoppers may be aware of most of these benefits, I think it's important that each is considered and recognized as an incredible benefit to such a worthy investment. So here goes:
10 Awesome Reasons to Own a Swimming Pool
1.
Create a ‘Staycation':
This is a word that has gained popularity since the early 2000s, mainly as a result of 9/11. Simply put, people are traveling less and spending more time at home. And as we all know, the more we find enjoyment through staying home, the more money we save on the natural expenses that come with any type of travel.
2.
Family Time: I can personally attest to this benefit of pool ownership maybe more than any other. With all the new technology of the information age, families are being constantly pulled apart by a mountain of activities and ‘distractions'. Whether it's TV, Ipods, cell phones, etc; it can be tough for a family to truly share quality time. Such is the beauty of swimming pool ownership-no distractions. Only smiles, games, and the sound of laughter. I can definitively say that my family has a stronger relationship because our swimming pool brings us together.
3.
Fitness:
Although many adults buy swimming pools for the fitness component, most don't realize that their children will likely benefit much, much more in this area. Every summer, my children undergo a physical transformation from the end of spring to the end of summer. This is because they've usually gained a little bit of extra weight due to being inside so much during the winter and then they find themselves playing in the pool 3-5 hours a day once the summer is in full effect. Instead of being bored and looking for a snack in the pantry, they instead turn their focus to creating new and exciting games and activities in the pool. And the beauty is that EVERY activity they do in the pool involves exercise of some shape or form.
4.
Stress relief: When customers debate over whether or not a pool will be a good investment, they need look no further than the fact that being in and around a pool is easily one of the most natural stress relievers in the world. There have been many times when I've been under pressure from the typical stresses of being a husband, father, and business owner only to find my worries washed away as I toss my kids in the air and watch their laughter as they splash into the water.
5.
Kids Bedtime: This is a benefit that most parents have never thought of until they actually own a pool. As many parents are well aware, it can be difficult to get children to bed on time, especially during the summer. This is because they can tend to get just a little ‘wrung up' during this exciting time of the year. And so what's the cure for this dilemma? Well let me assure you that nothing will tire a child our more than playing outside in the pool all day. In fact, instead of me shouting commands, my kids will often tell me that they are going to bed during the summer. How about that for a benefit?!
6.
Church/Group/ Community Activities: This benefit isn't necessarily for everyone, but it's one that my family has embraced since we had our pool installed 4 years ago. We've had multiple church and youth group activities in our pool that have lead to many wonderful experiences and stronger relationships with other persons that we may otherwise not have had. I am a stronger believer that pools bring families and friends closer, and such shall always be the case as we continue to extend our blessings to others.
7.
Aquatic Therapy: Similar to fitness, aquatic therapy can be a major benefit of pool ownership. In fact, swimming pools have blessed the lives of many with such issues as fibromyalgia, cerebral palsy, as well as other illnesses.
8.
A Reason to Stay Home: When it comes down to it, many parents worry about what will happen to their children the older they get and the more time they spend at their friend's houses versus their own. This being said, swimming pools are a wonderful incentive for children, and their friends, to stay home (your home) versus going other places. And trust me when I say it's comforting to watch your children relate to their friends as they grow from little kids to young adults.
9.
The Grandchildren: Ah yes, the wonderful grandchildren. When it comes to giving the grandkids a reason to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house, nothing adds quite the incentive a swimming pool does. In fact, during our 9 years in the pool business, I'd venture to say we've installed at least 100 pools specifically for this purpose. And let me assure you grandparents, the incentive works, sometimes almost too well!
10.
Home Improvement Value: The National Association of Realtors recently came out with an article discussing the fact that inground fiberglass and concrete pools increase the value of homes on average 5%. In other words, on a $500,000 home, a swimming pool will typically add about $25,000 worth of value. I mention this because some people think that pools will deter from the value of a home. Although this can be true in some cases, it is generally not the case.
So there are my top 10 ways owning a swimming pool will benefit your home, your happiness, and your health. What are your thoughts? Have you any to add to this list? As always, I welcome any comments below.
Posted by Marcus Sheridan on Wed, Dec 09, 2009 @ 04:52 PM
**This is a guest post from from Kate Brown of Hydroworx**
If someone does not get the proper amount of exercise due to unfortunate medical circumstances such as age, weakening muscles and bone mass, and athletic injuries, aquatic therapy may be the solution.
Aquatic therapy is a form of physical therapy or exercise that takes place in the water. Movement in the water reduces the weight placed on bones and joints making exercise easier for those who suffer from arthritis, strains, or sprains. Water also provides resistance for those looking to strength or endurance train but also provides assistance for those who need help completing certain movements. The assistance provided by the water allows people to gradually evolve through various levels of exercise without the pain that can come from stress to the knees, hips, or ankles.
For patients who suffer from illnesses like arthritis, aquatic therapy offers easy exercise that provides a multitude of benefits including improved muscle strength, increased cardiovascular strength, increased range of motion, endurance, flexibility, balance and coordination. Other noticeable benefits might include decreased pain and stiffness, improved posture, enhanced relaxation, and better mobility because of reduced joint strain. For patients with certain kinds of illness or disease, aquatic therapy can greatly assist with treatment.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a condition that permanently affects muscle coordination and the movement of the body. Because the body can become rigid and stiff, gentle movement from aquatic therapy can help stretch the muscles. Cerebral palsy patients have more freedom to move in water, which allows them access to more motor functions. A specific type of therapy called Aquatic PNF (Propioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) is a compilation of different techniques that help cerebral palsy patients to work out their limbs.
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease (also known as PD) is a chronic disease of the brain that impairs speech, motor control and other functions. 
Therapists sometimes use water therapy to enhance, restore and maintain a person's functional abilities. Because therapy pools support the body and reduce stress on joints, patients are able to improve function and mobility, sometimes at a faster pace than with traditional physical therapy alone.
Arthritis
There are over 100 different forms of arthritis that can cause damage to joints throughout the body. Depending on the form you have, treatment may vary. With aquatic therapy, patients are introduced to a different form of exercise that is not high-impact and weight-bearing. The buoyancy effect of water drastically reduces the amount of body weight that is acting upon your joints. In fact, if you are standing in shoulder-high water, only 10% of your total body weight is acting upon your joints. You will also experience an enhanced range of motion, and in turn, you can strengthen a wider range of muscles due to the resistant nature of water. The pressure of the water helps to decrease swelling and increase circulation and the soothing sensation of warm water helps to relieve stress.
If you are a patient who is hesitant to engage in physical activity for fear of doing physical harm to your body, or if you want to avoid 
the pain that comes with traditional physical therapy, aquatic therapy may be another solution. Ask around, or visit your local community facilities and see if they have any classes designed to help people engage in low-impact aerobic exercise. Many facilities will offer a range of water-exercise programs. Be sure to look for a qualified instructor who is knowledgeable about your condition. If you find a suitable location, you will find that aquatic therapy is a relaxing and enjoyable way to relieve the pain and stress associated with your condition.
About the Author:
Kate Brown is a seasoned triathlete and is currently training for the inaugural Boulder 70.3 Ironman. She knows first-hand how spa and massage therapy can both aid in the recovery process and ease joint-related pain. Originally from the coast of Maine, she currently resides in Denver, CO.
A Note from Marcus Sheridan:
I want to thank Kate for contributing this very informative article. Because this blog has taken on a life of its own with subscribers now all over the world, I've been receiving more and more article contribution requests, which I'm very happy to include when they offer our readers value, which this article does nicely. So hopefully everyone will stay tuned for other quality writings such as this one in the future.