Fitness
The UK’s best swimming pools to train in
Want to push yourself to competition standard? These are the pools you’ll want to cause a splash in.
Whether you’re training for a triathlon, or simply swimming for fitness alone, dipping a toe into your local pool can offer a physical and mental overhaul unmatched by just another plod around the local park.
And yet, as handy as those pools in your local gyms and leisure centres may seem, when you’ve got dive-bombing children and crowds of Aqua Zumba devotees cordoning off entire lanes, it’s not always easy to get into the zone and help your body fulfill its aquatic potential.
So, dig out those swim shorts and get ready to head to more professional environs, for this is our list of the best swimming pools for training in the UK.
1. London Aquatics Centre
London Aquatic Centre
© Queen Elizabeth Park
Opened after the 2012 games, the London Aquatics Centre rode the wave of renewed interest in the sport, offering world class facilities, including two 50-metre pools used for the likes of the Invictus Games.
In addition to this, there are 25-metre diving pools for budding Tom Daleys (who happens to train here, FYI). To date, the centre has taught over 600 people to dive. And, if you’re the sort of person who treats a dip in the pool as a reward after a hefty gym session, you’ll be pleased to learn it has its own on-site weights room and workout facilities, too.
2. Ponds Forge, Sheffield
Ponds Forge International Sports Centre
© Ponds Forge International Sports Centre
Located in the heart of Sheffield, Ponds Forge boasts the UK’s deepest diving pool, where members of Team GB train. In addition to this, the facility has two pools, including one Olympic-size pool for you to hone your stamina and strokes.
Swimming classes are available for those of various abilities, and if you have children, they may enjoy a dip in the kids' pool and play area once you’ve got your laps in.
3. The Edge, Leeds
So named because of its love for U2's foremost hat-wearing guitarist (or so we imagine), The Edge at Leeds University strikes the perfect balance between training facility and relaxing dip spot, with access from £4.50.
Classes are held in the eight-lane, 25-metre pool, and private, one-on-one coaching sessions can also be booked if there’s a particular hangup you want to figure out in the water.
A 15-minute session in the sauna afterwards will help aid recovery and reduce inflammation, too, meaning you’ll be fighting fit to get back into the pool the next day.
4. Bath University, 2012 Legacy Pool
Bath's 2012 Legacy Pool
© University of Bath
Renowned as one of the best pools in the country, this public-access pool is where Team GB trained in the run-up to the glorious summer of 2012.
Access to the bright and modern 50m London 2012 Legacy Pool starts at £4 for adults, and you’re able to swim for as long as you like, without even having to pretend you’re a student.
There's also a chance you might see modern contenders such as Jazz Carlin and Siobhan-Marie O’Connor or reigning British champ Anna Hopkin taking a dip. You'll not get much more motivation than that.
5. Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Glasgow
A £14m refurbishment has seen a second, 50-metre pool added to Tollcross International Swimming Centre, as well as 1,000 extra spectator seats, which is handy if you like the stakes to be high when trying to swim an underwater length.
The new pool has six lanes and a moveable floor to allow the depth to be altered. While it’s unlikely that such an addition will be needed in your daily training sessions, it’s always nice to have the option, eh?
It was also here that Ross Murdoch picked up gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, meaning you’ll be swimming in history.
6. Royal Commonwealth Pool, Edinburgh
Situated in a category A-listed building, Edinburgh’s Royal Commonwealth Pool promises to bring a touch of class to your daily dip.
A £37 million refurbishment in 2009 brought the facilities up to date, with new 25-metre diving and teaching pools.
The pool area itself is bright, large and airy, creating a sense of open space rare in a city centre, and many swimming pools, making this a quiet oasis. And yes, Tom Daley has used the diving boards.
7. University of Birmingham Swimming Pool
The University of Birmingham Swimming Pool
© University of Birmingham
The city’s first Olympic-length pool opened this year to much local fanfare. At 50 metres, the £55 million facility welcomes students and members of the public alike, catering to all abilities, whether you’re looking to shave 10 seconds off your 100m, or trying to master a new stroke.
With depths varying between 1.2m and 2m, it isn’t the place to practice your dives, but is deep enough to work on your lung capacity with some object retrievals or underwater lengths.
Lessons run throughout the week, so check the website to make sure your training session doesn’t clash with a family-friendly swim.
8. Manchester Aquatics Centre
Manchester Aquatic Centre
© Visit Manchester
The north west’s premier training centre runs a variety of sessions in its 50-metre pool, which can be split into two smaller pools as required.
Classes run throughout the day, ranging from aqua aerobics to more serious athletic training.
And if you grow tired of pushing out laps, water flumes and surrounding fake palm trees offer a chance to relax poolside in an, ahem, oasis only Manchester could have dreamed up.
9. University of Bristol Swimming Pool
University of Bristol Swimming Pool
© University of Bristol
Taking advantage of university funding, Bristol is another city in which the on-campus facilities outstrip the public pools. Not only has the university facility recently undergone a refurbishment, at a normal length of 25 metres and a full length of 32 metres and six lanes, it’s one of the larger pools in the country.
For diving enthusiasts, the pool ranges from 1.2 to 3.8 metres, making it the perfect place to hone that swan dive.
10. Tooting Bec Lido, London
South London’s most famous open-air pool is also the largest open-air pool in the UK, at 91x30 metres. Entry during winter months (October to April) is only open to South London Swimming Club members, so we suggest you get involved. And don’t worry: the cold will help activate your “good” brown fat stores, too, resulting in faster metabolism and energy release.
Best of all, the peaceful tree-lined screen will have you thinking you’re a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the capital.
Red Bull Neptune Steps takes place in Glasgow on Saturday 10th March 2018. The unique open water adventure race will see 600 competitors swimming, climbing and conquering the icy cold waters of the Forth and Clyde canal.