The Benefits of Using the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center for Swimming Laps

A Comprehensive Guide for Residents

Swimming is one of the most effective forms of exercise, offering a full-body workout that is easy on the joints and suitable for all fitness levels. For residents of South Florida, there are an abundance of city-owned pools that offer low-cost programs to meet any exercise goal.

As a Fort Lauderdale resident, I decided to try the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center to begin my exercise journey. The Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center stands out as a premier destination for lap swimming and aquatic fitness.  I have been exercising at the center for the past year and have provided my insights into using the facility, an overview of the costs, and highlights of the amenities available to members.

The Benefits of Swimming Laps

Swimming laps is an excellent way to improve cardiovascular health, build muscle strength, and enhance flexibility. The resistance of the water provides a challenging workout that can burn calories and improve endurance without the impact stress associated with land-based exercises. Furthermore, swimming is known to reduce stress and promote relaxation, making it a holistic approach to wellness.

I typically swim in the morning and enjoy the relaxation and the ability to think about my day while swimming. After warming up I feel like I could swim for hours and have seen a big improvement in my stamina and muscle tone.

Improved Cardiovascular Health

Swimming laps regularly helps to maintain a healthy heart and lungs. The aerobic nature of lap swimming improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, and reduces the risk of heart disease.
I am also a runner, and the cardiovascular improvements and better breathing I have experienced from swimming have helped me improve my running times. In addition to some dietary changes, I have also seen a significant reduction in my cholesterol levels since I started swimming. At the time of this writing, I am also training for my first triathlon.

Full-Body Workout
 

Unlike many other forms of exercise, swimming engages multiple muscle groups simultaneously. From the legs and core to the arms and back, swimming laps help to tone and strengthen the entire body.
Since you are using your entire body to swim, you do not feel the same fatigue and burn as you do from running or biking. However, have experienced fatigue when do subsequent exercise after swimming.

Low-Impact Exercise
 

One of the most significant advantages of swimming is that it is a low-impact activity. The buoyancy of the water supports body weight, reducing the strain on joints and minimizing the risk of injury. This makes swimming an ideal exercise for individuals with arthritis, joint pain, or those recovering from injuries.

Cost Overview for Residents

The Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center offers affordable membership plans for residents. These plans include access to all swimming facilities and amenities. As of my most recent payment, the monthly membership fee for 30-day passes for Fort Lauderdale residents is $80, and $50 for seniors, students, and families. Day passes are also available for $4-6 per visit, allowing flexibility for those who prefer occasional use. A complete price list is as follows:

Open Swimming Hours

 
The open swim hours vary slightly by season, but for the most part, they are similar to the following:
Lap Swimming:

Monday – Friday 8am – 1pm and 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Saturday – 8am – 1pm
Sunday – 8am – 1pm
Diving:
Sunday – 11am – 1pm

It is recommended that you check the website at the following link to get the latest hours 

Amenities at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center

The Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center is equipped with a range of amenities designed to enhance the swimming experience. These include:
•    Olympic-sized Swimming Pools: The center features two 50-meter pools suitable for lap swimming and competitive training. They each have 10 segmented lanes and are typically configured with one at the full 50-meter length and the other split into two 25-yard pools. This allows more swimmers to enjoy the pools simultaneously.
•    Dive Pool: Although I did not try the dive pool it does offer several springboard and platform diving options including the incredibly scary 27-meter tower. Call the facility to learn more about the diving options.
•    Modern Locker Rooms: Clean and well-maintained locker rooms provide secure storage, bathroom, showering and changing facilities.
•    Fitness Classes: Members can participate in various water aerobics and swimming technique classes to complement their exercise routines. The water aerobics classes are held on Tuesday and Wednesday at 9am and are conducted in the dive pool.
•    Certification Training: I did not participate in these but often see trainers teaching life saving and scuba diving training. Please call the facility for details.
•    Swim Clubs: The facility is home to the Swim Fort Lauderdale Swim Club that provides swim coaching and meets that are open to swim club members. I will providing an overview of the club in a separate blog.
•    Stadium Seating: The facility holds several events throughout the year including professional meets, diving competitions, masters and youth swim matches. There are permanent bleachers for anyone interested in attending these events.
•    Shaded Lounge Areas: Comfortable seating areas are available for relaxation before or after swimming.
•    On-site Cafeteria: The center includes a cafeteria offering healthy snacks and beverages.
•    Professional Staff: Experienced lifeguards and instructors are on hand to ensure safety and provide assistance.

Tips to getting the most out of the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center

The facility is very busy, so you have to plan ahead to ensure you can easily get a lane for lap swimming. There are also many events throughout the year and swim teams using the facility to train. The most challenging time of year for these conflicts are during the summer months when the kids are out of school, December/January school breaks and any extended holidays. Tips to ensure you make the best of membership include:

•    Always review the published quarterly schedule that includes closure days, hour changes and events that impact the open swim times. I have driven there many times only to realize there was an event that cancelled the open swimming hours.
•    Try to arrive near the top of the hour since most people swim for around an hour. I typically arrive just prior to the open swimming hour starting time and typically can get a lane immediately.
•    If the lanes are full when you arrive the best approach is to make eye contact with someone already swimming and ask them if you can share the lane. You typically swim in a counterclockwise route or have each person take side.
•    When the swim clubs utilize the pools they typically complete their practices by 10am so utilize the facility after this time.

Conclusion

It has been a year now since I started swimming at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center on a regular basis. The center provides an excellent environment for swimming laps, offering numerous health benefits and a comprehensive range of amenities at an affordable cost. Whether you are a seasoned swimmer or just starting on your fitness journey, the center is a valuable resource for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.