How an Inground Pool Can Boost the Amount of Time You Spend Outside in Bristol and Jamestown RI Areas

If you’re looking for reasons to get the family to spend more time outdoors, a pool could be the answer. Cooling off, playing games in the water, and relaxing are just a few ways how an inground pool can boost the amount of time you spend outside in Bristol and Jamestown, RI, areas.

Related: How a Mason Can Turn Your Inground Pool Into a Mini-Resort in Barrington RI

Exercise

How about mixing things up and revving up your metabolism by adding swimming to your fitness routine? You don’t need an Olympic-sized pool to get exercise. You can use a swim belt for resistance and get a quality workout even in a very small dipping pool. Water workouts can involve weights, resistance bands, or simply running in place in the pool. Pool volleyball and basketball are two great water games that keep everyone moving.

Relaxing

Few things are as wonderful as relaxing in the backyard on a lazy summer afternoon. Unless, that is, the temperatures are blazing hot to the point you want to escape to the air-conditioned indoors. To cool off you could take a dip in the pool, or spend a longer period of time relaxing on a Baja shelf - a gently sloped incline that allows for gradual access to the pool. This solution is perfect if you have little ones who aren’t ready for a deeper pool, or for anyone with mobility issues who has trouble getting in and out of the pool. Sitting partially submerged can be just the ticket for being cool enough to enjoy being outdoors.

Entertaining

A pool with built-in seating (whether it’s bar seating adjacent to a poolside bar, or simply a submerged bench) gives you the opportunity to hang out with friends and share a refreshing drink on a hot day.

Placing a hot tub and/or a bar close to the pool will add to the party atmosphere. Don’t forget a beverage cooler and some fun lighting so the fun doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down.

A waterfall that spills into the pool - whether it’s a sheer descent waterfall, a rustic boulder-lined waterfall, or for that matter, any style of waterfall - turns your pool into an attractive focal point even when it’s not in use.

After-Summer Fun

Many people basically close up their pool area once the temperatures fall. This is a shame since a pool is a fairly expensive addition to the backyard and it only gets used for a few short months. One way to ensure that the pool area is used longer is to add a hot tub to it. This serves its purpose in the summer as well but really starts to shine in colder temperatures when the hot tub is the sole reason to venture outside.

Another poolside feature that will encourage multi-season use, is a fire pit or outdoor fireplace. For the sake of convenience, choose a natural gas or propane fire feature. Wood can’t be beat for the authentic campfire experience, but you don’t want ashes or the mess of wood chips around the pool. 

Add a pergola (with a detachable clear polycarbonate roof) or a pavilion or gazebo at the poolside to provide shelter not only on hot days but if the skies should open up with rain or snow. Attaching a fireplace on one wall of your outdoor structure will offer even more shelter and transform your pool deck into a year-round retreat.

Related: 6 Ways to Customize an Inground Pool for Next Summer in Middletown and Jamestown RI Areas