Built Right Pools | Blog
Is a Lap Pool Right for You? Fibreglass Lap Pools on the Gold Coast
A lap pool is one of the most practical ways to bring swimming into your everyday routine. It suits early morning laps before work, low-impact exercise, and long, narrow Gold Coast backyards that can't fit a traditional family pool. But a lap pool isn't the right choice for everyone. Here's what a fibreglass lap pool actually is, who it suits best, and what to think about before you decide.
What Makes a Lap Pool Different?
A lap pool is a long, narrow swimming pool designed mainly for swimming laps and fitness training. Unlike most family pools, lap pools are usually rectangular, so you get a continuous, uninterrupted lane to swim in from one end to the other.
Our Lap Pool Range is designed for exercising, training and, at the end of your session, simply relaxing. The steps are set in the middle of the pool and recessed away from the swimming lane, so they never get in the way of your laps.
Who a Lap Pool Suits Best
Lap pools are ideal for anyone focused on health, fitness or rehabilitation. Because the depth is a consistent 1.35m, the pool works just as well for walking laps against the resistance of the water as it does for swimming, which makes it a great option for low-impact exercise.
They're also a smart fit for the shape of many Gold Coast blocks. A lap pool takes up less space in width while still giving you plenty of length, so it can sit comfortably along a side boundary or in a long, narrow backyard.
Fitness Swimmers
An uninterrupted lane for regular laps, training sessions and building your fitness at home.
Low-Impact Exercise
A consistent 1.35m depth that suits walking laps and gentle exercise as well as swimming.
Narrow Backyards
A long, slim footprint that fits along side boundaries and in narrow areas of your site.
8 Metre or 12 Metre?
Our Lap Pool Range comes in two lengths, both 3.48m wide with a depth of 1.35m throughout. The right one depends on how you plan to swim and how much room you have.
8m Lap Pool
Measuring 8.38m long, this size suits smaller yards and anyone after a mix of exercise and relaxing, without giving up the whole backyard.
12m Lap Pool
At 12.24m long, this size gives dedicated swimmers more distance per lap, with fewer turns and more time in the water.
Both sizes have a safety step ledge, 100mm wide, around the entire perimeter, along with a formal seating area that offers an open spa jet option. With some clever lighting, or even a water feature, a lap pool can also become a striking backdrop to your home.
Things to Consider Before You Choose
A lap pool is built for a purpose, so it's worth thinking through how you'll use it before you commit. Here are a few questions to work through with your pool builder:
- Will the pool mainly be for exercise, or do you also want space for the family to play and relax?
- Which length suits your yard and the way you like to swim?
- Would heating help you swim more often through the cooler months?
- How will the pool sit on your block for access, layout and orientation?
If your yard is short as well as narrow, or you mainly want somewhere to cool off, a plunge pool might suit you better. Our guide on why plunge pools are trending on the Gold Coast covers the alternative.
Heating for Year-Round Laps
If you're buying a lap pool to stay fit, you'll want to use it as often as possible. Heating can make a big difference to how comfortable those early morning and winter swims feel. We offer optional heating solutions, including electric heat pumps, solar heating and gas systems, and other optional features such as swim jets can be added during installation.
How a Lap Pool Installation Works
Every lap pool starts with a consultation about your fitness goals, space, budget and timeline. Your site is assessed for access, layout and orientation, so the pool suits both your block and the way you'll use it. Once plans are finalised, installation covers site preparation, excavation where required, installing the lap pool, plumbing and electrical connections, filtration, lighting and any optional features. After a detailed final inspection, your lap pool is ready to swim in.
All in-ground swimming pools require council approval, and we take care of that process for you, including engineering certifications, compliance checks and final approvals. Typically, installations take around 8 to 12 weeks, depending on council approvals, site access and any custom features you choose.
Our lap pools are made with Barrier Reef Pools fibreglass shells, certified under the Australian Standards 5-Tick Quality Certification, and every pool is embossed with a unique five-digit number for tracking and tracing. You can read more about the range on our lap pools Gold Coast page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sizes do your lap pools come in?
Our Lap Pool Range comes in two lengths, 8.38m and 12.24m, both 3.48m wide with a depth of 1.35m throughout.
Why choose a lap pool over a traditional pool?
Lap pools are ideal if you're focused on health, fitness or rehabilitation. They take up less space in width while offering excellent length for exercise, and they suit narrow or compact Gold Coast backyards.
Can a lap pool be heated?
Yes. Optional heating solutions include electric heat pumps, solar heating and gas systems, so you can swim comfortably throughout the year.
Do lap pools need council approval on the Gold Coast?
Yes. All in-ground swimming pools require council approval, and we manage the process for you, including engineering certifications, compliance checks and final approvals.
How long does a lap pool installation take?
Typically around 8 to 12 weeks, depending on council approvals, site access and any custom features you choose.
Shane Griffith has been a licensed builder for 22 years, and Built Right Pools was recognised at the SPASA 2022 Awards of Excellence in Queensland. If you're weighing up a lap pool for your home, we'll give you honest advice on whether it's the right fit for your yard and the way you want to swim.
Talk to Shane about the right size for your backyard and get a free quote.