So what exactly is the Endless Pools Fastlane?

The Fastlane is a powerful, counter current system that delivers a smooth, even swim current to your swimming pool. It has a fully adjustable swim pace from zero to a 1 minute 10 second hundred yard pace (1 minute 16 second/100 meters) and allows you to swim in place without the need to turn. It’s perfect for converting any small pool into a home fitness system.

How does the Fastlane work?

The Fastlane consists of two parts, a hydraulic power unit and a swim unit. The 5Hp power unit is usually located remotely with other pool equipment and provides power to the swim unit via two hydraulic hoses, utilising biodegradable vegetable based hydraulic fluid. The swim unit mounts pool side. Inside the swim unit is a special, sealed stainless steel hydraulic motor that turns a custom designed 16” (40cm) propeller. Water entering the base of the unit travels through a unique channelling system that helps straighten the swim current and removes any turbulence from the water before being delivered through the final smoothing grill at the front of the unit.

How do I use the Fastlane?

Using a Fastlane is incredibly straightforward. Simply position yourself in front of the swim unit so that you can swim into the current and then turn the unit on by pressing the on/off switch button on the remote control fob. Once you are comfortable with the swimming position you can increase or decrease the speed by using the faster and slower buttons on the control fob. Remember, because you are swimming without stopping you will tire 20-30% faster than when swimming laps. To stop swimming simply press the on/off button. If you turn the unit back on, the Fastlane current will return to the last speed programmed into the remote. The Fastlane has a built-in safety timer that will automatically shut off the current after 30 minutes.

Where do I position the Fastlane in my pool?

The Fastlane can be installed in virtually any new or existing in-ground concrete, gunite, masonry, vinyl lined or fibreglass pool together with any above ground pool. Water depth can be as shallow as 35”, generally speaking, if a pool is deep enough to swim in, it’s deep enough for a Fastlane!

There are two different types of fitting systems for a Fastlane, either a deck mount or a wall mount bracket. The deck mount option is suitable for retro fitting a swim unit to an existing pool and a wall mount bracket is used for new pool builds as it is incorporated into the wall structure itself.

The swim unit must be installed no closer than 24” (61cm) from any adjacent pool wall and choosing a location that is at least 12’ (3m 65cm) from an opposing wall (see diagram opposite) will provide you with the ideal swim lane for exercising. Remember, to help ensure a turbulent free swim current it is also key to position the swim unit away from surrounding walls, benches and stairs.

Installing a wall mount Fastlane to your new pool build

The wall mount Fastlane attaches to your pool wall with the use of a special, wall mount bracket that is embedded in the pool wall. The hydraulic hoses and power unit are then hidden in the pool wall under the pool deck area leaving a clean looking installation on your pool. If you are building a new pool or significantly refurbishing an existing pool this option of mounting the Fastlane unit is ideal for you.

The minimum clearance guidelines for this type of installation are outlined below.

Installing a deck mount Fastlane to your existing pool

The deck mount Fastlane can be installed on any existing pool without the need to alter the wall structure. A deck mount hose cover conceals the hydraulic hoses and is secured to the deck area around your pool and you can either run the hoses along the pool deck area itself or through a trench. If you are winterising your pool the deck mount Fastlane allows you to easily remove the unit and store it over winter. The hydraulic fluid that remains in the hoses will not freeze, even in cold climates.

If you choose the deck mount Fastlane option there must be 18” (46cm) of solid decking from the pool water’s edge to the mounting site because the swim unit will need to be bolted to the pool deck. If your pool decking isn’t wide enough a small concrete pad will need to be poured to help secure the mounting bracket. Once installed the deck mount Fastlane unit extends 19” (48cm) into your pool and 18” (46cm) onto the pool deck area.

Planning the equipment placement

In addition to planning for the position of the swim unit you must also plan for the location of the hydraulic power unit. Typically this is placed next to your other pool equipment. It is important that the unit is not subjected to driving rain and it must always be placed on solid ground. The power unit is also air-cooled and must be sited with plenty of ventilation, ideally a minimum of 12” (30cm) air space must be left on all sides. In addition, although frequent access is not required it is important that the power unit is accessible once sited for the purposes of general maintenance.

The dimensions of the power unit are as follows.

Electrical requirements

It is important that the Fastlane installation complies with the National Electric Code Article 680 Swimming Pools and Similar Installations and any other applicable local codes and ordinances. The Fastlane is ETL listed, Ref.#2001770, and CE listed. A licensed electrician can help with this review and must perform all electrical work.

Below are some of the most important considerations.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)

All equipment provided by Endless Pools, Inc. and all associated pool equipment must be protected by GFCI.

These GFCI circuits must be tested monthly.

Power Unit Connections

The Fastlane requires a single 30-Amp, 220-Volt GFCI circuit to operate. An electrician must install a disconnect box within 6' of the Power Unit location.

Bonding

Both the Swim Unit and Power Unit have bonding lugs. Proper bonding with a #8 or larger solid copper wire is required.

In summary, why should you build your own endless pool?

Remember, a swimming pool doesn't have to take up a vast amount of space in your garden. If space is at a premium or you don't want to lose valuable playing space for the kids you can always build your own endless pool. A modest sized, in-ground swimming pool with an Endless Pools Fastlane will create the perfect swim in place pool without the need for as much space. Instead of having to make turns while you swim, you simply swim against the Fastlane's powerful swim current. Perfect!

The Endless Pools Fastlane is a counter current swimming machine that enables the user to swim for as long as desired without turning, and is available either as a standalone swimming machine for an existing pool or as part of the Endless Pools swim spa range. If you’ve ever used a Fastlane, you’ll know all about the benefits of being able to swim-in-place without turning from a workout perspective.

The latest innovation from Endless Pools, the Fit@Home Wifi Kit and Mobile App, has raised the bar even higher by enabling you to tailor and control your workout with your fingertips! The Wifi Kit consists of a Wifi board and antenna that hook directly to the HPU, producing a Wifi signal that is compatible with most mobile devices. After then downloading the Fit@Home App (free on any iOS or Android OS supported device) you can get to work creating your customised workouts and saving them- ready to be accessed in a flash when it’s time for your workout.

Become your own personal trainer

Choose and set your workout time, pace and distance, save and press the start button on your mobile or tablet when you’re ready for your tailor made workout – leaving you to focus on getting the most out of your session without interruption.

Using an Endless Pools Fitness Systems complete with a Fastlane and Underwater Treadmill allows for even more variety, think:

• 10 x minute swim @ pace
• 5 x minute run @ pace
• 10 x minute swim @ pace

Or if you just want a quick fuss-free workout, the Manual Control option is ideal for a quick swim.

If you have an Endless Pools Fastlane* in your pool or your Endless Pools Fitness System* and want to enhance your workout experience, the Fit@Home App offers a convenient way of planning workouts in advance to give you variety and push you harder during the session – your very own Personal Trainer at the touch of a button.

For more information on the Fit@Home App or Endless Pools contact us on 02920 705059.

*Please note the Fit@Home Wifi Kit is only compatible with EP3 power units.

With a wealth of choice available on the swim spa market, it’s a good idea to visualise how you see yourself using one early on in your search. 

For some, it’s a place to bring the whole family together; with the kids swimming and splashing around while the adults relax in the spa seats. Or perhaps you’re serious about your fitness and searching for the ultimate counter current swimming pool – whatever your reasons, finding the swim spa that best suits your needs is key.

Different by design

The newest model by industry leader Endless Pools was designed based around customer feedback, resulting in a truly unique swim spa. 

Building on the success of the popular E500 in the Endless Pools range, the E550 is the same 15’ length but with a width increase of 13cm, making the E550 the widest swim spa in the range at 239cm.

Featuring the signature Endless Pools Fastlane as the counter current swimming machine, optional underwater treadmill and resistance bands, this is an all-round total body fitness centre suitable for any swim stroke or water workout – just perfect for butterfly and breast stroke fans!

By relocating the steps to the front of the swim spa and replacing the standard hydrotherapy massage seats with two standing massage stations, every inch of space is made available for exercising in.

Low impact, low maintenance

The Endless Pools Fastlane swimming pool counter current system provides a deep, broad current helping you swim in place and the current easily adjusts to suit all levels, from toddlers to triathletes. 

For alternative aquatic workouts, use the resistance bands and add resistance by turning the fastlane swimming machine on for the ultimate core stability builder!  If you choose the Underwater Treadmill, you’ll also feel the benefits of walking or running minus the stresses of land-based exercise.

Whichever water-based workout you enjoy, you’ll reap all the same physical benefits as traditional exercise with low impact on your joints and muscles – say hello to faster recovery times and less injuries!

As with all swim spas in the Endless Pools range, the E550 features a durable, steel-framed cabinet with a modern, sleek design - designed with both style and functionality in mind while being virtually maintenance free.

The Endless Pools Fastlane experience

One thing that is highly recommended is to ‘wet test’ a swim spa before making that all-important decision.  After all, this isn’t an everyday purchase and you want to get a true feel for what it’ll be like to actually use in real life. We currently have two swim spas by Endless Pools available to try, the X500 from the SwimCross jetted swim current range and the E2000 featuring the signature Endless Pools FastLane counter current system, so that customers can try both out and help them decide which type suits their needs best.

To book a free trial session at our Cardiff showroom, please contact us either by calling 02920 705059 or email us at sales@allswimltd.com.

Are swim spas going to be big enough to swim in?

This is a question we get asked regularly from customers looking at purchasing swim spas, and the answer is yes, of course. You don’t need a large area or a deep body of water to be able to swim effectively. If you’ve ever used public swimming pools you probably didn’t need to adjust your swimming stroke when transitioning from the deep end to the shallow end, and the shallow end of a municipal pool will usually measure 0.9 metres in depth (some of the swimspas in our range are deeper than this).

So what is a swim spa and how does it work?

Well, a swim spa is a product that allows you to swim continuously against a current without having to turn or change direction, often referred to as a counter current swimming pool. Whether you're a fitness fanatic training to keep fit and healthy, or looking to endure the extreme demands of competitive swimming, open water swimming, triathlons or iron man competitions, a swim spa can provide you with a tailored, adjustable swim current strength to suit your individual fitness needs. They also have their own integrated heaters so you can adjust the water temperature to suit you. They're a bit like an oversized hot tub swimming machine!

Swim spas work by either using a counter current swim jets to create an adjustable water current to swim against or, in the case of our Endless Pools Fitness Systems, use the unrivalled Endless Pools Fastlane to provide the water current for you. Either counter current pool will work well to help you increase your swimming fitness and choice is usually dependent on your needs and proposed use.

Which counter current swimming machine will be the best for me?

This will depend entirely on your individual needs and how you will be using the swim spa. You will either be considering counter current swim jets or an Endless Pools Fastlane. Don’t worry, our trained sales staff are here to help you make the right choice for you but we can let you know a little bit about each type of system to help you understand how to make the right choice for you. We also have the X500 Swimcross Exercise System and E2000 Endless Pools Fitness System available to view and wet test at our Cardiff showroom, just bring your swimming costume and a towel to try these fabulous swim spas for yourself!

Counter current swim jets are designed for both swim and water workout exercising and are suitable for all ages, body sizes and skill levels. Our SwimCross Exercise Systems feature five swim jets and are driven by two pumps providing a powerful and steady water stream of 1,200 litres per minute. The SwimCross jet design is also unlike many other because they don’t rely on introducing air to the swim current to add extra force, instead they use a boost effect to draw in more water, multiplying the volume and resulting in a stronger resistance for swimming against with less turbulence. This means you will find it easier to stay centred on the swim lane and the unique lift provided by the lower jets gives you added buoyancy when in the water.

The Endless Pools Fitness Systems is a swimming pool counter current system that will appeal to regular swimmers and fitness enthusiasts right through to serious competitive swimmers, triathletes and iron men and women, it offers you the ultimate in swim lane technology. The industry leading Endless Pools Fastlane provides a superior swim-in-place experience, is custom made and the hydraulically powered propulsion system creates a laminar current of up to 19,000 litres per minute that is wider than your body and deeper than your stroke! Featuring multiple conditioning grills help smooth and redirect the water, removing air resulting in a counter current pool that is completely free of turbulence. Even at full power it feels like swimming in a smooth, open water current. The swimming machine flow can also be adjusted from speeds ranging from 5:33 minutes (gentle breaststroke) to 1:14 minutes per 100 metres and can be precisely adjusted for perfect pace control.

These swim spas also have some great optional extras to further enhance your swim training. Choose a swim pace display system to really start measuring your performance efforts or, if you opt for a system without an underwater treadmill, add an underwater floor mirror.

Can I choose a size of swim spa that’s right for me?

Yes you can. The SwimCross and Fitness Systems are available in a number of different sizes and depth to suit your particular needs. The respective swim lane lengths for each swim spa are then determined by the distance from the front of the swim jet to the start of the first step at the rear of the unit. This gives you an indication of the fit you will need to comfortably swim within the swim lane offered by each model.

Swim lane length of the X200 Swimcross Exercise System

Swim lane length of the X500 Swimcross Exercise System

Swim lane length of the Endless Pools Fitness System E500

Swim lane length of the Endless Pools Fitness System E700

Swim lane length of the Endless Pools Fitness System E2000