I've worked in swimming 3 days a week for 45 minutes each visit. 15 minutes freestyle, 15 minutes kickboard and 15 minutes freestyle with flippers and hand paddles. My core is getting stronger and I find it is a nice break. I should note that I do some form of walking, cycling or swimming every day, then I lift weights on the days I don't swim, so those days I usually walk/jog 3 miles or cycle for 45 minutes on a stationary bike.

I'm getting good results, losing an average of 2 lbs a week. I'm 5'11, 205 now, working towards 190.

I think the swimming has really helped be and it's low impact. So that is why I was wondering why they don't seem to talk about the pool at all.

Jim

Yea, the only one using the pool is the raccoon.

They may have and chose not to air that part of the program. I would like to see a little pool exercise as well

I was at first thinking that maybe it was cold out but on one episode it was in the 90's so there went that idea.
Raccoons do carry rabies so that may be the reason.

During the walk up and down the mountain challenge, they said temps were up too around 110....not exact buy close

So ,in your mind, its dirty raccoon paws thats keeping them away? Fleas and the odor of garbage surround the little creatures.

I didn't even realize that there was a pool until I saw the satellite photo of the ranch on Google Maps. Maybe I'm just not that observant.

My mom and I were wondering the same thing. They maybe use it once or twice throughout the season in a challenge. Maybe it's used off-camera, but they never even mention it either. I would think that Jerry could have gotten some use out of it, as it would be low-impact. I would also think it would be an exercise/activity the contestants would enjoy doing on their own time.

I guess not. They always walk around it on the way to the weigh in.

They don't use it because it's actually just a reflecting pool about 1 foot deep.

Staypuff, are you off your medication?

When Ed & Heba came in to give Phil & Amy the phone call prize, they were carrying towels and when they exchanged greetings with the red team, I'm pretty sure Amy asked them if they'd been in the pool. The question was easy to miss, it was kind of in the background but I did get the impression Ed & Heba had been in the pool.

They could have come from the gym.

Man, I would be in that pool every day! What a great way to wind down and relax at night!

I started watching in Season 4 (I believe...the season with all 3 trainers). Anyhoo...

That was the ONLY time I've ever seen a pool used in the show itself (and haven't they changed the location of the ranch?). It was when Bob was telling the contestants that using the pool was a GREAT workout and then realized he had to teach "B" how to swim. The man (if I am remembering correctly) had never been in anything bigger than a bathtub. It was a great moment on the show, because everyone was respectful of "B" and they all joined in in helping him learn and lose his fear of the water.

Also, my husband JUST asked me the same question...because he was wondering on that "all day" challenge why the contestants went to sleep instead of jumping in the pool to cool off!

Plus, after the challenge when they were sitting around on deck chair (when Bob brought out the Cool Whip) - I would have done the Nestea Plunge - clothes and all.

They are at a new location this time arent they? Cause I heard horror stories about the condition of the pool during Season 5 when we were at the finale.

I agree that they should use the pool for exercising. Would be something we havent seen on the show yet.


Marcus

I was just coming to ask the same question. I have been swimming extensively these past few months while I lose weight (40 lbs. so far) and it is definitely the best workout I've ever had. If they aren't using the pool, they should be!

Okaaaaaaaay . . . .
They walk around the pool when they're going to WI because they're going to WI. What are they gonna do, stop for a quick dip on the way?

It's not a reflecting pool. As another person said, on one episode someone asked if they had been in the pool. Also I read on Vicki's myspace blog that she swam at night once to try to make up 2 lbs or something.

Yknow, if I was that big (no offense), I think if I wanted to get in the pool I would do it at night as well. I would not want to be on national TV in a bathing suit (actually I don't think I'd want to do that at my actual weight right now, which isn't that bad . . .). Maybe that's why?

Those sports bras and tight shorts are nearly as revealing as a bathing suit.

I often wonder why we don't see the pool used more, too. If I were there, they would have to drag me out of it.

I water walk at our local rec center pool. It has a "lazy river" with a current.. I'm loving the pool! If I were there, I'd be in there all the time. They wouldn't be able to get me out.

It isn't big enough to do any real swimming. For lap swimming you need at least 25 yards/meters (maybe 20 if you really like to do turns). It might be useful for water aerobics, but that's about it. It would be nice if they could find a location with a decent lap pool, because it is a great way to burn calories without putting more stress on already over stressed joints.

I'm also surprised they didn't find a way to get the injured/challenged contestants in to the pool to workout, just to show viewers how to work around physical limitations.

oh well that's true . . . I dunno then!

I would be in that pool every morning if I were there. I'm a swimmer and competed since I was a kid. I still swim 3-4/week and love it. I average about 3000 yds/hour which burns almost 800 calories. I know a lot of people may not be able to swim that distance or length of time, but it really is an amazing workout. Even if they did aqua aerobics would be really beneficial - especially for Jerry. But then again, it's not really good TV to watch someone swim - unless it's Ian Thorpe

Sorry, that pool looks like it's 25 yards - at the very least it's 20 and very swimmable - with or without terms. Depends on the swimmer's ability. Some people may think 20 yards is an eternity. It's like going from a 25 yard pool to a 50 meter pool. The only thing it's missing in that pool are lane lines and black strips at the bottom.

I would wager that the pool is being used.........just doesn't have any drama on that portion of the film so they just left it out.

With the american economy in the crapper, they can't afford the pool guy to keep it clean. It hasn't been cleaned in 3 seasons. It's so full of bugs now that if you do use it and accidentally open your mouth in there, you'll eat 900 CALs of bugs. Use at your own risk, unless it's part of the next challenge.