Swimming can be great exercise for people with arthritis — it's a low impact workout that doesn't put any pressure on your joints. If you want to be able to swim at home and you're thinking about putting in a pool, here are some ideas you may want to consider as you talk to a pool builder like Atlantis Pools.

1. Extra Heating

Warm water can help to soothe joint and muscle pain when you have arthritis or other issues. To get the therapeutic benefits of warm water, you may want your pool as hot as 40 degrees celsius. Any hotter than that can get dangerous, but most healthy adults can easily handle temps between 37.8 and 40 degrees celsius.

To keep your pool extra warm, talk with the pool builder about putting in a high-powered pool heater. Also, consider augmenting the pool's heater with a solar cover.

In some cases, you may want to lower the temps to accommodate guests. For example, pregnant women should usually avoid pools that are warmer than 38.9 degrees. As a result, you may want a heater that is very responsive if you do a lot of entertaining.

2. Infinity Pools

A full-size pool is great for relaxing and entertaining, but if you don't have space for a full size pool, you may want to consider an infinity pool or a lap pool. These pools have a current — essentially, you swim in place against the current, instead of doing laps up and down a full-size pool.

When the current is off, these pools can also work as hot tubs. Note, however, that you typically don't want the pool that hot when you are exercising. The excess heat can raise your blood pressure.

3. Shallow, Easy-to-Climb Stairs

Whether you opt for a full size pool or a lap pool, you need to make sure that entry is easy for you. That can be essential if you are having a flareup. Ideally, you want shallow stairs that are easy to climb. A hand railing with a wide ballister allows you to stabilise yourself without forcing you to grip a small railing.

Ideally, you should stay away from ladders as they can be hard to climb or grab onto in some cases.

4. Room for Chairlifts

If you have rheumatoid arthritis and you are wheelchair bound or if you are worried about being wheelchair bound in the future, you should leave space near your pool for a chair lift. This device anchors to the ground next to the pool, and it features a small hammock or chair that you climb into from your wheelchair. Then, the device gently lowers you into the pool.

To ensure that your pool accommodates you in the future, consider making plans for additions like these.

5. Salt Water

In most cases, you will also have to choose a filtration system and a sanitation method for your pool when you put it in. Many pools use chlorine or bromine, and some pools are even starting to use copper ion systems, where low voltage currents of copper shot through the pool to tackle microorganisms and germs. However, if you have arthritis, you may want to consider a salt water pool.

These pools use dissolved salt crystals along with reduced levels of chlorine, and the salt can be a big boon for your health. In particular, saltwater pools can improve your blood flow and boost the functioning of your immune system. When you have swollen joints and soreness, that can help.

To get more ideas on what pool is right for your life, whether you have arthritis or not, contact a pool builder today.