Swimming isn’t just fun — it’s also a great way to exercise and stay cool.
Taking a dip in the pool is a low-cost and relaxing way to improve your mental health and quality of life. Water-based exercise can also help people with arthritis improve the use
of their joints without worsening symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
Here are five local options to try swimming or get more serious about the sport this summer.
Bethesda Outdoor Pool
6300 Hillandale Road, Bethesda, MD 20815
This pool is kid-friendly, but it still has plenty of space for adults to swim laps in the six-lane wide 50-meter-long Z-shaped main pool. This location also has a snack bar and plenty of lawn areas with shade structures if you need to take a break or read a book. The pool also offers lessons, competitive programs and water fitness classes.
montgomerycountymd.gov
Germantown Outdoor Pool
18905 Kingsview Drive, Germantown, MD 20874
The Germantown Outdoor Pool has an eight-lane, 25-meter main pool, a leisure pool with two water slides and a tot pool. This pool location offers lessons and competitive programs. Swimmers can also enjoy the snack bar and lawn areas. montgomerycountymd.gov
Long Branch Outdoor Pool
8700 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901
This pool location has a six-lane, L-shaped 25-meter main pool, a teach pool and a tot pool. Competitive programs are available here. The Long Branch Outdoor Pool is next to the Long Branch Local Park, which contains the Long Branch Recreation Center.
montgomerycountymd.gov
Olney Swim Center
16605 Georgia Ave., Olney, MD 20832
The main pool is an eight-lane pool. Other pools at the location include a leisure pool and two hydrotherapy pools. There is a sauna. The swim center also has hot tubs and fitness rooms. Classes offered at this pool include diving, fitness, lifeguard training, CPR training, swimming and water safety. This pool location does offer competitive opportunities for a fee through a swim team, dive team, masters swimming and scuba.
montgomerycountymd.gov
Silver Spring YMCA
9800 Hastings Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20901
This YMCA has two large, heated pools, one indoors and one outside. In addition to the pools, this YMCA has a sauna. Competitive options and lessons are available at this pool location.
ymcadc.org/locations/ymca-silver-spring
Please note that pools require a membership pass or admission fee. Pricing varies by age group, season and location.