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Fitmax iPool D Set Small Heated Exercise Pool Review

Fitmax iPool D Set

The iPool D Set is a compact exercise swimming pool with integrated heating.

With a total footprint of  8.5ft by 11.5ft, it’s designed to fit in a small backyard or even in your basement or garage.

A body harness allows you to swim in place, essentially turning the pool into a treadmill for swimming. You can adjust swimming resistance using a dual tether system.

The pool is made from a tough vinyl-coated liner with a galvanized steel frame for support.

Read on for our full review.

If you are looking for a standard above the ground swimming pool, read our above ground pool reviews for top recommendations. 

Sizes & Types Available

Fitmax, the maker of iPool, sells different versions of the pool.

Therapy Pool: This is the cheapest one. It’s also the smallest. It measures 7ft by 7ft and doesn’t come with a heater.

iPool: This base model has the same dimensions as the iPool D but lacks an integrated heater. It also has a weaker 1,000 GPH filter pump.

iPool3: Similar width and length as the iPool and iPool D but has a higher water depth (4ft vs. 3ft of the other models). It comes with a 1,000 GPH filter pump but has no heater.

Therapy Pool-D: Similar in size to the Therapy Pool but comes with a powerful 2500 GPH filter pump and a 5.5kw electric heater.

iPool D: Similar in dimensions to the iPool but comes with a 2500 GPH filter pump and a 5.5kw electric heater.

iPool 3D: This is the most expensive iPool model. It’s deeper than the iPool D and comes with a more powerful electric heater.

In this review, we focus on the iPool D, the most popular model.

Pros

Cons

Product Specifications

Specifications

Best Features

1. Exercise Pool with Resistance Harness

Would you like to swim regularly but don’t have a swimming pool or can’t access one?

The Fitmax iPool D lets you enjoy the benefits of a full-size swimming pool without the costs or hassles of building one.

It’s like a treadmill for swimming. A harness holds you in place, letting you swim as hard as you want without hitting the side of the pool.

The best part is that you can adjust swimming resistance to vary exercise intensity.

To increase or decrease resistance, you just change the position of the dual tethers on the supporting frame.

You can increase resistance to build muscles and tone your body or decrease resistance for cardio training.

2. Integrated Heater

Swimming is good for your muscles, joints, and heart. Swimming in warm water can reduce joint pain and help you relax. It’s especially helpful for seniors with osteoarthritis.  

The iPool D comes with a 5.5kw heater, which lets you warm the water quickly.

Note that the heater has to be hardwired, meaning you need to hire a professional electrician to set it up for you.

3. Powerful Filter Pump

With a flow rate of 2500 gallons an hour, the filter pump included with the iPool D is powerful. It provides good circulation, ensuring the pool stays clean.

4. Strong and Durable Construction

Most above ground pools that are 45” or deeper have to be wide; usually 12ft or longer. This distributes the water weight over a larger area.

In contrast, the iPool D is 45” deep but 10ft wide. It can afford to be smaller because it can withstand the weight and pressure of the water.

The liner is a heavy-duty 5-layer material with a vinyl coating. Fitmax says it’s the same material used in river rafts and artificial lake beds.

It’s resistant to the elements and doesn’t tear or puncture easily.

The only complaint about the liner we’ve seen is that the seams can sometimes start leaking. But this seems to be a problem limited to just some pools. Most customers say they’ve never experienced any leaking or tears.

To hold the weight of the water and keep the liner from buckling, there is a galvanized steel frame that provides exterior support.

The steel is coated with zinc to prevent corrosion and rusting. So don’t worry if you have to install it outside

5. Complete Water Gym

Not content with just swimming? You can turn the iPool D into a complete water gym by adding additional Fitmax exercise accessories

Some of the workout accessories Fitmax sells on their site include a shoulder press bar, a chin-up bar, water dumbbells, and a treadmill.

That’s right; you can run underwater. It reduces pressure and impact on joints. Below is a video of the treadmill in action.

Issues & Concerns

Heater Requires Professional Installation

The heater doesn’t come with a power cord to plug into an outlet. You have to get a certified electrician to hardwire it.

This adds to the overall initial costs.

More Expensive than Above Ground Pools

If you are looking for a budget above ground pool, this is not it. It costs more than most steel-framed above ground pools, especially when you factor in the cost of hardwiring the heater.

Assembly Instructions

Other than the heater, you can set up the rest of the pool on your own.

The first step is to find the right location. An indoor area like the garage or basement is great, but you can also set it up on the driveway or backyard.

If you install it indoors, make sure the floor can safely take up to a ton of weight.

Once you find the right area, set up is relatively easy.

All the accessories you need, including a ground cloth, filter pump, and fittings are provided. The steel parts snap together easily without any tools.

Setting up the ladder and harness system is also easy.

Overall, it takes less than an hour to assemble the iPool D. if you can get someone to help you. Things will go a lot faster.

For maintenance, use a normal pool treatment kit to measure and balance chemicals. Cleaning is also easy, thanks to the pool’s compact size.

Note that you can use either a chlorine or saltwater system. The pool is compatible with either. If you decide to go with a salt water system, you’ll have to buy it separately as it’s not included with the pool.

To keep debris and dirt out of the pool especially if you’ve installed it outside, use the included pool cover.

The pool cover is also handy when you’ve set up the pool indoors. It reduces humidity, ensuring moisture from the pool doesn’t damage equipment or cause mold growth.

Our Bottom Line

3.5/5

The iPool D Set is a great choice for anyone looking for a compact exercise pool with heating.

1 thought on “Fitmax iPool D Set Small Heated Exercise Pool Review”

  1. We have a Ipool3 that we originally had in New Orleans. When we moved to Columbus OH we brought the pool with it. What kind of heater do you reccommend?

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