iPool Review: My Real Experience Using It Through Winter
I’m not really someone who writes product reviews or anything, just saying what I feel. I got this iPool therapy pool ‘cause my back’s been bad, especially in the winter. Once it gets cold, everything just locks up and feels stiff. And honestly, I’m too lazy to go out to the therapy center—roads are icy, parking sucks, and it’s expensive too. I saw this therapy pool online, looked like quite a few people were using it, so I just went for it.
When it arrived, it was way bigger than I thought. I figured I could carry it myself, but it came in this giant box. Took me and my neighbor to drag it into the garage, we were dead tired after that and just sat on the floor for a bit.
Putting it together wasn’t too bad. I didn’t really read the instructions, couldn’t focus, all pictures, I couldn’t make much sense of it. Ended up just watching a video online, and after watching it once, it kind of clicked. It’s just some metal pipes you stick together, kinda reminded me of those old camping tents we had as kids. Messed it up twice in the middle, had to take it apart and do it again, but in the end it looked right.
I thought filling it would be quick. Just hook up the hose, come back later, done. But nope. This thing takes way more water than I expected. At first it looked okay, but after an hour it was still halfway. I just left it running and checked back a few times. Took around four, maybe five hours in the end. Not terrible, but definitely slower than I thought.
The first time I got in, I didn’t have the heater. It was freezing. Like straight-up snowmelt cold. I jumped out right away. Couldn’t take it. Ended up buying the heater separately. Cost extra, but once it was in, it felt way better. Nice and warm. Especially when it’s freezing outside, snow everywhere, I’d just be sitting in the pool like I’m in a hot spring. Felt pretty good.
Pool size is okay. I’m 5’9”, when I sit down, the water’s up to my shoulders, and I can stretch my legs out. Not one of those shallow kiddie things. I don’t do any serious workouts or anything, just move around a bit, swing my arms, kick a little, loosen up.
One annoying thing is you gotta take care of the water. I got lazy for a while and didn’t add any chemicals, and after a few days it started bubbling green. My wife said it looked like a swamp. After that I bought test strips and sanitizer stuff. Now I check every few days and it’s fine. Not hard, but you can’t totally ignore it.
The ladder kinda sucks, to be honest. It’s narrow and metal, and with my big feet it always feels wobbly and cold. I ended up chucking it and just using a plastic stool to climb in and out.
All in all, it’s alright. I don’t use it every day, but I do use it. Especially when it’s cold out. Nice to just hop in whenever. Helps with the back pain too. That alone makes it worth it, I think.
