Who doesn’t enjoy dipping into a cool pool on a hot summer day? Whether you’re enjoying an afternoon swim to cool off or swim on occasion as part of a work out regime, many can agree that having a pool in their backyard is convenient. But not everyone has access to a home pool, which is why, given the rising popularity of swimming, more and more venues are opening access to everything from pools and hot tubs to beaches and even saltwater pools. Considering the fact that an estimated 400 million people visit these types of aquatic venues each year, this is a good thing.

If you are one of the more than 21.23 million people who own a home with a pool, you have access to a great resource when it comes to improving your heart health. Many are surprised to discover that by immersing themselves in water during a morning swim, they actually increase blood flow to their heart by about 33 percent, just by swimming. But owning a pool takes work. Not only does it need to be cleaned regularly, but pH levels need to be properly maintained. Typically, home pools should have pH levels between 7.4 and 7.6. Other parts of the pool also need periodic maintenance, like the pool pump. Sometimes pool repairs or pool resurfacing may also be needed to keep a pool operating at full capacity.

While traditional chlorine pools have been popular for some time, there’s a new type of pool growing in popularity for a number of reasons. Salt water pools, especially inground salt water pools, have soared in popularity because they’re easier to maintain and cheaper in the long run. For example, traditional chlorine pools require monthly chemicals that can cost upwards of $40 per month. And who doesn’t like taking a dip in the ocean? There’s just something refreshing about swimming in salt water, which is a big reason why the number of saltwater pools climbed from 15 percent to 75 percent between 2002 and 2007. In fact, at the beginning of 2016, nearly 1.4 million saltwater pools were installed around the globe, and three-quarters of those were inground pools.

What do you think? Do you have a home pool? If so, is it chlorine or saltwater?