Last updated: January 2024
The gym is a popular place for many people to exercise in order to achieve their body goals. However, some people do not enjoy having to carry heavy equipment, run on the treadmill, work out on spin bikes for long periods of time, and most importantly, some people do not enjoy being soaked in sweat in order to achieve their body goals.
Some people simply maintain their healthy diet in terms of what they eat and drink, but this is not sufficient. The good news is that there are some activities that are both enjoyable and do not require you to exert much effort, unlike those found in the gym, and one of these workouts is swimming!
Swimming can be a particularly enjoyable workout because it doesn't make you sweat, and it can also provide a variety of health benefits.
Because not everyone has access to private swimming pools, there are numerous public swimming pools in Manila that are affordable for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. The public access pools that are described below are quite affordable, and some of them are even suitable for families!
Though the epidemic is still on the rise, there are several public swimming pools in Manila that are open and ready to be used by the public.
However, the majority of them only allow a limited number of guests in order to ensure the safety of not only the visitors, but also the personnel at their public pools as well. Here is a list of Public Access Pools in Manila that we have compiled specifically for you!
Top 3 Public Access Pools in Manila for Swimming
1. Ace Water Spa
Photo from tripadvisor.com
Ace Water Spa's unrivaled massage systems, hot herbal pools, lazy river, steam & sauna, kid's area, lapping pool, and other amenities provide a safe refuge for relaxation and enjoyment of the curative advantages of hydrotherapy therapy.
Because their indoor swimming pools are temperature-controlled, you can swim in their pools regardless of how cold or hot the weather is outside.
A swimming lesson for children is also available at this establishment. Soothe your aching muscles by lying under a variety of Jet Massages or by lying on a Bubble Bed or an inflatable Bubble Pool! The hot herbal pools, which are scented with either mint, lavender, as well as jasmine, are also available for use by guests.
The entrance charge of 600 pesos, which is valid for four hours, includes the use of a hot and cold shower. Their wet and dry saunas are also available for you to use to unwind your body after a long week of working or studying non-stop.
This public swimming pool have a separate swimming pool just for children, as well as a pool that is solely for their recreational swimmers and for their children's swimming courses.
Due to the fact that Ace Water Spa is only available for reservations, walk-ins are not permitted in their public pool. However, they are open to guests of all ages, regardless of their vaccination status.
- Website: http://www.acewaterspa.com.ph/
- Address: Ace Water Spa - Quezon City: 399 Del Monte Avenue, SFDM, Quezon City /
- Ace Water Spa - Pasig City: United St., cor. Brixton St. near Pioneer, Pasig City
- Contact No.: Ace Water Spa - Quezon City Branch - (63) 8367-8040 to 41 or 8367-8061 to 62 /
- Ace Water Spa - Pasig City Branch (63) 8628-1888 loc. 5101-5103 or (63) 917-542-5967
- Fee: Adults: P600, Kids: P300 (4ft and below)
- Operating Hours: OPEN DAILY / AM- 8am to 12pm / PM- 1pm to 5pm / Eve- 6pm to 10pm
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2. Makati Aqua Sports Arena
Makati Aqua Sports Arena is considered to be one of the best public swimming pools in Makati, as voted by the residents of the city. One of the reasons is because the facilities at this public access pool are constantly well-maintained, the staff is quite courteous, and, most significantly, it is extremely affordable and family-friendly!
This is an outdoor swimming pool, therefore be sure to wear sunscreen when you go swimming there. There are two pools here, one of which is Olympic-sized (50 meters) and the other of which is for children.
The first two lanes of the Olympic-sized pool are only for trained athletes and the next several lanes are reserved for casual swimmers, the final two lanes are intended for those that just want to play around and have fun in the water.
Several of the facilities, such as the locker areas and changing rooms, are in excellent condition. The water is always crystal clear and blue, and the chlorine concentration is exactly right.
Their safety is extremely amazing because of the presence of lifeguards on the watch, and the facility's cleanliness is strictly enforced throughout the facility.
It is possible to have a basic swimming workout or simply play in the water to beat the heat in this summer weather for a very affordable entrance fee (50 Php for Makati residents and 150 Php for non-residents).
- Address: Dr Jose P. Rizal Extension, West Rembo, Makati City
- Contact No.: (02) 8881 5941
- Fee: P50 for Makati residents, P150 for non-residents
- Operating Hours: Open Daily 8:00am to 9:00pm
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3. Rizal Memorial Sports Complex
The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex is believed to be the oldest sports facility in the city of Manila. The structure, which was built for the Far Eastern Championship games in 1934 and was named after the legendary nationalist Dr. José Rizal, was dedicated to him. In addition to football and swimming, basketball, baseball and taekwondo are also offered in the complex.
Boxing is also offered at the complex. One of the country's crowning achievements is the National Stadium, which can house up to 30,000 people. There is also a swimming pool, a bowling alley, and a medical facility on site.
The complex is famous for being the site of the Beatles' only performance in the Philippines, which took place there in 1964. Babe Ruth, as well as more recent sports stars such as Tim Henman, have both competed on the complex's fields.
The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, built in the style of pre-war Art Deco architecture, features the training facilities for the majority of our national athletes, including a weightlifting facility and a track oval. Because of this, it shouldn't come as a surprise that they don't readily allow walk-in customers into their pools.
But if you really do want to train alongside competitive swimmers while avoiding the crowds, all you have to do is type up a letter addressed to the Executive Director of the Philippine Sports Commission explaining why you need to use their facilities—whether it's to take swimming lessons from their in-house coaches (P4,500 for ten sessions) or to prepare for an upcoming aquathlon.
Just make sure you inform their coaches if the latter is the case. Processing takes less than a day, and after you've received approval, you'll be able to enjoy the well-maintained Olympic-sized (50 by 25 meters) swimming pool for the remainder of the year.
Aside from the lap pool (which has a depth ranging from five to seven feet), there's also a four-foot pool and a diving pool with a depth of seventeen feet. In addition, because it is located directly across the street from an LRT station, it is the most convenient public pool for commuters.
If it weren't for the extra step required to utilize their facilities, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex would have finished on the third spot.
- Address: Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, M. Adriatico St, Malate, Maynila
- Fee: P60 per head
- Operating Hours: OPEN DAILY for 8:00am to 12:00am
Guide to Swimming Pools in Manila
What are the health benefits of swimming?
In addition to providing numerous health benefits, swimming can also help you to increase endurance, muscle strength, and cardiovascular fitness. It aids in the maintenance of a healthy weight, as well as a healthy heart and lungs. Muscles are toned and strength is increased.
Swimming also gives an excellent all-over body workout because it requires the usage of nearly all of your muscles.
For the most part, those who want to maintain their fitness make an effort to engage in some type of cardiovascular exercise 3 to 5 times per week for a total of 20 minutes more than every session. Swimming for physical conditioning should be done for at least 20 minutes, several times a week, keeping in mind the above considerations.
Why is pool so popular in the Philippines?
Swimming pools are immensely popular in the Philippines, and there are a few reasons why.
Firstly, with its year-round tropical climate, the country's residents who live in the city love to stay cool and refreshed, particularly during the hot and humid summer months.
Next, pools are also a great source of entertainment for families and friends who enjoy hosting parties and gatherings.
Moreover, it's an excellent way to bond, relax, exercise, and spend quality time with loved ones. Finally, swimming is also considered an essential skill learned by most Filipinos, with some even enrolling their kids in formal swimming lessons.
Overall, the popularity of the pool in the Philippines is due to a combination of practical, social, and cultural reasons.
Public Pool Metro Manila
Reading this article will reveal that swimming offers a variety of advantages that can serve as a substitute for cardiovascular exercise, which is desirable for most people who want to maintain their fitness while also engaging in a fun activity after an exhausting week at the office.
Always remember to bring sunscreen with you when visiting these public access pools, especially if it is an outdoor pool to avoid being sunburned. Lastly, make sure you clean up after yourself before leaving the facility because it is a public pool that is utilized by a large number of people.
In addition, while the pandemic is still ongoing, make sure to follow all the guidelines for COVID-19 to ensure your safety while visiting their facilities.
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