Swimming Leads to Weight Loss

Swimming Leads to Weight Loss

An Arkansas woman who swam all throughout her youth suddenly found herself in her early 30s at 200 pounds.

Soon after beginning a diet, she began to swim again. Quickly, she build her endurance and after starting at just one lap per day, she saw her body and health transform week after week.

Medical reports have stated that swimming is especially beneficial to those who experience pain in joints, muscles, and bones with other exercises such as running.

Being able to swim every day is a great way to transform your body quickly. Contact Flamingo Pools at 956-618-0101 to learn about your in-ground pool options.

Testimonial: Shirley Arnolde


We thought some of you might find this video review of our services useful.

Backyard Oasis

There is a new trend sweeping the nation. Everyone is staying home and enjoying their backyard rather than spend thousands of dollars on a vacation. I feel this “staycation” trend is here to stay.

Manufacturers have seen this shift in mindsets and are now catering to those needs and in comes the luxury backyard living.

Your starting point is a grill. There are many options to suit your every need and want from size and purpose to design and style. A professional landscape designer can blend all of  your ideas and preferences to create your backyard oasis and make it practical and enjoyable.

Here are some things to keep in mind when looking for your perfect backyard:

BBQ Grill

  • Size: Think about how many people you usually cook for.
  • Purpose: Will you be cooking full meals? Then choose a grill with side burners or a stove top.
  • Convencience: Will you want a quick start gas grill or storage cabinets?

There are many options that can make your backyard oasis completely entertaining.

Appliances

  • Sinks: No running back and forth in and out of the house to wash your hands or utensils.
  • Cabinets: Storage for all your grilling and entertaining needs. Margaritas anyone?
  • Cutting Boards: Must I say why?
  • Refrigerator: Keep your drinks cold or have ice on hand.
  • Wetbar
  • Dishwasher: Save some trees and skip the paper plates.

You may also want to consider the activities that are going to be taking place in your backyard and cater to those needs. For example:

  • Television: Are you watching the big game, movie, or favorite TV show?
  • Sound System: Are you just chillin’ and chatting while you are waiting to eat?
  • Built-in Fireplace or Portable Fire Pit: Are you outside year round?

Think of you new backyard as your little slice of paradise, where you can step into it anytime and any day you please. It can be daunting to design and create your backyard oasis but the reward of having a relaxing outdoor space that you will be proud to share is very worthwhile.

Our dedicated and experienced staff  here at Flamingo Pools has been creating beautiful backyards for more than 30  years and fully enjoys creating great outdoor spaces for those who only demand the very best.

How to Install a Pool Fire Pit

Nothing is as beautiful as the pairing of fire and water. Here are some tips on implementing them in your swimming pool setting.

Separate the Fire and Water

You might almost think that this tip will get you the exact opposite results of what you’re trying to achieve. However, in most cities, it is against code to mix electrical systems with water.

So, of course, we don’t want to be breaking any laws here. In addition, mixing those two systems would make it very prone to maintenance issues.

How, then, can you get the fire to appear to be coming out of the water if you’re not mixing them?

Well, most fire and water designs follow a relatively simple template. You typically have an outer decorative bowl, which is filled with water and then overflows. Then you have the fire somewhere in the middle of the water.

This effect is accomplished by creating a spout in the rim of the outer decorative bowl to allow the water to pour out before it reaches the top. Then you place the fire ring at the rim, so it sits above the water exiting at the spout.

This principle applies to fire features of all sizes. It is an illusion at its basic form.

Use the Right Hardware

Always use stainless steel fire rings and bars. By using stainless steel, you will avoid having to replace the hardware every year or so due to rust or wear.

When selecting a container to hold the water make sure that it can withstand heat. You might consider using concrete or even stainless steel with copper coating.

Whichever type of container you select, it is also recommended to leave at least 6 inches between the fire ring or bar and the edge of the bowl or other container.

So how exactly do you hide the fire ring or bar?

You’ll need a filler of some sort to help hide the fire hardware. Make sure that it is something that allows enough room for the fire to expose itself. You might consider large rocks, lava, or tempered glass.

Run the Lines for Efficiency

Try to think like a plumber when running the gas lines. You want to minimize your run lengths and use of elbows as much as possible.

When running more than one fire bowl, consider whether it would be more effective to run them all on the same line and same controls, or have them separate.

By taking each of these tips into consideration, you should have a breathtakingly stunning fire and water feature to be a topic of conversation and entertainment for your family and guests.

Our Four Favorite New Pool Products for 2011

Each year Flamingo Pools attends an industry convention in Las Vegas where we are introduced to new and exciting pool products. This year was an exceptional year as there were many vendors with very crafty, very unique products. However, there were four in particular that we thought we just had to share with you today. So what are they?

1. Lava Heat Italia

According to the Lava Heat Italia website:

“Lava Heat Italia supplies new age outdoor heaters that are as stylish as they are efficient. Designed in Europe, [their] Lava Heaters are one of the mainstays at fashionable outdoor patios, resturant – cafes and trendy social spots all across the continent. [They] even cater to home residences as well.

For the first time ever, Lava Heat Italia is proud to introduce [their] beautiful products to the long awaited United States. Lava Heaters are much more than just outdoor heating devices. Touch the remote control button and you’ll see why. They quickly become the centerpiece for people gathering together, be it for lively conversation, quiet reflection, companionship or camaraderie.

Lava Heaters will transcend your outdoor experiences forever.”

We are very excited to showcase this product because we believe that it adds so much to the ambience of a pool at night. You can learn more about the Lava Heat Italia at www.newlavaheat.com.

2. Bliss Lights

According to the Bliss Lights website:

“BlissLights™ are simple to use lighting-effect projectors that create an explosion of thousands of moving pin-points of light. They move on unique far-reaching trajectories complete with an ever-transforming nebula cloud that stimulates the imagination.

BlissLights™ incorporate laser and optical elements to create a breathtaking lighting effect much like a universe of moving stars. BlissLights™ creates paintings out of light that must be experienced with your own eyes to appreciate the fine attention to detail in each work of art.

BlissLights™ are designed for commercial and homeowner applications. Lighting industry professionals use BlissLights™ to illuminate hard-to-light areas and create a unique lighting experience never-before-seen which is sure to impress their clients. Everyday consumers want to amaze their family and friends by transforming their homes or backyards into a magical, starry experience.

BlissLights™ brings forth a new lighting experience that creates a new standard in the indoor and outdoor lighting industries.”

It was really a beautiful sight to see the magic colors being projected on any surface and I could only imagine how soothing it would be while you’re entertaining in your pool.

For more information about Bliss Lights, visit www.blisslights.com.

3. Sunset Swings

We believe that the sunset swing is one of the nicest set of lawn furniture that we’ve seen in quite some time.

So start 2011 with a great way to lounge around your pool.

For more information about Sunset Swings, visit www.sunsetswings.com.

4. Glass Pool Fencing System

According to the CR Laurence website:

“This CRL Glass Wall and Pool Fencing Systems features a line of Hand Rails, Cap Railings, Guard Rails and Windscreen Systems. The entire selection of new and innovative products is shown in numerous color photographs of completed installations, and the catalog contains a wealth of technical and specification data to assist you in choosing just the right railing system to meet your customer’s needs.”

For more information about the CR Laurence Glass Fencing System, visit www.crlaurence.com.

Flamingo Pools Intl