Hackensack Meridian Fitness & Wellness

There was no fee for me to swim, as a one-time guest. Gigantic facility, friendly people. They had a requirement to take my blood pressure before they would officially admit me (this is a policy; not personal), which is a first for me. Clean pool, natural light, kind of busy but max two people per lane.

This is a gorgeous pool and facility. Eight lanes are hard to beat and this is competition quality. I swam at about 7:30 AM and there were open lanes. They have a pace clock which wasn't working (a pain for training, but most were just doing laps so it didn't bother them). Check group fitness schedule on their website for hours of water classes and swim team practices that will suck up some lanes.

It's a very 'athletic club' like atmosphere, with dark-paneled locker rooms. Towels are provided, lockers available, but bring your own lock.

Affiliated with the Fitness and Wellness group, members of CentraState Fitness & Wellness in Freehold, Princeton Fitness & Wellness in Plainsboro, or RWJ Rahway Fitness & Wellness Center in Carteret have free access (and this is way nicer than any of those).

If you're a Cowboys or Eagles fan, the highly visible affiliation with the New York Giants may put you off!