Plymouth Life Centre

This is a huge facility with lots of things constantly happening. The web site postings don't reflect real life pool conditions. Rules, regulations, and English attitudes come into play. Don't do this, don't go there, you can't do that. There's a hard 3:30 PM "no lap swim because we teach kids rule" (despite the ten lanes). Still, you can always make out like a shark in shallow water and swim your 25-meter lengths across the play pool; I did. If you do swim in the main pool it's great. Deep, calm, good T's, nice temperature.

This is a serious, ginormous swimming facility with two swimming pools: a 50-meter competition pool, and a 25-meter diving pool (with an adjustable floor) that doubles for lap swimming. I went at 7:15 AM on a Sunday, and the 25-meter pool was a madhouse with eight or more people in each of the three lap lanes! I asked a lifeguard if that was normal, and was told, no, usually at least three 50-meter lanes are available for lap swimming at that time in addition to the 25-meter pool, but for some reason not that morning. Fortunately, about 15 minutes later, the 25-meter pool became much calmer, and I discovered when I got out at 8:00 that some 50-meter lanes had been opened for lap swimmers. (I wish I'd known, as I would have moved myself.) People were good about lane etiquette.

The facilities are great, with huge changing and shower areas, and lockers available with a refundable deposit for a digital key. Everyone was friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, I was unable to find training equipment (kick boards, etc.)

Plymouth Life Centre offers a good training facility and leisure swimming so all needs are catered for. There’s plenty of spectator seating and a reasonable café. Training programmes are provided for swimmers for varying abilities:fitness, performance, and over 60s.