An endless pool creates a continuous current that lets you swim in place without needing a 25-metre lap pool. In Australia, however, a dedicated endless pool is only one way to achieve that type of training setup.
For homeowners who already have a pool, adding a swim jet or portable swim machine can provide continuous swimming without rebuilding the pool. Those starting from scratch have other options, including a plunge pool with a counter-current system or a swim spa. A swim tether is the simplest and least expensive approach, although the resistance feels quite different because it comes from the tether rather than moving water.
The right choice depends largely on what you already have, how often you plan to swim, and whether you want a permanent installation or something that can be removed when the pool is being used for recreation.
Endless Pool Alternatives Compared
| Alternative | Typical Australian Cost* | Needs a Pool? | Swimming Experience | Installation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swim tether | Under A$400 | Yes | Low to medium | Minimal |
| Portable swim machine | A$3,000–$6,500 | Usually | Medium to high | Minimal |
| Fixed swim jet | A$4,000 – A$15,000+ | Yes | High | Permanent |
| Plunge pool + swim jet | A$40,000 – A$80,000+ | No | High with current | New pool installation |
| Swim spa | A$25,000 – A$45,000+ | No | High | Base + electrical |
*Indicative Australian pricing. Actual costs depend on the equipment, installation, electrical work, pool modifications, delivery and site conditions.
The biggest difference between these options is not simply the price. It is how the resistance is created.
A tether holds the swimmer in place with a belt and cord. A swim jet moves water toward the swimmer, creating the continuous resistance associated with counter-current swimming. A swim spa combines the current with a compact, purpose-built swimming area.
That difference becomes more noticeable as training becomes more important.
Swim Tether: The Low-Cost Option
A swim tether is the simplest way to turn an existing pool into a basic swim-in-place setup.
The swimmer wears a waist belt connected to an anchor point near the pool edge. Swimming forward creates tension in the cord, which keeps the swimmer roughly in the same position.
There is very little to install and the equipment is inexpensive, making it suitable for basic resistance exercise, fitness work and occasional training.
The swimming sensation is different from a counter-current, though. The resistance is applied through the tether and increases as the swimmer pushes forward. There is also a pulling sensation around the waist that does not occur when swimming into a current.
For occasional exercise, that distinction may not matter much. For someone who wants to spend several sessions a week working on stroke technique, pacing or continuous swimming, a water-based current is usually a more natural setup.
Portable Swim Machine: Add a Current Without Rebuilding the Pool
A portable swim machine is aimed at homeowners who already have a pool but do not want to carry out permanent structural work.
Rather than restraining the swimmer, the unit generates a current through the water. The swimmer stays in position by swimming against that flow, making the experience much closer to counter-current training.
Installation is the main reason to consider this type of system. A portable unit can be mounted to the pool edge and removed when it is no longer needed, avoiding the larger construction project associated with a permanently installed system. iGarden Swim Jet X Series, for example, is designed to clamp to the pool edge and is marketed for rectangular, freeform and above-ground pools.
iGarden Portable Swim Jet X
Best-in-Class Water Flow: AI Inverter Tech delivers the strongest water flow in its class. 1-Min Setup: No drilling, no renovation. Clamp the jet and go. All in One: Training, playing, relaxing, experience the freedom of unlimited swimming.
That makes a portable swim machine particularly practical when the pool itself is already suitable and the goal is to add a training current without turning the project into a pool renovation.
It also gives homeowners more flexibility. The same pool can still be used for normal recreation, while the swim machine can be fitted when it is time to train.
Fixed Swim Jet: A Permanent Counter-Current Setup
A fixed swim jet takes the same basic approach but becomes part of the pool installation.
Once installed, the system is always ready. There is no equipment to carry out before a training session, and the current can be integrated into a pool designed around regular swimming.
The trade-off is that installation becomes a permanent part of the project. Depending on the pool and equipment, this can involve mounting work, electrical work and planning around the pool edge or surrounding deck.
iGarden Australian P Series currently includes the P160, P200 and P240, with maximum flow rates of 160, 200 and 240 m³/h. The Australian product page lists current prices of AUD $3,799, $4,999 and $5,799 respectively, before any applicable promotions or installation arrangements.
A fixed system is generally the more natural fit for a pool that is already being used as part of a long-term training setup. For a new pool, it can also be planned from the beginning so the pool dimensions, equipment location and electrical requirements are considered together.
The difference from a portable swim machine is therefore less about what the current does and more about how the equipment becomes part of the pool.
Plunge Pool With a Swim Jet
A plunge pool offers another route for homeowners with limited backyard space.
On its own, a plunge pool is still too short for continuous swimming. Adding a counter-current system changes the way the pool is used: instead of swimming from one end to the other, the swimmer stays in roughly the same position and works against the current.
That combination can make sense where a full-size lap pool is impractical but swimming is still an important part of the project.
The equipment should ideally be considered before construction rather than added as an afterthought. Pool width, water depth, wall construction, equipment position, electrical requirements and the surrounding deck all affect how practical the final installation will be.
This is also where the distinction between a compact pool and an endless-swimming setup becomes important. Simply having a relatively long plunge pool does not provide the same function. The counter-current is what allows continuous swimming in a small footprint.
Swim Spa: A Complete Standalone System
A swim spa combines the swimming area and current system in one self-contained unit.
For someone starting without a pool, that can simplify the decision. There is no need to build a separate pool and then add a counter-current system afterward. A swim spa is installed on a suitable base and connected to the required electrical supply.
Many swim spas also include seating, massage jets and hydrotherapy functions, so their purpose extends beyond swim training.
The main consideration is that you are buying and installing an entire system rather than simply adding equipment to an existing pool. The unit needs a suitable location, access for delivery, an appropriate base and enough space around it for installation and maintenance. Heating and ongoing operation also form part of the cost of ownership.
That makes a swim spa a different proposition from a pool-mounted swim jet. It is closer to an all-in-one backyard installation, while a swim jet is equipment added to a swimming pool.
How the Swimming Experience Differs
The five alternatives may all let you exercise without swimming laps, but they do not feel the same in the water.
A swim tether creates resistance through the cord. The swimmer is physically held in position, and the tension can change depending on how hard they push against it.
A portable swim machine uses moving water instead. The swimmer is not attached to the equipment, so the resistance comes through the water rather than through a belt. The quality of the session depends on how consistently the current is delivered and how well its strength matches the swimmer.
A fixed swim jet provides a similar current-based experience but remains permanently installed. For regular training, the convenience of having the system ready to use can be as important as the current itself.
A plunge pool without a current does not provide continuous swimming. Adding a swim jet is what turns the compact pool into a swim-in-place setup.
A swim spa combines a contained swimming area with a built-in current. It can work well for both exercise and leisure, although the dimensions and overall feel are different from a conventional backyard pool.
Flow rate is also only one part of the equation. The shape and width of the current affect how easy it is to maintain position and hold a consistent stroke. A narrower or more turbulent flow can feel very different from a broader, steadier current even when the headline flow figures look similar.
Choosing an Endless Pool Alternative in Australia
For most homeowners, the starting point is the pool rather than the equipment.
An existing pool already gives you the water volume, access and surrounding space. In that situation, adding a current is usually a very different project from building a dedicated endless pool.
A portable swim machine suits homeowners who want flexibility and minimal structural work. It is particularly useful when the pool also needs to remain a normal family pool.
A fixed swim jet is more appropriate when swimming is a regular part of the pool's long-term use and permanent installation is not a concern.
A plunge pool with a swim jet is worth considering during a new pool project, especially where backyard space limits the size of the pool that can be built.
A swim spa makes more sense for a completely new standalone installation where swimming, relaxation and hydrotherapy are all part of the brief.
A swim tether remains the lowest-cost route for basic resistance exercise, but it should be viewed as a training aid rather than a substitute for the feel of a counter-current.
Endless Pool Alternative Costs in Australia
The equipment price is only part of the comparison.
For an existing pool, the main expense is generally the swim system itself, with installation and any electrical or mounting work added depending on the setup. A portable system can keep those additional costs relatively limited because it is designed to avoid major pool modification.
Current Australian iGarden pricing illustrates the difference within the swim-jet category. The X Series is listed from AUD $2,969 to $5,499, while the P Series ranges from AUD $3,799 to $5,799 across the three listed models.
Starting from an empty backyard is a different calculation. A new plunge pool adds excavation, construction, plumbing, electrical work, finishing and site access to the project. A swim spa avoids traditional pool construction but still requires a suitable base, delivery access and electrical installation.
For that reason, comparing the equipment price alone can give a misleading picture. The more useful figure is the total cost of getting the backyard ready for the way you actually intend to use it.
Australian Pool and Installation Considerations
The pool itself needs to be assessed before any swim machine or swim jet is installed.
Check the construction of the pool edge, available water depth, access around the pool, electrical requirements and the way the equipment will interact with the existing pool layout. Above-ground pools deserve particular attention because the mounting point needs to be suitable for the equipment and the loads involved.
For permanently installed equipment, electrical work should be completed by an appropriately qualified professional.
Pool fencing and barrier requirements also still apply. The exact requirements vary between Australian states and territories and can depend on the age and configuration of the pool, so adding equipment should be considered as part of the overall installation rather than treated as a separate accessory decision.
For a new pool project, planning the swim system at the design stage can avoid many of these complications later.
Can a Swim Jet Replace an Endless Pool?
For many existing-pool owners, a swim jet can provide the main function they are looking for: continuous swimming against a controlled current.
The difference is that an endless pool is an entire swimming environment built around that purpose, while a swim jet adds the current to a pool that already exists.
That distinction matters when comparing the projects.
If the backyard already has a suitable pool, a portable or fixed swim jet can add continuous swimming without giving up the rest of the pool's normal uses. iGarden's X Series takes the portable approach, while the P Series is intended for permanent pool applications.
For a new build, the decision is broader because the pool, current system and installation can all be planned together.
Final Words
An endless pool is not the only way to create a swim-in-place training environment.
A swim tether provides inexpensive resistance exercise. A portable swim machine adds a real water current with relatively little modification to an existing pool. A fixed swim jet creates a permanent counter-current setup, while a plunge pool with a swim jet combines compact pool construction with continuous swimming. A swim spa packages the swimming system and the pool into one standalone installation.
For Australian homeowners who already have a suitable pool, the practical question is often whether there is a reason to build another pool at all. Adding a counter-current system can deliver the continuous swimming function while leaving the existing pool available for everyday use.
