Fitness
Take a Dip in the Best Urban Pools in America
Sprawling pools with swim-up bars at beach resorts may garner attention for their optical illusions, like infinity edges that blur with the horizon. But across the United States, in some of the biggest cities, there are well-designed watering holes also deserving of superlative descriptors. Most urban pools show off city skylines, some are a quiet oasis with sophisticated menus, and others have poolside fitness programs to set them apart.
A decent-sized pool to cool down in is a coveted hotel amenity. But they can be a little tougher to find in urban areas short on square footage. The good news, though: Unlike last summer, you don’t need pool reservations at most hotel pools—i.e. you can go ahead and enjoy that R&R in a chaise lounge without worrying about time limits.
From coast to coast, here are seven great urban pools especially worth planning a vacation around this summer.
1. Halcyon, a Hotel in Cherry Creek
Where: Denver, CO
Your first order of business: Reserve a west-facing cabana so you can enjoy the Rocky Mountains that are sprawled out before you. The mountain views are unobstructed (a rarity) from this rooftop pool in Denver’s upscale Cherry Creek neighborhood. Elevated, the adjoining bar, serves local beers from the Mile High City’s favorite microbreweries. But there’s a punch cocktail in a pouch that’s perfect for poolside sipping, too. If you’re a guest at Halcyon, you’ll also have access to all kinds of toys from the onsite Gear Garage, like longboards, Piaggio Motor Scooters, fly-fishing rods, telescopes, and an Osprey backpack equipped with a GoPro and binoculars. To put it another way: You can have a summer camp do-over, with Denver as your basecamp.
2. Rosewood Washington, D.C.
Where: Washington, D.C.
Airy and ethereal, the rooftop pool at Rosewood Washington, D.C. comes with an especially pleasant surprise—a built-in fireplace—that makes nighttime swims remarkable. The luxury hotel is in the heart of Georgetown, and its pool showcases spectacular views of the Capital City. CUT Above, the rooftop lounge, is adjacent to the pool and also serves seasonal sips like a house margarita made with Don Julio reposado and key lime. From here, you can take in sights of the Potomac River, Kennedy Center, and Washington Monument.
3. The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Where: Nashville, TN
Perched on the hotel’s 21st floor, The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel, gives Grecian columns a modern brutalist makeover for a striking pool scene. The 50-foot pool is surrounded by plush lounge chairs, private cabanas, and a living green wall—plus a damn good view of Nashville’s skyline. The rooftop lounge Denim serves wood-fired pizzas, summer salads, and overflowing charcuterie boards.
4. Elev8 at Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale
Where: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Art and fitness lovers alike will appreciate the eighth-story Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale‘s Elev8 pool. It’s got panoramic views of the downtown skyline, but the other vantage point is a bold, colorful backdrop of murals painted by local contemporary artist Danny Doya inspired by the area’s fast-growing art scene. For more urban art and eye-catching murals, head to the nearby Flagler Art & Technology (FAT) Village. Elev8 also has a “Poolside Peloton Concierge Service,” which includes the use of a Peloton bike on the pool deck for a sunshine-fueled spin workout, and a dedicated butler who brings cold towels and ice water throughout your ride.
5. The Betsy – South Beach
Where: Miami, FL
Courtyard or rooftop? You can pool hop between both at The Betsy – South Beach, which has two pools and is steps away from the beach. The infinity rooftop pool, though, is an architectural marvel suspended mid-air between two buildings. There are impressive views of palm trees, Art Deco district, and the ocean from the sun-soaked 3,200 square-foot rooftop complex. The courtyard pool, on the flip side, has plenty of shade so it’s a good place to bury yourself into a book.
6. Hotel Figueroa
Where: Los Angeles, CA
Hotel Figueroa in downtown LA claims to have the only coffin-shaped hotel pool in the country (and possibly the world). But what inspired the curious shape of the pool, which was built in 1952, remains a mystery. Today, hotel guests and Angelenos with day passes laze around the geometric pool. Veranda Al Fresco, a poolside eatery, serves Mexico City-inspired fare like ceviche, tacos, and inventive margaritas.
7. Sagamore Pendry Baltimore
Where: Baltimore, MD
Surely proving infinity pools aren’t confined to tropical destinations, The Sagamore Pendry Baltimore is a stylish 128-room hotel on the city’s historic Recreation Pier. It has a spacious pool that stretches out toward the harbor. Guests can order crab cakes and wine from a shipping container that’s been converted into a swanky pool bar. Mosey into The Cannon Room, a whiskey bar inside the hotel. Accordingly, it pays homage to the cannons that were beneath Recreation Pier for centuries. The pool, an open-air oasis, offers pool passes Monday through Wednesday for non-hotel guests.
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The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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