Looking for a way to stay fit without sweating over summer? Try Berlin's great public swimming pools. Brian Frank dives in the deep end.

Berlin’s public pools (“BBB”—Berliner Bäder Betriebe) are one of the city's treats - affordable, well maintained, and conveniently located throughout the city. Initially, Berlin’s Stadtbad or municipal pools were more for the purpose of improving hygiene than for providing citizens with an opportunity to have fun and keep in shape. At the turn of the 20th century in Teutoberger Platz (Prenzlauerberg), 92 percent of the apartments lacked a bath and 46 percent had only an outside toilet. Pools — like the Stadtbad Oderberger, one of the city’s oldest — were conceived and designed primarily to give Berliners a means to clean themselves. Fast forward to the turn of the 21st century and the BBB is now competing rather than simply providing, vying with private pools and fitness centers for customers. Some, such as Stadtbad Prenzlauerberg, have failed due to a lack of municipal funding and a misguided response to capitalist pressures. Most others have renovated and successfully broadened their appeal by adding amenities and fun to fitness. Pool and sauna are standard at each Bad. Typically, EUR 4 ("eine Normale") and EUR 2.50 for students ("Ermässig") gets you entry as well as a locker and a shower. Prices can vary according to the time of day you go and the length of time you stay. There is also an additional charge for access to the sauna. You can also buy a 10-visit ticket. It costs EUR 36.00 and EUR 22.50 for students. A 25-visit ticket costs EUR 88.00 and EUR 55.00 for students. Family tickets ( for three people including a minimum of one adult and one child) costs EUR 7. Extra children cost EUR 1.50 each. Some polls with more facilities can charge more.  Other amenities include whirlpools, hydro-jet massages, fitness studios, bistros, cafes, even bowling alleys. More information about each pool is available at www.bbb.de or phone 01803-1020 20. Below are some of Berlin’s best pools. Schwimmhalle Fisherinsel
(Indoors)
Location: Fisherinsel 11, Berlin, ph: 2 0139 85. U-Bahn 2, Spittelmarkt. Walk NW on Gertrauden, turn right on Fisherinsel.
This no-nonsense GDR era pool is centrally located and excellent for a workout. The quietest times are in the mornings and on Sundays. At night, the kids take over, turning the lanes into obstacle courses, forcing you to do more bobbing and looking than swimming. The 25m length is standard for an indoor facility but seems smaller on account of the low ceiling height and artificial lighting. Still, aside from the pool, there is also a children’s pool, sauna, tanning salon, cafe, and a staff of friendly, English-speaking Badmeisterin. Bad am Spreewaldplatz
(Indoors)
Location: Wienerstrasse 59, Berlin, ph: 69 53 52 10. U-Bahn 1, 15, Goelitzer. Take bus 129 or walk down Wienerstrasse (it’s located directly across from the bar Madonnas).
The Bad am Spreewald is a postmodern wonderworld. The combination of skylights, glass walls, and granite tiled floors and pool bottoms give the interior a lagoon-like atmosphere. Everything appears natural: cobalt-colored water, trees, waterfalls, the gradual slope of the shallow end, the money grass and ferns climbing the back wall — everything except the ceiling which is a chaotic network of exposed rafters, beams, and air-ducts, all painted sparkling gold. Located in the heart of Kreuzberg, the Swimmbad has three children pools and one adult pool. Families abound, the vibe is relaxed, in part, because the pools are staggered, creating the illusion of multiple smaller spaces instead of one crowded room. The 1 hour time limit is compensated for by the hydro-jet massage, whirlpool, slide, and bistro. Sommerbad Postadion
(Outside Pool)
Location: Seylitzerstrasse 6, Berlin, ph: 39 78 01 16/-20. S-Bahn 3, 5, 7, 9,75, Lehrter . Cross Invaliden, walk down Lehrter, fo left on Seydlitz.
The butterfly — with the almost violent exertion it demands of the body and with its potential to separate the amateur from the competitor in a hideous and embarrassing way — is generally avoided at this 50m, eight-lane, Olympic-sized pool. More popular strokes are the backstroke and the crawl. Most popular is the gentle, sociable breaststroke. The easy frog-like locomotion appeals to the elderly, and couples can have a conversation while gliding along. Other attractions, are diving off the 3m platform and sunbathing in the surrounding fields. Bring a large beach towel. Lounge chairs are not available. Sommerbad Pankow
(Outside Pool)
Location: Wolfhagenerstrasse 91-93, Berlin, ph: 47 49 72 20. S-BahnPankow. Walk north on Berliner str., cross Damerov str., turn right on Wolfshagener.
Recently renovated, this Schwimmbad is situated on an expansive layout of fields and rolling hills in a quaint section of the district that used to house the GDR elite. A billboard out front proudly lists the new installations and modernization’s, including handicapped accessible dressing rooms and shower, energy saving filtration equipment, a sound system, and, most importantly, a solar-assisted water heater. As one walks along the long path from the entrance to the pool, the manifold facilities are evident: playground, skateboard park, nude sunbathing area, Biergarten, snack shop, trampoline-bottomed-diving-practice ring, etc., etc. Swimmers can choose between hanging out in the wading area, diving off the three tiered platform, or doing laps in the 50m pool. The wading pool features a stone dock with waterfalls as well as a gigantic, aluminum slide. Two of its chutes are coiled and converge at the bottom; the third is a kamikaze-style down hill. This slide alone is worth the entrance fee. Freibad Plötzensee (Lake)
Location: Nordufer 24, Berlin, ph: 45 02 01 23. U-Bahn 6, Seestrasse or Tram 23, 24, Bus 126. Go west on Seestrasse, right on Nordufer.
Other lakes For those who shy away from chlorine and concrete, Berlin also has a network of Freibäder or lakes. Most are on the periphery of the city and therefore not conveniently located, but Plötzensee is a quick U-Bahn ride and a 20-minute walk from the station. It’s best to go by bike though. Provincial Wedding has a sprawling network of wooded parks to ride through. The lake itself is small (700m x 100m), somewhat chilly (18C) and clean on account of a purification system. The beach has a slide, hooded chairs, restaurant, and a volley ball court. Across the lake from the beach, row and paddle boats can be rented. September 2004 [Copyright Expatica 2004] Subject: Life in Germany, health, Berlin swimming pools