50m vs endless pool

Is this a trick question?

Would you rather only run a treadmill?  Bike on a stationary?

I'd rather swim in the river or lake, but it'll be frozen soon enough. But, I preferred the lake and river over the pool I had use of this summer.

So your saying doing flip turns every 50m is better than continuous swimming like OWS?

BTW, thanks to all in advance for your advice 

Do you plan on continuous swimming for every swim workout?   If so, the endless pool would be fine I guess.  Flip turns aside, the lap pool offers the option of a variety of workouts.

I'd go with the 50 m... during the summer our masters swim changes the pool to that and it is so sweet.

I can't speak for the endless pools since I've never been in one, but I"m curious how you would get feedback on your stroke, or if swimming in one is different since you are trying to stay in that stream, or on your catch phase of the stroke how different it would be... I guess you could do your interval sets on a time basis instead of distance

Pool, and open water when its warm enough to do so.

The continuous pool really hinders your stroke mechanics as the water is pushed over you instead of you pulling through it.  It also inhibits your ability to establish pace, you learn to keep up but never really get a feel for the water.

Total immersion chapter 13 addresses the use of continous (for any interested readers out there)

If all else is equal go with the pool! 

Good luck!

Just to throw in a wrench...

I would be wary of the local Y.   I ended up canceling my Y membership in favor of a much more expensive Lifetime membership (and a 60 foot pool, by the way). I couldn't deal with the kids, water aerobics, busy lanes, etc, at the Y. 

Is there a third option?  Can you try each out?  Regular pool is obviously the right choice, it's the Y part that pains me.

X2

Isn't this a no-brainer?  And, it's a 50m pool to boot.  Many of us, myself included, would love the opportunity to train in a 50m pool. 

My vote - the pool

Ooo, I would much rather have access to the 50m pool.  We're always saying on here, "Train like you race."  I think the conditions in the 50m pool would be more like a race.

I have swum in an endless pool during a swim lesson as it allows them to video you easily but they are not nice to swim in. The current is fairly narrow and as the speed increases becomes very turbulent so messes with your nice smooth stroke.

Advantages of them are you do notice when your form is bad as you get pushed to one side or suddenly move backwards so they encourage good technique. Also no need to keep stopping for turns so more like an OWS in that you cant have a quick couple of breath rests each lap.

I agree with most of the above though I would love a 50m pool to train in so go for that. much easier to guage your progress as well as you build up distance.