Abstract: A compact, free-standing swimming pool (900) adapted for vigorous exercising by a harness-restrained swimmer; the pool including a surrounding gutter (903) behind a skimming sill (904) and in front of a ledge, so that most of the water splashed about is retained and so that waves are largely absorbed by falling over the sill and not returning. Baffles (917) placed deep within the pool can break up "slop" type waves. The gutter is emptied by drain pipes (916) leading to a pump (910) for recirculating the water shifted by the swimmer into the gutter back through conduits (914) into the pool. The pump instead recirculates pool water when gutter water is not present. Optional heating, filtration, chlorination, and recirculation current devices (912, 913) may be included.