Hot Tubs You Can Swim In
Hot tubs and swimming pools have long been symbols of relaxation and luxury. While both are remarkably similar concepts, one provides relaxation and rejuvenation while the other represents a space for fitness and aquatic sports. But what if you could combine the two?
Meet swim spas - essentially hot tubs you can swim in. Whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, swim spas are the ideal way to recover, relax, and perform, all from the comfort of your backyard. Although a newer concept, swim spas have become increasingly popular in recent years as homeowners look to reap the benefits of both swimming and hydrotherapy, without committing to the investment and space requirements of a full-size pool.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about swim spas - from functionality to investment to therapeutic benefits.
What is a swim spa?
Let’s start with the basics. In simple terms, a swim spa is a hybrid between a hot tub and a swimming pool, essentially a specialized hot tub with an adjustable current. Swim spas are equipped with powerful jets or propulsion systems that allow users to swim in place against a current, simulating the feeling of swimming in a full-length pool. When not in use, a swim spa functions as a typical hot tub, fully equipped with ergonomic seating, hydrotherapeutic jets, and other typical features of a traditional spa.
What are the benefits of swim spas?
Versatility
Owning a swim spa allows you to indulge in the best of both worlds, without the large investment and space requirements of an outdoor pool. Whether you’re looking to relax, work out, or something in between, a swim spa is the ideal way to make the most of your outdoor space and maximize your benefits. Most models come equipped with adjustable current settings, meaning you can customize the intensity of your workouts and engage in a variety of aquatic activities.
Health Benefits
It’s no mystery that both swimming and hydrotherapy have a variety of health benefits. Having a space where you can combine the two only maximizes this. But how does swimming compare to traditional exercise? An article from Harvard Health Publishing highlights how water workouts are low-impact (easier on your joints), work more muscles, and allow you to burn more calories than on land, all because of the resistance water creates as you exercise.
But the health benefits of swimming don’t stop there. The article goes on to discuss how water exercise is more than just single-benefit fitness, saying “ Water exercise is a double-duty workout—cardio and strength training. This may be why many studies have found increases in lean body mass in people participating in an aqua exercise program.”
Year-Round Use
As you’ve probably noticed, outdoor pools are typically closed during the colder months as a result of lower temperatures and stormier weather. But for swim spas, this rule need not apply. Swim spas are essentially hot tubs you can swim in, meaning that they can be heated year-round and can be used to work out in the coldest conditions, rain or shine. Thanks to advanced heating and insulated covers, your swim spa will always be comfortable and ready to use.
Cost-Effectiveness
Although a swim spa might be a bit more expensive than a typical hot tub, it remains much more affordable than a full-sized swimming pool and requires less water. This not only saves you money initially but will prove to be an effective long-term investment. Better yet, a swim spa requires significantly less maintenance and upkeep compared to a typical swimming pool.
Compact Design
If you’re looking to build a swimming pool in your backyard, you’ll need a significant amount of space, not to mention permits and installation fees. Swim spas, however, only occupy a small area, meaning they can fit in a variety of locations and even indoors if you’d like. If you live in the city or have a small yard, a swim spa is the ideal way to make the most of limited space.
Energy Efficiency
Compared to full-size pools, swim spas require significantly less energy and use significantly less water. Simultaneously, they reap the benefits of a typical hot tub, meaning they come equipped with high-grade insulation, energy-efficient pumps, and other sustainable features that reduce environmental impact and help keep your energy bills low.
Customization
Swim spas offer considerably more customization than the typical swimming pool, allowing users to adjust current speed, temperature, and add additional features like LED lighting and sound systems. Since swimming pools are much larger installations, and are typically built into the ground, they have fewer opportunities to add custom features to their frames and housing. A larger volume of water is also harder to regulate, meaning speed and temperature adjustments are typically not an option for full-size pools.
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Questions, Questions
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about swim spas:
How much does a swim spa cost?
Swim spas have a slightly higher price tag than typical hot tubs as a result of their added benefits. However, they still remain significantly less expensive than a typical swimming pool.
If you’re looking to purchase hot tubs you can swim in, expect to spend:
- Entry-Level Models: $10,000 to $20,000. Enjoy basic jets, simple controls, and single-pump systems at an affordable price.
- Mid-Range Models: $20,000 to $35,000These models offer enhanced current systems, larger sizing options, and moderate customization.
- Luxury Models: $35,000 and aboveIndulge in advanced fitness features, state-of-the-art swim current systems, and the highest quality of hydrotherapy.
Aside from the purchase price, also consider costs for installation, maintenance, and extended energy use.
How big are swim spas compared to hot tubs?
Much like their predecessor, swim spas come in a variety of sizing options to accommodate varying preferences and needs. Typically, however, swim spas are between 12 and 21 feet in length. To simulate a typical lap pool, they are often more rectangular than hot tubs, which are often square. This allows for full body extension when swimming.
Swim spas also hold more water than hot tubs, meaning they weigh more. This is an important factor to consider when looking for the right space for your spa and planning its installation.
What kind of current systems are available?
Swim spas typically offer two main types of current systems:
- Jet-Driven Systems: These rely on the hot tub’s jets to create a current and are typically cost-effective. They can cause some turbulence, however, meaning that some swimmers find them more challenging to swim in. More jets also means more maintenance, and moving parts can lead to increased wear and tear.
- Propeller or Paddlewheel Systems: These currents use an underwater propeller to generate a current by moving a large volume of water smoothly through the swim spa. This provides a more natural swimming experience, with a wider current that mimics the feeling of swimming in open water. These systems create less turbulence, and are often preferred by serious swimmers, but require a larger upfront investment because of advanced technology and lower operational costs.
Do swim spas have different maintenance requirements than hot tubs?
Yes, but they still require significantly less than a swimming pool. Seeing as swim spas are hot tubs you can swim in, they require a similar amount of maintenance to a typical hot tub. But additional requirements stem from:
- Larger Water Volume: Swim spas require more water to create a current and allow for swimming.
- Increased Usage: Swim spas are used for both fitness and relaxation, meaning they can accumulate more debris and bacteria than hot tubs used primarily for soaking.
- Dual-Zone Systems: Most swim spas have separate zones for swimming and soaking, which can increase the complexity of maintenance.
Don’t let this discourage you, however! Swim spas typically come equipped with more advanced filtration systems than hot tubs to handle larger water volume and increased usage. This helps maintenance remain easily manageable and stay as minimal as possible.
In Conclusion
So is a swim spa the right choice for you? Absolutely! Swim spas are the ideal way to combine relaxation and fitness, without the excessive investment and installation of a swimming pool. These hot tubs you can swim in provide increased health benefits and versatility compared to a typical spa while remaining compact and easily maintainable.
As with any spa purchase, we recommend visiting a local showroom or supplier in your area for further insight into swim spas and their installation process. This is also a great way to compare swim spas to traditional hot tubs and visualize the similarities and differences this article has discussed.
Still have questions? Visit our blog to learn more about swim spas, hot tub ownership, and other trending topics within the industry.
