Hot Tubs You Can Swim In

Hot tubs and swimming pools have long beensymbols of relaxation and luxury. While both are remarkably similar concepts,one provides relaxation and rejuvenation while the other represents a space forfitness and aquatic sports. But what if you could combine the two?

Meet swim spas - essentially hot tubs you canswim in. Whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, swim spasare the ideal way to recover, relax, and perform, all from the comfort of yourbackyard. Although a newer concept, swim spas have become increasingly popularin recent years as homeowners look to reap the benefits of both swimming andhydrotherapy, without committing to the investment and space requirements of afull-size pool.

Keep reading to learn everything you need toknow about swim spas - from functionality to investment to therapeuticbenefits.

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 aspecialized hot tub with an adjustable current. Swim spas are equipped withpowerful jets or propulsion systems that allow users to swim in place against acurrent, simulating the feeling of swimming in a full-length pool. When not inuse, a swim spa functions as a typical hot tub, fully equipped with ergonomicseating, 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 thebest of both worlds, without the large investment and space requirements of anoutdoor pool. Whether you’re looking to relax, work out, or something inbetween, a swim spa is the ideal way to make the most of your outdoor space andmaximize your benefits. Most models come equipped with adjustable currentsettings, meaning you can customize the intensity of your workouts and engagein a variety of aquatic activities.

HealthBenefits

It’s no mystery that both swimming andhydrotherapy have a variety of health benefits. Having a space where you cancombine the two only maximizes this. But how does swimming compare totraditional exercise? An article from Harvard Health Publishing highlights how waterworkouts are low-impact (easier on your joints), work more muscles, and allowyou to burn more calories than on land, all because of the resistance watercreates as you exercise.

But the health benefits of swimming don’t stopthere. The article goes on to discuss how water exercise is more than justsingle-benefit fitness, saying “ Water exercise is a double-duty workout—cardioand strength training. This may be why many studies have found increases inlean body mass in people participating in an aqua exercise program.”

Year-RoundUse

As you’ve probably noticed, outdoor pools aretypically closed during the colder months as a result of lower temperatures andstormier weather. But for swim spas, this rule need not apply. Swim spas areessentially hot tubs you can swim in, meaning that they can be heatedyear-round and can be used to work out in the coldest conditions, rain orshine. Thanks to advanced heating and insulated covers, your swim spa willalways be comfortable and ready to use.

Cost-Effectiveness

Although a swim spa might be a bit moreexpensive than a typical hot tub, it remains much more affordable than afull-sized swimming pool and requires less water. This not only saves you moneyinitially but will prove to be an effective long-term investment. Better yet, aswim spa requires significantly less maintenance and upkeep compared to atypical swimming pool.

CompactDesign

If you’re looking to build a swimming pool inyour backyard, you’ll need a significant amount of space, not to mentionpermits 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 tomake the most of limited space.

EnergyEfficiency

Compared to full-size pools, swim spas requiresignificantly less energy and use significantly less water. Simultaneously,they reap the benefits of a typical hot tub, meaning they come equipped withhigh-grade insulation, energy-efficient pumps, and other sustainable featuresthat reduce environmental impact and help keep your energy bills low.

Customization

Swim spas offer considerably morecustomization than the typical swimming pool, allowing users to adjust currentspeed, temperature, and add additional features like LED lighting and soundsystems. Since swimming pools are much larger installations, and are typicallybuilt into the ground, they have fewer opportunities to add custom features totheir frames and housing. A larger volume of water is also harder to regulate,meaning speed and temperature adjustments are typically not an option forfull-size pools.

Questions, Questions

Here are some of the most commonly askedquestions about swim spas:

Howmuch does a swim spa cost?

Swim spas have a slightly higher price tagthan typical hot tubs as a result of their added benefits. However, they stillremain significantly less expensive than a typical swimming pool.

If you’re looking to purchase hot tubs you canswim 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$35,000

-      These models offer enhancedcurrent systems, larger sizing options, and moderate customization.

-      Luxury Models: $35,000 and above

-      Indulge in advanced fitnessfeatures, state-of-the-art swim current systems, and the highest quality ofhydrotherapy.

Aside from the purchase price, also considercosts for installation, maintenance, and extended energy use.

How bigare swim spas compared to hot tubs?

Much like their predecessor, swim spas come ina variety of sizing options to accommodate varying preferences and needs.Typically, however, swim spas are between 12 and 21 feet in length. To simulatea typical lap pool, they are often more rectangular than hot tubs, which areoften 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 lookingfor the right space for your spa and planning its installation.

Whatkind of current systems are available?

Swim spas typically offer two main types ofcurrent systems:

-      Jet-Driven Systems: These rely on the hottub’s jets to create a current and are typically cost-effective. They can causesome turbulence, however, meaning that some swimmers find them more challengingto swim in. More jets also means more maintenance, and moving parts can lead toincreased wear and tear.

-      Propeller or Paddlewheel Systems: Thesecurrents use an underwater propeller to generate a current by moving a largevolume of water smoothly through the swim spa.

This provides a morenatural swimming experience, with a wider current that mimics the feeling ofswimming in open water. These systems create less turbulence, and are oftenpreferred by serious swimmers, but require a larger upfront investment becauseof advanced technology and lower operational costs.

Do swimspas have different maintenance requirements than hot tubs?

Yes, but they still require significantly lessthan a swimming pool. Seeing as swim spas are hot tubs you can swim in, theyrequire a similar amount of maintenance to a typical hot tub. But additionalrequirements stem from:

-      Larger Water Volume: Swim spas require morewater to create a current and allow for swimming.

-      Increased Usage: Swim spas are used for bothfitness and relaxation, meaning they can accumulate more debris and bacteriathan hot tubs used primarily for soaking.

-      Dual-Zone Systems: Most swim spas haveseparate zones for swimming and soaking, which can increase the complexity ofmaintenance.

Don’t let this discourage you, however! Swimspas typically come equipped with more advanced filtration systems than hottubs to handle larger water volume and increased usage. This helps maintenanceremain 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 hottubs you can swim in provide increased health benefits and versatility comparedto a typical spa while remaining compact and easily maintainable.

As with any spa purchase, we recommendvisiting a local showroom or supplier in your area for further insight intoswim spas and their installation process. This is also a great way to compareswim spas to traditional hot tubs and visualize the similarities anddifferences this article has discussed.

Still have questions? Visit our blog to learn more about swim spas, hot tubownership, and other trending topics within the industry.