Although they first came on the market in the 70s, swim spas have become more popular than ever. It may be because we find ourselves living in smaller spaces while perceiving the need to make the most out of the space that we do have available to us. Although they’re more popular than ever, we still get a lot of basic questions about swim spas. “How are they different from hot tubs?” “How hot does a swim spa get?” “Can I use a swim spa as a hot tub? To answer these questions and more we’ve put together an article to give a general overview for those who want more information about swim spas.
What Is A Swim Spa?
To ensure we’re all on the same page, to begin with, and for those who are unfamiliar with the term, we’ll first attempt to describe what a swim spa is An easy way to picture a swim spa is the midway point between a hot tub and a lap pool. Swim spas are typically bigger than a hot tub (although the largest hot tubs can be bigger than the smallest swim spas,) but much smaller than a lap pool or full-sized swimming pool. The appeal of a swim spa lies in the fact that the user can practice their swimming stroke in a much smaller space compared with a lap pool or full-sized pool. And because of its small size, the temperature can be easily adjusted to mimic the conditions of a hot tub.
How Do Swim Spas Work?
Swim spas are known for their ability to create a strong current for a swimmer to swim against without actually moving forward. This creates a type of underwater treadmill which means the swimmer never reaches the end of the pool and needs to turn around. The current can be adjusted to allow for different strokes and different swimming styles. By turning up the temperature, the swim spa can double as a hot tub. There are also dual tank models that allow for simultaneous swimming and hot tubbing.
Are There Other Uses for Swim Spas?
Swim spas are also great for those interested in aquacise. This typically involved aerobic exercises for people with balance and mobility issues or problems with their bones and joints. The buoyancy of the water adds extra stability and allows for a low impact workout. Many hydrotherapy programs can also make use of warm water temperatures and the massaging water jets. And for those extra hot days, you can turn down the temperature and use the swim spa as a place to cool off.
What Should You Look for In A Swim Spa?
To find a model that works best for you, you need to ask yourself how you foresee yourself using it most. If you’re a serious swimmer who spends a lot of solitary time working out, a single tank model with a wide range of current strengths would probably be best for you. If you have a family that all enjoy spending time in the water, you might want to invest in a dual tank unit that allows someone to swim while the others spend time in the hot tub. You’ll also need to ask yourself how much you’re willing to spend. You can get a cost-effective, but decent model for several thousand dollars, but as with most things, the sky is the limit when it comes to price.
Maintenance and Energy Efficiency
If you live in a colder climate and want to use your swim spa year-round, you’ll want to invest in extra insulation and a well-insulated cover. This will save you money in heating costs over the long term. Pressurized filter systems will also save you money and effort when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. But if you have no problem cleaning your unit more often, you can save money with a suction filtration system.
Now that you know how hot a swim spa gets, download a free buyer’s guide to learn more about our models.