If you have been considering adding a swimming pool or hot tub to your home or yard, it’s time to learn more about swim spas.
Get the most health benefits and the ultimate relaxation space by combining the spa experience with a lap pool.
Find out what makes a swim spa the best option and how to choose the right one for you.
What Is a Swim Spa?
A swim spa is similar to a hot tub in that it can be temperature controlled and is small enough to fit in your own backyard. However, it is larger than a hot tub and used the same way as a lap pool. Swim spas contain a machine that creates resistance in the water, enabling you to swim against the current. It also means you can swim forward continuously and not have to turn around.
Swim spas have been around for a while, but the technology has recently improved for added energy efficiency. They also have more
swimming space than they did in the past.
The first swim spas available to the general public were created around 2010. Shortly after that, around 2011, swim spas were designed with dual temperature options so they could be used for both swimming and relaxing, just like a hot tub.
Swim spas are the perfect option for people who want to work out at home or who love to swim, even when it’s cold outside. It’s also a great way to get exercise without putting pressure on the joints. You can even walk or run against the current instead of swimming, or use it for hot and cold therapy, muscle recovery, or relaxing.
What Is a Hydropool Swim Spa?
A Hydropool Swim Spa is a more luxurious option, designed specifically with fitness needs in mind. It’s the only swim spa in the industry with self-cleaning technology that makes for incredibly simple maintenance.
They are often used by professional, as well as casual, swimmers for an enhanced experience. Hydropool Swim Spas are also one of the easiest swim spas to maintain.
How Much Does a Swim Spa Cost?
How much does a swim spa cost? Well, as with most purchases like this, swim spa prices will vary based on the model, manufacturer, and size you are most interested in. You can get a pretty good idea by checking out some of the options offered by Paradise Valley Spas and requesting a price quote for the models you love.
For a general idea, swim spa prices range between about $20,000 and $50,000.
When considering, “How much is a swim spa?” it’s a good idea to weigh out the savings and benefits associated with this type of purchase vs. an in-ground pool or a pool and hot tub.
Not only do you get double the use out of a swim spa, since it can also be used as a hot tub, but it is also significantly less expensive than installing a full-size in-ground pool.
In fact, a swim spa will cost less than half the cost of a traditional in-ground pool. It also takes up less space in your backyard or on your deck, and you can even install it indoors if you prefer. Plus, swim spas are easier to maintain than pools and hot tubs and can be used year-round.
How Much Does It Cost to Heat a Swim Spa?
Heating costs will vary according to the size of the swim spa you choose and how often you use it. You can get an estimate using the wattage, the number of hours you use it per month, and the price per kilowatt-hour.
Your best option is to look for an energy-efficient model for lower heating costs. Hydropool Swim Spas are the current leader in the swim spa industry when it comes to energy efficiency.
Another great way to save on heating costs is to keep the water temperature lower during the summer. You can still enjoy an invigorating swim workout and use it for relaxing while cooling off from the higher temperatures outdoors.
Many swim spa manufacturers have molded seating on the ends for relaxing, with space in the middle for swimming laps. These are called dual-purpose swim spas and are great for a multi-functional spa experience.
Why Choose a Swim Spa Instead of a Hot Tub?
When we break down common questions like “What is a swim spa?” and “What is a swim spa used for?”, we are able to see that swim spas provide the same basic features like hot tubs, but also offer a second valuable use for twice the benefits.
With a swim spa you can enjoy the rewards of hydrotherapy through a no-impact, at-home workout followed by a relaxing soak.
Health Benefits of Owning a Swim Spa
There are countless health benefits associated with regular hot tub use and hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is the term used to describe the movement, exercise, and full-body therapeutic benefits that impact your body while using a swim spa. You can find some of the many benefits of hydrotherapy and swim spa use below.
- Relieve Stress – Relax and rejuvenate in the spa for lower stress levels and reduced anxiety.
- Improved Sleep – Fall asleep faster and get a higher quality of sleep thanks to lower stress levels and changes in body temperature before bedtime.
- Alleviate Pain & Accelerate Healing – Massage problem areas and relieve pressure on joints for reduced pain and faster recovery from injuries and muscle soreness. This includes arthritis, back pain, inflammation, joint replacements, ligament injuries, and broken bones.
- Improve Circulation – Increase blood flow and circulation, which helps with muscle healing and lowers blood pressure.
- Neurological Benefits – Hydrotherapy and relaxing in a swim spa can even reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches and help with the healing of the brain and spinal injuries!
Swim Spa vs. Hot Tub vs. Swimming Pool
There are a lot of different terms that get thrown around when you start shopping for a spa, and each of them has its own set of benefits. Use the descriptions below to determine which will benefit you most.
- Spa – This term is used for a number of things in the US, from businesses that offer facials and massage treatments, to various forms of hot water therapy. When shopping for specific hydrotherapy products, a spa is generally a term used interchangeably with “hot tub,” unless otherwise specified.
- Swim Spa – A swim spa refers specifically to a larger in-ground spa used for swimming against jet currents and relaxing, as mentioned above. Like hot tubs, there are portable options that can be taken with you if you move.
- Hot Tub – A hot tub can be built with a specified number of seats and jets, and is used mainly for relaxing. It can be above ground or installed in the ground or with a surrounding deck.Spa – This term is used for a number of things in the US, from businesses that offer facials and massage treatments, to various forms of hot water therapy. When shopping for specific hydrotherapy products, a spa is generally a term used interchangeably with “hot tub,” unless otherwise specified.
- Swim Spa – A swim spa refers specifically to a larger in-ground spa used for swimming against jet currents and relaxing, as mentioned above. Like hot tubs, there are portable options that can be taken with you if you move.
- Jacuzzi – Jacuzzi is the name of the brand that first created hot tubs, but is not a specific type of hot tub or spa system.
- Swimming Pool – A swimming pool is generally larger, installed in the ground, and usually does not include jets.
Each of these options provides most of the health benefits described in the section above. There are exercises and stretches that can be performed in hot tubs, but only swim spas and swimming pools have the necessary space for swimming.
On the other hand, however, hot tubs and spas take up less space, are easier to install, and are less expensive to heat.
What Size Is a Swim Spa?
You can choose from a variety of sizes when you purchase a swim spa. They are usually between 12.5 feet long and just over 18 ft long, nearly 8 ft wide, and approximately 4 to 4.4 ft deep. Most swim spas include seating options for six people.
Are Swim Spas Hot or Cold?
Traditionally, hot tubs are hot and swimming pools are cold. With swim spas, you get the best of both worlds! You can lower the temperature for swimming or cool off in warmer months, and you can also enjoy higher temperatures for hot tub therapy and relaxation.
What Are the Benefits of Hot and Cold Therapy?
You may have heard about various benefits like treating injuries or speeding up muscle recovery with either hot or cold therapy. There are many resources promoting each, so which is better?
The most effective way to treat these types of ailments is actually with both hot and cold therapy. Cold treatments are used to reduce
inflammation by decreasing blood flow, while heat treatment helps relax muscles by promoting blood flow.
According to Medical News Today, increasing blood flow also brings nutrients to the injured area, which helps the muscles in the body repair themselves more quickly.
The best way to take advantage of both hot and cold therapy and get the best results is to alternate between the two. Spend 20-30 minutes in cold water or applying ice to the area, take a break for about 5 minutes, and then spend 20-30 minutes in hot water or applying heat.
This is particularly helpful for athletes and those suffering from chronic pain. A swim spa is ideal for hot and cold therapy since it is capable of providing both.
Is Installation More Difficult With Swim Spas Than with Hot Tubs and Pools?
When you choose a swim spa, you’ll need to consider the space in which you wish to have it installed, as well as the size of the swim spa model. Costs for installation will vary based on these factors but are similar to what you might expect with other hot tubs and spa options.
If you wish to install your swim spa indoors or in the ground, you will need to factor in additional costs for items like plumbing and concrete. Specific requirements for spa installation will be outlined in the accompanying owner’s manual.
Is Upkeep/Maintenance More Difficult with Swim Spas Than with Hot Tubs and Pools?
Actually, the maintenance and upkeep required for a Hydropool Swim Spa is much simpler than other swim spas, pools, and hot tubs. Hydropools are among the easiest swim spas to maintain because they are the only self-cleaning pools on the market.
Their self-cleaning feature is able to clean 100% of the water in less than 45 minutes, which means more time enjoying the spa and less time cleaning it. Built-in skimmers, filters, and even vacuums ensure the cleanest water every time you get in. Some small maintenance, like cleaning filters, will need to be done approximately every month.
Can You Install a Swim Spa in the Ground?
Yes! A swim spa can be installed in the ground or put together above ground. An above-ground spa is easier and less expensive to install but is somewhat bulky and harder to blend into the surroundings.
An in-ground spa takes a little more work initially but pays off in beauty and convenience. It is much easier to incorporate an in-ground spa into the current aesthetic of your yard or home, and it is still customizable to your preferences.
Can You Install a Swim Spa Indoors?
Absolutely! Swim spas can be installed in sections to make them easier to get inside, and they fit nicely in your home, taking much less space than swimming pools.
Freestanding above-ground swim spas are also a great indoor option because you won’t need to excavate to install them.
Having a swim spa indoors only increases the fun and usability since you never have to worry about what the weather is like outside before taking a dip. Exercise, relax, or party all year long in the comfort of your own home.
Swim Spa Selection from Paradise Valley Spas
Currently, there are 14 Hydropool Swim Spa options available from Paradise Valley Spas.
Contact us for more information about our Hydropool models and what makes them stand out from the competition, or to find a dealer in your area.
