There are many options when it comes to choosing the right hot tub for you. You may have already come up with a wish list of the things you want. You may want a hot tub for the incredible hydrotherapy benefits such as soothing relaxation. Or you may desire some quiet solitude or a place to reconnect with family, friends, and loved ones. You might even be looking for a hot tub you can swim in.
For the latter, a swim spa may actually be your best bet. A swim spa offers not only the tranquil hydrotherapy of a hot tub, it also features ample space for swimming and play. It also serves as a challenge fitness trainer. If you are seeking a hot tub you can swim turn-free laps in, this article will help you learn more about swim spas.
Can you swim in a hot tub?
When you think of a traditional portable or above-ground hot tub, you may realize that they are not typically set up for swimming. Unlike a swimming pool, they are generally smaller and designed more for excellent hydrotherapy and relaxation. While most portable hot tubs will have some space in the center to hang out or play around in, there is usually not enough room to swim laps in, like a swimming pool, to even to swim in place, like in a swim spa.
What is a swim spa?
A swim spa is a combination of a swimming pool and a hot tub. It is also designed to serve as a high-performing aquatic trainer that you can perform turn-free laps in. Swim spas are generally larger than hot tubs, but smaller than most swimming pools. They are rectangular, with one area dedicated to aquatic exercise and the other end serving as a hot tub with jetted seating.
All swim spas are a little bit different, however. Jacuzzi® Swim Spas are designed to deliver an amazing and precise swim every single time, allowing you to customize a challenging physical workout and then sink into a much-deserved hydromassage for relaxation, rejuvenation, and recovery. Some features that set Jacuzzi® Swim Spas apart from other brands include:
Balanced Swim Jets
Jacuzzi® Swim Spas feature adjustable high-volume flow from a pair of synchronized and balanced swim jets that deliver a wide and smooth current. This keeps you steadily in your swim lane.
SteadySwim® Buoyancy Jet
The SteadySwim® Buoyancy Jet adds the perfect amount of lift under your body so you are kept in an elevated position in your swim current. This allows you to simply focus on your technique and breathing.
Aquatic WaveBreaker™ Design
Jacuzzi® Swim Spas have a unique shape that incorporates two contours preventing water from traveling back toward the jets. This eliminates reflective waves.
Reliable Flow Return
Jacuzzi® Swim Spas are also designed to pull the flow of water toward the back and into the pumps. This results in a more predictable current.
Benefits of a swim spa
Ultimately, swim spas give you the option to swim, play, exercise, and relax—all in one efficient product that can enhance any backyard space. They can be used all year round for fun, fitness, and soothing relief for your body and your mind. Other benefits include:
Fitness at your fingertips — You can easily customize your swim spa workout to build strength and endurance over time. Whether you are a novice swimmer or a pro, you have the ability to challenge yourself and take your water workout to the next level in your swim spa. Having direct access to your own aquatic fitness trainer in your backyard gives you the freedom to exercise any time of day or night.
Fun and entertainment — With a large central area for swimming, splashing, and playing, a swim spa offers ample space for multiple people to enjoy at the same time. Kids can also be playing in the swim spa while the adults supervise from very close proximity—in the blissful comfort of the hot tub end of your swim spa. A swim spa can provide fun, social time, and entertainment for family and friends of varying ages. The gentle current is also great to boogie boarding and using the spa like a lazy river. So you can get the best of a vacation right in your own backyard.
High-performance hydrotherapy — In addition to serving as a powerful fitness trainer, swim spas deliver incredible hydromassage with a jetted hot tub area that allows you to re-energize and recover after a challenging workout.
Stress relief and peace of mind — Stress is one of the most common ailments in America today. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “[L]ong-term stress creates risks for a variety of mental health challenges, may make us feel more sensitive even to daily hassles, can have broader impacts on our general life outlook and goals, and affects the body’s physiological response to stressors in ways that have notable implications for our physical health.”
Furthermore, the organization states that stress can put your body on high alert and that ongoing stress can cause inflammation, can wear on your immune system, and can even increase the risk of ailments such as digestive issues, heart disease, weight gain, and stroke.
However, exercising, as well as finding methods to help you relax, are both touted as important ways to combat stress. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes taking care of your body can help you fend off stress: “Staying physically healthy can improve your emotional wellbeing.” The site states that eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and moving more are all great ways to improve health and minimize stress levels.
The Mayo Clinic seconds this, adding that positive stress-relieving methods such as exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet can be further improved by combining them with relaxation techniques including hydrotherapy.
The site explains, “Relaxation techniques generally involve focus and awareness. You focus your attention on something that is calming and raise awareness of your body. It doesn’t matter which technique you use. What matters is that you find ways to relax to gain the benefits.”
Hydrotherapy can not only help you relieve stress but it can used in tandem with other methods to help improve your health and provide you with peace of mind. That is a priceless benefit of a swim spa.
Soothing aesthetics — Jacuzzi® Swim Spas have many different options when it comes to acrylic and cabinetry so you can customize a model that suits your needs while stylishly enhancing your backyard.
Space-saving size — The size of a swim spa is ideal for those with limited space in their backyard to accommodate both a traditional swimming pool and a hot tub. Plus, the concept of a best-of-both-worlds swim spa truly gives you everything you need for aquatic fun, fitness, and relaxation in a space-saving size.
The best backyard swim spas
The best backyard swim spas will not only have high-performing fitness areas, they will also have unparalleled hydrotherapy. When shopping for the best backyard swim spas, you will want to consider the following:
-Brand reputation
-Quality craftsmanship
-Superior design and materials
-Energy-efficiency
-High-performing water care systems
-Specialty jets and seating options
-One-of-a-kind features such as Infrared and Red Light therapy, which is exclusive to Jacuzzi® Swim Spas
If you are seeking a next-level swim spa, you can rest assured that a Jacuzzi® Swim Spa will exceed your every desire. There are several Jacuzzi® Swim Spa models to suit every fitness, fun, and relaxation enthusiast. Featuring a variety of jets that creates a completely customized swim current, as well as the ability to set your swim speed or choose from preprogrammed workouts using the convenient Swim Selector Control, your workout can be done your way.
Once you are finished with your swim session, your hydrotherapy control is easily within reach of each therapy seat, allowing you to seek unparalleled comfort and recovery with the power of exclusive Infrared and Red Light therapy.
Jacuzzi® Swim Spas also feature superior water care systems, smart technology via the Jacuzzi® SmartTub® System and app, as well as accessories such as FORM Smart Swim Goggles, which allow you to track your results and progress over time and that display your swim metrics in real time. In addition, the Jacuzzi® PowerTone™ Fitness Kit allows you to turn your swim spa into an aquatic gym. These features lead to effortless exercise and entertainment, as well as enhanced enjoyment.
Where to shop for swim spas
When you are ready to dive into the incredible benefits of a hot tub you can swim in, you can find high-performance swim spas at your local spa showroom. Find a hot tub dealer in your area that carries the specific brand you have chosen, such as a Jacuzzi® Swim Spa. Be sure you visit a reputable swim spa showroom that carries high-quality brands.
Before visiting a showroom, you can maximize your visit by preparing a wish list of features that you are looking for, as well as things like preference of size, brand, seating options, and more. It’s a good idea to consider your hot tub budget before visiting your hot tub dealer. Be prepared to ask about financing options as well. You may also benefit by measuring the area where you intend to have your swim spa delivered and installed to ensure you choose a model that suits the space.
Affiliations: Jacuzzi® is a registered trademark of Jacuzzi Group. All rights reserved.
Medical disclaimer: This information is not intended to prescribe a particular diagnosis or course of action. We are not medical professionals. Please contact your GP or other medical professional for advice if you have any concerns about your current health or well-being.