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The Benefits of Hot Tub Hydrotherapy: Relaxation and Beyond

the-benefits-of-hot-tub-hydrotherapy-relaxation-and-beyond

Having a hot tub at home gives you access to one of the most tried and tested forms of relaxation and wellness: hydrotherapy. Humans have been using hydrotherapy to enhance wellbeing for hundreds of years – because it really works. If you are keen to find new ways to relax and improve your general wellness then these are just some of the benefits of using a hot tub to do it.

An effective way to destress

A lot of what we feel stressed about tends to happen in the mind so being able to switch off a stressed brain and get into your body instead can make a big difference. With a hot tub, the warmth of the water can help you to relax and be more present while the massage jets work to physically undo any stress knots that have formed.

Improving recovery times

Whether you are an athlete recovering from a big race or you’ve taken up a new exercise regime and are looking for ways to improve how quickly you can get back and train, a hot tub can make a big difference. Sitting in the hot tub being massaged by the jets is a great way to relieve the aches and pains that can be caused by exercise. The jets help to release lactic acid, which is the principal cause of muscle soreness. Plus, you can focus the jets on an area that you’re having specific trouble with, such as your shoulders after a big weights session.

A natural way to access pain relief

If you’re in pain then you’re going to find it difficult to relax – and wellness levels can drop. Spending time in a hot tub acts as a natural form of pain relief, helping to ease symptoms without the need to take anything pharmaceutical. This has been found to be the case for many different types of conditions, from fibromyalgia to arthritis. Time in a hot tub can also help with something like restless leg syndrome and also with lower back pain.

Getting more sleep on a regular basis

Including your hot tub in your nighttime routine can be incredibly beneficial if you’re looking to get more sleep – and better sleep. The amount of sleep we have has a big impact on how relaxed we feel, as well as overall wellness levels. Spend just 20 minutes a night in your hot tub and you’ll feel more relaxed and less connected to the events of your day. Plus, when you get out of the hot tub and your body temperature starts to drop this signals to your body that it’s time for sleep.

Social time to boost your mood

Your hot tub is a great place to spend time with friends and family and get that all-important social connection. This not only helps to relax us but also helps us to feel more positive too.

From reducing stress to improving sleep, these are just some of the ways that hot tub hydrotherapy helps with relaxation and wellness. We offer servicing and post-sales care for all of our customers to make sure that our customers get the best out of their hot tub. We are proud to have a multi-award-winning showroom located in Kent, so please come down and try out our huge range.

How to Create the Perfect at Home Spa Experience

how-to-create-the-perfect-at-home-spa-experience

The idea of a spa experience has always been to soothe the mind and body and help you to find some peace away from the worries of life. But there’s no reason why you need to pay for an expensive spa package when you can easily do this for yourself at home. When you have a hot tub it’s entirely possible to create the perfect at home spa experience – here’s how.

Preparing yourself and yourself for an at home spa experience

  • Make sure you put the time aside for this essential self-care so that you don’t have to rush or worry about being interrupted. Put your phone away so that you don’t get distracted.
  • Set up the environment. This will include ensuring that the hot tub is at the right settings and creating the right aesthetic, whether that’s with LED flameless candles or aromatherapy and relaxing music.
  • Think about what you’ll need post-spa. That could be a big fluffy dressing gown to get into, somewhere to lie down and make the most of the relaxation or even a delicious snack. Get all these ready in advance so that when it’s time for the spa experience you can just enjoy.

An at home spa experience should soothe both the body and the mind

So make sure that you take both into account when you’re planning this experience for yourself. Start with the body..

  • Spend some time soaking in your hot tub and enjoying the relaxing benefits of the jets.
  • When you’ve been in the water for a few minutes try some relaxing stretches to help ease out any tension from your muscles and joints.
  • Use the steam from the hot tub to help with any skin issues. It will naturally help to detoxify your skin but you can help this along with some soft facial massage.
  • Spend plenty of time sitting back and relaxing in between these so that you get the full experience of the warm water and the jets and the way this will help release any stress.

And then move onto the mind..

  • When you’re soaking in the hot tub, close your eyes and begin to focus on your breathing. You can try some breathing exercises to help increase the relaxation – ensure that your exhale is longer than your inhale to help ease you into a more relaxed state.
  • Try doing a body scan while you’re in the hot tub. Close your eyes and think of each part of your body, moving from your toes all the way up to the top of your head. In each area try to focus on what you’re feeling and if there’s any tension there, encourage it to release.
  • Use some meditation techniques. For example, you could imagine your mind is like the water in the hot tub, constantly flowing and at ease. Or you could listen to a guided meditation while you relax in the water.

If you want to create the perfect at home spa experience then your hot tub is an essential part of this. As a family-operated business encompassing two generations, we have over 50 years of combined experience selling and servicing hot tubs, swim spas, pools, saunas, gazebos and steam rooms. We love what we do because we love the lifestyle that comes with owning a luxurious hot tub or swim spa. Get in contact with a member of the team today to explore our range of fantastic products.

5 Ways to Reduce Your Swim Spa’s Running Costs

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The rise in the cost of living is affecting everyone and energy prices are one of the biggest concerns for many people. When it comes to your swim spa’s running costs there are lots of ways that you can influence this. If you’re concerned about this type of expense as we move into the second half of the year towards the cooler months then here are 5 ways that you can easily reduce your swim spa’s running costs.

1. Lower the temperature in the swim spa

It’s the most obvious way to reduce costs and will save you a significant 5-10% on your bill for heating the water. You don’t need to reduce the temperature that significantly to see a difference either – just one degree can produce a much lower bill. If you find that lowering the temperature by one degree still feels good then try another – this is the ideal time to do this, as the air will be warm for another couple of months.

2. Review your filtration cycles

The filters in a swim spa have an important role to play – they reduce any build up of potentially harmful bacteria, for example, and ensure that dirt and debris don’t affect the system. However, they can be expensive to run if you’re doing this in the wrong way. So, switch your filtration cycles so that they are running at off peak times to use less energy. You can also lower the settings if you’re using the swim spa less – for example, a two-hour cycle twice a day if the spa is getting occasional use.

3. Get a cover that fits – and use it

Swim spa covers are filled with foam, which helps to trap heat and they are an essential part of ensuring that your swim spa isn’t leaking heat unnecessarily. So, make sure that you have a good cover with robust insulation that will help to trap heat. A reflecting cover protector can also help with this. If the foam insulation gets wet then its efficiency will fall quite significantly so it’s important to check regularly whether this is happening.

4. Look after your filtering system

It’s one of the most important parts of the swim spa – and also the component that can most affect running costs. Keeping it clean and maintained will have a big impact on running costs because if filters aren’t kept clean this can cause debris to build up and means that the pump has to work twice as hard to do its job and filter the water. Regularly cleaned and maintained filters will use minimum energy and keep costs low.

5. Fill the swim spa with warm water

This is one of the simplest ways to avoid big energy bills. Make sure you start with a small layer of cool water and then add your warm – max temperature 40 degrees – to fill the swim spa, rather than waiting for the water to be heated up.

If you want to reduce your swim spa’s running costs this year then these are some of the simplest ways to do it. 

As a family-operated business encompassing two generations, we have over 50 years of combined experience selling and servicing hot tubs, swim spas, pools, saunas, gazebos and steam rooms. We love what we do because we love the lifestyle that comes with owning a luxurious hot tub or swim spa. Get in contact with a member of the team today to explore our range of fantastic products.

Tips to Prepare Your Hot Tub for Autumn

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Autumn is a great time to use your hot tub – in fact, some people think it’s the best hot tub season. The air is starting to cool but the conditions are still ideal for enjoying being outside and the weather can be surprisingly beautiful. Plus, you get to experience all the changes in nature happening around your hot tub at this time of year. If you’re keen to have a great autumn experience with your hot tub this year then here are some tips you can use to prepare it now.

Flush the pipes in your hot tub

What many people don’t realise is that the pipes in your hot tub need to have the same cleaning treatment as the rest of the tub. If you don’t do this then you might find that your hot tub pipes become blocked and clogged with dirt and scale. This can also become a serious health issue if it creates an environment for harmful bacteria – like Legionella – to grow.

Drain the hot tub and give it a good clean

When you’ve fully drained the hot tub of all water it’s time to get to work cleaning it. You’ll need to use a gentle solution that has been specifically designed for hot tubs (this will usually be non-foaming). It’s essential to use a cleaning product like this so that you can get rid of any harmful bacteria, dirt and fungal growth.

Remove the filters and clean them

If you’ve got a hot tub then you’ll already know that the filters need to be replaced a couple of times every year to ensure that they are working efficiently. So, if it’s time to carry out a replacement, make sure that you do this before the autumn. If, alternatively, you’re just going to wash them then remove them and spray them with a garden hose so that you can get rid of any dirt and debris that might be there.

Refill the hot tub

Once you’ve carried out a full clean of the hot tub you’ll then need to refill it with water. At this point it’s also essential to take steps to balance the water. There are test strips available that will help you to see what kind of chemicals you need to add to the water so that it’s clean and healthy and ready for use when the autumn season starts.

Carry out a cover inspection

There are lots of reasons why your hot tub cover needs to be in good condition, primarily so that it can hold in heat and also to help prevent debris – such as leaves – getting into the hot tub. So, carry out a full inspection of the cover to look for any damage, tears, sagging or wear that might affect how well it is able to protect the hot tub.

If you’re keen to get the most use out of your hot tub this autumn then these are some of the steps you can take to prepare and if you don’t fancy preparing your hot tub yourself we offer servicing and post-sales care for all of our customers to make sure that our customers get the best out of their hot tub. We are proud to have a multi-award-winning showroom located in Kent, so please come down and try out our huge range.

What’s the Difference Between a Sauna and Steam Room?

whats-the-difference-between-a-sauna-and-steam-room

Heat therapy is being used in a very wide range of different ways today and there are lots of options available. Whether you’re looking to relax or rejuvenate, most people will opt for either a sauna or a steam room. However, the two are not the same and actually provide very different experiences. So what’s the difference between a sauna and a steam room and which one should you choose?

What is a steam room?

If you’ve not tried a steam room before then it is essentially what the description says it is – a room full of steam. The steam is created by a generator and the atmosphere is (as you’d expect) very humid. In fact, you can expect humidity levels close to 100% in a steam room and an air temperature of between 110 and 115 degrees.

What is a sauna?

It’s a similar type of heat therapy – but the dry version. A traditional sauna uses gas, wood or an electric stove to create the heat, which is a low humidity, dry type of heat. Temperatures in a sauna can reach 180 to 200 degrees. In the more modern saunas, the heat source is infrared light, rather than a stove or wood. Infrared light will raise your core body temperature to produce sweat, as opposed to your body reacting to an external influence. Infrared saunas also have a lower temperature (135 – 150 degrees), which means you can spend more time in them.

The benefits of a sauna vs a steam room

  • The maximum time you can steam in a steam room is around 15 minutes, according to healthcare professionals. For a sauna it’s 20 minutes, unless you’re in an infrared sauna in which case this can be a longer session.
  • A steam room is a great way to decongest. Any kind of upper respiratory congestion will be alleviated by spending time in a steam room, especially if the steam contains something like eucalyptus oil.
  • Muscle relaxation. The heat from both a sauna and a steam room can help your muscles to release any tension that you’re carrying. So it depends on whether you prefer a wet or dry heat in terms of the atmosphere you’d prefer to do this in.
  • Alleviating pain. Saunas have a very positive impact on pain. In fact, research on infrared saunas has found that they can create statistically significant reductions in stiffness and pain for conditions such as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and lower back pain.
  • Boosting circulation. Again, saunas take the top position here. Both saunas and steam rooms expand blood vessels, which helps to improve circulation. However, a 2018 Swedish study found that saunas could actually help to increase cardiac function.
  • Reducing recovery times. For athletes (pro or amateur) a sauna has a key role to play in recovery and studies have found that it supports faster recovery post-workout.

Saunas and steam rooms both offer impressive heath therapy benefits. The best option for you will depend on what you want to use it for. With a range of traditional and soft options as a modular sauna that allows you to customise the shape, size and design of your sauna and a large variety of ready-made saunas we are sure that we can find the right model for you. Get in touch with a member of our expert team today to discuss our 0% APR Finance options and for more information about our extensive range of saunas and steam rooms.

5 Swim Spa Activities to Boost Your Mood and Wellbeing

5-swim-spa-activities-to-boost-your-mood-and-wellbeing

If you’re keen to do more every day to boost your mood and wellbeing then a swim spa is a great resource to have. Cost effective, fun to use and much closer to home than a gym, your swim spa can be a great way to support physical and mental health. These are just some of the activities that you can do in a swim spa that will boost your mood and wellbeing.

Swimming

It’s the most obvious activity for a swim spa – and also one of the most effective. You’ll be able to swim against the current that works for you, which means that swimming in your swim spa is ideal for all fitness levels. And for getting fitter. If you’re keen for an activity that works pretty much every major muscle group then swimming is it. It’s a supportive way to improve your health and fitness and boost overall wellbeing too.

Running

If you’ve always been someone who found running painful – or you’re looking for more of a challenge than a treadmill – then running in a swim spa is ideal. In the water, the heaviness of gravity is minimised so you’ll get all the benefits of running without the pressure on joints and muscles. Plus, running in the water provides greater resistance, which means you can have a better and more intensive workout if you choose to. Run against a current that works for you, whether that’s focused on fitness or rehabilitation.

Rowing

Maybe you’ve always wanted the fitness benefits of rowing but never had a rowing machine – or just never got around to using one at the gym. With a swim spa at home you can do regular rowing whenever it works for you. It’s a much more authentic and effective experience to actually row on water and it can get you used to ‘real life’ conditions on the water too if that’s where your focus is.

Supported strength activities

Strength training is becoming increasingly popular with people of all ages because of the many benefits that it offers. If you’re looking to start training with weights in a more supported way then the swim spa is the ideal place for this. You’ll be able to get fitter and stronger more quickly – and with less risk of injury – if you’re working out in a swim spa. Plus, many people find the experience much more enjoyable.

Time out and time off

You don’t have to only use your swim spa for intense physical activity and improving your fitness. It’s also just as important for your mood and wellbeing to have somewhere to switch off and relax too. Use the spa jets for an ultra relaxing massage, float to release tension from your body or just enjoy the benefits of warm water immersion. A swim spa is also a great place to be sociable – which is always a great way to boost your mood.

If you’re looking for ways to boost your mood and wellbeing, these swim spa activities will help you do it. As a family-operated business encompassing two generations, we have over 50 years of combined experience selling and servicing hot tubs, swim spas, pools, saunas, gazebos and steam rooms. We love what we do because we love the lifestyle that comes with owning a luxurious hot tub or swim spa. Get in contact with a member of the team today to explore our range of fantastic products.

What Does it Mean to Have an Energy-Efficient Hot Tub?

what-does-it-mean-to-have-an-energy-efficient-hot-tub

According to recent figures, opting for energy efficient appliances in your home can save between 5% and 30% a month on your utility bills. A well built energy efficient hot tub will consume less energy and, as a result, will cost you less. Enjoying your hot tub with peace of mind means choosing, not just the best model in terms of how you want to use it, but also when it comes to cost too.

What are the benefits of an energy efficient hot tub?

The rise in the cost of energy has made headlines over the past year and when rates go up, so too do bills. If you have an energy efficient hot tub then you are largely protected from ongoing fluctuations in the cost of energy because energy efficient hot tubs use less. So, you can enjoy lower bills now and also in the future if you invest in a model that has energy efficient features.

What is an energy efficient hot tub?

The better made the hot tub is, the more energy efficient it will naturally be. However, there are also some specific features to look out for if you’re keen to invest in an energy efficient model. Insulation is one of the most important, as this is what will keep heat from escaping from the hot tub, which will mean that less energy is required to heat it. Look for a hot tub with high quality insulation that won’t lose its insulating value within a couple of years like many materials can. Another key feature of energy efficiency will be the way that the filtering system works – it should be designed to use low energy and function at a high level. Many of the inbuilt features of a hot tub can also affect efficiency, such as the lights – LED technology, for example, lasts longer, costs less and produces more light per watt.

How can you make your hot tub as efficient as possible?

  • Invest in a high quality cover. A cover that fits well and is high quality will help to maintain the water temperature in the hot tub and prevent water loss.
  • Turn the jets off when not in use. A hot tub uses jets to circulate water and this is great when you’re in the hot tub. However, the air can cool the water, which means more energy is necessary to get it back to the right temperature again. That’s why it’s so important to turn the jets off when you’re not in the hot tub.
  • Maintain your hot tub regularly. There are many reasons why maintenance will help you to keep your costs down. For example, clogged filters mean the pump has to work overtime to circulate water in the hot tub, which can drive up energy costs.
  • Turn the heat down. Keeping your hot tub at a low temperature when not in use means you’ll have a short wait to reach the right temperature – but lower energy bills too.

Lower costs and greater peace of mind are the result of having an energy efficient hot tub. We offer servicing and post-sales care for all of our customers to make sure that our customers get the best out of their hot tub. We are proud to have a multi-award-winning showroom located in Kent, so please come down and try out our huge range

Indoor or Outdoor: What’s the Best Place to Install A Hot Tub

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Any hot tub is a great asset to your home, providing the opportunity to improve wellness, support recovery and just enjoy a relaxing experience. Where you decide to put your hot tub can have a big impact on how often you use it, as well as the way that you use it. Here are some of the things you might want to consider when you’re looking at whether to install a hot tub indoors or outdoors.

Indoor hot tubs

  • You can use your hot tub all year round. This is one of the major factors for installing a hot tub indoors, as you won’t have to worry about the weather when it comes to getting the most out of your hot tub.
  • There will need to be ventilation. The hot air and steam that are generated by the hot tub will need a way to escape or they can cause problems in your home, such as mould.
  • What’s your budget? If you’re looking at indoor installation for your hot tub then you may need a slightly larger budget, simply because of the need to ensure ventilation.
  • Indoor hot tubs have heat efficiency benefits. When you install a hot tub indoors, the area around the hot tub tends to benefit from the heat that it is generating. For example, if you have lots of houseplants that like a humid heat they will do well if you place them near your indoor hot tub.
  • Optimum privacy. While you can certainly create privacy for a hot tub that you’re installing outdoors, an indoor hot tub is automatically a more private environment. Plus, you can close blinds or curtains so that you don’t have to worry about being overlooked.

Outdoor hot tubs

  • Maintenance considerations. Any hot tub will have upkeep and maintenance requirements. However, if you’re going to place the hot tub outside then you’ll also need to think about how these might be increased depending on the impact that nature has, such as falling leaves or debris that may need to be removed.
  • Less privacy. This will depend on where you place the hot tub so it’s worth thinking about how much the spot you’ve chosen can be overlooked and whether you’d like some fencing or shading.
  • It’s easier to install a hot tub outside. There’s no need to think about ventilation requirements and you don’t need to get the hot tub through any doors.
  • Weather-dependent. If your hot tub is outside then the way you use it might depend on the weather. However, if you’re someone who would enjoy a soak under the stars when there is snow on the ground or even in the rain then this is unlikely to be a problem.
  • Getting the most from your outside space. An outdoor hot tub is a great way to make the most of your outdoor space. You can add extras to optimise this, from fairy lights to a trellis of flowers to provide summer shade.

The best place to install a hot tub will depend on how you want to use it – either way this is what you need to think about. We offer servicing and post-sales care for all of our customers to make sure that our customers get the best out of their hot tub. We are proud to have a multi-award-winning showroom located in Kent, so please come down and try out our huge range

8 Reasons to Use Your Sauna This Summer

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had some high temperatures, with more to come. So, is this really the best time to use your sauna? Here are 8 good reasons why the answer is yes, summer is a great time to use your sauna.

1. Supporting heat acclimatisation

Especially if you struggle in the heat, a sauna can be a very useful tool for acclimatising to this temperature change. Spend 20 minutes in a 195 degree sauna and the British summertime isn’t going to feel as hot or unbearable afterwards.

2. Therapeutic relaxation

Whether you have sore joints and muscles from summer workouts, or a long-term condition like arthritis, being in a sauna will help to provide some relief. It will physically relax your body and put your mind at ease.

3. Accessing endorphins

Feel good hormones are important for our mental health and spending time in a sauna every day is a simple way to access them. In fact, studies have found that you’ll get the same burst of endorphins from being in a sauna as you would from a mini workout.

4. Higher quality skin

One of the most powerful impacts of a sauna is that it will boost your circulation. This can have a myriad of positive effects on the skin, from helping to remove dead skin cells to increasing elasticity in the skin, relaxing facial muscles and detoxing impurities.

5. Easing away the stress of the day

Even when the sun is shining we can still feel stressed – in fact, summer holidays, dealing with the heat and the pressure of being half way through the year are just some of the reasons why we can feel extra stressed at this time of year. Taking time out in your sauna can provide a break from daily pressures, somewhere to switch off and unwind.

6. Helping you feel physically good

Time in a sauna will cause your heart rate to rise and give your metabolism a kick, which can promote higher levels of calorie burning. It can also help you to reduce the water weight that many of us carry around at this time of year.

7. Relief from inflammation and pain

One of the reasons saunas are so popular is because they can help with inflammation and pain almost anywhere in the body. The relaxing effect of the heat helps your body to release tension that can be the cause of pain. Plus, it will boost blood circulation, which can instantly reduce painful feelings.

8. Helping you avoid summer colds

Time in a sauna will boost the immune system by encouraging the body to produce white blood cells in response to the impact of the heat on the body. These white blood cells help to fight off bugs and infections. Plus, if you already have a cold, a sauna can help to clear your sinuses and help you breathe again.

Despite the sunny weather, there are some very good reasons to use your sauna this summer. With a range of traditional and soft options as a modular sauna that allows you to customise the shape, size and design of your sauna and a large variety of ready-made saunas we are sure that we can find the right model for you. Get in touch with a member of our expert team today to discuss our 0% APR Finance options and for more information about our extensive range of saunas and steam rooms.