Christina Mantoura, Author at The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company

Turn Your Garden into a Relaxing Retreat with a Swim Spa

Posted on 18 October 2023 - 14:54 by Christina Mantoura

Swim spas have become increasingly popular over the past few years. They are not only a great way to enhance your garden but also provide somewhere to exercise and relax too. If you have a swim spa in your garden – or you’re planning to install one – then here are some simple ways that you can turn the space into a relaxing retreat.

Add some decking around the swim spa

There are lots of options here, from stone and concrete to stylish wood decking. It will not only enable you to make the most of the swim spa but also enjoy the space around it – and create a stylish feature for the garden too.

Landscape the area around it

Landscaping features can really bring a garden to life and, if you tailor them to the swim spa, then you can create a wonderfully relaxing retreat around it. Fountains and ponds can be a great way to complement the water element of the swim spa and vibrant plants and flowers will really bring the area to life.

Opt for a semi-sunken swim spa

This is a great design if you’re keen on aesthetics and can create a sleek and integrated look if you’re going to install the swim spa above ground. It also makes for a much safer way to use the swim spa if you have young (or much older) family members, as it helps to put safety first.

Sink the swim spa and make it a landscape feature

For many swim spa owners the sunken look is going to be the most appealing option, especially if you have a garden with some pretty incredible views. A sunken design can give you somewhere to sit and soak and appreciate the views from – add decking or paving for an ultra sophisticated finished look.

Put your swim spa under cover

Especially if you want to be able to use the swim spa all year round then a shade or structure that provides some shelter can be a really good idea. You might want to install the swim spa completely indoors or invest in an outdoor construction that gives you shelter from the elements and also looks great.

Incorporate it into an existing outdoor building

If you’ve already got a building in your garden then it can create seamless consistency in your outside space to integrate the swim spa into that design. That could be putting the swim spa inside – or simply installing it where the two can complement each other.

Add some outdoor furniture

To create a really sociable space around your swim spa, furniture is a really good idea. That could be some luxurious sofas, chairs to recline on or tables that you can use for food and drink. Shade, lighting and sound are also worth considering.

Make a fitness space

Because swim spas are such a great place to get active you can make yours the focal point in a fitness space. Whether it’s weights, machines or just a yoga mat, it’s a great idea to dedicate an area to your physical health.

If you’re keen to turn your garden into a relaxing retreat with your swim spa 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.

Fall into Relaxation: Soothing Hot Tub Soaks for the Autumn Season

Posted on 11 October 2023 - 10:00 by Christina Mantoura

If there is one season that really works for soothing hot tub soaks it’s autumn. After the heat of summer a little cooling off can feel welcome. And it makes your hot tub experience at this time of year much cosier. Plus, this is the time of year when the weather can be pretty gorgeous, from crisp blue sky mornings through to gentle evenings with beautiful sunsets. It’s the perfect time of year to make the most of your hot tub to get outside and relax.

Why is the hot tub so great in autumn?

The air is still warm

Well, maybe not always warm but it’s not yet so cold that you have to run to and from the hot tub and the house when you’re getting in and out. This makes it the ideal season for a super relaxing time in the hot tub, enjoying the autumn air and evenings and mornings that still have some light to them.

It’s a great time to be out in nature

Autumn is a beautiful season in nature, there is no doubt about that. This is the time of year when the trees start to turn to flame and nature has its last big burst of colour before the winter kicks in. Sitting outside in your hot tub can give you the chance to be present and really enjoy everything that the season has to offer.

Relieving the stress of this time of year

You might be feeling a little burned out after the summer holidays or the back to school rush. Or maybe you struggle with the way that the seasons changing affects you. Whatever is making you feel tense in autumn, some time in your hot tub is a great way to destress. The warmth of the water will naturally relax you and the massage jets can ease away any tension.

Your hot tub can complement your exercise routine

In fact, it can be where you do your exercise routine! Hot tubs are ideal for working out as the buoyancy of the water provides much more support. You can get all the benefits of something like crunches or even walking on the spot without any negative impact on joints.

A great way to be sociable (or not)

This can be a really hectic time of year and your hot tub might be somewhere that you can go to get 5 mins away from the hustle and bustle of a busy house. Alternatively, it can be a cosy spot for socialising. Get all the family together away from devices and screens for a really good chat. Or invite your friends over for an unusual night in, whether you project a film onto the side of the house or have some seasonal food like an autumn BBQ.

Autumn is a wonderful season for anyone with a hot tub. This is a great time to use your hot tub to support wellness or just as somewhere to witness autumn in all its glory. 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

The Benefits of Hot Tub Hydrotherapy: Relaxation and Beyond

Posted on 4 October 2023 - 14:54 by Christina Mantoura

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

Posted on 27 September 2023 - 14:54 by Christina Mantoura

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

Posted on 20 September 2023 - 14:54 by Christina Mantoura

5-ways-to-introduce-your-swim-spas-running-costs

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

Posted on 13 September 2023 - 13:46 by Christina Mantoura

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?

Posted on 6 September 2023 - 14:54 by Christina Mantoura

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

Posted on 24 August 2023 - 14:54 by Christina Mantoura

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?

Posted on 17 August 2023 - 14:54 by Christina Mantoura

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

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