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Our top benefits of owning a swim spa

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A swim spa is often placed at the top of the list of luxury property features. A swim spa is a great addition to all sorts of properties, from holiday homes and family estates to city dwellings. If you’re thinking about purchasing a swim spa for your property, there are a number of benefits that you should be aware of.

Convenience

Whether you’re considering a swim spa as part of your new fitness regime or for a blissful place to relax and unwind, having your own swim spa eliminates the need to leave your house. This can be very useful for maintaining your motivation and can make life hassle-free when it comes to reaping the benefits of hydrotherapy.

Creating the perfect outdoor setting

Swim spas can provide a great amount of architectural value to your garden or deck. The water looks inviting, particularly in the summer when the sun makes the water sparkle. The swim spa’s stylish and contemporary style will make your outdoor space the talk of the town.

Flexibility for fast-paced lives

Busy lives equate to jam-packed schedules, but getting a swim spa for your home allows you to use it at your convenience. If you want to start swimming in the morning as part of your fitness routine, you can do it from the comfort of your own home – no need to drag yourself to the public pool – saving you time and energy. On the other hand, if you feel like you never have enough time to go to the pool and relax, getting a swim spa of your own means relaxation is always only a few steps away.

Control and agility

When you have a swim spa at home, you’ll have the freedom to use it however you like and for whatever you like. Adjust the settings to alter the power of the jets to change up your workout or relaxation session. Since the swim spa is only shared with those in your household, you have full control over it – this means you’ll be able to get the most out of it.

Privacy and discretion

Even the best spas in the country have a range of people using their facilities, but if you purchase your own swim spa, you’ll only have to share it with the people you choose. When it comes to exclusivity, a home swim spa provides you with nothing less – providing you choose the right placement for it, then a lack of privacy will never be an issue.

Safety

With a home swim spa, you can keep an eye on the kids to ensure that no injuries occur whilst making sure that the pool is being used in the right way. Having your own swim spa provides you with an opportunity to educate your children on the importance of water safety.

If you’d like to install a swim spa at home, you can talk to a member of our team about the perfect specification and model for you.

What can your hot tub do for you?

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Hot tubs are often regarded as luxurious, relaxing places to socialise and entertain. However, there are many health benefits that come with using a hot tub on a regular basis. When considering buying a hot tub for yourself, you may think, ‘What benefits can a hot tub bring to my life?’. To help answer this question, we’ve compiled a rundown of the potential health benefits of using a hot tub.

Stress Relief

One of the most well-known advantages of using a hot tub is stress relief. This is incredibly beneficial for your wellbeing with stress often acting as a major factor in the onset of other more serious diseases. If you experience headaches, tense muscles or general fatigue, spending time in warm water will help to calm your body and relieve these symptoms of stress. This is a stand-out health benefit that hot tubs can provide, and that’s why we’re putting it right at the top of our list.

Pain Reduction

Hot tubs are also great for relieving pain. Soaking in a hot tub can provide immediate relief from pain that may be a result of an injury, chronic illness or stress. Hot tubs are often used in hydrotherapy practices where pain relief is the primary objective. Working the body’s muscles gently in warm water improves blood flow, allowing oxygen to reach damaged cells whilst also secreting pain-relieving endorphins.

Injury Recovery

Hydrotherapy can be beneficial in assisting the body’s recovery process from injuries. Both physiotherapists and elite athletes are aware that spending time in a hot tub aids injury recovery. Whether you’ve sustained an injury while playing sports, in an accident, or you are recovering from surgery – spending time in the hot tub decreases your blood pressure which supports your body during healing processes.

Boosts Immune System

Research has indicated that bathing in a hot tub on a regular basis encourages the body to produce more white blood cells. This is the body’s natural response to an increase in body temperature. White blood cells are incredibly important in protecting us from disease and infection. If you are often under the weather, boosting your immune system through bathing in a hot tub is a must!

Reduce Blood Pressure

Spending time in a hot tub has the ability to reduce your blood pressure. This happens as a result of the increase in body temperature, causing the heart to beat faster and subsequently increase blood flow. This causes blood vessels to dilate, reducing resistance and pressure on the arterial walls.

Reduce Blood Sugar Levels

Regular hot tub use has been found to help lower blood sugar levels, caused by an increase in blood flow which helps sugars to be broken down. The effect of bathing in a hot tub increases blood flow in a similar way to exercise, so provides a viable option for people with limited mobility or are unable to exercise.

Induce Sleep

If you have trouble falling asleep or you find yourself waking up throughout the night, we recommend using a hot tub right before you go to bed. When you get out of the hot tub, the body’s natural response to cooling down is to signal the brain that it is sleepy. It’s a basic biochemical trick that will assist you in regulating your sleeping patterns.

The Hot Tub and Swim Spa company offers a diverse range of Hot Tubs that can fit any specification and price range.     

Our guide to caring for your Hot Tub

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Providing your hot tub with the correct maintenance and upkeep is paramount in ensuring that you get the most out of your investment, in terms of durability and efficiency. This makes sure that you’re safeguarding the hot tub’s ability to deliver the numerous health and therapeutic benefits that a top-of-the-range hot tub can provide.

Chemicals

Getting to know how to best care for your hot tub can initially seem like a minefield. This is why our showroom is open seven days a week. In person, or online, our knowledgeable team is on hand to clear up any queries you have and to provide best practice advice on how to care for your hot tub. It’s also worth noting that we supply a full range of water treatment chemicals that are specifically formulated for a range of hot tubs and swim spas, taking all the legwork out for you! Our hot tub care products offer everything you’ll need to ensure your water is always is safe and clean.

Draining and Refilling

Draining and refilling your hot tub is an important part of hot tub maintenance. We recommend to our customers to drain and wash the hot tub every three months. It’s also advisable to thoroughly clean the jets and filters after draining to ensure smooth operation and consistently clean water quality. We have a variety of servicing and maintenance services available to ensure that your hot tub remains in tip-top condition. We provide services on a fortnightly, monthly, quarterly or annual basis, depending on your needs.

General Practice

There are a host of actions you can take to ensure the ongoing efficiency of your hot tub in addition to good cleaning and upkeep. There are best-practice strategies for ensuring that your hot tub is optimally functioning throughout the year.

Simply showering before getting into the hot tub not only keeps any potential contaminants out of the hot tub, but also ensures that the water is kept clean for longer.

One of the best things you can do to keep your hot tub shipshape is to leave it on even when it’s not in use. This may seem counterintuitive; however, our systems are designed to run even when you’re not using the hot tub. This enables the hot tub’s self-cleaning technology to maintain a constant temperature and filter the water so that it is ready to go whenever you need it. Keeping it on will also reduce your electricity bill, which is an added bonus!

We at The Hot Tub and Swim Spa company are committed to providing our customers with all the care and support they need in order to reap the full benefits of their hot tub. If you’re interested in finding out more about our servicing and maintenance options, visit our website, or call us on 020 8038 7699  

Health benefits of soaking in a hot tub

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There’s often nothing better than unwinding in a hot tub after a testing day, allowing you to enter a state of pure relaxation. But did you know that spending time in a hot tub can have other amazing benefits for your health? Whether you’re lucky enough to have your own hot tub, or you’re an avid bather at your local gym, there are some key points you should be aware of to make sure you’re really reaping the benefits that bathing in a hot tub can provide. To this end, we’ve put together a list of the top 7 health benefits of soaking in a hot tub! 

Stress Relief

One of the most well-known benefits of soaking in a hot tub is its ability to reduce stress levels. Warm water’s calming effect, alongside the massaging action of a hot tub, can help to alleviate physical, emotional, and mental stress. If you’re keen to enhance this stress-relieving effect, make sure you incorporate soft music, low lighting or even aromatherapy to take your relaxation to the next level.

Muscle Relaxation

The hot water and massaging motion of the hot tub jets will help calm and soothe muscles that are holding a lot of tension, aiding in relieving post-workout aches and pains. Some research also indicates that soaking in a hot tub before a workout can minimise the chance of injury.

Improved Sleep

Many studies have shown that a soak in the hot tub before bed is an effective way to help you drift off. A combination of both the relaxation provided by a hot tub through hydrotherapy and passive body heating have been identified as ways that promote a night of significantly deeper and more restful sleep. 

Pain Relief

Soaking in a hot tub will help ease certain forms of pain by soothing strained muscles, joints and tendons. The heat and massaging effects of a hot tub have been proven to relieve arthritic pain such as stiffness and inflammation. Whilst in a hot tub, the buoyancy of the water takes the weight off of joints, which increases your flexibility and range of motion.

Better cardiovascular health

Relaxing in a hot tub has also been proven to have significant benefits for your heart and overall cardiovascular health by raising your heart rate and lowering your blood pressure. Studies have shown that immersion in hot water can have powerful effects on vascular function and blood pressure. Ideal for those who are unable to exercise, passive heat therapy can help reduce cardiovascular risk and mortality!

Improved insulin sensitivity

According to some researchers, regular thermal therapy, provided from saunas and hot tubs, can improve impaired insulin sensitivity and can aid in diabetes management and be beneficial for those with obesity.

Calorie Burn

Research has even indicated that soaking in a hot tub can boost your metabolism, particularly for those with limited mobility. A 2016 study showed that participants who spent an hour soaking in hot water burned a similar number of calories as a 30-minute stroll! This is not to say that it should replace exercising, but hot tubs can be beneficial if you’re looking to burn some calories easily.  

The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company offer a diverse and extensive range of Hot Tubs for all types of budgets and specifications. Get in touch with a member of our friendly team today to discuss your options today by calling 020 3666 1997 or emailing sales@hottub-swimspa.com

Does running a Hot Tub cost a lot?

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If you’re considering purchasing a hot tub, you may be worried about the prospect of your electricity bill going through the roof. Such concerns are understandable as maintaining a warm temperature in a hot tub historically required a lot of energy. However, these days, if you’re planning on purchasing a new hot tub, we’ve got fantastic news for you: in recent years, manufacturers have rapidly improved hot tub energy efficiency, and therefore the difference in your monthly electric bill is likely to be far less than you first anticipated. Here at The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company we’ve put together a guide on just how cost-effective running a hot tub can be as well as provided details to explain the water costs when filling a hot tub and the yearly chemical costs.

What’s the energy consumption of a hot tub?

Many factors influence the total expense of any large-ticket item. A hot tub’s overall cost is calculated by its height, efficiency, style, and location, while the amount of energy it uses is determined by:

  • The cost of energy per kilowatt in your location
  • Your location’s climate
  • The size of your hot tub
  • How well your hot tub is insulated
  • Whether your hot tub has a custom-fitting cover      

What contributes to the energy consumption of a hot tub?

Water replacement – The replacement of spa water is part of routine cleaning. Some hot tubs require you to drain and refill the hot tub two to three times each year. After refilling, the water will need to be heated again, contributing to a slight rise in your next energy bill.  

Taking good care of your hot tub –Make sure you’re using a high-quality, well-fitting insulated cover as well as cleaning the filters regularly. Both of which will significantly reduce your hot tub’s electrical consumption.

Frequency of use – It may sound obvious but, the upkeep cost of a hot tub is affected by how much it is used – the more frequently you use it, the more energy it will consume. More uses mean more heat loss, putting more pressure on the hot tub’s internal systems, resulting in higher energy consumption.

When I’m not using my hot tub, should I turn it off?

No, you shouldn’t turn off your hot tub – even when you’re not using it. It’s not cost-effective to turn it off between uses. You’ll save more energy by maintaining your hot tub at your desired temperature rather than reheating it for each and every use. Even if you only use your hot tub once a week, you should still keep it running continuously. If you go away on holiday for more than 2 weeks, you may want to lower the water temperature to around 30 degrees Celsius, but otherwise, keep the hot tub running normally.

If you are smart with the way you look after your hot tub, providing it with the proper care and maintenance whilst following this advice, the upkeep of a hot tub can be very cost-effective. The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company have a wide range of hot tubs available that can cater to every need and budget.  

Top 5 reasons why swimmers love the spring

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As we turn the corner into spring, the days start getting longer and the nights start getting warmer, and the idea of getting into a swim spa begins to sound even more appealing. As swimmers we love this time of year, when the temperature beings to rise and we can spend time in a swim spa more frequently. It comes as a welcome relief after months of bitterly cold temperatures. However, there are many more reasons why spring is a swimmers’ favourite month, aside from just the weather! Check out these top 5 reasons why swimmers love the spring:

We get to trade our woolly hats for swimming hats!

The time has finally come to put away the scarves, gloves, and woolly hats and trade them in for goggles and a swimming hat. This change in accessories couldn’t come quick enough!

Diving into the water feels refreshing

As the spring months arrive and the sun rays start to increase our body temperature, diving into a cool, calm swim spa can be one of the most refreshing experiences. After a tiring day at work, a quick dip in the swim spa can be the ideal thing to do to let off some steam. You’ll be the envy of all your friends when you’re able to treat yourself to a dip in your swim spa on a warm spring evening, or a crisp morning.   

We start to get a bit of a tan

As temperatures start to increase across Britain and you choose to swim outside, whether that be in an outdoor swim spa, pool, lake, or river, you might even end up getting a spring glow, as UV light levels start to increase. Spring swimming not only makes you feel great, but it makes you look great too!

New swimsuit season

We can’t deny the fact that the new ranges of swimwear is one of the most exciting things about this time of year. When you look great, you feel great and you perform better too. So, treat yourself to that new swimsuit this spring!

More light means fewer swims in the dark

This is another one for all you outdoor swimmers! You can finally go for an after-work swim in your swim spa and not be splashing around in total darkness! Longer days mean more hours available to really enjoy your swim spa.

All in all, spring is a great time to get yourself back into swimming, if you’ve taken time away from it during the winter or are a complete novice to the entire experience. As the weather gets better and the nights become longer you’ve got much more freedom to ensure you’re swimming as frequently as possible.

If you’re an avid swimmer, you should consider purchasing your very own swim spa for your property – so that you have around-the-clock access to the sport that you love! Take a look at our full range of swim spas here.

What are the health benefits of using a hot tub?

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It turns out that hot tubs aren’t just a great source of entertainment, they also offer great health perks that can make you feel fantastic! From easing the pain of chronic conditions to diminishing stress levels, the hot tub experience can really be beneficial for the mind and body! Here’s a list of just some of the marvellous health benefits bathing in a hot tub provides.

Stress relief

Muscle pain, headaches and fatigue are all symptoms brought on by stress. Leading scientific research has shown that regular hot tub usage can relieve tension and stress through a combination of the warmth, buoyancy and massage.

The warmth of the water stimulates the flow of blood to the organs which allows the body to speed up its healing and regeneration processes. Whilst bathing, the buoyancy of the water also works actively to relieve pressure in joints and muscles. On top of this, the soothing massage provided by hot tub jets stimulate the release of endorphins (also known as nature’s painkillers!).

Reduce the pain from chronic conditions      

Muscle relief, reduced inflammation and joint discomfort, as well as increased ease when doing exercise and daily tasks, are all advantages of soaking in a hot tub! But don’t just take our word for it: The Arthritis Research Campaign has also stated that using a hot tub is an excellent way to add heat to arthritic joints, thus relieving pain.

Sleep more soundly

Say goodbye to insomnia! Around 30 million people in the UK suffer from sleep disorders. According to one study, soaking in a hot tub before bedtime will not only help you fall asleep faster, but will also provide a deeper, more relaxing sleep as your body cools.

Lower diabetic blood sugar levels

Research has found that bathing in a hot tub can stimulate the same benefits as doing exercise. Furthermore, the study found that patients with type 2 diabetes who soak in a hot tub for at lease 30 minutes, six days a week for three weeks, can report a 13 percent drop in blood sugar levels.

Promotes weight loss

Another great benefit of soaking in a hot tub is that, (through the simulation of exercise from the hot water massage), they help promote weight loss. In one study, participants who used hot tubs lost an average of 3.5 pounds in weight without implementing any new diet or changing their physical exercise programmes.

Lower blood pressure

If you typically have high blood pressure, a hot tub can really help you out, studies have shown that blood pressure can be lowered after just 15 minutes in the water. One study even suggested that relaxing in a hot tub is less stressful on the heart and more beneficial than a session on an exercise bike!

These are just some of the amazing benefits for your physical and mental health that you can receive from bathing in a hot tub. If you’re interested in revitalising the body and mind through the wizardry of hydrotherapy, get in touch with one of our friendly team today.

Our top tips for swimming as a beginner

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Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or are new to a swim spa, it’s always a great idea to brush up on some of the best swimming tips to improve your technique. From warming up correctly to investing in the best swim spa attire, we’ve got you covered. Take a look at our top tips to ensure that you’re making the most of your swimming experience.

Start with a shower

Before you slide into the swim spa, make sure you take a shower. Ensuring you shower before swimming helps to keep the pool water clean and sanitary for those who use it.

Warm Up

Often overlooked, warming up before you start your swimming session is really important to get your body and mind in the right state for swimming. Treat swimming just as you would a workout in the gym, get your blood pumping and let your body adjust to a new environment. We recommend starting with some arm and leg stretches before entering the swim spa, followed by 2-3 minutes of gentle gliding once immersed in the water.

Attire

Committed swimmers should invest in swimwear that is both comfortable and long-lasting. It’s paramount that your body feels relaxed when exercising. There is a variety of durable and stylish swimwear available which are often designed to be chemically resistant and quick-drying! Whether you opt for a high-end stylish bathing suit or something more-demure and modest, the ultimate objective is to feel comfortable and confident in the water.

Swimming must-haves

When swimming, we recommend wearing goggles and a hat. These swimming must-haves work really well to protect your eyes and your hair from the chemicals in the water. Swimming in a chlorine-filled pool on a regular basis can irritate your scalp and lead to dandruff. There’s a great selection of swim hats and goggles available online.

Enjoy it!

Our final, and most important tip is that you enjoy the swimming experience. The ultimate aim is to ensure you’re feeling as comfortable and confident in the water as possible as this will allow you to fully enjoy your time in the swim spa. Whether you’re a novice swimmer or a seasoned pro, swimming is about going at a pace and rhythm that is suited to you.     

These five tips will ensure that you’re getting the most out of your swimming experience. Whether you decide to swim in a pool, swim spa or lake, you’ll feel totally comfortable if you follow these tips. Swimming is a great form of exercise to work into your daily routine, working nearly every muscle in the body and boosting overall cardiovascular health, swimming can really make you feel great.

If you’re an avid swimmer, why not invest in your very own swim spa to really reap the benefits of swimming without even leaving your home! The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company have an extensive range of swim spas to fit every budget and specification.

Can you swim in a swim spa?

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If you don’t have a lot of space on your property then you may have dismissed the idea of being able to swim at home. A full size swimming pool not only takes up a lot of space but can also involve a lot of work when it comes to maintenance and repairs. A swim spa provides a simple and effective alternative to a pool – it’s significantly smaller and easier to maintain. But can you actually swim in a swim spa?

Swimming at home

The short answer to whether it’s possible to swim in a swim spa is yes! If you haven’t encountered these ingenious pools before they are similar to the way a treadmill works. Instead of continuously walking or running on the rotating surface, in a swim spa you are moving against a current. This simple design means that you can do an intensive – or gentle – swim workout, use the swim spa for training or recovery or try a new way to get fit. There are many different ways to swim at home when you have a swim spa. Given that swimming is one of the best options for a full body workout that is also protective, thanks to the buoyancy of the water, it’s a great option for everyone, from beginners to athletes.

How does the swim spa work?

Every swim spa comes with a built in current system that can be adjusted to suit you. This system means that you can set the pace that you want to swim at and control the experience that you have in the pool. Jet pumps or a propellor within the built in system are used to push water towards you in a consistent current and this is what you’re swimming against. Although the swimming is essentially taking place on the spot you could cover distances of many miles swimming in a swim spa. Swim spas are often compared to hot tubs in terms of the use of jets – water flows through filtration and suction inlets and out through jets. However, in a swim spa the flow rate is higher and the water movement designed for swimming.

What kind of swimming experience do you get in a swim spa?

There are a range of different options when it comes to swim spas and the one you choose will have an impact on your swimming experience. If you haven’t used a swim spa before then the current may require a short period of adjustment to get used to – as you would with any new piece of fitness kit. Many people compare the experience of a swim spa to open water swimming as there can be an element of turbulence involved in the way that the current moves. This can be a great way to strengthen your muscles and technique, whether you’re looking to then go out on the open water or just finding new ways to stay fit and healthy.

It’s not just possible to swim in a swim spa but to enjoy a full range of benefits too, from improved fitness and technique to acquiring a new skill and a fun way to relax and burn off some energy. Find out more about all our self-cleaning swim spas can do here…