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

All you need to know about throwing a Christmas hot tub party

Posted on 10 December 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

If you’re looking to throw a seasonal party to remember this year it has to be a hot tub party. The Christmas hot tub party is a distinctive and memorable way to celebrate the festive months and is guaranteed to be the event that everyone is talking about. This is everything you need to know about how to throw the best Christmas hot tub party your friends and family have ever seen.

Prepare your hot tub

Make sure you’ve got all the basics covered when it comes to prepping your hot tub for guests. Clean it thoroughly and ensure all the working parts are in great condition. You might want to think about how guests are going to use the hot tub – do you need a drying off area, somewhere close by for warm towels or clothes and will outdoor heaters enhance the experience?

Create your party vibe

You could just go for a straightforward Christmas theme but there are also lots of other creative options that will bring your party to life. For something a little more unusual you could go for “The Nightmare Before Christmas” or “Winter Wonderland” or even use your favourite Christmas story or song as the basis for the party theme. Once you’ve chosen your theme then you can start work on the other important elements, including:

The aesthetics

How are you going to decorate your home for your Christmas hot tub party? Festive water floats, Christmas trees and plenty of fake snow can create a fun winter wonderland. Stringing up lights in the trees – or using lots of outdoor Christmas lights – will make sure everyone is feeling super festive.

The practicalities

It’s worth taking the time to work out how you want your guests to use the space available, including the hot tub. You’ll need to ensure everyone is safe and warm and that people are rehydrating after they’ve been in the hot tub, especially if they’ve had a lot of mulled wine or eggnog.

The soundtrack

Will you go for festive vintage classics such as “Baby it’s cold outside” or something more recent like Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe”? Prepare your playlist in advance so you can roll out the perfect soundtrack to your party without having to be a DJ all night.

The consumables

Food and drink are essential for any good party, especially a festive one. Christmas themed nibbles range from festive cookies and cakes through to roast turkey sandwiches and tins of chocolates. You can’t beat a good festive punch or some champagne for a Christmas party that goes with a pop!

The fun and games

Give some thought to how you’re going to entertain your guests during the party, whether that’s raucous sack races or giant Jenga.

Organising a hot tub Christmas party is the ideal way to celebrate the festive season with friends and family. From small gatherings to parties where the whole neighbourhood is invited, your hot tub is the perfect way to make it memorable.

Get in touch to find your perfect hot tub or accessories to add to your hot tub experience today.

How to enjoy your hot tub throughout the winter season

Posted on 6 December 2018 - 10:58 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

A change in the seasons means a change in our routines and lifestyle too. As the temperatures drop we’re more inclined to conserve energy, more concerned about staying healthy and more likely to want to hibernate. If you’re lucky enough to have a hot tub at home then there are lots of ways to use it to better enjoy the winter season this year.

Throw a hot tub party

Winter parties have a tendency to be the same old format – if you want to throw a really memorable social event for the festive season this year then a hot tub party is ideal. Inviting friends and family over and getting warm and toasty together in the hot tub can be a unique way to celebrate the festive period, as well as your friendships and close family bonds. There are lots of hot tub accessories available to make your party even more fun, from lights to music.

Warm up in your hot tub

In the depths of winter when the weather gets seriously cold, warming up can be difficult to do. A hot tub provides a swift and soothing way to instantly thaw out frozen toes and cold hands and to give your circulation a boost if the cold weather is making you feel sluggish.

Essential hydrotherapy

Risk of injury can rise during the winter, whether that’s during a workout or simply when going about every day life. The hydrotherapy element of your hot tub can have a positive impact on your body when it’s cold, helping to prepare it for exercise without injury and providing a way to help soothe and release tight muscles.

How to enjoy your hot tub in cold weather

Stay in for 20 minutes. If you’re blissfully warm and cosy then it may be tempting to stay in for longer but this is the optimum time, especially if you’re stepping out into severe cold.
Drink plenty of water. Your body still needs to be hydrated even without the heat of the summer sun. You can sweat while in a hot tub so make sure that you replace the lost fluids by drinking water when you get out.
Keep up the maintenance on your hot tub. Even if you’re using the hot tub less during the winter months, make sure you still change the water on schedule, keep it clean and monitor the water levels.
A good cover is essential. That’s particularly so if the hot tub is outside. Not only will it help to keep the water clean but it will contribute to maintaining the temperature inside the hot tub too.
Create an outdoor spa space. From towel rails and heated flooring through to heating lamps there is plenty that you can do to enhance an outdoor hot tub area to make it into a blissful spa space throughout the winter months.

If you’d like to upgrade or buy a new hot tub, contact The Hot Tub and Swim Spa team to discuss your requirements today.

Could sauna use at home do wonders for your health?

Posted on 20 November 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

Everyone knows that a sauna is a great way to enjoy essential relaxation. The warmth, the quiet… if you’re in need of a blissful few moments of peace then a sauna at home is the way to get it. However, as well as providing a totally chilled relaxation experience, saunas might actually also be good for your health.

Where do the health benefits come from?

A recent study entitled “Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence” found that spending regular time in a sauna is not only great for relaxation but could also have some serious health benefits too. The study was compiled by Finnish researchers who, incidentally, come from a country with more than 10,000 years’ of experience with saunas. The Finns compiled their study by spending a month reviewing all the available evidence on the health benefits of a sauna. This included mostly people who spent anywhere between five and 20 minutes in their sauna every day.

What did the study say?

The Finnish study found that regular sauna use could be significant with respect to cardiovascular health and a range of other benefits.

Better circulation

The study established that time spent in a sauna can have the same impact on the human body as moderate exercise. Circulation was significantly improved, as the effect of the sauna was to increase the heart rate to 120 beats to 150 beats per minute.

Improved skin

Saunas are fantastic for sweating, which is one of the primary methods used by the human body to remove toxins from the system. When we sweat those toxins are pushed out through pores in the skin and can then be scraped or showered away. The sauna also increases blood flow to the skin, making it look plumper, more nourished and younger.

Reducing the risk of heart disease

What might be surprising to many people is how much simply sitting in a sauna can help to reduce key cardiovascular risks. The researchers in Finland found that there was a key correlation between people spending time in a sauna and a reduction in heart problems. People who were in a sauna four to seven times a week had 60% lower rates of stroke and heart disease than people who visited a sauna just once a week. The impact was so significant that the researchers leading the study identified sauna use as a third factor in cardiovascular health, in addition to diet and exercise.

How to best enjoy your home sauna

Make sure you use it regularly – four to seven times a week to get the health benefits
Drink plenty of water when you’re in the sauna and also afterwards so that you can replace the liquids lost through sweat
Avoid alcohol when in the sauna as this can lead to dehydration
Start slowly – spend a few minutes in your sauna each day when it first arrives and then gradually build up from there.

Alongside diet and exercise, a home sauna is a great way to improve your health and get fitter. If you’d like to find the ideal home sauna for you please get in touch with The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company today.

5 swimming techniques to practice in your swim spa at home

Posted on 13 November 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

The size of a swim spa makes it very easy to accommodate, no matter how limited your space at home. However, while the swim spa itself may not require a large area, you can still swim considerable distance while using one. Thanks to the design of the swim spa, which uses a resistance current to give you a fantastic workout on the spot, there’s no limit to how much you can train, practice or get fit when you have a swim spa at home. This type of pool can also accommodate any stroke so, whether you’re looking to improve fitness or learn something new, you’ll have plenty of choice.

1. Butterfly technique

Let’s start with the one swimming stroke that takes the most effort and skill to perfect. If you’ve always wanted to master this one but never felt comfortable learning in public, your home swim spa is the ideal place to perfect your technique. Butterfly involves moving the arms forward, together, in a circular motion, while kicking your feet. This movement will push your chest up out of the water and power you forward in the most dramatic of ways. If you’re looking for an anaerobic element to your swim then butterfly delivers – it’s great for arms and core too.

2. Front crawl

If your target area for strengthening is your arms then perfecting your front crawl is a great goal to have. Although the legs continuously kick with front crawl, it’s the arms that do most of the work, alternately slicing forward into the water ahead to power you on. As well as strengthening the arms and back, front crawl will also improve overall fitness and swimming ability.

3. Breaststroke

If you’re doing breaststroke well then you should barely break the surface of the water. You won’t need your swim spa jets particularly high for this one, as it’s a slower stroke. However, you will still work your entire body by regularly practicing breaststroke in your swim spa. Both the arms and the legs are active, as well as the core.

4. Backstroke

If you’re looking to break between intense sessions, or keen to find a technique where your face is not in the water, backstroke is a great option. Turn the jets down lower on your swim spa for backstroke and let your arms do all the work. You’ll get a great workout for back and arm muscles and a medium one for the legs too.

5. Sidestroke

If you’re keen to ensure you’re working the muscles in the side of your body, as well as your arms and legs, sidestroke is the technique to master. When you’re practicing sidestroke, make sure that you spend an equal amount of time on both your right and left sides.

These are just some of the techniques you can learn to practice in your swim spa to get fitter, healthier and more proficient at swimming in general. Get in touch for advice from our expert team about which Swim Spa is best suited to your requirements.

What do you need to know about preparing for your Hot Tub installation?

Posted on 6 November 2018 - 16:27 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

Preparing to take delivery of your hot tub is an exciting time. You’re about to have a home feature that will give you lots of options and considerably enhance day-to-day living. However, before the hot tub arrives there are a number of preparations that need to be made.

Where are you going to put the hot tub?

This is a key question and one that you may not fully have thought through when ordering the hot tub. You’ll need to ensure that wherever the tub sits you will have easy access to it and that’s it’s close to somewhere you can get changed. You might also want to think about factors such as the view and whether or not it’s overlooked by the neighbours. You’ll need to ensure that the spot you choose is flat, level and not on soft ground.

How will you get the hot tub into position?

Work out the route that the hot tub is going to take when it arrives for installation. You may need to measure openings and doorways to ensure that the hot tub base will fit through. Are there any obstacles, such as pipes, branches or a low roof that could obstruct the hot tub on its journey? It may be necessary to crane the hot tub into position, depending on your chosen location, and it’s important to work this out in advance of the day of hot tub installation.

What kind of considerations are there once the hot tub is in place?

The right base

You’ll need to ensure that you have a good, strong and solid base for the hot tub to sit on. Concrete is ideal and grass is not. You can use existing patio slabs and block paving, as long as they are level and stable. Ideally, the base will be around 10 – 15cm thick. It’s crucial that whatever you opt for as the base for the hot tub is able to support its weight when full of water.

Cabling

The hot tub will require an electrical connection to work and there are some key features to this. For example, the cable will have to run beside the hot tub and not underneath it, and have at least a 4-metre tail from the edge of the hot tub. The hot tub will require that the hot tub will require a dedicated electrical supply and a waterproof isolator will be necessary.

Controls and access

Wherever you decide to position the hot tub it’s essential that the controls can still be accessed. It will also be important to ensure that servicing and maintenance can be carried out.

Water supply

Normally, filling a hot tub is done via a garden hose so it’s essential to have this in place so that you can get the water that you need into your hot tub.

These are the most basic considerations for anyone preparing for hot tub installation. Once these are in place then you are ready to receive that all-important delivery. Get in touch with The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company to place your hot tub order today.

Steam rooms: How are they different from saunas and the benefits they bring?

Posted on 23 October 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

Heat can be wonderfully beneficial for the body, from improving skin aesthetics to helping to soothe aches and pains. Both saunas and steam rooms can provide a great heated environment but what’s the difference between the two and what kind of benefits can you expect from a steam room?

What is a steam room?

It’s very similar to a sauna except that the heat is not dry. Saunas are hot and dry while steam rooms tend to be hot and wet. Steam rooms normally maintain a temperature of around 110°F and, as the name suggests, are filled with steam as the temperature rises and the air is heavy with moisture produced by a generator filled with boiling water. While in a sauna you might be sitting on wooden benches in a clear room, with a steam room the surface is normally tiled or stone and the air is cloudy with mist.

What are the benefits of a steam room?

Lowering blood pressure

One of the benefits of spending time in a steam room is the release of a hormone called aldosterone, which is responsible for regulating blood pressure. The aldosterone release can help to bring blood pressure down and make the occupant of a steam room feel more relaxed.

Boosting circulation

Heat and steam have been shown in various studies to help improve circulation, which leads to better overall cardiovascular health. Moist heat is particularly helpful when it comes to boosting circulation to extremities such as hands and feet, especially in older people.

Improving immune response

When our bodies are exposed to water this stimulates the leukocytes cells, which contribute to fighting infection. Although a steam room may not provide a cure, regular use can help to boost the immune system so that you get sick less often.

Reducing painful congestion

Whether you suffer from sinus issues or you just have winter colds, steam rooms are ideal for helping to shift congestion without the scalding dangers of steam inhalation or steam therapy.

Helping to relieve stress

Spending time in a steam room regularly can help to bring down the levels of cortisol in the body, resulting in calmer feelings and better-managed stress levels.

Nurturing beautiful skin

Steam is well known for the positive cleansing and plumping impact that it can have on skin. In particular, the steam will open the pores, helping to detoxify and remove impurities that can cause issues such as blackheads and acne.

Muscle recovery

Whether you’re a professional athlete or starting a new exercise regime, you’ll need to find a way to recover from sore muscles after exercise or training. Many studies have shown that heat is a very effective way to do this and that moist heat is more effective than dry heat.

Potential for weight loss

You can actually burn calories in a steam room thanks to the increase in heart rate from the heat. That’s especially so if you enter a steam room with your heart rate already raised from an aerobic workout.

Combating joint pain and stiffness

Applying heat to joints not only helps to reduce pain but also increases flexibility and can even help to reduce injury before a workout.

These are just some of the reasons why a steam room is a fantastic investment – contact our team to find out more on 0208 309 0600.

How to hot tubs encourage romance and relaxation?

Posted on 16 October 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

It’s not easy to be part of a couple today. Whether you’re stressed out with a hectic work life, trying to balance the demands of family – or both – making time for each other is hard. Romance and relaxation can feel like completely foreign concepts if your time is not your own and you’re just never really able to switch off. The good news is that a hot tub might be able to help with this – having a hot tub at home is not just a lifestyle luxury but can also help you to make some positive relationship changes too.

A phone free zone

You can, of course, take a smart phone into a hot tub but the conditions aren’t exactly ideal. There’s the risk of dropping the phone and the steam of the hot tub could affect the way the phone works. So, most people don’t tend to take their phones into the hot tub, which makes it the ultimate phone free zone. And what happens when you don’t have a phone in your hand? You look at the person opposite or next to you, listen to what they’re saying and you get the chance to connect without distractions.

A place to truly relax

The benefits of hydrotherapy on the human system are well known – warm water, in particular, helps to soothe aching muscles and reduce stress. When you add the comfort of massage jets to that then you have a truly relaxing experience and somewhere that you can forget about the problems and pressures of life outside the tub. Such a relaxed space creates the perfect environment for couples looking to spend quality time together. When you’re relaxed, interactions with your other half tend to be more positive and intimate and arguments far less likely to arise.

Adults-only

If you have a family then you probably feel like the entire house is theirs, from the toys that cover the lounge floor to the TV shows that are never your choice. With a hot tub you can create a space that’s only for the adults in the house. Perhaps the kids get to have fun in the hot tub at the weekends but during the week it’s an adult-only zone that you can retreat to for a break from family life. Add some candles and some soft music and you’ve got the perfect kid-free setting for some much-needed romance.

A versatile relaxation option

Sometimes, what makes a relationship better is space and giving one person who is having a tough time somewhere that they can rest and recharge alone. As much fun as a hot tub is together it also provides a great spot for alone time. Every relationship benefits when both partners get enough alone time and having a hot tub at home can encourage that.

Home hot tubs can provide a much-needed injection of romance and relaxation – contact us to discuss which model might be right for you and your partner.

10 reasons to take the plunge and have your very own swimming pool

Posted on 9 October 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

A swimming pool is a fantastic asset in any home. From providing a location for socialising to helping your family to implement genuine lifestyle change, there are lots of reasons why it makes sense to take the plunge and have your very own swimming pool.

1. You can increase the value of your home

In fact, estimates suggest that adding a swimming pool to your property can increase its value by around 15%. Buyers will pay more for a swimming pool and, for some, it’s a deal breaker.

2. Swimming at home is safer

If your kids are playing in the pool in the garden it’s much easier to keep an eye on them than if they are in a public pool or at someone else’s home. With a pool at home you can teach them how to be safe in the water from an early age.

3. Create a space for making great family memories

It can be difficult to make real family time, especially once your kids become teenagers. However, if you have a pool at home then you have a space where everyone can congregate without the distraction of a TV screen or anywhere to plug in a smart phone.

4. A great way to entertain

If you’re the neighbour with the pool then you’ll instantly find your home is popular, especially on hot summer days. Home swimming pools are great for socialising and can make any summer party extra special. Your kids will be even more popular during the summer holidays too when every child in the neighbourhood wants a pool to cool off in.

5. Hydrotherapy is great for relaxing

When you get home after a hard day, a dip in the pool can be reviving and refreshing. Water therapy is renowned for helping the body to relax and distress. Whether you swim or just soak, the luxury of a pool at home makes it much easier to wind down and chill out.

6. Save money on holidays and vacations

Although you’ll still want to go away on holiday, if there are times when you can’t then a pool at home still means the family can have a great summer. With plenty of options for pool financing, it doesn’t have to cost as much as you might think.

7. Be creative with your swimming pool

If you think your property deserves much more than a simple pool then you have plenty of options, from slides and waterfalls to fountains and sculptures.

8. Improving health and fitness

Swimming is fantastic exercise that works the whole body in a supported way. With a pool at home there’s no excuse for not sticking to your exercise schedule so you can make great progress towards your fitness goals.

9. Cool off in the summer

There is nothing – not even iced drinks or air conditioning – that beats a pool for escaping the summer heat.

10. The right pool is a great investment

Unlike an experience or a trip, a pool is permanent so your family can enjoy a pool at home for years to come.

If you’d like to discuss your options for a swimming pool at home, please contact a member of The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company team today.

Have you thought about getting a swim spa for using at home?

Posted on 3 October 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

Swim spas are an increasingly popular choice for those who want a fitness or relaxation option at home. Smaller than a swimming pool but larger than a hot tub they provide perfect all year round access to water, whether that’s for the purposes of fun, hydrotherapy or improving your exercise regime. If you haven’t thought about a swim spa for your home before then now might be a great time to consider it.

The benefits of choosing a swim spa for your home

A versatile choice for any space

You may not have the room for a pool on your property or you might have an awkwardly shaped patio or yard – swim spas are versatile and easy to accommodate in just about any space.

Enjoy your swim spa all year round

It can be incredibly expensive to heat a full sized swimming pool during the winter months but, at the same time, you want to ensure that you get the most from your investment. Swim spas are more economical to heat, which means that they can be used all year round even during the coldest winter months.

Simple, easy maintenance

Another key factor with a swim spa is that it’s much easier and cheaper to maintain than a full sized pool. Rather than a weekly routine of cleaning, scrubbing and skimming, it takes just a matter of minutes to complete the maintenance requirements for a swim spa.

Lower running costs

Clever, insulated design as well as a smaller size than your average swimming pool means that it costs much less to heat and run a swim spa. Lower running costs not only mean that you can keep costs down but also that you’ll be able to use your swim spa whenever you want without having to worry about the cost.

A lifestyle upgrade

Swim spas are fantastic for socialising and a great way to relax. They also have a current that you can set to your desired resistance to create the perfect conditions for swimming or training – all without leaving the house.

How to choose a swim spa for your home

Once you’ve decided to opt for a swim spa, finding the right one is simple.

Jets and currents

Different swim spas generate currents in different ways. For example, some use hot tub style jets while others have a hydraulically powered propeller. The type of mechanism you choose will have an impact on noise, performance and speed.

Energy efficiency

While all swim spas tend to be more energy efficient than a swimming pool there are still some significant differences between models. Especially if you’re planning to heat your swim spa frequently during the winter it’s important to choose a model with positive energy efficiency so that your costs are low.

Maintenance

Swim spas vary in the maintenance commitment they require. Although always easier to maintain than a pool it’s worth asking what kind of maintenance is going to be necessary for your desired model so that you can make life easy for yourself going forward.

We can help you to choose the ideal swim spa for your lifestyle needs – contact a member of our team for more information today on 0208 300 4003.

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