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

Why your hot tub is a good investment

Posted on 17 July 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

Hot tubs are often viewed as a luxury – and they are a unique feature, a wonderful way to relax and great place to chill out with family and friends. However, installing a hot tub in your home is not just about adding an extra touch of blissful indulgence. There are many ways in which a hot tub is a good investment, whether you’re looking at lifestyle or physical benefits.

Why a hot tub is a good investment

Wellbeing and lifestyle

Hot tubs are relaxing but they are also beneficial. Spending time in the warm water of a hot tub each day can help to improve circulation, for example, and the jets provide effective massage for the relief of aching muscles or joint pain. A hot tub is a totally relaxing experience, which can be beneficial if you’re struggling to switch off from work or having trouble sleeping.

Family and home

There’s no doubt that a hot tub brings something to a home in many different ways. As a feature it’s an asset, both in terms of the aesthetic appeal and the usability. It’s also somewhere to reconnect with your family and friends – no phones in the hot tub means that you can have you children’s undivided attention the entire time.

Adding value to a property

Although it depends on whether a potential buyer appreciates the benefits of a hot tub, in many situations hot tubs will add value to a property. This will be contingent on a number of different factors, such as the design and quality of the hot tub, the installation and position and how it has been maintained.

Friends and fun

If you’re the only person in the neighbourhood with a hot tub then expect to become instantly more popular when you have one installed! Hot tubs are super sociable and can be ideal places to host parties and gatherings that are informal and fun. They are a great investment for anyone looking for a more vibrant and interesting social life.

Factors that can affect your investment

The quality of the hot tub that you buy will have a big impact on what kind of investment it turns out to be. A good quality, well designed tub with beautiful aesthetics and impressive functionality is always going to be an asset. Low maintenance will also be another factor – for example, self cleaning hot tubs might be a more suitable investment for those with busy lives than a hot tub that requires manual cleaning. Insulation and hot tub design will also have an influence over the quality of the investment. Both can impact on how energy efficient the hot tub is so that your new investment doesn’t end up costing you big in terms of electricity bills every time you want to use it.

These are just some of the ways in which a hot tub is a great investment. Contact The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company today to find the perfect make and model for you.

Why are swim spas perfect for hotels and health clubs to install?

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

The swim spa is the evolution of the swimming pool and the spa pool, and provides a wealth of opportunities for hotels and health clubs looking to offer guests more. From a great facility for exercise and wellness through to somewhere that guests can relax and wind down, there are multiple good reasons why installing a swim spa in your hotel or health club is a sound decision.

Upgrade your amenities

Many guests now choose their health clubs or hotels on the basis of the amenities on offer, not just the rooms or the equipment. Being able to offer guests access to a swim spa is the ultimate luxury and will enhance every visit. The way the swim spa is used depends on your property but with a range of different features, it is a versatile amenity to have for your guests to enjoy.

A touch of luxury for any space

Swim spas can be installed into rooms with almost any dimensions. So, they are an option even for those properties that are short on additional room. If you’re looking to give your guests more every time they visit you, but you don’t have the space to expand to make room for extra facilities, then a swim spa is the ideal choice for space smart luxury.

Doubling up on facilities

The swim spa has the advantage of being both a pool and a hot tub. It has powerful jets that can provide a satisfying massage and a relaxing warm water environment. The swim spa is also fitted with equipment to create a current against which anyone can swim, whether for relaxation or for exercise. Thanks to the resistance of the current, your guests will get a great work out on the spot. The effectiveness of a swim spa workout is widely acknowledged – from learners through to professional swimmers, swim spas are frequently a first choice as a way to exercise and train.

Simple maintenance and upkeep

Swim spas are smaller than a pool and much easier to maintain. Guests will expect all your facilities to be spotlessly clean and working faultlessly – it’s much easier to achieve far higher standards when you have a swim spa. Replacement parts and repairs tend to be easier to source and fit, and the maintenance and cleaning obligations are much less onerous in order to achieve the same high quality results.

Supporting seasonal service

Swim spas can be placed anywhere on a property to ensure maximum enjoyment of the pool. If you’re making the investment of a swim spa for your hotel or health club – and you’re concerned about access to the swim spa in all weathers – then you have many more options in terms of location than you would do with a traditional pool design. For example, if you live somewhere that the winters are long and cold, installing the swim spa inside may make it more popular with your guests.

These are just a few of the reasons why a swim spa makes perfect sense for health clubs and hotels – call us to discuss your options today on 0208 300 4003.

Practical considerations for perfect hot tub placement

Posted on 3 July 2018 - 14:10 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

A hot tub is a fairly flexible luxury – if you want to soak in your tub on a deck or a lawn, a balcony or indoors then there is usually an easy way to make that happen. Getting the placement of your hot tub right is going to be a combination of practicality, lifestyle and aesthetics and there are a number of different considerations to bear in mind.

The need for a firm foundation

Many people assume contemporary hot tubs are lightweight but when you combine the materials of the tub itself with the weight of the water the pounds soon add up. A 450-gallon home spa, for example, has a total weight of 5,920 lbs when filled up. So, a solid foundation of support – and a level base – is going to be a key consideration when looking at where to place your hot tub. If your hot tub is outside then concrete slabs, paving stones or gravel make for good foundation materials.

How will you get the hot tub into place?

Even a regular sized hot tub can be a challenge to deliver if you haven’t worked out whether it will fit through doors, fences or hedges in advance. Sometimes it may be necessary to temporarily remove some fence panels or a gate so that the hot tub can be delivered to the property – or there is always the option of a crane. If you’re looking for a very simple delivery process then use the hot tub dimensions you have and work out if the spot you’ve chosen is going to work in terms of delivery logistics.

Convenience and lifestyle

If your hot tub is difficult to use then you may find you get less and less enthusiastic about it over time. The location of the tub can have a big impact here – if it’s convenient and in a great spot where you can make the most of a property, garden or view then you’re much more likely to get more from it. If you live in a country with very cold winters then you might want to consider placing the hot tub closer to your property, or even indoors. Always make sure that, wherever you place the hot tub, it’s going to be safe for children and pets.

Water and drainage

Hot tubs can overflow and spill while in use, plus you’ll also need to drain the tub completely several times a year. So, placing the hot tub close to an existing drain can make life much easier. Bear in mind the effect of the water on any materials in the area too – for example, if the hot tub is going to be positioned on wood you can prepare it with an oil-based sealant to protect it.

The importance of maintenance

It’s crucial that your hot tub is in a location where maintenance is effortless. The equipment access panel should be easy to open and the tub in a position where everything, from large repairs to regular water checks, will be easy to carry out.

Personal choice

Some people want a hot tub to be somewhere very private, in which case it will be important to choose a secluded location that is not overlooked. For others, comfort is the bigger factor and so having the hot tub a few paces from the property or on the lawn will be more important.

Hot tub placement is just one of the key considerations when buying a new hot tub – we can help you find the perfect model for you, as well as the ideal location in which to place it. Get in touch with The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company today on 0208 300 4003.

How can your Softub become part of your holiday home?

Posted on 26 June 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

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Whether your holiday home is in the majestic beauty of the Swiss Alps or the tropical landscapes of the Seychelles, your Softub has a lot to add to how you experience a vacation property. It’s often only after enjoying the benefits of a Softub elsewhere that holiday homeowners realise just how appealing a Softub as part of a holiday property really is. If you’re keen to enhance your holiday experience then it’s worth looking into how your Softub can become part of your holiday home.

A versatile hot tub choice

If you’re looking for a versatile hot tub that is much more portable than a traditional design then the Softub is perfect. It has been crafted with portability in mind and can be placed on virtually any surface – unlike a traditional hot tub that may require certain support or foundations to be laid. So, that means that whatever the holiday property you have, a Softub can be easily added, whether that’s on decking overlooking a fabulous view or on grass underneath the shade of some trees.

A great way to relax

If there’s one thing most of us want from our holidays it’s to truly relax and wind down. It can be difficult to find a space in which to do this, especially if you are on holiday with children, friends or family. Adding a Softub to your holiday home makes this easy, creating a space in which the warmth of the water, combined with the innovative massage jets will instantly soothe and relax. The structure of the Softub itself is also designed to create an ultra relaxing environment – the more flexible sides have a “give” to them that is a direct contrast to the inflexible surfaces of a traditional hot tub.

Ease of installation

When it comes to holidays and holiday properties, the easier everything is, the better. Ease of installation is one of the major features of a Softub and one that makes it incredibly appealing as an addition to a holiday property. As the world’s most portable spa, the Softub requires minimal disruption and hassle to install and, as you can install it anywhere, there is no need to make structural changes and only one person is required for the installation. Softubs are a hassle free and easy way to introduce an extra element of relaxation for the perfect holiday.

Attractive aesthetics

The leather look outer shell of the Softub provides a luxurious feel, ideal for making you feel like you’re being pampered on holiday. Plus, there are a range of colour choices, as well as extras and additions that enable you to design a Softub that fits with the aesthetics of your holiday property.

Essential energy efficiency

Softubs are renowned for their energy efficiency and for the use of heat recovery technology. Plus, the design is very simple with pump, motor and heater in a single unit. This makes Softubs one of the most energy efficient options, especially attractive for those looking for a hot tub for a holiday property.

To find out more about Softubs for your holiday home, get in touch with the Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company today on 0208 309 0600.

How are saunas good for your heart health?

Posted on 19 June 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

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If you’ve been in a sauna then you’ve experienced that feel good factor you get after a relaxing session. Saunas have many benefits for skin and circulation and can also aid relaxation and sleep. Now, a study from the University of Eastern Finland has also established that spending time in a sauna could actually have the same positive benefits as exercise when it comes to heart health.

It only takes 30 minutes..

The Finnish study was conducted around testing the effects on heart health of spending 30 minutes in a sauna. It established that just sitting in a sauna could have a positive impact. In fact, 30 minutes in the sauna heat produced similar results to moderate exercise. After spending time in a sauna, those who took part in the study generally had lower blood pressure and less artery stiffness. It was also found that the sauna had increased their heart rate in the same way that might be achieved with a moderate exercise session.

But does it really work?

The study has proven there is definitely an impact on the heart from spending time in a sauna – and that the impact is positive. This isn’t the first piece of research to establish a connection between good heart health and regular sauna use. In fact, there is plenty of evidence to show that people who regularly use a sauna have a significantly decreased risk of heart disease. These same studies have shown that sauna use can also be used to reduce the risk of other serious conditions, including dementia.

The study itself provided some concrete evidence with respect to how much the sauna helped those who took part in the study. Those who were studied were in their 40s and 50s and did not have heart disease but had risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or obesity. As well as “more elastic” arteries, the blood pressure of those who used the sauna dropped by seven points.

How does it work?

This is the part that researchers have yet to establish definitively. Most agree that the positive impact is being delivered by spending time in the heat. When the human body experiences heat, blood vessels relax and the flow of blood around the body increases. Sweating also has a considerable part to play in delivering the health benefits of spending time in a sauna.

According to the researchers who conducted the study, sweating has a “natural diuretic effect.” The impact of this is to bring blood pressure down and to take the pressure off the heart so that it has less work to do. Then there’s the fact that saunas are simply relaxing – no phones, no email and nothing to do but sit back and relax into the warmth of the heat.

If you’d like to benefit from regular use of a sauna then we can help. Contact The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company today to find out about the choice of models and designs to enjoy in the privacy of your own home.

Pick the right gazebo to complement your hot tub by making these considerations

Posted on 12 June 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

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If you’re looking to buy a gazebo for your hot tub then it can be difficult to work out where to start with the decision making process. There are many different options, from the intricately designed through to those that have a range of different features. If you’re looking for a gazebo for your hot tub then these are the key decisions to consider:

How are you going to use the gazebo?

Yes, its main purpose will be to provide shade or cover for your hot tub but what else do you want the gazebo to do? You might be looking for a structure that will also provide some seating or somewhere to hang bags or towels. You could even been keen to find a gazebo with the facilities to keep drinks cool or host a party. It’s also worth considering who is going to be using the gazebo – if you have children then something more robust and practical might be the better choice than a more design-led structure.

What aesthetics do you prefer?

Gazebos could be any shape but octagonal, square, oval, rectangular, or dodecagon tend to be the most common. As all can be designed to accommodate a hot tub, the choice is yours in terms of the look of the structure you want for your outside space. The shape and design of the roof will be a key component in which gazebo is right for your hot tub. Some of the most popular styles of hot tub gazebo roof include a pagoda roof, tiered roof or a cupola. The flooring is another consideration – how do you want this to feel underfoot, what should it look like and what practical functions should it have?

How much maintenance do you want to do?

There are two main choices when it comes to the materials from which a hot tub gazebo can be constructed: vinyl or wood. For many people wood is the most popular choice because it looks great and has a more natural finish. However, vinyl options also have a lot to offer today and that’s particularly so when it comes to cleaning and maintaining the gazebo. Wood can require a lot of upkeep, painting and staining. It’s far easier to clean and maintain a vinyl gazebo than the wood option and that’s something to bear in mind if you’re looking for low maintenance.

Where are you going to position the gazebo?

This is another key factor that will influence the overall design and type of gazebo that is right for your hot tub. If you don’t have a lot of space then you’ll need to think about the most compact gazebo possible. You’ll also need to ensure that the water supply for the hot tub is accommodated by the gazebo. Surfacing is also key – are you going to position the gazebo on a deck or are you planning to install a concrete surface, for example?

A hot tub gazebo is a great way to get more from your home hot tub so that you can use it whenever you feel like it, all year round.

Take a look at The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company’s range of Gazebos today or come and visit our showroom to see some in person.

How can you get the benefits of a treadmill at low impact in your swim spa?

Posted on 5 June 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

Having a swim spa in your home is a great way to bring a wide range of exercise options to your back yard. As well as using a swim spa for swimming training and other activities, such as aqua aerobics, it’s also a better alternative to a traditional treadmill. Using a treadmill provides a way to get fitter, to burn calories and to tone and strengthen muscles. All of these advantages are available if you use your swim spa as a treadmill – with the added benefit of being much lower impact exercise.

Choose your own exercise level

When you use your swim spa as a treadmill you can choose the level of effort that you want to put into exercising. You might be looking for an intense workout to build muscle or something a little more relaxing that will help your body to stretch and tone. Either way, the jets in the swim spa can be adjusted so that you are always exercising in the way that is the most comfortable for you.

The support of the water

A regular treadmill can be an effective way to exercise but, in some situations, can also have negative impact on the body. For example, some people find it difficult to balance on a treadmill and so find themselves holding on to the supports while trying to exercise. You may also feel pain from the impact of running or walking on a treadmill. Using your swim spa as a treadmill enables you to avoid both of these negative effects. The natural buoyancy of the water makes it easy to balance – and you will build confidence because it doesn’t matter if you fall when you’re exercising, the water will catch you. Plus, working out in the water reduces the impact of gravity on your body, taking the strain off muscles and joints as you build muscles and burn calories.

A different kind of experience

A regular treadmill can create more aches and pains than it soothes – that’s simply not the case if you’re using your swim spa as a treadmill. The effect of the water provides a different kind of workout, one that leaves you feeling refreshed and energised, as opposed to exhausted and drained. You might feel soreness in your feet when using a regular treadmill or have stiffness and pain in muscles and joints as a result of the high impact. For most people, using the swim spa as a treadmill means that all of these negative effects are avoided.

The best way to use your swim spa as a treadmill

Make sure you warm up first – just like any type of exercise you need to give your body time to build up to full capacity
Cool down after your workout – even something like a gentle swim could be an effective cool down
Keep it up – with regular exercise in your swim spa you could see great results

We can help you find the perfect swim spa for your home. Contact The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company today on 0208 300 4003 to find out more.

6 ways that owning an infrared sauna can benefit your personal wellbeing

Posted on 29 May 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

Owning an infrared sauna is a great way to bring relaxation to your home on a daily basis. However, while saunas are certainly useful for helping you to enjoy some much need relaxation that’s not the only benefit that they offer. In fact, there are many ways in which owning an infrared sauna can benefit your personal wellbeing.

1. Enjoy better skin

Infrared sauna technology has some very positive benefits for those who are keen to enjoy better skin, whether that’s dealing with specific skin issues or just enjoying a more youthful glow. The process of sweating that takes place in the sauna is very beneficial for the skin, as it removes toxins from the body, clears the pores and helps to sweep away bacteria that might be lingering on the skin. Plus, spending time in a sauna helps to boost circulation, resulting in plumper, fresher, younger looking skin.

2. Detoxify your body

The sauna has been the detoxification tool of choice for centuries. Sweating is one of the main ways that the human body rids itself of toxins. The skin is the largest organ in the human body and needs to be taken care of just like any other. Sweating is a great way to do this, to purify the skin and to detoxify the system. If you own an infrared sauna then this process is accelerated, as infrared saunas tend to enable the elimination of around seven times more toxins than a traditional Swedish sauna.

3. Stress relief and relaxation

A sauna isn’t just somewhere to help you wind down at the end of a hard day. It can also have a role to play when you’re going through a seriously stressful situation and need some relief from it. Cortisol is the human body’s main stress hormone and spending time in an infrared sauna can help to balance the body’s level of cortisol. You’ll also feel the stress relieving impact of the heat, which causes muscles to relax and tension to seep away.

4. Lose weight with your home sauna

An infrared sauna tends to have the same effect on the human body as exercising – core temperature increases and, as a result, so does heart rate. Calories are burned as the body works to try to keep the core temperature down. There have been studies that show how effective an infrared sauna can be for weight loss – an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association claimed that 600 calories could be burned in a 30 minute session.

5. Saunas can boost circulation

Circulation in the body is increased when the core temperature rises and this can have a number of benefits when an infrared sauna is enjoyed in regular sessions. Improved circulation reduces inflammation, boosts blood flow and helps to improve muscle recovery.

6. Reducing pain through sauna use

The dual effect of an increase in circulation and the way that muscles relax in an infrared sauna can help to reduce pain. Anyone suffering from muscle or joint pain will find infrared saunas an effective way of regularly relieving it.

Considerations for choosing an enclosure to compliment your swim spa

Posted on 22 May 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

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You’ve made the decision to have a swim spa at home – it’s exciting and you’re looking forward to all the benefits that it will bring. But that’s not necessarily where the decision making process ends. Even if you already know exactly where to place the swim spa, what about the surroundings? There are many reasons why an enclosure could be a good idea for your swim spa, as well as considerations to bear in mind when you’re choosing the right one.

Why have an enclosure for your swim spa?

Looking forward to installing your swim spa in its new home? These are a few reasons why you might want to consider an enclosure to compliment the swim spa:

The weather

Depending on where you are, the weather could have a big impact on how much you’re able to enjoy your swim spa. Cold wind and rain can be very off-putting if you’re trying to motivate yourself to get fit and it’s not that easy to get the most out of a swim spa if you live in a cold climate. An enclosure provides protection from the weather, no matter if it’s a hot sun or freezing winter rain.

Privacy

You may have a perfect, secluded location for your swim spa or you might be feeling a little bit self conscious about how exposed you’re likely to be to prying eyes while in the water. Not all of us have the luxury of extensive grounds and high hedges so an enclosure for your swim spa can help to solve the problem of privacy and create a space in which you don’t feel like you’re being overlooked.

Luxury

A swim spa is, in itself, a luxury. However, the addition of an enclosure to your swim spa can make it even more of a luxurious experience. Perhaps you design an enclosure with changing rooms or a built in sauna or steam room so that you can go straight from swimming to winding down. Or maybe the right enclosure for you has a sound system and a fridge for drinks. If you’re looking for a way to enhance the swim spa experience then an enclosure could be it.

Considerations for choosing an enclosure

The materials you use. It’s important to opt for materials that suit the space in which you’re going to place the swim spa – natural wood is often a good choice.
The size of the enclosure. Avoid a structure that completely dominates the space in which you’re placing the swim spa or you could end up finding it overbearing.
Light and openness. How much natural light do you want inside the enclosure and are you looking for open or closed sides to the enclosure?
Durability and maintenance. Ideally, the enclosure should last at least as long as the swim spa and require only minimal maintenance. The design and the materials that are used will have a lot of influence over how long the enclosure lasts and what you have to do to keep it in good condition.

For more information about the ideal enclosure for your swim spa, get in touch with a member of The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company team today.

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