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

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

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

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

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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.

Why we choose only the best Hydropool Swim Spas

Posted on 15 May 2018 - 11:23 by Christina Mantoura

The range of swim spas on the market today is very broad. However, there are some fairly significant differences between many of the different models and brands, some of which are not that easy to spot to the untrained eye. We make a point of only choosing the very best Hydropool Swim Spas because we believe that doing this ensures our customers enjoy a number of benefits.

Swim spas offer versatility

The best swim spas have many more uses than just one, from resistance workouts to post-exercise massage and as a place for fun activities with the family. So, whether you’re looking for an efficient way to exercise or you have blissful relaxation in mind, the right model will give you opportunities to enjoy both.

Energy efficiency

Investment in a swim spa doesn’t stop with the cost of buying your own pool for your home. The way that the swim spa consumes energy will have a big impact on how much it costs to enjoy this at-home luxury on an ongoing basis. Hydropool swim spas have a significant advantage over competitors when it comes to energy efficiency – the insulated design means the swim spa can reuse its own waste heat and its system is more efficient. For example, whereas some swim spa models take 6-8 hours to filter all the water, Hydropool swim spas take just 40 minutes.

Speed and resistance swim spa options

Those using a swim spa to meet fitness goals will find the Hydropool speed and resistance options incredibly useful. Aquaflex technology means that two wide stream jets release water at the same time – other models require each jet to be individually adjusted and this can create turbulence. The range of speed and resistance options is incredibly broad, whether you’re looking to teach your children how to swim or training yourself to compete.

Cleaning and maintenance

The process of cleaning is one of the less glamorous aspects of owning a swim spa. However, it’s necessary both to ensure a long life for the spa and also to make sure it’s clean and hygienic. The self-cleaning technology in Hydropool swim spas makes this process simple and fast, using up minimal energy, both yours and the energy that powers your home. There is no need to skim or vacuum when you have this type of swim spa and because Hydropool swim spas push water and debris, as opposed to pulling it, filtration is much faster.

Exceptionally designed swim spas

Many of the benefits of owning Hydropool swim spas come from the exceptional design that contributes to everything, from performance to energy efficiency. The shell has been designed to eliminate splash back, for example, while cutting edge insulation makes these models cheaper to run. Advanced pump design ensures the smoothest possible swim and a high quality jet system keeps turbulence to a minimum and creates the perfect conditions for enjoyable swimming.

If you’d like to find out more about why we choose Hydropool swim spas – and why you should too – contact a member of The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company’s team today.

What are some of our newest featured Hot Tubs?

Posted on 7 May 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

Hot tubs are an evolving and exciting technology that deliver a wealth of blissful benefits for a home spa environment. You might be looking for hydrotherapy to help with aches and pains, or a way to help you relax and wind down after a tough day at work. With the right hot tub you can access all these benefits and more. The Hydropool 790 Self Cleaning Hot Tub and the 10 Person Self Cleaning 970 are two of our newest hot tubs and well worth investigating if you’re ready to have a hot tub at home – or upgrade an older model.

10 Person Self Cleaning 970

Space is the primary feature of the Self Cleaning 970 that sets it apart from many other models on the market. This hot tub has genuinely sizeable dimensions, which makes it the perfect choice if you have a large family or you’re looking to enjoy your hot tub at home with friends and guests. It has also been luxuriously designed to ensure that you get all the relaxation benefits of having a hot tub, including a unique volcano-style jetting system for the feet and fully adjustable high-volume jets that you can fine-tune to suit your own needs. The hot tub design features a never-float lounger, as well as a Muskoka-style chair and there are also eight additional seats, creating room for up to 10 people in total.

The self cleaning technology is key to the appeal of the 970, as it makes life so much easier for a hot tub owner. This hot tub has some of the most advanced self cleaning technology in the world, which means that 100% of the water is cleaned every 15 minutes. Debris is cleaned away from both the water surface and also from the bottom of the hot tub. With a range of different colours available, the 970 hot tub wins both in terms of customisable design and spa experience for up to 10 people.

Hydropool 790 Self Cleaning Hot Tub

The therapeutic benefits of the 790 Self Cleaning Hot Tub are hard to beat. Designed with physiotherapists and osteopaths, it provides a blissful way to soothe away aches and pains and the cares and stresses of daily life. The fully adjustable, high-volume hydrotherapy jetting system and the therapeutic nature of the warm water have many benefits, from helping to relieve aching legs to supporting your body through a detox. Multi level seating means that the 790 hot tub is ideal for all the family and there is plenty of room, with space for up to eight people.

The 790 is another of our hot tubs that benefits from radical self cleaning technology. A Patented Self Cleaning System means that the hot tub is simple to maintain, requiring minimum effort and enabling maximum enjoyment from the first moment of installation.

These are two of our newest featured hot tubs, popular for their specifications and design – and also recently featured on ITV’s This Morning. Contact us to find out more about which model is perfect for you, on 0208 300 4003.

How can regular sauna use benefit mature users?

Posted on 23 April 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

Sauna therapy has been used by humans through the generations for thousands of years. From Finnish wood-fired saunas through to Native American sweat lodges, cultures from all over the world have seen the benefit of the sauna and used it to calm and detox mind and body. For more mature users, the sauna is particularly beneficial.

Better skin, anti-aging impact through sauna use

Deep sweating is incredibly good for the skin. It helps to improve skin cell turnover and also cleanses the skin of bacteria and toxins that can causes blemishes and irritation. Near infrared saunas are also a great tool when it comes to anti-aging. The red light helps to stimulate collagen and elastin, two of the key components of the human body that are required to maintain smoothness and plumpness of skin and which can help to reduce cellulite and stretch marks.

Saunas can aid simple weight loss

Stepping into a sauna could help considerably with a weight loss plan. Far infrared radiant heat has been found to help burn 600 calories in a 30 minute session and studies have shown that it can significantly improve weight loss. This is the result of the impact of a sauna on the human body, which is remarkably similar to the effects of cardio exercise. Blood pressure drops, heart rate increases and, as a result, oxygenation and metabolic rate rise.

Improving heart health with your sauna

The reduction in blood pressure and increase in oxygenation that result from spending time in a sauna are both key components in positive heart health. While saunas can be just as effective as exercise when it comes to improving cardiac output they don’t have the same risk – saunas are much less likely to cause problems for those with underlying heart conditions so can be a good alternative to exercise.

Soothing and calming effects of saunas

Near infrared saunas have been found to have a positive impact on inflammation, which can help to reduce the impact of irritated conditions such as eczema. They can also help to reduce pain, whether it’s caused by a chronic condition such as arthritis or something like a tension headache. There have also been some studies that have shown saunas can even contribute to the treatment of, and recovery from, cancer. High temperatures can kill cancer cells without doing any damage to the human body and one study even found that this kind of heat therapy inhibited the growth of solid tumor cells.

Can saunas improve your general wellbeing?

As we grow older we can experience all kinds of feelings and moods that we may not previously have suffered from, including depression and anxiety. These can be crippling in daily life, especially if the cause is not obvious. Regular sessions in a sauna have been found to alleviate symptoms associated with depression. Plus, sauna use can also help to keep mind and brain healthy – one study found that 15 minutes a day in a sauna resulted in a 66% lower risk of developing dementia.

If you’d like to know more about sauna options and what they could add to your lifestyle contact a member of The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company’s team on 0208 300 4003.

5 medical conditions that regular hot tub use can help to relieve

Posted on 16 April 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

We often view a hot tub as a symbol of luxury and something that’s purely about indulgence. However, that’s not the only function that hot tubs have. From providing therapeutic easing of muscle pain through to helping to improve circulation, there are many benefits to using a hot tub regularly that can help to ease certain medical complaints.

How can hot tubs assist with Parkinson’s Disease?

Hydrotherapy is increasingly being used to treat Parkinson’s Disease. The warmth of the water helps to loosen up muscles and the buoyancy of the water means that there are no balance issues to worry about. Using a hot tub at home on a regular basis can help to ease the symptoms of this progressive disease.

Hot tubs can help to reduce ongoing, chronic pain

Many people suffer from chronic pain, particularly as they get older. Chronic pain is different to acute pain, which usually eases once the cause of the pain has been dealt with. Problems with chronic pain can persist for months or years but regular use of a hot tub can help to relieve some of the symptoms. The warm water and jets in a hot tub can help to reduce inflammation and soothe painful joints.

Arthritis and fibromyalgia pain can be reduced through hot tub use

Both arthritis and fibromyalgia involve problems with the joints and soft tissue in the body and can cause chronic pain that can’t be cured. However, this can be reduced when joints, muscles and tendons are relaxed. Spending regular time in a hot tub – with its warm bubbles and soothing jets – is a great way to help bring more relaxation to the body. The effect of this is to make it much easier to manage the pain that can come with these two conditions.

Neuromuscular conditions that can he helped through regular hot tub use

Neuromuscular conditions, such as muscular dystrophy, often involve problems with muscle condition and mobility. Hydrotherapy is increasingly being used as a treatment for this category of conditions because the buoyancy of the water provides a low impact way to exercise and the body is supported. Regular use of a hot tub can help to relieve some of the symptoms of neuromuscular conditions, including pain and muscle spasms.

Hot tubs can help to relieve the aches and pains of getting older

Regularly spending time in a hot tub can do a lot to help relieve the aches and pains of getting older. Problems with senior health can arise in any number of different ways, from conditions that cause chronic pain through to the emotional and mental issues that result from a loss of confidence. If you have a hot tub at home then this can be a huge benefit when it comes to senior health. The heat of the water helps to open blood vessels and improve circulation and the jets in the hot tub are designed to help soothe aching muscles. Plus, confidence can be improved by regular hot tub use – as it’s one more activity seniors know they can still do.

If you’d like to find the perfect hot tub for your home, whether it’s for therapeutic or relaxation purposes, we can help. Contact The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company today to find out more.

An introduction to Swim Spas and why they’re becoming more popular

Posted on 9 April 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

The swim spa is a relatively new option in the home pool market but its popularity is starting to peak. Compact, convenient and often offering a better workout than swimming in a full sized pool, the swim spa has lots of plus points for many people, from cost effectiveness through to being a luxury feature. So, what is a swim spa and why is it becoming such a popular choice?

What is a swim spa?

This type of pool was originally created for fitness. The most fundamental part of its design is the current mechanism that creates resistance against which to swim and offers the ideal way to get a customisable workout without leaving home. Swim spas vary in size and dimensions but most are around 12-19 feet long and 7-9 feet wide – this puts them somewhere in between the swimming pool and the hot tub in terms of size. When it comes to construction, a swim spa is much more like a hot tub in the interior, as it has hot tub style jets that are fitted into an acrylic shell. Water pumps and an electric heater complete the swim spa design.

Why are swim spas becoming so popular?

Swim spas are a better option for swimmers

With a traditional pool, a swimmer has to turn at the end of each length and this is often an uncomfortable moment that can slow down an exercise session. With a swim spa, there is a continuous current to swim against that doesn’t require any stops or turns.

Swim spas are a versatile choice for any space

The main issue for many people when it comes to somewhere to swim at home is often space. Few have room for a full sized swimming pool, especially one that will enable some serious training. Swim spas are much more compact and much smaller, meaning that they can be positioned just about anywhere – and are available as above ground or in-ground too.

Maintenance for swim spas is simpler and cheaper

The cleaning and maintenance on a home swim spa can be completed in a mater of minutes whereas a pool could take hours and may require a professional to do it. For those with busy lifestyles, the swim spa is by far the better choice.

Swim spas are more cost effective

Given their smaller dimensions and the insulated design of the swim spa they tend to be cost effective to run. Most operate at a fraction of the cost of a full sized swimming pool. They also tend to be more energy efficient, as the insulation in the shell is designed to trap the heat generated by the pumps and heater.

Your swim spa is a year-round asset

Whereas swimming pools are often out of action during the winter months, the swim spa is not. As the swim spa is so much smaller and easier to heat it can be used all year round, even when there is snow on the ground.

If you’d like to find the perfect swim spa for your home there are many models to choose from – contact The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company today on 0208 300 4003 and we can help you to find the right one for you.

What are the health benefits of regular swim spa use?

Posted on 3 April 2018 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

A swim spa at home is certainly a luxury, however, that’s not the only reason to consider investing in one. If you’re looking to live a better lifestyle this year, or to improve your personal wellbeing, then a swim spa could be a great tool. Thanks to the opportunities a swim spa offers for getting fit and the positive effective of the water on joints and muscles there are lots of health benefits that are associated with regular swim spa use.

Low impact exercising

Swimming is great exercise and can help to improve fitness levels, as well as the condition of your body. It’s also a low impact type of exercise, which means that you can get all the benefits of working out and avoid the strain that other high impact exercise types can cause. For example, running on tarmac can have a very negative impact on knee joints but that just doesn’t happen in water. With a swim spa you can enjoy a tough workout without compromising your body to do it.

Improving muscle strength

Working out in a swim spa provides the opportunity for flexible exercise at your own pace. Set the resistance you want to swim against at a level that works for you to enjoy the workout that you need. The resistance in the water provides an easy way to increase muscle strength and become a stronger swimmer, as well as improving overall fitness levels.

Maintaining a regular workout routine

One of the main reasons that many of us fail when it comes to a healthier lifestyle is motivation. With your own swim spa you have the option of exercise just steps away, which makes it much easier to stick to a workout schedule. Small amounts of exercise every day help to build up fitness in a manageable way and ensure that you can sustain it. So, you have a much better chance of getting healthier and sticking to a fitness plan than if you have to travel to a gym to do a big, hard workout several times a week.

Pain relief

The heat from the water in a swim spa causes blood vessels to dilate, enabling better blood flow and increased circulation. The effect of this is to reduce pain in the muscles and joints, which allows for more enjoyable exercise, as well as therapeutic treatment of conditions such as back pain. A swim spa can be particularly useful for those with arthritis, as it makes it easier to exercise and also helps to reduce the pain that the condition causes.

Relaxation and winding down

It’s not just exercise that has an impact on your health but how well you relax too. The warmth of the water and the skilful therapy of expertly crafted jets make the swim spa the perfect place to start learning to relax more often and in a much deeper way.

If you’d like to enjoy the benefits of a swim spa in your own home contact The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company today to find the ideal model for you, or take a look at some of our testimonials to see what our customers think of theirs!

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