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

What is so great about Self Cleaning Hot Tubs and Swim Spas?

Posted on 31 January 2018 - 17:42 by Christina Mantoura

Having a hot tub or a swim spa at home is a real luxury. You have access to your own little slice of blissful relaxation – or somewhere to exercise and have fun – whenever you want it. Of course, the downside of having your own hot tub or swim spa is that you’re also responsible for its maintenance and that means staying on top of the cleaning. The new generation of hot tubs and swim spas have innovative self-cleaning technology, which is designed to make owning and looking after one much easier. But what’s so great about it?

You won’t get it wrong

If you’re cleaning your own swim spa, for example, then there is a mix of chemicals that need to be used and you will need to add these on a regular basis. You may not get the mix quite right or you may simply forget when other things in life take over. Regularly cleaning a hot tub or swim spa is an important part of maintaining it and you might reduce its longevity if you fail to do it. A self-cleaning model makes it much easier to protect your investment for the long-term, as well as keeping the tasks on your to do list to a minimum.

You can use the hot tub whenever you want

If you have a standard swim spa or hot tub then you have to factor in the cleaning to the process of using it. That might mean delays on the day that you want to use it or having to plan ahead. If you have a self-cleaning model then this just isn’t necessary. The water automatically replaces itself in a self-cleaning model so you can be completely spontaneous – if you want to jump in at 6am or midnight then there’s absolutely nothing to stop you doing it.

A clean hot tub is a healthy hot tub

There are all sorts of health risks that you may expose yourself and/or your family to if the water in your hot tub or swim spa isn’t clean. It’s a risk that’s just not worth taking, which is why investing in a self-cleaning model makes so much sense. If your hot tub or swim spa cleans itself then you completely minimise any potential for unhealthy mistakes and ensure that you always have the best hot tub or swim spa experience.

Saving time and money

A self-cleaning hot tub or swim spa is a real time saver, especially if you’re a frequent user. It also means you save money on maintenance costs as you don’t have to pay for the cleaning chemicals – or cover the expense of bringing in anyone else to do your maintenance for you. The swim spa or hot tub takes care of everything itself leaving you free to do other things. There’s an enormous range of choice when it comes to self-cleaning hot tubs and swim spas. If you’d like to find out more then contact The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company on 0208 300 4003.

How to look after your swim spa – the basics

Posted on 23 January 2018 - 09:00 by Christina Mantoura

Your swim spa will last a lot longer – and provide a fantastic experience every time you use it – if you look after it properly. If you haven’t owned a swim spa before then there is some cleaning and maintenance involved. Of course, if you invest in a Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company swim spa you get the benefit of self-cleaning technology and you have option to let us take care of all the ongoing maintenance. However, if you decide to handle everything on your own then there are a few things to consider.

Every four months

Empty and refill the system – water needs to be emptied below the skimmer every four months and the system purged. You’ll then need to refill the swim spa with water and the correct balance of water treatment products.

Testing the water quality – it’s crucial to frequently test the quality of the water in the swim spa and add scale treatments or antibacterials.

General cleaning – to keep the swim spa looking as good as new, it’s recommended that you give everything a good clean, three or four times a year. So, wipe down the cover, the pillows and strainer baskets and give the shell a thorough clean with a specialist cleaner. You might also want to treat the neck pillows with a vinyl protector to restore shine.

Quick MOT – check the heating, as well as pumps, filtration system, lighting systems and jet function.

Once a year

Emptying the swim spa – the entire system will need to be drained, purged and then refilled with the right balance of water treatment products.

Cleaning – once a year your swim spa needs a total deep clean, which includes cleaning the shell and using a scale treatment on it, draining water and flushing the entire swim spa through with a sanitiser and descaler. The removable hydrotherapy jets will also need to be taken out and cleaned, as will the jet housings, which should also be descaled.

Testing – it’s a good idea to pressure test your swim spa annually to ensure that there are no leaks. You should also carry out a general MOT of all the essential parts, including pumps, filtration system, lighting system and jet function.

Restore and replace – you may buy a new filter to add to the filtration system of the valve and the hot tub cover may need to be restored or replaced, depending on its condition.

If this seems like a lot of work then it might be worth thinking about the swim spa that you buy. We offer a range of self-cleaning spas that do a lot of the less interesting cleaning tasks for you so that you don’t have to add those to your list. Plus the Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company offers routine servicing and maintenance packages that cover all of the above. And we can also deal with requirements for repairs, replacements and leak analysis – contact us for more information by calling 0208 300 4003 today.

Could your hot tub bring you hydrotherapy benefits from your home?

Posted on 16 January 2018 - 10:35 by Christina Mantoura

Water has been used as a method for healing for centuries. “Hydrotherapy” is Greek and means “water healing” – if you have a hot tub at home then you could also have access to this wonderfully effective form physical therapy.

What are the benefits of hydrotherapy?

Water provides a far safer environment for therapy and exercise in many ways. Buoyancy helps to support joints and limbs while the warmth of the water and the water pressure add a lot of value when it comes to enhancing the benefits of this kind of healing. When the human body is immersed in warm water, the surface blood vessels start to expand helping muscles to relax. Skin temperature rises, which can also have a very positive effect in soothing any muscle spasm or pain. The water pressure acts to reduce swelling in the body by helping to move bodily fluid away from a swollen area. Plus, the buoyancy of the water reduces impact and means that any problems with balance don’t need to be a consideration.

What can hydrotherapy help with?

Hydrotherapy is incredibly soothing for a tired body and can work to make you feel better, to reduce the swelling in ankles or legs after a busy day and generally to help with relaxation. It’s also a very effective option for tackling other conditions and general wellness too. For example:

Post-operative rehabilitation. Recovery from any number of conditions can be optimised with hydrotherapy, including elbow dysplasia or a hip replacement.
Stress. Hydrotherapy may help to slow down the body’s reaction to stress. It can also be used to lower blood pressure and improve relaxation to relieve anxiety.
Injured muscles. When the body is immersed in warm water, circulation is improved and this can help to get the blood flowing to the parts of the body that need it the most. Improved circulation can have a positive impact on injured or damaged muscles and joints.
Detoxification. The heat of hydrotherapy is ideal for detoxifying. Sweating is the primary way that the body eliminates toxins so hydrotherapy can help to cleanse and detoxify.
Boosting the immune system. The positive effects of hydrotherapy include the increased blood flow and circulation of white blood cells. This allows a fluid called lymph to be more effectively transported around the body – lymph contains infection-fighting white blood cells.

Hot tubs and hydrotherapy

Having a hot tub at home is a great way to bring the benefits of hydrotherapy into your house. Hot tubs are widely recognised as, not just a great way to wind down and relax, but also an effective option for home physical therapy. In fact, many models – such as our Serenity hot tubs – have been designed in conjunction with physiotherapists and osteopaths to give you a perfect balance of massage variety and hydrotherapy. Natural buoyancy and invigorating and pulsating jet streams provide support and relaxation with all the benefits of hydrotherapy.

If you’d like to find out more about which of our hot tubs is the most suitable for you, please get in touch today on 0208 300 4003.

Get fit with FastLane technology for your pool

Posted on 3 January 2018 - 14:55 by Christina Mantoura

Swimming is one of the most popular sporting activities for many good reasons. Just two and a half hours of regular aerobic physical activity per week – such as swimming – can reduce the risk of chronic illness and make you fitter. And when it comes to fitness, swimming is one of the most effective sports for everyone, whether you’re already super fit or you have a few health issues. FastLane technology means that anyone can enjoy the benefits of swimming at home to get fitter and enjoy a healthier life.

FastLane works in most pool sizes

You don’t need an Olympic sized pool to get the fitness benefits of swimming with FastLane. The technology is designed to produce a current that you can adjust to the speed at which you want to swim. The current provides resistance to swim against that means you don’t need a large area to swim a long distance. The different settings allow anyone to get a great workout from FastLane, whether you’re an athlete in training or a complete beginner.

A more economical way to enjoy the fitness benefits of swimming

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in America, those who swim regularly can cut the risk of death and disease by up to half. But you don’t need to spend your life savings installing a full size pool to get these fantastic health and fitness benefits. FastLane is both space saving and cost effective – a Hydraulic Power Unit and submerged hydraulic motor are the two main additions to your pool to turn it into a serious fitness asset. There is no construction required and FastLane can be installed in water as shallow as 99cm.

Supported fitness for everyone

The FastLane poolside Swim Unit provides a calm current against which to move, using innovative technology to provide a smoother swim. It allows anyone to get into the pool and start getting fit, whether you’re learning or you’re confident in the water. One of the major benefits of swimming is that it’s supported exercise so there is less physical impact on the body than running or aerobics. So, if you’re nervous about getting fit and looking for a low impact but aerobic way to do it, swimming is the ideal option.

The benefits of swimming at home

Installing FastLane at home turns your pool into an opportunity to lose weight and get fit whenever you have the time. You’ll be able to teach your kids to swim and to learn how to be safe in the water – and get them started on a path to fitness too. Plus, swimming has many therapeutic benefits and can help to provide relief from pain caused by chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis. If 2018 is the year that you want to start taking fitness seriously then FastLane offers a budget-friendly and simple way to make the most of a home pool, whatever size. Contact one of The Hot Tub and Swim Spa team to find out how we can help.

How to improve your skin by using your steam room regularly

Posted on 14 December 2017 - 16:50 by Christina Mantoura

For many years, steam has shown to be good to your skin as it opens up your pores letting out toxins and impurities. Did you know you can maximise your time in a steam room to get the most for your skin? Consistency is the key to improving the health of your skin with steam. If you were to use your steam room roughly 3 times a week for 15 minutes per session, the health of your skin will improve significantly.

Shower well before use

The first step to take before stepping into your steam room is to shower. This removes a large percentage of oils and impurities from your skin. You should also make sure your make up and facial creams have been effectively removed (if you are wearing any), and ideally try to avoid using lotions or creams on your skin prior to steaming. This is because make up, oil and creams will clog your pores, subsequently making your steam session less effective.

Dry well before us

Now you have showered, before entering your steam room, make sure your body is dry. If your skin is wet, it doesn’t sweat as well, which is necessary to get the most out of your session.

Enjoy your session

Having showered and dried, now you need to ensure you stay in the steam room for 15 minutes. This exposes your skin to the unique environment for a good amount of time to reap the benefits.

Shower well after use

Now you’ve enjoyed your 15-minute session in your steam room, it is time to take a cool shower. This is to cool your body down and hydrate it after your steam session, getting rid of all impurities that were flushed out of your skin by the steam. Make sure you drink plenty of water for 24 hours after your steam, and moisture your skin regularly for maximum results. To find out more or talk to a member of our team call 0208 300 4003 or go to our website

Make the most out of your pool workout by following these tips

Posted on 7 December 2017 - 11:23 by Christina Mantoura

Water is by far one of the best fitness tools out there, plus working out is more fun when your splashing around in your own pool. Aquatic exercise can burn fat and they’re healing too, easing arthritis and fibromyalgia. These dynamic workout tips will transform your body and wake up your workouts.

Up your pool game

It is generally assumed ‘swimming’ is simply going back and forth in water unless you are aware of your options. You can make your pool workout as dynamic and fun as you like, you could include interval challenges, or even muscle sculpting exercises.

Get your whole body working

Because water is resistant, moving through it without sinking requires you to use every major muscle group in your body, especially your core. A great way to work your muscle from multiple angles is to switch up your strokes during workouts. The freestyle stroke is generally the easiest stroke to master and yields a return of burning 322 calories in 30 minutes, which is just pipped to the post by the butterfly yielding 354 calories.

To get your core and hip flexors going you should try the backstroke as it requires your torso to be tightened and your hips to be in line with your body. If you want your legs to be firmer, try the breaststroke requiring bigger, powerful kicks than any other strokes meaning your inner and outer thigh muscles are at work.

Keep an eye on your form

If your form is slightly adjusted, it can hugely impact your body as your swim through water. To be speedier you need to stay streamlined and efficient meaning you need to be continuously engaging your big muscles and pulling your ribs in almost as if you’re trying to close them together. You will also need to make sure your head, neck and belly button are aligned on one horizontal place with hips, knees and feet. Finally keep your hands fully extended, keep your fingers closed and wrists straightened. No matter what stroke you do if you maintain this three-point form checklist your body will remain a firm unit moving with maximum fluidity.

Incorporate intervals

When working out in your pool, think of it as you would any fun interval workout. If you were to do a 30-minute routine, try spending 5 minutes warming up with an easy pace, then incorporating intervals of 20 minutes. Perhaps you could go by time, alternating ten 90 second sprints with 30 seconds of rest in between. Or perhaps distance, sprinting one length and recover as you come back. Or perhaps increase your effort each lap, take the first interval at an easy pace, second at a moderate pace and third at a hard pace with a repetition three times and a final push.

Think beyond laps

Using the pool frame is a great way to sculpt your body. For example, pushing yourself up the edge of the pool deck 20 times, getting out of the water deeply strengthens your anterior shoulders and triceps. For a speedy interval twist swim to the end of your pool, cross your hands over your chest and kick vertically all while keeping your head above water. Aim to do this for three sets of 5 minutes. You can also incorporate power moves, including in the shallow end running and doing squats.

Use your workout as active recovery

If you swim every day, not only are you training every day but you’re also letting your joints recover from yesterday’s workout.

To find out more or chat to a member of our team call us on 0208 300 4003.

Swim spa benefits through all seasons

Posted on 5 December 2017 - 10:24 by Christina Mantoura

The swim spa is the perfect piece of at-home luxury for any household, whether you’re looking for fitness, relaxation or just somewhere to have family fun. And swim spas are not just for summer either – they have benefits for the entire household all year round. Here are some of the greatest benefits that your own swim spa could offer.

The opportunity to exercise at home

If swimming is what you love to do – or you’re looking for a new way to work out and keep mentally and physically fit – the swim spa at home is the ideal choice, all year round. Swimming is fantastic exercise and can help to improve fitness, to strengthen muscles and to enable you to develop stamina. Your body is approximately 90% supported by the buoyancy of the water so it isn’t subjected to the same pressure as with other higher impact sports.

A better fit for smaller spaces

Did you know that it’s more cost effective and more space efficient to install a swim spa than to opt for a larger pool? You can swim laps in a swim spa in a compact area without the need to make turns, and at the same time, you don’t need a huge space to fit a pool. Simply set the resistance to the pace at which you want to swim and you’ll be able to exercise against the water jets in the swim spa to the speed and resistance that work for you. Sizes start from just twelve feet long!

Overcoming motivation issues

Particularly during the winter months, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to stay active. Getting motivated to get up and out of the house to a public swimming pool isn’t easy when it’s cold and dark. With a swim spa at home you don’t face any of these problems. Simply get up, get in to the pool and you’re good to go. You can save time and do better with your fitness goals when you have a swim spa at home, at your complete convenience as the self-cleaning technology means that the heated swim spa is ready to use straight away at any time.

Simplicity of installation

One of the biggest benefits of installing a swim spa is that it doesn’t require major works and you can choose from either above ground or in-ground options. A good quality swim spa is usually made of fiberglass, layers of insulation and acrylic, which makes it long-lasting and hard wearing as well as a very easy option for a home pool that will be ready to use in no time at all. Delivery and installation often only takes two days.

Your own home spa

Whether it’s during the heat of the summer or the cooler winter months there are many benefits to having a swim spa at home. The hot water jets are ideal for massaging the stress out of aching muscles and the warmth of the water is perfect for leaving behind winter chills and keeping cozy on darker days. Remember you can increase the temperature to suit all climates; even up to hot tub temperature for Christmas!

Somewhere to relax and unwind – all year round

If you have an outdoor pool or hot tub then during the winter months all you can do is cover it and hope for the best. With a swim spa that’s not the case, as you can position it where it can be used all year round. So, whether you’re looking for a way to wind down after the madness of Christmas or cool off after a hot summer day, the home swim spa is the perfect place in which to do it, whatever the weather.

Get in touch with The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company today by calling us on 0208 300 4003 to request more information about our range of Swim Spas.

What makes Traditional Saunas unique?

Posted on 1 December 2017 - 16:31 by Christina Mantoura

At this time of year there’s a lot to be said for getting warm – that’s why hot tubs, steam rooms and saunas all tend to be at their most popular. But what is it about the traditional Finnish saunas that makes them so unique?

What is a traditional sauna?

The Finns are some of the most renowned sauna enthusiasts in the world. Whether it’s the cold climate in Finland, or the national love for a natural lifestyle, this is one country where the sauna has always been popular. A traditional sauna offers a wonderful hot and dry heat. This sweet, dry heat is delivered in a wood lined room or hut that has been heated up by a wood fire or most commonly, an electric sauna stove with sauna stones. These are the kinds of saunas you may have encountered if you’ve been to a health club or spa (although often the stove is hidden in commercial environments for safety). Sauna users sit inside on wooden benches and enjoy the social and health benefits of the rising heat.

Why is the traditional Finnish sauna unique?

Switching up the atmosphere

A traditional Finnish sauna has ‘sauna rocks,’ which are placed inside the sauna and retain heat from the wood or electric stove, radiating it out into the room. Periodically, water can be splashed onto these rocks, temporarily raising the humidity in the sauna to a higher point. This has a number of benefits, including promoting better circulation and having an invigorating effect on the body.

Finnish saunas use dry heat

Although it’s common practice to create steam by splashing water on the hot rocks in traditional saunas, overall it’s a dry heat that you enjoy. Humidity in this kind of sauna is low – somewhere between 10 to 15 % – which is very different to a steam room, for example, which has very high levels of humidity.

A sauna for frequent use

If the Finns are anything to go by then this kind of sauna is for very frequent use indeed. There are thought to be around 1.8 million saunas in Finland. That may not seem like a lot but when you consider that there are only around 5 million residents then the ratio of saunas to people shows just how popular they really are. So, if you’re looking for a sauna that is clearly effective and can be used often the traditional Finnish sauna is the one.

The health benefits of traditional Finnish saunas

This kind of sauna has a lot of health benefits, from the invigorating impact of the steam, to the relaxing effect of the heat. If you’re looking for a way to detoxify and cleanse the body then the traditional Finnish sauna is an obvious choice. There is more and more research papers proving that enjoying a regalr sauna can have endless health beenfits.

The traditional sauna as a social spot

Perhaps due to the dry heat, and the lack of opaque steam, this kind of sauna tends to be a popular place to socialise. You’ll find traditional more saunas in corporate offices, family homes, universities and health clubs all over the country where people are meeting, chatting and event doing business in the therapeutic heat.

For more information on the perfect traditional Finnish sauna for you please get in touch with The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company today on 0208 300 4003.

Teach your children to swim at home with your very own swim spa

Posted on 14 November 2017 - 09:57 by Christina Mantoura

Learning to swim is something of a rite of passage, even for kids today in the digital driven world we inhabit. However, getting into the water for the first time can also be a frightening and unsettling experience and one that your children may not want to repeat if the whole thing is too traumatic. Teaching your children to swim at home with your own swim spa puts the entire situation within your control – if you want to make sure that you’re going to raise children who are happy and safe around water then it’s a great option.

Why teach your kids to swim at home with a swim spa?

Health & safety

Drowning is the biggest cause of accidental death in children under 5. This very unsettling number shows why it’s so important that you teach children how to swim as early as possible. Once the skill has been learned then your children can look after themselves around water and you know that you’ve done all you can to avoid your family being touched by that grim statistic.

Learning skills early

There’s plenty of research to suggest that the skills we pick up at an early age tend to be those that we excel at. So, whether you’re looking to encourage a champion swimmer in the family – or you just want your children to be comfortable around water – the earlier they are taught to swim, the better. A swim spa at home makes this a much easier task for everyone involved.

Fitness

Swimming is a fantastic workout – it is great cardiovascular exercise and can help with weight management and strength. It’s also a very useful activity for teaching coordination and tends to help support the development of the five senses. If you’re looking to get your little ones into good habits when it comes to fitness – and habits that they will enjoy enough to sustain – then a swim spa at home is an easy way to do it.

Mental health

Regular exercise has been proven to have a positive impact on mental health. It can relieve stress and help increase the quality of sleep, as well as boosting memory and mood. Encouraging children to incorporate regular exercise into daily routines at an early age starts good habits that will see them through tough times and challenges. The benefits of exercise such as swimming should not be underestimated – regular sessions can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, and many other problems that more and more children tend to suffer from.

There are many benefits to getting children into the water and swimming as early as possible in life. However, it’s not always that simple if you’re trying to use a public pool. A swim spa at home means you don’t have to travel, organise schedules or pay to use the pool. You have 24/7 access to your own water where you can teach your children to swim as early as you want to. And when they’re not having lessons, the water provides plenty of fun times too.

Find the perfect swim spa for you by giving us a call on 0208 300 4003 or why not visit our showroom with your children to see which swim spa would be the best for you?

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