Author Archives: Christina Mantoura-Gough

The idea of owning your own swimming pool is, for many, a dream that they do not believe is achievable. This can be due to the limited nature of the space available, economical concerns or overestimated expectations for cleaning and maintenance. If this sounds like you, a swim spa could be the perfect solution. Providing all the benefits of a private swimming pool in a much more compact form, swim spas use a propulsion system to create a current which the user can swim against, allowing them to swim forever without turning.

The importance of exercising

I’m sure it doesn’t come as a surprise to find out that exercise key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. From boosting your mood, to reducing your risk of heart conditions, regular exercise can provide a wide range of essential benefits. Research has shown that physical activity can reduce your risk of major illness such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer by up to 50% and lower your risk of early death by up to 30%. The NHS recommends that you achieve at least 150 minutes of physical activity, spread out over a week. Although most would consider taking up running, or go to a gym, a great way to achieve this in the privacy and comfort of your own home, is a with a swim spa.

Exercising in a swim spa

One of the best things about investing in a swim spa is that it allows you to perform a variety of exercises and establish a varied, enjoyable routine which helps you to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle without the strain that regular exercise can put on your muscles and joints. This is due to the gentle warmth and buoyancy of the water, which provides the perfect environment for exercising, especially for those who struggle with joint pain or muscle stiffness.

There are a number of exercises you can perform in your swim spa, from simply wading in the water to rowing with resistance bands and strength training. The increased resistance that the water provides means that simply walking or running against a current provides an excellent toning exercise for muscles and helps to build overall strength. You can also perform torso rotations or a shoulder roll to increase general wellbeing and fitness.

If you would like a complete, extensive guide to exercises you can perform in a swim spa, you can reference our blog post on swim spa exercises here. Alternatively, to find out more about our fantastic range of swim spas and discover the options available to you, visit our website here or speak to a member of our team on 0208 300 4003.

Did you know that children aged between 1.5 and 3 years take an average of 1 year to learn to swim and be safe in water. Older children, above the age of 3, take around 6 months to a year to learn safety in the water. However, there are many adults who are unable to swim, and no set time period within which adults learn to swim. Some people take to the water easily as an adult, but every person is different, and for some people, overcoming a fear of water can take a long time.

Learning to swim as a child

Learning as a child can be extremely beneficial later on in life, particularly to stop any fears developing. Swimming is a life-long skill and can be taught from a young age. A swim spa is the ideal learning environment because it offers safety and ease of use. There is no age limit to using swim spas, and it gives parents the chance to teach their children a basic swimming technique within a limited space that allows for the ability for parents to provide assistance if required.

Building up swimming ability

Swim spas are also ideal for helping children learn to swim because they have adjustable settings to change the swim speed depending on ability. This means that children and adults alike can develop their swimming skill at whatever level they are comfortable with and increase the speed as desired. This makes it easy for new swimmers to swim confidently, but is also used for athletes training to swim for either speed or endurance.

A safe environment

Using a home swim spa creates a safe learning environment since it’s not a large volume of water. This makes adult supervision and guidance much easier, and creates a space for children to become confident swimming and playing underwater. Factors such as a cold temperature and intimidating environment can discourage children from learning to swim, but the swim spa provides a relaxing environment where there is the ability to control water temperature to suit individual requirements. This is also true for adults who are looking to learn to swim, since the same benefits apply to them.

Low maintenance solutions

As well as the learning process, The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company’s swim spas are a perfect solution for home use as they’re extremely low maintenance. They are self-cleaning and simply require basic checks before use. This makes them perfect for use by the whole family for exercise and relaxation, whatever your age.

Take a look at our full range of swim spas today and give us a call to place your order or discuss which is right for you on 0208 300 4003.

If you’re exploring the idea of getting a hot tub or swim spa, have you thought about choosing one that is self-cleaning? This can be an added bonus and make owning your swim spa much more manageable.

Hot tub hygiene

There is a lot involved in keeping hot tubs clean and hygienic. Chlorine levels should be tested regularly, before each use for every hot tub to ensure that it is safe. However, standard hot tubs require even greater levels of care including using oxidising agents on a weekly basis, and also cleaning the filters thoroughly. As well as this, you’ll need scale remover if the water in your area is hard.

Ease of use

One of the major benefits of choosing a self-cleaning swim spa is that it makes maintenance much easier, particularly for new owners. Although you can establish a cleaning routine and learn which chemicals are necessary to use at specific intervals, not having to worry about these things makes having a hot tub a much more enjoyable experience.

Maximising relaxation time

Since you don’ have to clean the spa each time you use it, you can use your swim spa straight away each time you want to. The water is completely replaced every 15 minutes, meaning that the pool keeps itself clean while you relax and enjoy. So if you’ve decided to go for a swim, or relax in the hot tub with friends, you can do so straight away.

Clean and safe water

Water being replaced every 15 minutes helps to ensure the cleanest possible environment. If it is not treated properly or cleaned regularly, bacteria in water can present health risks to users. Self-cleaning spas take care of this problem to ensure that you are always swimming in clean, safe water.

Save money with self-cleaning spas

In the long run, from a financial perspective it can be great to have a self-cleaning swim spa too. Over time, you will save money that you would otherwise have had to spend on additional chemicals and time spent cleaning. This is why we offer self-cleaning swim spas – to remove hassle, save money, and increase enjoyment!

Browse our swim spas or give us a call to see which is the best to meet your requirements and budget today on 0208 300 4003.

In the UK alone, around 10 million people are known to suffer from the effects of arthritis. Although most common in adults in their late 40s or above, it affects people of all ages and can cause pain, inflammation and stiffness in the joints. What you might not know however, is that swimming and aquatic exercise can help reduce the severity of arthritic symptoms.

Exercises

Regular exercise is essential if you want to stay in good health, as it helps keep the body and muscles supple and flexible and reduces the risk of illness. Maintaining a regular exercise routine is especially important for those feeling the effects of arthritis as it helps develop movement and joint mobility and increase muscle and bone strength as well as controlling weight, reducing stress and aiding breathing. For people with arthritis, this can help them maintain or restore movement and reduce inflammation in the joints.

Benefits of Exercising in a Swim Spa

Exercise can however put strain on the joints, causing pain and discomfort. Making the decision to exercise in a swim spa can ease the aching as the water reduces the weight strain to the joints, and allows the user to keep fit while keeping discomfort at a minimum. A swim spa can also accommodate a range of exercises as the jet allows the user to walk, run, or swim against a current.

Therapeutic Properties

Warm water is known to have therapeutic effects, which is why people often unwind in a warm bath at the end of a stressful day. A hot tub however, provides far more flexibility and offers a range of health benefits, soothing sore muscles and alleviating pain. For those suffering from arthritis-induced joint pain, this can provide some well-needed relaxation and a chance to exercise without strain.

Learn more about exercises you can perform in your Hot Tub or Swim Spa. For more information, visit our website or call on 0208 300 4003.

Swim spas are becoming increasingly popular because of their high level of versatility. Not only can a swim spa help you reach your fitness goals, but it offers a space for fun and relaxation. If you’re thinking about investing in a swim spa but don’t know much about them, below you’ll learn about what a swim spa can offer you and how to choose one.

How Swim Spa Systems Work

Swim spas are ideal ways to get in a cardiovascular workout that won’t harm your joints and there are many ways to personalize your swim spa and make it perfect for your needs.

The first thing to look for in a swim spa is an adjustable current. Most currents range from 2.5 to 8 mph, but you can increase the speed, direction, and resistance of the water to give yourself a challenge. Serious athletes may also benefit from adding accessories like heart-rate monitors, swim meters, rowing machines, resistance cords, weight bars, aqua bikes, and more.

Many people who are considering buying a swim spa wonder about what kind of system to choose. This can be difficult because there are so many. If you want a swim spa that can accommodate two swimmers moving at different speeds, a two-propeller model is ideal.

There are also models with propellers in front that push water outward to create a current. Other systems with paddle wheels at the back create a current by sucking water toward them.

Choose the system that offers even water distribution and lets you adjust the flow and current to fit your fitness needs.

Hydrotherapy and Relaxation Features

Many people invest in swim spas to create a space for relaxation, socialization, and recovery from exercise or injury. Arthritis sufferers, athletes, or anyone who needs a way to relax after work can all benefit from a swim spa.

Dual heaters are essential if you want the swim spa to work in two capacities at once, for example if you want to relax in the hot tub area while a guest swims. With a dual heater, you can set different temperatures in different areas to accommodate all users.

Swim Spas to Suit Your Style

Because of their compact size, swim spas can be located anywhere, are easy to transport when you move, and can be installed indoors or outdoors.

No matter what your style, your swim spa can be customized to suit it. Liners, shells, and cabinets all come in a range of styles and colors. You can also choose from a variety of materials including fiberglass, wood, aluminum, acrylic, stainless steel, thermoplastic, and more.

Every detail, such as steps, decks, tile, ramps, and railings can be personalized to you. Stereos and security alarms can also be added.

Now that you have a good understanding of what a swim spa can offer, download our free buyer’s guide to find about exactly which swim spa is right for you!

If you own a swim spa and love to exercise there, accessories are a great way to improve your fitness and create variety in your workout. Accessories can also create a greater sense of relaxation and comfort.

Below, you’ll find out about game-changing swim spa accessories that take your fitness and relaxation to new heights.

Weights for Strength Training

If you haven’t been using your swim spa for strength training, weights are a great way to get started. A good first step is to purchase a set of wet bells, or lightweight dumbbells for use in the water. Wet bells offer an easy grip and are extremely safe. Don’t let their light weight fool you: they are designed to work with the water’s resistance to help you build strength. You can usually get a set of wet bells for around $30.

Tethers for Intense Training

Do you want more resistance without paying for a new set of jets? A tether is a great way to challenge yourself without overspending. A tether consists of a belt with an elastic cord which attaches to you while remaining secured behind you. As you swim, run, or walk, the resistance will give you a new challenge.

Aquatic Exercise Bands

Aquatic exercise bands are a type of resistance bands that were made for use in water. You can use them for rowing or other resistance exercises when you want to improve your strength and flexibility.

Enhance Your Experience with Additional Accessories

If you want a swim spa experience that is safer, more relaxing, or just more convenient, there are many accessories that can help. To add shade to your swim spa, try attaching a sunbrella to the side of your swim spa. If you enjoy entertaining, look into a smart bar. It attaches to the side of your swim spa and creates a flat surface where you and your guests can place your drinks while you enjoy the water.

When you want to make getting in and out of the swim spa safer for children or others who have difficulty entering and exercising, getting a new set of safety steps can be worth it. Finally, stay warm and dry when you get in and out of your swim spa by attaching a towel bar to the outside of your swim spa. Your dry towel will always be waiting to keep you warm! Now that you know about which accessories can improve your swim spa experience, download our free swim spa buyer’s guide to find out about the best swim spa for you.