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

Choosing Between a Sauna or a Steam Room

Posted on 30 December 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

If you find that the sauna or steam room options appeal to you, your next decision is which one of these options is the right one for you. Saunas and steam rooms do have some similarities, but are not identical. Knowing the differences will help you make your decision.

Saunas:

Sauna walls are usually made of wood and you may have the option of both dry and wet sessions. In some models, the stove that is used to generate the heat is located within the sauna unit. The temperature of the sauna is usually between 70°C-100°C (158°F – 212°F). People who enjoy saunas usually find that it is most beneficial for helping to stimulate their muscles and reduce stress levels. Some have found that it helps to create better cardiovascular health and may notice a reduction in blood pressure.

The biggest difference is the sauna does not produce nearly the same humidity that a steam room does. You will also find that when you are reviewing which sauna you want to purchase that you will have to choose between the conventional models or the infrared version. The conventional saunas work through warming the air. The infrared saunas focus on heating objects like stones, for example.

Steam rooms:

A steam room creates high heat with a high level of humidity. The walls are usually made of porcelain, ceramic or granite tiles. In many cases, the steam is generated from an external steam generator. The temperature is usually around 40°C (115°F to 120°F). A lot of people enjoy steam room because they help improve their respiratory system, while relieving sinus congestion. They also find that it detoxifies their body and enhances their skin, similar to saunas.

Making the decision

While there are some differences in the delivery of the heat process in the sauna and steam rooms, the results they produce for the body are similar. They both assist in increasing blood flow to the skin. Each of these has the ability to dilate the blood vessels and improve circulation. They each have their own way of promoting relaxation and reducing stress.

What it really comes down to when making the final decision between the steam room or the sauna is your preference as to whether you like your heat in a dry or wet form. When it comes to the actual experience, you also have the warm cozy feeling of the sauna, which is comprised of wood, or the cool refreshing sleek look of the porcelain, ceramic or granite tiles.

Does A Sauna Help Those With RA?

Posted on 24 December 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

RA is a form of arthritis known as rheumatoid arthritis. It creates a large number of disabilities for individuals throughout many different countries. It is an affliction that can affect either gender at any age.

For those that suffer with this illness their priority becomes looking for some form of pain relief. In many cases, they have to resort to prescriptions to help with this. The problem is they are now faced with many side effects that come with the drugs used for the pain relief. More people are now looking for natural methods and alternatives to help not only reduce the pain caused from the RA but to increase their mobility.

There are a lot of people that have begun to rely on the heat therapy that a sauna can offer. They have found that there are several benefits of saunas. One of the most significant ones is they find that there is some temporary relief from their pain and as a result of this, they are becoming more mobile. They also find that the heat from the sauna allows for detoxification of some of the toxins that have built up in their body.

For those that have turned to a sauna to assist them with some relief with their rheumatoid arthritis, they are finding that by using it on a consistent and scheduled basis that their quality of life is increasing. This is because their pain is reduced and they can get around a little more than they originally could. With the relief of pain and increased mobility, it allows them to be more active which in itself may be beneficial to helping reduce the effects of the rheumatoid arthritis.

Not only does it play an important physical factor, but it plays a mental role as well. With the reduction of pain and not being so restricted, they have a better mental outlook, and get to enjoy some of the things in life that the RA was preventing them from doing.

Researchers are stating that the benefits of sauna bathing come from the temporary increase of noradrenaline, adrenaline, cortisol, as well as endorphins that take place during the sauna bathing. All of these have anti-inflammatory properties. The endorphins are the natural pain killer that the body produces.

Users of the sauna find that their mobility is better because of the beneficial effects of the warmth on the tissue. There are many others that use saunas for other ailments. These include those that have general aches and pains from sports related injuries or from the type of work that they do. Aside from the great benefits that the sauna offers to those with various medical conditions, it is a wonderful resource just for relaxation and enjoyment.

Adding Salt Water Technology to Your Hot Tub

Posted on 21 December 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

There are so many great choices when it comes to choosing a hot tub for you and your family that the purchase adventure alone is going to be interesting. Not only are there many different styles and models to choose from, but you can also choose a spa that has self-cleaning technology, so you can reduce the maintenance requirements.

You will find that it only takes a limited amount of chemicals and very little time to maintain your hot tub. Some people rely on chlorine to keep their water in prime condition, while others are now using bromine.

There is something else that is available to help with keeping your hot tub in prime condition, so your time is spent on enjoying all it has to offer you and your family. The use of a salt water bromine system replaces the need for chlorine once the system is installed. It can be used with new hot tubs or even older versions.

One of the greatest features about this is that it cuts down on the amount of maintenance for your hot tub and you don’t need to use as many chemicals. Once the system has been installed, it takes over with the production of the bromine sanitizer. Any adjustments that need to be made can be made right from the keypad.

Bromine can handle a wider range of the pH levels with temperatures that are higher. This means that your hot tub will be in pristine condition without the need of adding additional products. You no longer have to be concerned about adding chlorine or bromine to your spa by schedule. With the system releasing the bromine, it means is that it can go to work and destroy any contaminants that may be found in the water.

For those that really are not keen on using chemicals in their hot tub, this is a great alternative. One of the other great features about this system is that there are no odours associated with it like there are with some of the other chemicals, and it doesn’t cause any skin or eye irritation.

When you can combine the self-cleaning features of a hot tub with saltwater technology, it really steps up the convenience and enjoyment of the hot tub.

Proper Hot Tub After Care Can Make a Significant Difference

Posted on 17 December 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

Once your hot tub has been installed and all set up, you will find it quite easy to keep the water in pristine condition through the minimal maintenance requirements. This is especially true if you purchased one of the self-cleaning hot tub models. You will want to follow the instructions in your manual and use the proper chemicals to keep the water balanced and clean.

When you were going through the steps of purchasing your hot tub, your should have been able to rely on your supplier to assist you with advice and suggestions regarding the best way to set up your hot tub, as well as the best location for it.

You should also now be able to get advice from your supplier on the aftercare. While you may want to look after the daily maintenance of your hot tub yourself, you may also want to bring in professionals to do a full maintenance on it, especially when it comes to cleaning and changing the filters.

If your hot tub is an older model, you may find that it may be in need of some repairs. Using a company that is qualified in offering this service is going to be important for you, not only to have access to the necessary parts, but the expertise for installing these parts.

You may find after a period of time at that you would like to expand your outdoor environment by including a hot tub enclosure. There are a lot of great reasons for doing this. You may want to increase the privacy setting where your hot tub is located, or you may want to enhance your outdoor environment by making the space more attractive. You will find that you have lots of choices, such as gazebos or pavilions comprised of many different styles. You want to make sure you rely on experts that specialize in this field, so that you can get the most from this new edition to your hot tub setting, while expanding the enjoyment you are receiving from your hot tub.

How to Take Care of Your Hot Tub Water When It Doesn’t Look Right

Posted on 16 December 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

Your hot tub is designed to bring you many hours of enjoyment. As an owner of a quality hot tub, you probably have already realized that there is very little maintenance needed and you truly get to enjoy it whenever you want.

On occasion, you may find that the water in the hot tub doesn’t look quite right. You need to address this immediately. When you do, you will most likely find that it doesn’t take much to correct the problem. A good indication that something is going wrong with the water is when it begins to look a little cloudy, milky or if it’s foaming a bit.

Water that is cloudy looking:

If you look closely at the hot tub water, you may notice that it looks as if there are small particles floating in it. They are so tiny that if you don’t look closely, you will not see them. There could be multiple reasons for this, such as having insoluble particles in the water, organic debris, or even the beginning of dead algae. Any of this may be present because the filtration system is not working properly for your hot tub, which means that it may simply need to be cleaned out. This also may mean that you are not keeping up with your water maintenance enough or are not using the right chemicals.

The first thing to do is check your filter. Make sure that it is clean and working properly. Then, check the water chemistry to see what the water balance is. Determine if you need to balance the PH. Once you have made any necessary corrections, you may need to shock the spa or try a water clarifier. If all of this fails, you may need to empty the spa and start over with fresh water.

Milky looking spa water:

If your spa water has taken on a white tinge, you probably are not able to see the bottom of the hot tub. Again, there is no one cause for this but most often it is because the filters are not working properly. It could also be that the hot tub has been used more than normal and you have not compensated for this by adjusting the amount of hot tub chemicals that are needed. To rectify the problem, follow the same steps as you would for cloudy water. Some people find using a non-chlorine shock product works well.

Foaming spa water:

It may look like someone has added detergent to your hot tub water and it is foaming up. This is not likely the case. What you may notice is that it looks like there is a film lying on top of the water. The most common cause of this is the residue that comes off the bodies of the individuals using the hot tub. This could be natural skin oils or cosmetics they have on their body prior to using the hot tub. The best solution for this is preventative action. Requesting that users take a shower prior to using the hot tub is not unreasonable. If you are already faced with this problem, you can check with your hot tub supplier to see which chemicals they recommend as the solution. This will usually be an enzyme or anti-foam product.

These hot tub water problems can cause some concern but are easily rectified provided you handle the problems as soon as they are noticed.

Preparing for your Swim Spa Installation

Posted on 11 December 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

Once you have purchased your swim spa, it’s time to prepare for the installation. This too is an exciting event because you and the family are full of anticipation as to when you will get to actually experience all that your new swim spa has to offer.

Prior to buying the spa you may have made the decision as to where it is going to be installed. This would include providing the dimensions of the area it will be installed in prior to purchasing your spa.

You are going to find that you have some great options for installing it, like whether it will be above ground, in ground or partially in and above ground. This will also determine what preparations you have to make.

You will also have to decide whether you are going to do the installation yourself or have your swim spa provider do the installation for you. Most likely, you will find it far more convenient to have these professionals do the installation for you.

Your swim spa manual should outline the full installation instructions, which will include what you have to do to prepare for this great event.

If you have opted to have the swim spa installed indoors, you may want to have a glass solarium or a four season room designated for the swim spa. If indoors is your choice, you may want the swim spa area to have easy access to the washroom and shower. There has to be a floor drain to get rid of the splash water. You also need to have proper ventilation for both the humidity and the support equipment that the swim spa uses. Pay attention to the access to the plumbing as you will need this resource to fill and top up the swim spa.

For an outdoor installation, you need to check to see if you need a building permit or what other regulations are in place regarding the installation of a swim spa. If you need to do some excavation for the installation, check with the gas, electric, and cable company to make sure there are no underground cables in the area where you are going to be digging. You also need to know that the area you have chosen is going to be convenient to access from the house. Plus, you want to know that all the support equipment for the swim spa can be protected from the elements. This is something you need to talk to your swim spa supplier about as this will be based on the make and model of swim spa that you have chosen.

There are general installation requirements that will have to be met as well. This will be for the preparation of the area where the swim spa is going to be installed. You can follow the directions of your swim spa supplier, as well as your instruction manual.

Choosing the Right Swim Spa Installation Option

Posted on 8 December 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

You have many wonderful choices when it comes to buying a swim spa. Included in these options will be whether you want to have it installed above or in ground. There are benefits to both ways of installing your swim spa, but it will come down to your personal preference.

Some people like the thought of the swim spa being installed in ground because they feel it looks more permanent and they have more choices for enhancing the spa area. While this is true, the same can be said for when the swim spa is above ground, it just means a different approach.

In either case, there are preparations that have to be done for the installation no matter whether it is going to be above ground or in ground. What some people like about the above ground version is that in the event they decide to move, it‘s easier to take the swim spa with them. With that said, a lot of people have discovered that having a swim spa is a great selling feature for the home.

For some, they may feel that the components of the swim spa are better protected if they are in ground. What you will find is that if you are purchasing a quality swim spa that this is not a concern. These types of spas are built with the proper insulation to allow them to withstand the different temperatures that they may be exposed to.

Perhaps, the first thing you want to consider is what your reasons are for going with an in ground swim spa. Some individuals feel that if they go with the above ground version, they will be limited in their options for having a permanent spa enclosure installed later on. Again this is not usually the case. There are many options available to you when it comes time to enclose your swim spa no matter which choice of installation you have made.

You may not realize it, but you also have another installation option, which is to install your spa partially in ground. To help you make your choice, you can speak to your pool and spa provider. The bottom line is as long as you have the available space to install an in ground swim spa, the final decision will come down to what you and your family prefer.

Choosing the Right Swim Spa Size

Posted on 3 December 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

There is a lot of fun that comes with choosing a swim spa for your family. There are some things that you are going to have to decide on and one of these will be the size that is going to best suit your needs.

When selecting the right swim spa size, there are several factors that you want to keep in mind. You want to know that it is going to be an adequate length for the height of the people that are going to be using it.

There is no doubt that other people will be using your swim spa beside your family members and you want it to be large enough that everyone is going to be able to enjoy it without feeling restricted or crowded.

The swim spot is used for many different activities. Some enjoy just using it for play, such as the little ones, whereas the older teens may be using more for exercise. You want to keep this in mind when you are determining the size. If the spa you choose is big enough, everyone can enjoy all that it has to offer together, instead of having to wait their turn.

The other thing that you need to consider is the space that the swim spa will be installed in. This may take some thought on your part and you may have several alternatives regarding where you can have your spa installed. If you’re not sure, check with your supplier to get their advice as to where would be the best location.

Many people find that they originally start out thinking about buying a small spa but once they get the opportunity to see what’s available to them, they opt for the bigger one. In most cases, they are not disappointed by doing this. The swim spa comes with many benefits and features and it will be enjoyed by most every family member on a constant basis.

Choosing Sauna Accessories as a Gift

Posted on 2 December 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

It can be difficult to buy the appropriate gift for some people. This is especially true if you don’t know them very well. If you do know that they have a sauna, this can help you choose a great gift that will enhance their sauna pleasure.

Sauna Towels

If you need to buy a gift for a couple and they have a sauna, you may want to consider buying some good quality bath towels. Quality is important because they will be used relatively often as most sauna owners enjoy using their sauna on a regular basis. Some opt to use the sauna only wearing a towel wrapped around them. A lot of people really appreciate Turkish towels as they are 100% cotton.

Sauna Aromatherapy Oils

You can buy oils that are designed to be used with the sauna. These can be bought in single units or as a collection of oils. Choosing the fragrance and benefits that the oils provide will depend on whether you are buying the gift for a man or a woman. For the men, you will want oils that have more masculine notes to them and for the women, the lighter, sweeter fragrances are a great choice. If you are buying the oils based on their therapeutic benefits, you will need to know a little more about the oil itself and whether the recipient of the sauna oils would benefit from these.

Sauna Pillows

When people talk about using a sauna, they most likely mention how they can totally relax when using it. You may want to add to their enjoyment by purchasing a sauna pillow for them. Many individuals love to stretch out on the sauna bench while enjoying its wonderful heat. A sauna pillow just makes this already wonderful experience a little better.

Body Brushes

One of the additional benefits that a sauna brings is it does wonders for the skin. It helps the body shed off the dead skin cells and it increases circulation to the skin to help nourish it. Many people taking a shower following their sauna treatment like to use a body brush to help remove all of the dead skin cells that have been loosened by the heat of the sauna. A good quality brush or a selection of different sized body brushes for this purpose would make a wonderful gift. You could even include a selection of soaps to go with it.

These are just a few suggestions to help you buy the perfect gift for those hard to buy for people.

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