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

The Most Common Hot Tub Questions Answered

Posted on 17 March 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

When buying your hot tub, you may have a lot of questions. It’s important to have all of these questions answered to ensure that you make the right purchase for your lifestyle. Once you get your hot tub home and it is ready to use, you may have some additional questions. In this post, we look at some common questions that hot tub owners have.

When is the best time to use the hot tub?

The great part about owning a hot tub is that you can use it any time you want. A lot of people find it most enjoyable to use in the evening after everything is done for the day, and you are ready to relax. However, it is becoming more common for people to use it before going to work, as well. Instead of sitting at their kitchen table to have their coffee and wake up, they are taking a quick soak in the hot tub. Try it at different times and see which is your favorite – you may even decide to do both!

How long is it safe to stay in the hot tub?

Everyone reacts a little different to a soak in the hot tub. Some find that 20 minutes is long enough, while others enjoy a 30 minute soak. It all depends on what temperature you are keeping the hot tub at and how well you tolerate heat. If the temperature is too high, or you are staying in too long, you may begin to feel light headed or dizzy. In this case, it is best to give yourself a time limit to ensure that you always get out feeling your best. Or, simply lower the temperature if you prefer a longer soak.

Is there a specific temperature that is best?

The majority of hot tub users like to keep the water temperature between 100-102^oF. There are some that like to keep it at 104^oF, but not every member of the family is comfortable with this in most cases. It is personal preference and if you like the temperature lower, experiment and adjust it to your liking.

Should I shower before or after using the hot tub?

If you have any type of cream on your skin, have just worked out, or are perspiring, you definitely should shower quickly before using the hot tub. Anything you bring in with you can contaminate your water and put the chemistry of your water out of balance. For visitors using your hot tub it would be a good idea to make it mandatory to have a shower before using your hot tub. It will be up to your personal preference if you want to shower after using the hot tub, and many people do.

When can I start letting friends use my new hot tub?

Of course, it is exciting to have a new hot tub, and you probably want to start sharing the pleasure with your family or friends right away. If you have never owned a hot tub before, then it may take you a week or two to get used to keeping it maintained and making sure you are adding the right chemicals to it. Make sure you feel totally familiar with your hot tub before inviting people over to use it.

These are just some of the common questions that can arise as a new hot tub owner. You should be able to contact your hot tub provider with any questions you have, and they should be happy to answer them for you. Then, it’s time to get in a nice relaxing soak!

How Can Hot Tubs Benefit Athletes?

Posted on 17 March 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

A hot tub can provide benefits for almost anyone, and when it comes to the athlete, it can be a very powerful resource. This is not just applicable to the professional athlete, but includes anyone who participates in sports, enjoys exercise, or is perhaps just starting out!

Before Sports

The hot tub is excellent for helping you prepare for your upcoming sports activity. Of course, you want to feel energetic and warmed up for the event, but perhaps you haven’t considered using a hot tub for this purpose. Before a sports event, chances are that your adrenaline is beginning to pump up and you are full of anticipation.

You may want to give yourself some time to relax and mellow out a bit before you capitalize on your increased energy level. The warm water and the massage from the jets is going to release all of your muscle tension, allowing your muscles to feed off of the increased circulation that is taking place in your body.

By having a hot tub session, you can reduce your risk of injury due to tight muscles. This activity may also help you to perform better, because your range of motion is greatly improved by warming up first. When the muscles are loose and limber, it can help promote agility and increase your speed.

Take some time to gently move about in the water while you relax and get ready for your activities.

After Sports

While you are certainly going to enjoy a pre-sport hot tub session, you are definitely going to enjoy it afterwards. It will reduce all those aches and pains that you notice once your muscles cool down.

It is also going to help you unwind mentally, as well as physically. You may still feel wound up, but tiredness is sure to settle in shortly. You may be one of those individuals who find it hard to relax after this excitement, and this is where the hot tub can play an important role. Whether you won or lost your game, it will all seem to melt away in the soothing water of the hot tub.

Injury Reduction

If you have become injured during your sporting event, for example a sprain or pulled muscle, then you are definitely going to want to spend some time in the hot tub. It will help to reduce your discomfort and it could help to speed up the healing process by preventing further injury.

No matter which issues you face, whether it’s muscle pain, insomnia, or anxiety, a relaxing hot tub session can help you unwind and reach your goals with a healthier mind and body.

Which is Right for You: Softub or Hot Tub?

Posted on 10 March 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

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When you are pondering over the idea between buying a softub or a hot tub, you are weighing out your options between either a portable or stationary unit. They both have some great and very similar benefits, so let’s take a look at each of the two.

Softub

These units are lightweight which allows them to be portable, and for this reason, installation is very easy – you can do it yourself. Ensure that you are purchasing a high-quality unit, because you want it to last for the long haul. Many people pick them up and take them to new homes if they move, which is great for people who need to move often for work or other reasons. They’re even light enough to enjoy on a balcony or boat!

With innovative technology available today like the Hydromate, softubs have a pump, motor, and heater all built into one unit. You may be surprised at how quietly they operate with our new Whisper Technology. There is also high density Polybond insulator foam to keep the heat in, making them highly energy efficient and easier on the environment!

Another enjoyable feature about the softub is its weather resistance. It may be lightweight, but it is surpisingly tough and can stand up to the elements. At the same time, the softub lives up to its name – it is extremely comfortable, flexible, and perfect for some relaxation.

Maintenance is a breeze, and you will never have to be concerned about how hygienic it is, because it has an automatic cleaning function built right in.

Not all softubs are composed of these amazing components, so these are things you need to consider when buying a soft tub.

They are most ideal for those who are not remaining in stationery living quarters, like for those who rent, for example. Or who are on the go and want a portable hot tub unit they can take with them.

Standard Hot Tub

For those who have settled down in their home, the better choices may be the stationary hot tub. A great choice is the Hydropool, which many people prefer because of its self-cleaning capabilities. The quality and performance of Hydropool hot tubs is also absolutely outstanding, so it has the longevity to provide a lifetime of enjoyment.

With this type of hot tub, you want to give some serious thought to where you want it located. In time, you may want to add some additions to it like a pavilion or a gazebo, so keep this in mind when you are making your decision.

If you are plan to do a lot of hot tub entertaining, you can count on this type of hot tub to be fully accommodating. Standard hot tubs come in a very wide range of sizes to suit your lifestyle.

Another thing to consider with the stationary hot tub is that you can customize it to your exact liking by having additional features added to it. There are lots of models to choose from, so you won’t have any difficulties finding one that suits exactly what you are looking for. Pay particular attention to the comfort features that you want in your unit, like jets, seating, headrests, or even lighting.

No matter which you choose, you’ll reap the amazing health benefits of regular hot tub use. Take some time to pick the perfect model for you, and you are sure to enjoy your new home addition for years to come!

Enhance Your Outdoor Space with a Pavilion or Gazebo

Posted on 10 March 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

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A swim spa is a wonderful addition to the home and will provide many years of enjoyment for people of all ages. Depending on where it’s located on your property, you may tend to use it more or less. For this reason, it’s important to give some thought to where you have it installed.

One of the issues that may arise is walking to and from the swim spa. People will need to get changed before venturing out to the pool area, and the same when they have completed their swim. Having people trek in and out can become somewhat of an inconvenience, especially if they are trailing water through your home.

There is an easy solution to this, and it comes in the form of pavilions and gazebos. These make a wonderful addition to your pool area. There are lots of styles to choose from, and you can customize them to ensure they meet your needs. For example, you can choose a multifunctional design and use them as a combination space – as a change house, entertainment space, and as an enclosure for your swim spa or hot tub.

Consider the space around your swim spa or hot tub and decide how big you want it to be and where you want it to be located. There are a variety of decisions in terms of style to fit your needs and aesthetic tastes. Always insist upon quality when it comes to your garden buildings, as these will have to endure the elements. If you are favoring a gazebo that has a thatched roof, be sure to consider the benefits of the South African Cape Reed Thatch. This particular material is well known for its thermal capabilities and the quality of the lumber.

Consideration also has to be given to how the pavilion or gazebo will complement your outdoor architecture.

While these units can be made from many different types of materials, wood seems to be the best choice for a variety of reasons. Canadian Western Red Cedar is a great choice because of its durability and longevity, not to mention its natural beauty. Wood fits right in with the outdoor atmosphere, and pavilions and gazebos will enhance the natural beauty of your property as well as make a beautiful focal point.

A swim spa brings hours of pleasure. Imagine being able to leave the water and extend this pleasure by relaxing or entertaining inside a gorgeous high-quality pavilion or gazebo. It protects your swim spa investment, makes a great home addition, and provides an invaluable space to make memories with family and friends.

Tips to Help You to Decide on a Swim Spa Purchase

Posted on 3 March 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

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When you go to buy your swim spa it will definitely be an exciting adventure for you. It will also mean that you are going to be faced with lots of choices, and you are going to have to make some decisions. You will have to decide how much you want to spend. What is your main objective, meaning do you want a swim spa to use mostly for exercise, just to relax, or for therapy for a condition you may have? Are you looking at it as a source of entertainment and a great place to have some family fun? In fact, you may want a swim spa that is going to meet all of these wants and needs.

There are different types of swim spas. Of course, they all have to have a vessel for holding the water. These can be made from acrylic, fibreglass, or be composed of steel panels with liners.

Focus on your priorities first. If you are really keen on exercise, then you want to know what the different models have to offer. Be sure to look at makes and models that offer you a good selection. For example, the AquaSport or the AquaTrainer models range from 14 to 19 feet, so you have a good variety of options with this brand, plus there are lots of additional features that you can choose from.

Therapy and relaxation are usually also important to many people who set out to buy a swim spa. The important features to look for here are the selection of jets, and options for it to include chromo-therapy or aromatherapy systems. You also want to know what the basic unit comes with, what add ons you can get, and if you are able to have it customized to your specific liking.

You also want to be comfortable with the amount of maintenance your new swim spa is going to require. If you buy a quality unit, many of which are self-cleaning, you are really going to enjoy the fact that don’t have to spend a lot of time on maintenance.

Every person that is going to be enjoying the swim spa should play a part in the decision making process. Everyone is going to have their own list of what they are looking for.

A good sales representative will take the time to answer all of your questions first, and then explain any additional important facts about the units you are interested in.

Price is always important. However, you want to ensure that you put your wants and needs first before price, so you get the perfect swim spa that will satisfy your wants and needs for years to come.

Enjoying the Charm of the Traditional Swedish Barrel Sauna

Posted on 3 March 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

When it comes to choosing the right sauna for your home, there are going to be many different styles and options to choose from. One of these choices will be between indoor and outdoor sauna. If outdoors is your preference, you may want to take a look at the Traditional Swedish Barrel Sauna.

This particular sauna comes with a range of the benefits and features, so you can get the perfect sauna for you. This sauna comes with a very light compact 9kw heater that is built for performance, so you’ll never have to worry about heating.

You may think that because of the barrel design that you are forfeiting space. You may be pleased to know that the standard size of the Traditional Swedish Barrel Sauna is 1.82m deep x 1.91m high. That is plenty of room to have others join you in the wonderful warmth of your home sauna.

With impressive looks, it is not a unit that you are going to want to tuck away amongst your garden landscaping. You are going to want to position it to enhance your outdoor space. However, remember that you may also want some privacy.

Take some time to really consider where your best placement options are. Think about the rest of the decor that is going to surround your unit. You really can make this space your own private getaway!

Think about the view you’ll see as you are sitting and enjoying the wonderful effects of the sauna. The glass door panel will allow you to sit and relax and enjoy the surrounding sights, but at the same time afford you the privacy that you want while using your unit.

While the Traditional Swedish Barrel Sauna is a fantastic addition for home use, it’s also a great addition to business settings. Often, establishments like bed and breakfasts have used up all of their indoor space to accommodate the needs of their clients. There is no option to install an indoor sauna to offer additional benefits to the clients. The Traditional Swedish Barrel Sauna can be the perfect solution to this! Place it outside in a beautiful garden on the property, or perhaps near the swimming pool.

This sauna has a charming, rustic look and automatically brings to mind the beautiful mountains of Sweden. For those who love the barrel shape but would prefer a more modern look, we highly recommend taking a look at the Eclipse Garden Sauna, too. With all of the amazing features available for these models, you’re sure to find the perfect sauna for your lifestyle and tastes.

How Swim Spa Hydrotherapy is Beneficial for Back Problems

Posted on 24 February 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

There are many different types of back problems, and no shortage of people that suffer from chronic back pain as a result of many different types of medical conditions. These can range from arthritis in the spine to slipped or herniated discs, or simple wear and tear and muscle strain. The swim spa can be the ideal resource for providing much needed relief from the discomfort associated with back problems.

Of course, before making any attempts at pain relief, a proper diagnosis should be made by a health care professional. Chronic back pain is a major health problem that can be expensive. The medical profession is actively trying to take multiple approaches to helping individuals with controlling the pain caused by back problems. Many people’s first solution used to be to control the pain with drugs, but this has proven to be a serious problem because the drugs required are often heavy narcotics, and create the risk of addiction. Now a different approach is being taken, encouraging back pain sufferers to try other forms of treatment such as a change in lifestyle, including exercise. Hydrotherapy can be very beneficial in this regard.

It is important that a structured water exercise program be designed for the individual. Overdoing it is not a wise move. Just the warmth and movement of the water can provide some instant relief that leads some to becoming overzealous with their water exercise.

Just as any form of exercise requires a warm up and cool down segment, the same applies for water therapy. Entering the swim spa and just giving the body a chance to adjust to the water is the beginning. Then some simple movements of the arms and legs will begin the exercise warm up.

A good beginner exercise is the knee-to-chest. The individual stands on one leg that is slightly bent in a comfortable position. The other leg is then stretched out in front at a comfortable level. Hold on to the side of the pool to provide support. This helps to limber up the muscles and gently stretches them. Make sure to do both legs to ensure equality in the exercise.

Leg raising is another beneficial exercise. Start off by raising your leg to a comfortable level, and during each exercise segment strive to increase the height a little more each time. This helps to build strength in the lower back, as well as the hips and legs.

Another great stretching exercise is to hold onto the side of the water spa for support then let the body float away from the side, will gently stretch the body out.

Once these exercises have been completed, adding a few swim laps to the regime will help to build stamina and agility. In order to receive the best benefits from water therapy for back problems, the exercises should be started with slowly and increased as the body adjusts, and done consistently.

Cure Indecisiveness with a Swim Spa-Hot Tub Combo

Posted on 24 February 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

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It can be really difficult to decide between a swim spa and a hot tub. You may be very pleased to discover that you no longer have to decide between the two, because you can have a swim spa-hot tub combo.

Many times those who don’t have children or are not exercise buffs opt for the standard hot tub. They are primarily looking at it as a source of relaxation, and perhaps as a means of treating those aches and pains that the majority of us suffer from at some point in time.

What often happens is that after a period of time, the benefits of using the hot tub are so great that you begin to feel better both physically and mentally. Now you may feel that perhaps incorporating some swim exercise into your daily lifestyle may not be such a bad thing after all. The problem is that you may have restricted yourself to the purchase of a hot tub.

With the swim spa-hot tub combo, like the AquaSport line, it is much easier to decide! These particular units are multi-functional. They are a great place to sit and relax, like in a hot tub. They are also amazing for exercise as they fit the needs of the beginner right up to the fitness buff. They are a great source of entertainment, even for families without kids. They are perfect for a entertaining or spending a quiet evening alone.

Everyone that has a swim spa-hot tub combo develops a favorite use for their unit. Some will opt to use the hot tub features more frequently than the swimming features. Some people may find that they usually use it for exercise, and for the odd relaxation session. Once you begin to experience the potential health benefits these units can offer, it will definitely spur you onto to using your multi-functional swim spa to its fullest!

The Difference Between a Sauna and a Steam Room

Posted on 17 February 2015 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

It is not uncommon for some people to think that a sauna and a steam room are one and the same. They are actually quite different, and both have their own benefits and features. With a sauna you are being exposed to dry heat, and with a steam room you are getting to enjoy moist heat. When it comes to heat intensity, it is far greater in a sauna. These can go up to 212°F, whereas steam rooms are maintained at around 100°F to 114°F.

While often it comes down to preference for moist or dry heat, it can also depend on the individual’s reaction to these types of heat. Both have the ability to stimulate blow flow and enhance the metabolism. Some individuals find it uncomfortable to breathe when exposed to dry heat. Others find that the moist heat offers them better relief with joint and muscular pain.

Some saunas feature both wet and dry capabilities. The structure of the sauna is usually comprised of wood. There are many different types of wood selections that can be chosen. Saunas that are being provided by reputable suppliers will all be comprised of top-quality wood components that lend themselves well to the sauna environment.

The sauna is often used by people who want to address a variety of health issues that are known to respond well to heat. The most common ones are muscle stimulation and the reduction of stress hormones. It has been shown that saunas may be beneficial for lowering blood pressure and stimulating overall heart health.

For those who aren’t keen on moist heat, the sauna is usually the best choice. When using the sauna it is common for individuals to wrap themselves in a towel to provide extra seating comfort. There are two main types of saunas. There are conventional saunas where the air is heated, and there are infrared saunas that use objects to create warmth, like charcoal or active carbon fibers. Since saunas produce dry heat, one of the additional benefits is that there is no risk of moisture escaping the unit and adversely affecting its exterior surroundings.

Both the sauna and the steam room have many benefits, and it is important to discuss your wants and needs with a reputable dealer so you can make an informed decision and get the best unit for you.

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