Category Archives: Swim Spa

Having a pool at home is a luxury – perfect for cooling off on hot days and maintaining fitness – but it’s also an investment, especially if you need sizeable one. If you’re a keen swimmer and your current pool doesn’t quite meet your needs for distance then Fastlane could be the answer. Rather than a brand new, larger pool in which you can cover further distances, installing Fastlane could turn your current pool into an endless pool.

How does it work?

Fastlane produces a current in your pool for you to swim against, allowing you to cover any distance you want to without moving very far. You’ll get all the benefits of a long distance swim without the need for an Olympic sized pool in which to do it. The water speed can be set to any required pace, whether you’re just learning to swim or you’re in serious training. If want to optimise the use of your pool then Fastlane adds a whole new dimension.

Who can use Fastlane?

Anyone at all, from children picking up a float for the first time to adults with a fitness plan to follow. Because Fastlane is adjustable you can set it to the right pace for you, whether that’s intensive training, a relaxed swim or some summer fun in the pool with the kids. Fastlane can also be used to create resistance for a wide range of other water sports, including aqua aerobics, water jogging and therapeutic hydrotherapy. It allows your pool to be so much more than just somewhere to enjoy a quick dip.

What kind of installation is involved?

Fastlane installation is simple and quick. The Swim Unit fits pretty much any pool and with no electrical connections poolside there’s zero risk. The Hydraulic Power Unit provides the momentum for the Swim Unit, which is made up of our custom designed propeller, which delivers its innovative current flow, providing a smooth and adjustable swim environment. The system runs on biodegradable vegetable-based hydraulic fluid for fuel, which is efficient and environmentally friendly, ideal for use at home.

What type of pool does Fastlane suit?

It’s not so much the pool as the humans that Fastlane suits. The system can be installed in water as shallow as 99cm and any pool that has enough depth to be swum in is ideal for Fastlane. Above ground pools work well with Fastlane, as do in-ground concrete, vinyl-lined, or fibreglass pools. So, any pool is ideal for the system as long as there are children and/or adults around to enjoy it. Fastlane is super easy to operate with a simple on and off button and a control for faster or slower speed. It’s the perfect no fuss way to extend the life of the pool, as well as the range of activities it can accommodate. From aqua aerobics for the neighbourhood to a fun birthday pool party, Fastlane brings the action every time.

If you are interested in finding out more about Fastlane and what it could add to your pool, get in touch with The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company today by calling our team on 0208 300 4003.

So you’ve decided to get a pool, but where should it go? There are many reasons why you might choose to have your pool outside, but there are benefits to having it inside too. Largely it depends on the use you intend it for and where you live. So how can you assess the pros and cons of each and decide whether to choose an indoor or outdoor pool for your home?

Maintenance and cleanliness

It can sometimes be easier to maintain the cleanliness of your pool if it is indoors, simply because the surrounding area is likely to be cleaner, for example tiled instead of grassy surround. There is a lower chance of dirt getting in, which can make it easier to maintain, however The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company offer unique self-cleaning technology which means this process is much easier whichever you choose.

On the other hand, indoor pools often cost more to run than outdoor pools simply by design, so this is something to consider if it is a deciding factor for you. Plus, a good pool cover should help to minimise the dirt that gets into your outdoor pool.

Weather considerations

Obviously your indoor pool is beneficial because it can be used in the same way regardless of the weather, and if it is raining this will not impact your use of the pool. However, at the same time, having it inside means that when there is sunny weather your pool is not outside for you to enjoy in the heat.

Some people enjoy sunbathing next to their pool, or sitting in the sun with their feet in the cool water of the pool, whereas others would much prefer to have consistent use indoors without the worry of what the weather will be like. For this reason, it is purely subjective as to which option is preferable – outdoor or indoor.

Pool as a central focus

An outdoor or indoor pool can become the centre of a social gathering so your home location and garden will impact where you want your pool to be. For example, if you have a stunning green outdoor space, this could be the perfect place for BBQs with friends and enjoying this space, but if you have a smaller outside space or feel it may be overlooked, it might be that you’d prefer to make the most of the privacy that an indoor pool offers instead.

Perhaps inside you may even have an adjoining sauna, but it is important to also be aware of possible condensation that can form if your room is not well ventilated.

Choosing the pool for you

It may be clear to you that you would prefer either an indoor or outdoor pool, but there are other options to consider to help you decide if you’re not yet sure. For example, The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company offers a wide range of enclosures which can provide shelter for your outdoor pool if that might change your decision.

To discuss your requirements, give The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company a call today on 0208 300 4003.

Swim spas are becoming more and more popular as an increasing number of families and individuals are choosing to use them. From something that originated as a tool to facilitate training for swimmers and athletes, the swim spa has become more widely used for recreational use and exercise by a wide range of people.

Private fitness training

Above all, swim spas offer an environment that is ideal for private fitness training. There is no queue, or people sharing the space that could compromise swimming performance. This makes it the ideal location for anyone looking to boost their fitness or improve technique in their own private space. Settings can even be adjusted to provide an experience of swimming against different pressures to allow swimming at set speeds, which can help to build pace and stamina over time for those training for a competition or race.

Requires less space than a pool

There are also other practical benefits to using a swim spa instead of a pool – the most obvious being that it takes up far less space and therefore is great for installation at home either outside or even indoors. The short length and current mean that there is no need for swimmers to slow pace and interrupt their flow unlike pools which require users to turn around each time one length is completed.

Support while exercising

Swimming itself is a great way to get fit, even for family use and non-professionals. In fact, it’s a safe environment to teach children to swim as it is not as deep as a pool may be, and can be stopped at any point. Some swim spas also offer multiple jets for use by more than one person at any given time. As a whole, swimming it a great way to exercise if you suffer from pain or joint problems too, as the water provides buoyancy that offers support to your body. This can allow you to exercise more easily without strain on your body, and a swim spa gives you this luxury at home, and can be fitted to make access easier too, such as being built in at floor level, or with a step up if you would prefer.

Relaxation and rehabilitation

As well as the initial exercise and building of swimming skills, swim spas also offer benefits for rehabilitation and relaxation after exercising. The warm water is an oasis to soothe sore muscles and prevent damage and pain, and it can aid sleep and muscle healing, as well as pain relief from existing conditions. This makes it ideal for the whole family or for athletes recovering from injuries.

If you’re interesting in hearing more about our swim spas, please feel free to give The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company a call today on 0208 300 4003.

Keeping your hot tub operating at maximum efficiency is a great way to guarantee its longevity and ensure you are getting the best value possible from your hot tub. The best way to achieve this is with some basic maintenance. With our self-cleaning hot tubs, maintenance requirements are drastically reduced, but below are a few simple things you can do to further enhance your hot tub experience!

Testing methods

There are a range of different ways in which you can ensure your hot tub is running at maximum efficiency, including using various chemicals and testing strips to check the quality and acidity of the water. Our Insta Test Strips make this process extremely quick and efficient. By dipping the strip in your spa water you will see that the four pads instantly change colour. Line them up with the colour scale on the back of the pot and you will obtain an accurate reading on your waters chlorine, alkaline, pH and hardness level. Be guided by the ‘OK’ regions on the scale to know whether any of the levels need rebalancing.

Why test the pH of your water?

Unbalanced pH levels can impact the quality of the water and your hot tub experience. For this reason, having correctly balanced and neutral water in your hot tub ensures the longevity of your spa, as well as protecting your experience! It is important to know that when your pH is at 7.2, the other chemicals will be working at their optimum. The pH of our eyes is also at 7.2, so you will find that your eyes may become irritated to start to sting if the water becomes too acidic or alkaline.

No foam!

In addition to maintaining the correct chlorine//bromine and pH levels, it is also important to ensure that all spa users shower without using any products before bathing. The reason for this is simple! Our everyday shampoos and skin products can interfere with the quality of the water by making it become foamy. It is also recommended that you do not use any detergents when washing any bathing costumes. However, if you find that your spa does become foamy there is no need to worry! Using our EzBubbleBurst product your spa water will be crystal clear again in no time.

Our engineers are able to advise you about which methods are best for your hot tub or swim spa. To learn more about hot tub products, maintenance and servicing, speak to a member of our team on 0208 300 4003.

Unlike a traditional swimming pool, there are a number of things that a swim spa can offer above and beyond providing somewhere to swim and keep fit. Here are some of the superior features that swim spas have to offer:

Adjustable water circulation

Water circulation and distribution are easily adjustable within your swim spa, and offer a greater variety of settings than within a standard swimming pool. Current and flow can be adjusted, compared to a pool which will have minimal water movement through filtering only. Different currents mean that you can adjust the speeds for a more relaxing swim or make it more challenging, depending on your preferences. This provides a great way to increase your swimming ability step by step and improve your overall fitness.

Same benefits in a smaller space

In order to swim freely in a swimming pool, it will need to be long to provide enough space to swim lengths. At each end swimmers must turn and swim in the other direction, however a swim spa can provide an infinite swimming length without the need to change direction or slow pace.

This also means that it will only need to take up the fraction of the space that a swimming pool would need, since it only needs to be long enough to swim on-the-spot against a current, making it suitable for smaller inside or outside spaces, or designating one select area of your garden and making it into a great space to relax.

Personalised exercise combined with relaxation

A swimming pool and swim spa are similar in that they both provide a space to swim and keep fit. You can also get many accessories for your swim spa, such as treadmills for water running, weights and more, whilst the ability to adjust the water and currents can aid those with arthritis or other conditions that make exercise more difficult.

A unique benefit that applies only to the swim spa is that it also offers relaxation and a place to socialise easily. Temperature can be changed to suit the current use at any time, and swim spas come in different varieties with a swimming area and hot tub area to provide the best of both worlds.

Looking for a hot tub or swim spa for your home is exciting, but it can also be daunting to choose which type is the most suitable for you. There are also differences between pools and swim spas that you might not be aware of. Here are some facts to help you decide which is the best fit for you.

Get to know your options

It’s important to get to know the product you’re buying and whether it will cater to your needs and meet your expectations. Swimming pools are ideal for people looking to exercise frequently in a low-stress environment, whilst the water supports the body to aid exercise and make it less of a physical strain. Swim spas offer more than just a standard option to swim. They are available with adjustable jets which allow you to change the speed at which you swim against a current, with variable current settings. This makes swim spas more space efficient than a standard pool, since you swim in a stationary position.

Who will be using your swim spa or pool?

The swim spa that you choose can be tailored for its users. Is this going to be used as a family, as a personal tool for keeping fit, or as someone training at an athletic level? Swim spas are versatile for families as they are a safe and controlled environment to teach children to swim. They are also ideal for individual, adult use as swimming is a fantastic activity to keep fit with minimal impact on your body.

What are you planning to use it for?

Your individual requirements will affect the final choice that you make – and it’s important to choose something that will allow you to use it as desired. Swim spas are even available combined with hot tubs for a perfect complementary combination of exercise and relaxation. So you can swim to keep fit and healthy, before rewarding yourself by swapping into your hot tub, to aid muscle recovery and relaxation. If you’re looking more for a traditional pool, these can be built to specification too!

Design is also important

The design you want will depend on your outside or indoor space. How much space do you have? What shape would you like your pool to be? Do you want it to blend in with the aesthetics of its environment? Of course, aesthetics are important and so are practicalities, and you will need to think about whether you prefer tiled, stainless steel, synthetic, or whether you would like a custom solution.

Make an informed decision

There are so many swim spas and hot tubs to choose from. Whether you opt for our Hydropool Serenity or Hydropool Self Cleaning range of spas we guarantee that our products will be one of the best investments you ever make! If you have specific requirements, then we can even offer bespoke solutions – take a look at some of our recent Bespoke Swim Spa projects.

Give our expert team a call today on 0208 300 4003 to talk through our different products and find which would be the best fit for you.

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.