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Physical And Psychological Benefits Of A Swim Spa

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The benefits of a swim spa or swimming pool are so vast that swimming laps is merely one of the ways to realize the benefits of water as an exercise tool. The buoyancy offered by water allows people of all shapes and sizes, including those who have physical disabilities, to perform exercises that they would be unable to perform without water. This buoyancy coupled with the resistance that the water offers is considered one of the absolute best ways for seniors and the disabled to exercise.

The continual resistance offered by the water is approximately 12-14%, so when you perform aerobic exercises when submerged in the water it is similar to lifting a small amount of weight, while you perform those aerobic movements. The added bonus of the cooling effect of the water allows one to exercise longer and with more vigor than you would be able to on land under the same conditions.

The fact that many physical therapists choose to bring their clients into the water is great evidence that the benefits offered are universally accepted and that the benefits realized are evidence based. The added benefits are the social component that is realized by the ability of the exerciser to talk to the other swimmers while they work out. The release of stress that is found by the water workout is another great benefit of using a swimming pool or swim spa to get fit.

The vast majority of people who do not use a pool to get a work out typically cite the main reasons as proximity to a good public pool or the cost of putting a pool into the backyard. This can be effectively reduced by installing a swim spa. A swim spa is a pool that relies on a propulsion system to create a current that the swimmer then swims against in order to get the laps in rather than having to swim the full length of a spool.

The smaller size of the swim spa makes it much less dependent on a large yard and is much more cost effective when compared to a full sized pool to both have constructed and for maintaining. Do your homework and get the information you need to make a decision and you will see the benefits of owning a swim spa of your own.

The Health Benefits of A Swim Spa

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For many years experts have been extolling the virtues of swimming as a fantastic way of both getting and staying in shape. The resistance that the water offers the body is a great and exceptionally low impact way of toning the bodies muscles when performing aerobics or exercises in the water.

Swimming laps is generally considered one of the best exercises that can be performed. It works on the cardio-vascular system as well as the musculature structure equally as well. For many, the ability to get the workout benefits of swimming is limited only by the proximity to a public pool or the expense of having a pool installed in their own backyard. There is an option that is taking the swimming world by storm and that is the swim spa.

The swim spa is commonly known as a lap pool and the image conjured up is usually one of a very rich house with a lap pool in the basement or backyard. Nothing could be further from the truth. Modern day swim spas are very much like miniaturized swimming pools and are enjoyed by people of all walks of life and income levels.

The propulsion system allows the user to swim against the current that is created letting swim laps without the need for a full size pool. The cost of a swim spa is a mere fraction of the cost of a full sized in ground pool and because the size is actually much more effective in maintaining heat, it’s also easier and cheaper to heat.

The ability to get a quality workout for people of all ages is realized by the depth of the swim spa. The shallower water allows even the elderly to perform aerobics or water exercises comfortably and risk free. The serious, hardcore exerciser benefits from the ability to swim freely without having to constantly turn and swim in another direction.

Swim spas are simple to construct in either a basement or a backyard and offer all the benefits of a swimming pool without the huge costs typically associated with one. Do your homework and find out which type of propulsion system is the best for what you want to accomplish and what will work best for your budget.

Compare the differences and benefits between a regular pool and a swim spa and you will come to the upside of swim spas.

Keeping The Kids Busy Using a Swim Spa

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With the heat of summer, the time has come for many to decide whether or not to invest in a swimming pool or swim spa for the backyard. A swim spa is a smaller version of an in-ground pool that uses a propulsion system to create a current that you then swim against. These are commonly known as lap pools. The ability to turn off the propulsion system and use the pool as a regular lounging pool is what sets these apart.

For the smaller children, the swim spa becomes a great place to learn to swim with Mom and Dad and to have an incredible amount of fun performing pool games and activities. You can do pretty much everything in a swim spa that you would in a regular pool with a reduced installation cost and substantially lower maintenance costs.

As the children age and want to use the pool as a place to get exercise, the ability to turn on the propulsion system and then swim against it becomes and absolutely great way to get fit and stay there. There are virtually no games or activities that can be played or performed in a regular pool that cannot also be performed in a swim spa. However, the limits that most above ground pool have for swimming laps is quite obvious.

The amount of space required to swim is very limited in an above ground pool. They are usually round which makes swimming laps difficult at best and the square or rectangular ones are still very limited in space.

Kids will have an absolute blast frolicking in your swim spa and will benefit from the ability to cool down in the hot summer months and even during the cooler months as they are very simple and much cheaper than a full size pool to heat, which can dramatically lengthen the pool using season. This factor alone makes the decision to invest in swim spa a much simpler one than choosing a full size pool for use by the children.

How a Swim Spa Can Increase Your Outdoor Space

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For many, the idea of putting in a pool for the health as well as social benefits is a dream that can’t always be realized. For some, this possibility is not possible due to the limited amount of space that they have in their yards. For others it is more a question of economics rather than space. For both of these groups of people there is an option that can alleviate both the economic concerns and the space issue as well.

The solution is to install a swim spa, which is essentially a smaller version of a pool that utilizes a propulsion system to generate a current that the user then swims against, which perfectly simulates swimming without even having to turn and do laps. Most swim spas are also equipped with therapeutic jets that you typically find in a hot tub, further enhancing the experience.

For those who have a smaller yard and would like the benefits of a pool, a swim spa can be the difference between having that option or not. By installing a swim spa in your smaller yard, you are able to make the most of your smaller space by having the exact same benefits of a full size pool in a smaller package.

The ability to entertain friends and family is not impeded due to space limitations and the fun and health benefits realized are found in a much more cost effective way than a full size pool. Because the swim spas are typically much smaller than a full size pool, you still may have the ability to build an incredible outdoor area to entertain in, including a barbeque or outdoor kitchen.

The health benefits associated with swimming are widely known and accepted. There is nothing that mimics swimming in obtaining a full body workout without the high impacts associated with alternative forms of exercise, such as running.

A swim spa is a fantastic alternative for those with limited space or the desire for the full benefits in a smaller package.

How a Swim Spa Can Help The Disabled

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Most people are of the great benefits that can be realized from swimming on a regular basis as part of their exercise regimen. Swimming is considered to be one of the top five physical fitness activities in and is universally recognized as an excellent way to get a fantastic aerobic workout.

Swim spas are a great way to get a full swim workout in a smaller package. Swim spas use a propulsion system to create current that the individual swims against rather than swimming lengths of a pool. This allows one to get the same exercise and health benefits from a swim spa that you would get in a full size pool with a substantially reduced cost and a much smaller footprint.

The benefits that swimming offers people with disabilities are widely known and disseminated. Due to the physical limitations that are imposed on people with disabilities, they are unable in most circumstances to participate in physical fitness activities to a great degree and are excluded from most sports.

Fortunately, there are a variety of para-sports that many can and do take advantage of. But, even these offer a limited range of benefits other than the particular skills that are utilized when performing that particular sport. Sledge hockey is a fantastic example of a great upper body workout for a disabled person combined with a fun sport. While these sports are amazing, they are not always available activities on a daily basis for disabled person to stay active.

The importance of physical activity for all persons, including the disabled, cannot be overstated. A swim spa offers the disabled person the opportunity to stay as active as able bodied persons by breaking down the barriers to physical fitness. By using the swim spa to facilitate physical fitness, you help to eliminate many secondary illnesses associated with a sedentary lifestyle imposed by a physical limitation. Studies have shown that swimmers who have limited mobility have the opportunity to exercise longer without putting additional strain on joints and muscles. This results in getting a better workout without causing further harm and dramatically improving physical health outcomes.

The positive aspects from a mental health standpoint cannot be overstated. The ability of the disabled to move more feely while in the pool or swim spa can be a liberating and freeing feeling that can have incredible effects on the mindset of both the able bodied person, as well as the physically limited individual. A swim spa is a great way of feeling good in mind, body and spirit.

Swim Spa Safety Tips

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Having a swim spa for you and your family to take advantage of is a great addition to your home and one that will bring many hours of enjoyment. There are a few extra steps that you can take to enhance the safety of your home swim spa activities.

One of the easiest and most effective ways of reducing unwanted exposure to your swim spa is to have a fence installed that will keep any unwanted or unsupervised visitors from entering without prior approval. Coupled with this is self-latching gates that automatically close and latch when released. Both of these are considered fundamentals of pool/swim spas ownership especially if you live in a subdivision or area with large populations nearby. Even if you live in an isolated area, having a fence around the actual swim spa or pool can never be considered a bad option.

You can further increase the safety of the swim spa by utilizing options, such as a pool cover or an alarm system. A pool cover is another great way of enhancing the swim spa safety.

You can also avoid mishaps by having a motion alarm installed that covers the perimeter of the swim spa. This alarm will be triggered if there is any movement detected in the swim spa’s general area, alerting you to the possibility of an impending event. Another option is to install an alert that sounds if the water level is in any way dispersed by a wayward child or animal.

Signs are another great way to alleviate potential issues. No running and No diving signs while seeming simple can reduce risk and also reduce any liability to the swim spa owner should an occurrence take place.

Keeping the area around the swim spa free from clutter will help to avoid slips and falls. Also, making it a rule that no food or drink should be near this area is important. Glassware can be broken or debris can end up in the swim spa, which will affect the water and your safety.

Making sure that there is supervision present at all times when young ones are using the swim spa is important.

These are just a few simple but important steps to keep your swim spa safe.

Keeping Fit With Your Swim Spa

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In today’s fast paced world of business meetings and getting the kids to and from their after school activities, trying to make time for you can seem like an impossibility. Trying to fit in some exercise can be even more daunting. With your very own swim spa, these issues are quickly rectified.

Any type of exercise is good for you, but when you can participate in this type of activity at your convenience and with many different types of workout options, it is far more advantageous.

As many people are aware, there is one exercise that is universally accepted as one of the absolute best full body and cardiovascular workouts, which is swimming. Swimming offers many of the same benefits as strength training, while hitting multiple muscle groups at the same time. Swimming also offers a cardio workout that rivals many others in the category in intensity and is extremely easy on the body compared to jogging or other cardio workouts that can have a very detrimental effect on the body due to the high impact nature of the exercise.

The down side is that few people really have the time to head to the local pool to do laps and when they do have the time, they have to contend with public swimming or lesson times interfering with the plan. A very simple solution is to put in your own swimming pool. However, there is the substantial expense that can come with this as well as finding enough outdoor space to accommodate it. A great alternative is the swim spa.

Swim Spas or Endless pools are small, space efficient pools designed to take up a small footprint and offer you the same great health benefits as a full size and much more expensive regular pool. A swim spa generates a current through a propulsion system that enables the swimmer to swim against the current, while offering the most amazing full body, low impact workout imaginable. You can decide on a an outdoor swim spa with all the trimmings of a regular pool or simply decide to have one installed in doors in place of a home gym. Either way, you get the incredible health benefits without the massive price tag of a full size pool. Keeping fit has never been so easy.

Easy Swim Spa Exercises for the Beginner

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Your swim spa is going to bring you many benefits and a great deal of entertainment. Most likely you have already experienced much of this if your swim spa is up and running. One of the main purposes that many people purchase a swim spa for is for exercise.

If you are an athlete or are into fitness, you will have no problems designing a swim spa exercise program. If you are not a person that has been involved in fitness through exercise, these few starter exercises will get you going.

You are probably really full of enthusiasm to start exercising, but the first thing you want to do is allow your body to adjust to the water. Once you have entered the swim spa, just sit and relax for a few moments, so your muscles and joints can adapt to the soothing warmth and circulation of the water.

Since this may be your first real introduction to water exercise, you are going to be putting your body through motions that it may not be used to. The jets and currents are going to give you some real support. Depending on the make and model of your swim spa, you can adjust the speed and direction of the jets, which control the water currents. You want to start off slow. You can do this with some free hand swimming. This gets your muscles working throughout your entire body.

To really get you into the groove of water exercising, start with some walking and running exercises. Doing these against the current of the water will really start to get your blood circulating. You can also use buoyancy belts to enhance this part of your exercise regime.

You can then move onto stretching exercises. This is not much different to the stretching that you do when you first get out of bed in the morning, except you are now doing it in water, which allows you to extend yourself more comfortably.

Once your muscles are limber, you may want to focus on some strength exercises. To really help with this, you may want to utilize some of the swim spa accessories that are made for this purpose. These are rowing oars and resistance bands. You should be able to purchase these from your spa retailer. You simply attach the resistance bands to the swim spa and you are ready to go, which will strengthen your arms and legs.

To focus on specific areas of your legs, such as your thighs and calves, you can add weights to the resistance bands which will make you work a little harder.

These are just a few starter tips to get you going in your swim spa. As you become used to these, you can add more difficult exercises to your regime and extend the length of time you are performing them.

Choosing the Best Furniture to Enhance Your Swim Spa Area

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You have definitely made a great choice in deciding to have a swim spa installed. You are about to enjoy many years of the benefits it can bring you. It may also increase the value of your home and if you decide to sell at some point, it will make an excellent impression on buyers.

You may want to do some landscaping around the swim spa area, which can make a huge difference to the outdoor setting. You may decide that you are going to build a deck surrounding the swim spa area and having the right outdoor furniture accessories to enhance this will be important.

You want to make sure whatever you buy is going to be extremely comfortable, functional, as well as durable. You want to use bright and vibrant colors for your cushions and pillows as they will seem more welcoming and inviting. Large oversized chairs with big comfortable cushions made of a fabric that won’t hold the heat and burn some of the more sensitive areas are a must for any pool and hot tub setting. A daybed or lounge is also an essential piece of furniture as most likely someone will want to work on their tan from time to time. Make sure you have enough small tables tastefully situated around the area. Generally, you should have at least one within reach of any chair or lounge to ensure there is a spot for refreshments, etc.

It is very important that you create the image of balance and you definitely do not want to overdo the amount of furniture you use. Instead, you want to make sure you have adequate seating for the normal amount of people that will be using the swim spa area on a regular basis. Having extra chairs is a good idea if you plan on entertaining from time to time and need extra seating. Also, make sure there is adequate shade for people, especially if you live in a climate that gets very hot. Having furniture with canopies makes good sense and a patio table with a retractable umbrella is always a good addition to any swim spa area.

When you are done with all the exciting work of creating the perfect setting, you will find you will enjoy your swim spa area even more for many years to come.