Category Archives: Swim Spa

Many people have realized the benefits of either purchasing a swim spa and having one installed or converting an existing pool into a swim spa. If you choose to convert a pool into a swim spa from scratch, there are some things you need to consider before heading out to the manufacturer or showroom to pick out one of the many great models that are available.

One of the main things to consider is the size and type of spa you can comfortably afford and realistically fit into the space you have available. The type of propulsion system is another factor that will need to be considered at some point before the sale as well. There are traditionally three types of propulsion systems that can be used in a swim spa. There are the jet propulsion systems, the paddlewheel system and the propeller system.

All three systems have similarities and some distinct differences, but all three do basically the same thing just in a different mechanical way. The Jet system is exactly what it sounds like – a motor propels the current through a pressure system, which can be directed into a specific current depending on the swimmers needs and desires. The paddlewheel system has a large paddle wheel that turns at various speeds to create a current that the swimmer swims or exercises against. The propeller system is very much like the paddlewheel in how it works and is similar to the jet system. The one downside to the paddlewheel system is that the paddlewheel creates a current that runs the length of the spa whereas the jet and propeller system can be directed to change the current to flow in a certain direction, which can be beneficial.

Choosing the right swim spa for you and your family is a very personal choice that depends on a lot of key choices. Propulsion systems, affordability, size and a host of other things are necessary to consider. Be sure to take your time and do some research to ensure that the answers you require are all met. Talk to your local retailer and be sure that you know everything you need to know before making your purchase.

As time goes on many more benefits of the swim spa seem to be surfacing. Swim spas are becoming well known for its ability to help to reduce general aches and pains, while offering a great form of exercise. One of the more recent discoveries is that water therapy is becoming instrumental in helping those with dementia.

Dementia is a widespread problem and the number of those suffering with it is continuing to grow. It is a debilitating illness that takes the joy out of the senior years. There are now some indications that exercise may be able to slow down the progress of Alzheimer’s, which is one of the many forms of dementia. What is even more important is that research is showing that if exercise is carried out through swimming and aerobics, it brings the greatest benefits.

There are continuous studies taking place regarding Alzheimer’s. One of the latest discoveries is that if high levels of a gene called BDNF can be found in the brain, exercise may help to slow down the progression of this disease. The outcome of some of the studies showed that participants in the study who had the highest BDNF levels were showing a 50% slower reduction of cognitive functions.

One of the factors that make this exciting news is that it comes without huge costs. All too often discoveries are made to help enhance one’s health or slow down the progression of a disease that ends up being very costly.

With exercise being a positive approach, especially in water, then the reasonable investment into a swim spa is well worth it. Another great advantage is that the swim spa doesn’t require a large amount of space for its installation. This means even those who have a small outdoor space can take advantage of it.

Perhaps, an additional benefit that hasn’t really been thought of is that using a swim spa to help those with dementia also helps to put them into a safe social setting. The swim spa is something the entire family can use, while spending some wonderful time with the senior who is struggling with this illness. It truly is a wonderful and positive approach to dealing with this ailment.

There are large amount of families who choose to install a pool in their yard or buy a house that has an existing pool. Eventually, they learn that the upkeep and maintenance costs are higher than anticipated. They may also come to the conclusion that the amount of time and effort that they have to invest is simply not worth the amount of time they get to enjoy the pool. When this occurs, what options are they left with? Should they fill in the pool or simply stop using it?

There is another option. One that will give you the great benefits that a pool offers, such as the full body workout and mental health. A swim spa is a smaller version of a pool that uses a propulsion system to create a current from one end that allows one to swim against the current just like they are swimming feely in a full size pool.

The added benefits of a swim spa is the fact that managing a swim spa is much easier and a whole lot less expensive than the upkeep on a full size pool. The fact that you have less water in a swim spa makes it much easier to keep the water at a very comfortable temperature level, which means that you will be able to use the swim spa for a much longer duration seasonally than you could with a full size pool.

The cost of switching from a full size pool to a swim spa would be recouped in just a few years by the savings on heating and maintenance. So, you get all the great benefits of swimming without the great expense and work that a full size pool requires.

When you do the math you quickly come to the conclusion that it makes a whole lot of sense to make the switch from a pool to a swim spa.

There are a wide variety of reasons why swimming is such a fantastic activity, such as the health benefits that can be realized from the amazing workout that swimming provides.

There has been much written about the benefits of teaching your kids to swim at the earliest possible age. Here are some of those benefits.

The single most important reason for teaching our children to swim at the earliest possible age is safety. In the world we live in, the simple fact is that our children are going to encounter water. Whether they are swimming in pools or natural bodies of water, they can and will be subjected to times where they are around water.

The biggest cause of accidental death among children under the ages of 5 years old is drowning. That is a staggering and sobering statistic. The absolute best way to ensure that they are safe around water is to teach them to swim.

The physical benefits mentioned above are also heightened by the mental health benefits and the confidence that learning to swim can provide to our children.

Studies have proven that the benefits of learning to swim go far beyond just the workout for the body. The cardiovascular benefits are incredible and the act of swimming enhances the use of the five senses in addition to helping build their coordination and strength.

Experts suggest that starting to teach your child to swim from birth is the best way to get them comfortable around the water, while giving them a lifelong love of swimming and all the benefits mentioned above.

By installing a swim spa, you can begin teaching the basics at the earliest possible age. The spa eliminates the need to travel and the hassle traveling can create. It also allows you to teach at your own pace.

You simply cannot put a price on the benefits that learning to swim will provide to your kids. And their love of the water will carry on for a lifetime!

When it comes to choosing your next swim spa, there are a lot of things that you want to keep in mind when making your choice. Swim Spas have a lot of benefits to them and they are something that can provide exceptional exercise, as well as relaxation and enjoyment for many years to come.

There are several manufacturers of swim spas that are available to you and one of the leading brands is Hydropool. While every manufacturer will focus on something that is unique about their brand, Hydropool has focused on developing the best swim spa on the market, while providing great value both short and long-term.

One of the areas that Hydropool really excels in is their attention to energy efficiency. They have implemented a HydroWise Thermal Shield Cover, which not only reduces the energy consumption that comes with the heating of the spa, but also helps the swim spa to retain its temperature. They have also made cleaning much easier by creating the only self cleaning spa in the world.

This manufacturer has really stepped up by offering several different swim spa models. In total, it has 12 in their lineup, which is comprised of three key types, including the Aqua Play, Aqua Sport and Aqua Trainer.

When choosing the swim spa that is going to best suit your family, there are a few things that you want to consider when making your choice among these selections. One of the greatest advantages that a swim spa offers is the ability to do various types of exercises. If you are taking a look at the Aqua Play, you are going to see that it has been well designed for cross training. It is compact and easily fits in to most areas as do the other models of swim spas. The spa comes with the standard safety steps, but you have the ability to upgrade these if you wish. Another great feature of the Aqua Play is that it is compatible with the different types of equipment that would be beneficial in cross training.

The Aqua Sport comes with seven different choices and is an ideal family orientated swim spa that allows for various forms of exercise, as well as swimming of course.

The Aqua Trainer comes with six different choices and is geared towards swimming up to advanced levels. No matter which of the Hydropool spas you decide on, you are going to find that it is going to meet all of your needs and expectations.

With the coming winter just around the corner, getting ready for the winter months by readying your swim spa properly is vital. There are different things you need to do to prepare your swim spa, hot tub or pool for the coming winter months regardless of whether you live in an area that gets snow or not.

The first step is to get all of the proper supplies you will need to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible. This will include all the relevant chemicals and any other items you may require. Next, add your chemicals to your spa water one at a time to balance the PH and alkalinity properly. Then, add your algaecide and then a chlorine free shock. It is recommended to add each chemical separately and let the filter run for about an hour before adding the next one. Next, thoroughly vacuum your pool and brush all the walls and the floor as best you can to make sure that the pool is as clean as it can be for closing.

The next step is to lower the water to about three inches below the skimmer. You can use a cover pump to get the level down or whatever method you prefer. Next, close up your skimmer properly and remove all your hoses and properly store them.

You will also want to “winterize” all of your equipment, including your pump and heater, especially if you experience temperatures that dip below freezing. Simply clean and thoroughly dry all your cleaning equipment, then store them indoors. It only takes a small amount of water left in your spa to freeze and cause great damage, so ensure it is properly emptied if you are not using it.

Next, cover your spa properly. Be sure to follow all of the manufactures recommendations in order to be sure that you spa is properly protected for the winter months.

Stains can form when your swim spa is not in use, which can make your spa lose its luster to a certain degree. There are ways to combat this, however, and keep your swim spa looking as good as the day it was purchased and installed. According to the experts, the absolute best way to keep stains or any other degradation from happening is to invest in a really good cover for your spa for those dormant or winter months. There are different types of covers to consider. The mesh safety covers or solid safety covers with drain panels serve a certain purpose, yet they still allow a certain amount of contaminants, such as oils and dirt to accumulate in the spa all winter long. A solid safety cover is considered the absolute best way to prevent those contaminants from entering the spa and causing the stains that can form when they are allowed to enter.

Another very important factor to consider and action to perform is to fully ensure that the water remaining in the spa is properly balanced. As the colder weather comes, the water will change and it can have a very negative impact on your spa. The colder water will allow the formation of crystals from the salt if the ph, alkalinity and calcium are not properly adjusted to counteract this simple chemistry reaction.

The third thing to consider is the final cleaning of the spa for the winter close up. Be sure to take the time to thoroughly clean the spa, so that it is virtually spotless. By doing this, you will be sure that there is nothing that can give rise to the problems outlined above.

The maintenance does not end there either. Be sure to keep the cover free of any debris that may blow in over the course of the fall and winter months. Always keep the water level below the rim of the cover as well to prevent the water from touching the cover as it can trap debris like leaves. Also, be sure to clean any snow off the top and use a leaf catcher to reduce the amount of leaves and debris from sitting on the top.

These are just a few of the tips needed to maintain your spa during winter. You will also need to consider using scale inhibitors, stain inhibitors and possibly enzymes as well, depending on your particular climate and type of filtering system. Be sure to do your homework and follow the advice of your manufacturer to ensure that your spa looks great for years to come.

Having a swim spa installed at your home is a great addition. It is something that is going to bring many hours of entertainment, as well as fun and relaxation to the entire family. Once you have your swim spa installed, you may want to go a step further and think about one of the many enclosures that can make this space even more valuable.

Your enclosure can be based around pools or swim spas. When making the decision for your enclosure, you may want to get one that is electronically controlled. These are super easy to use and usually all they take is a touch of a button on a handheld remote to open and close the enclosure. This gives you the best of both worlds. When it’s a bright and sunny day, you can open the enclosure, so you can enjoy the warmth of the sun. When the weather is not cooperating, it doesn’t mean that you can’t take advantage of your swim spa, as you can easily close your enclosure to provide you with the extra protection that you will want.

When choosing your enclosure, you’re going to want to think of some of the variations in colours, as well as shapes and designs. You also want to look for an enclosure that is going to fit in with the aesthetics of the area where your swim spa is located.

If you want to go even more elaborate, you can look at the fully retractable pool enclosures. Again, you have the option of having it open or closed which really makes the use of the swim spa versatile. Before making your decision, you really want to look at what is available to you, as a well as your budget.

It is not unusual for many people, when first starting out with a swim spa, to not consider adding an enclosure. However, after they have enjoyed the fun and all the other benefits that the swim spa has to offer, they don’t want to lose any time throughout the year of not being able to use it. Making the extra investment for an enclosure is a good one because it allows you to use your spa all year round.

There is a lot fun to be had with a swim spa and included in this is making use of it as a swimming treadmill. If you have ever used a traditional treadmill, you know the type of workout it can give you. Now, when you combine that with water resistance, you will get an impressive workout that’s also easy on your joints.

Traditional Treadmill Warm Ups

As with any type of exercise, a warm up is always required. Normally, for the warm up, it would consist of a three to five minute walk at an easy pace, which is then increased gradually. This helps to loosen up the muscles that are going to be used in the extensive treadmill workout.

Water Treadmill Warm Up

The warm up actually begins when most people enter the water. This is when they are going through the process of getting used to the water with its feel and temperature. It is common for people to automatically start moving their arms and legs once in the water.

Confidence

When on a treadmill, it is normal for most to use the cross bar of the treadmill to hang on to help them keep their balance and remain on the treadmill. This is not something that has to be done in a swim spa because the water provides the buoyancy that is needed to keep you stabilized.

Reduction In Soreness

It is not uncommon when using a treadmill, especially when first getting used to it, that one experiences different degrees of soreness. The feet can become sore as well as leg muscles. With the treadmill actions being carried out in the water, this is really reduced, especially when it comes to the feet.

Using the swim spa to carry out treadmill exercises often makes this type of exercise more enjoyable. You may feel far more refreshed as opposed to feeling sweaty and tired when using the traditional treadmills. This is just one of the many forms of exercise that can be carried out in the swim spa. When you combine these benefits as well as the fun and relaxation that a swim spa offers, it is well worth the investment.