Category Archives: Swim Spa

Fitness is essential for overall health and wellbeing. However, a repetitive round of running or going to the gym can get boring. Swimming is a fantastic way to break this up and to get a full body workout in a more physically supportive environment. And if you need a break from swimming then there are lots of exercises that you can do in the water that can help to improve your fitness. Not only that but you’ll get the benefits of being immersed in water, from the additional resistance that this brings to any exercise, to the buoyancy of the water, which can take the pressure off muscles and joints. If you want to try some new pool exercises for the new year then these are some of our favourites.

1. Simple walking. This is a great way to get used to exercising in water and to improve fitness at the same time. In waist height water, start carefully putting one foot in front of the other, heel first and then toes with your arms at your side. Add in ankle or wrist weights to increase the challenge.
2. Jumping jacks. These are simple star jumps with the water at chest level. As you jump your feet out raise your arms over your head and then lower as you bring your feet back together. Repeat and add arm weights for more resistance.
3. Arm lifts. If you’re looking for an arm workout then stand in water that covers your shoulders, a water dumbbell in each hand with the palms facing up. Bring your elbows in close to your body as you raise your arms to water height. Rotate the dumbbells so your palms are facing down and lower. Repeat.
4. Core activators. Start holding on to the pool wall with your feet on the wall and then push off on your back. Pull your knees into your chest then lower them to the floor and run back to the side to start again.
5. Kicks. Hold on to the edge of the pool and cycle through repetitions of key swimming leg kicks – flutter kicks, scissor kicks, breaststroke kicks and dolphin kicks. Do each set of kicks for up to three minutes.
6. Lateral arm lifts. If you’re looking to build upper body strength this is a great option. Start standing in water up to your shoulders with your dumbbells at your side. Raise to the height of the water so they are level with your shoulders and then lower.
7. Leg shoots. Curl into a ball upright in the water, knees tucked in. Then shoot your legs out explosively so that you end up on your back. Curl your knees in and then do the same with your legs but this time finish on your stomach.
8. Ballet lifts. In waist height water stand on one leg and raise it with the knee bent until it’s parallel to the water. Extend the leg fully, hold and then lower with the leg straight. Repeat and then do the other side. Add ankle weights to make it harder.

These pool exercises will not only help to keep you fit in 2021 but bring an element of fun and variety to your workout too.

Swimming in the winter might seem like madness but there are some great benefits to doing this. Not only does it make you feel amazing but everything, from skin to heart health can be improved too. If you’re going to try winter swimming this year then these are our top tips.

• Start now. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or until you have all the right kit. If you’re feeling the desire to get in the water then go with the momentum and start today.
• Decide when you’re going to swim. Give yourself a regular swimming schedule and you’ll find it much easier to stick to regular dips. Choose one or two days a week that work for you and make sure you keep to them.
• Stay warm before you swim. If you’re already cold then you might find it harder to motivate yourself to get in the water – and to warm up afterwards. So, make sure that you stay toasty right up until the moment you’re ready for a dip.
• Swim at a time that works for you. For most people this is going to be the morning or during the day – in the evening it will get colder as the light fades and you might find it harder to motivate yourself to go.
• Choose social accountability to help you commit. Swimming with a friend is a great idea, not just from a safety perspective but also to make sure you actually go. If it’s just you then you won’t feel the same social accountability as if you have someone else who is expecting you to show up.
• Don’t hang around. Whether you’re swimming in a river, the sea or an outdoor pool make sure that you get in quickly. The initial flash of cold is the hardest so you need to get through it quickly to avoid backing out.
• Go for it as soon as you get in. The quickest way to feel warmer is to start swimming energetically as soon as you’re in the water. Warm up with a little freestyle and then start actively going for your lengths.
• Set some goals. Perhaps you want to swim further this winter or improve the quality of your stroke. Now is the ideal time for setting objectives and creating a training schedule or goals to make them happen.
• Think about the summer. Remember the start of the summer last year when you wished you’d done more swimming through autumn and winter to stay fit? Think about that as you’re getting in the water and how much better you’re going to feel when summer 2021 rolls around.
• Get warm as soon as you get out. Make sure that you take off wet swimwear straight away and get into warm clothes and a hat and cosy footwear. A hot drink is essential to help you warm up (avoid a hot shower as this can be too much for the body after a cold swim).

Winter swimming is a wonderful experience and can get you set up for more enjoyable summer swimming next year too.

Whether you’re swimming in a pool, lake or the sea there are many benefits to continuing to swim outside during the winter months. Fitness, resilience and the wellbeing and mood boosting impact of winter swimming are just a few of the advantages of getting into the water at this time of year. However, if you want to ensure that you get the most from swimming in the winter then it’s important to make sure you do it safely. These are our top tips for swimming throughout the winter this year.

• Get the kit that works for you. Some people choose to swim in swimwear all year round others opt for a wetsuit when the temperature starts to drop. Work out where your body most feels the cold and consider some extra protection there – that could be wetsuit boots for your feet, a hat or neoprene gloves, all of which can help you to retain body heat.
• Give yourself time to get used to it. Cold water swimming is a shock the first time but the secret is simply to carry on. Start with just a short period of time in the water and then build up from there as your body and mind begin to get more used to the experience.
• Don’t jump in. The shock of cold water can be dangerous if you just hurl yourself in. Instead of doing this and ending up gasping or choking just get into the water gradually instead.
• Choose your location carefully. If you’re planning to swim in open water then make sure you’re well aware of all the risks involved, including shipping traffic and rip tides. Don’t swim on your own and consider taking a tow float and wearing a bright hat so that you can always be seen in the water.
• Don’t force yourself to stay in for too long. In the summer we can stay in the water for a long time but that’s not the case in winter. In fact, many winter swimmers only dip into the water for a couple of minutes. You can still get the benefits of the cold water from this kind of short experience. Make sure you don’t push your body too far where the cold is concerned.
• Don’t have a hot shower. Hot water on a cold body can be dangerous so avoid a hot shower and let yourself warm up gradually instead. This means plenty of hot drinks and warm clothes. Many people invest in a changing robe for winter swimming – these have weather protection on the outside and are warm towelling on the inside. They can make getting warm and cosy again after your swim much easier to do.

Winter swimming has a lot of positive health benefits and can make you feel fantastic. It’s important to make sure that you choose where to swim wisely and that you’re prepared for the impact of the cold if you want to get the most from the experience.

If there is one time of year that can be particularly hard on the body it’s winter. Not only are we inside a lot more but we tend to indulge frequently and the weather can make it especially tough to get out and get some exercise. This time of year can be challenging but it also represents a great opportunity to do things differently. Swimming is the ideal form of exercise to take up in winter – it’s supported but strong, will help to keep you healthy and upbeat even on the darkest days and could enable you to meet new training goals too. These are just some of the reasons to start swimming during the winter this year.

• The calorie burn. Although exercise is always more fun if you’re not counting the impact on calories there is no escaping the fact that swimming really does a great job when it comes to helping you to burn off the effect of winter puddings or Sunday roasts. Depending on your weight, an hour of moderate swimming can burn up to 600 calories. The best way to take advantage of this (and to enjoy the process) is to start with shorter, regular swimming sessions several times a week and build up from there.
• Strengthen your core and abs. Swimming is full body exercise but does have particular benefits if you’re looking to sculpt those abs. Breast stroke is especially good for waistline definition while front and back crawl will work your obliques and so could help to get rid of annoying muffin tops. Focus on contracting your abs while you’re swimming and you’ll not only go faster and get a better workout but you’ll strengthen your core and get that ab definition too.
• Wellbeing and mental health. There are so many positive benefits to swimming when it comes to mental health, from the healthy fatigue and sense of achievement you’ll get afterwards to the fact that being immersed in water triggers an endorphin release in the body. Over time you’ll start to feel yourself getting stronger and swimming can also be a great social sport if you do it with someone else.
• Building muscle and strength. Swimming works almost every muscle group and does so in a very balanced way. Unlike some other sports where you will end up with very defined legs or arms swimming ensures that this strength is built right across the body. Make sure you vary your strokes and sessions to get the full benefit.
• Improving skin quality. The impact of water passing over the body while you’re swimming can be like a massage and help to firm and improve skin tone. Cellulite is very normal – everyone has it – but you could find that regular swimming helps to smooth out cellulite. The strength and muscle tone that you develop as a result of swimming could give you the confidence boost you need to be proud of your body as it is.

If you’re looking for a new activity this winter swimming has a lot of benefits. Speak to our team today to find out about our swim spas…

The seasons are changing – as the leaves change colour and the temperature drops it’s a clear sign that autumn is here. That means that you need to look after your pool differently. You might not be using it as much as during the hottest part of the year but that doesn’t mean that some maintenance isn’t still required. These are our top tips for pool maintenance this autumn.

Keep up with the cleaning

It can be tempting at this time of year to just put the cover on your pool and hope for the best until next spring. Not only will this make it difficult if you want to use the pool at all during the winter months but you may also find that it’s in a bit of a state next year. Regular cleaning in autumn is particularly important if you want to ensure that your pool remains in good shape through to next year.

• Do a full pool clean. If you want to avoid algae and other similar issues when the spring arrives then a full pool clean is essential. This means removing dead leaves and debris and then emptying the pool and giving the entire thing a good scrub. Brush the floor and walls, vacuum and make sure you clean the lint and skimmer baskets too.
• Focus on the filter. The filter is a tiny, but essential, part of your pool as it keeps it clean. So, take this opportunity to give the filter some attention. Give the filter a thorough clean and make sure you clean off any grease or oil that could harden and become tough to remove over the winter. You may also want to run the pool filter, both to check that it’s working and to help distribute any chemicals you’ve just added to the water.

Monitor the chemical levels of the pool

The pH level in your pool is an essential metric to keep an eye on. It should sit somewhere between 7.2 and 7.6 but you may find that this has changed as the pool has been in frequent use during the summer months. Make sure that you take steps to correct this if it’s not within range. Another essential chemical to check is the chlorine. Depending on the type of chlorinator you’re using this should be around 2-3 PPM (parts per million). Once you’ve finished checking the chemical levels you might want to add some algaecide to help ensure your pool stays algae free over the winter.

Cover the Pool

When you’ve finished the pool maintenance make sure you cover it once again to help avoid filter-clogging debris falling in. A good cover should keep material out and also help you to retain water.

It’s a good idea to carry out regular maintenance on your pool throughout the winter, from removing debris to checking the filter and administering a shock treatment to keep the water clean. That way, when the weather warms up again, the pool will be clean and ready for use.

Swimming is a great way to exercise, tone, build muscle and also has some fantastic wellbeing benefits too. If you’re keen to try something new this autumn – or find a more effective way to exercise – it could be the activity that you need. These are just some of the health benefits to regular swimming.

1. Minimising physical wear and tear. Swimming is one of the few activities that allows you to do an intense workout that is low impact and so minimises the impact on joints.
2. All muscle groups get worked. Exercise can often target specific muscle groups but leave out others. This isn’t the case when you’re swimming as all of them are activated, even the often-ignored lats, deltoids, and traps.
3. Swimming is open to everyone. From people who are injured to top-level athletes, pregnant women or children, everyone can get in the water and swim.
4. Combining cardio and strength. When you’re swimming it’s not an ‘either or’ situation where cardio and strength are concerned as you’ll get a workout with both. Not only are you swimming against the resistance of the water and increasing the impact of the workout as a result but you have to be in constant motion or you’ll sink so the intensity level is high.
5. Improving lung capacity and function. Studies have found that swimmers have greater tidal volume (the amount of air moving in and out of the lungs during normal breathing) due to the way that the body learns to use oxygen more efficiently and expel more carbon dioxide with every breath.
6. Boosting your capacity in other sports. Breathing techniques learned in the pool can be applied to other sports, such as long distance running. Plus you’ll benefit from the positive impact of swimming on hamstring, glutes and core.
7. Swimming is a stress buster. When you’re in the water you’re isolated from the usual bombardment of sensory information and this can make you feel calm and relaxed.
8. It’s also anti aging. One study found that regular swimmers are 20 years younger than their real age, biologically speaking. Everything, from blood pressure to cardiovascular performance and cholesterol, is at a level you’d expect from a younger person if you swim regularly, even when you’re in your 70s.
9. Brain benefits. When you’re swimming blood flow to the brain is increased by 14%. This can have a lot of benefits, so much so that there is now a considerable body of research investigating whether water based workouts are better for the brain than those we do on land.
10. Getting outside your comfort zone. It can be challenging to get into the pool for the first time, to start setting yourself fitness goals and working up to them. But the more you venture outside your comfort zone in this way the more open you’ll be to new experiences – maybe swimming the English Channel is next.

Swimming is a very accessible form of exercise that has some fantastic health and wellbeing benefits that anyone can enjoy.

There are many good reasons to consider a swim spa, whether that’s for therapeutic purposes, health and fitness or relaxation and wellness. These cleverly designed mini pools provide a range of opportunities to enhance your current lifestyle from the comfort of your own home. You don’t need to have any particular expertise – or a specific level of fitness – to use one and you can start to enjoy the benefits straight away.

How does a swim spa work?

Swim spas are designed with powerful jets inbuilt that provide a current for you to swim against. So, you don’t actually move within the swim spa itself but the resistance provided by the jets means that you can swim as far as you want. You can also set the strength of the resistance to suit your physical needs, enjoying an intense workout or a gentle swim that offers effective therapy.

Why should you consider a swim spa?

• You can swim at home. For most people the idea of having a full sized pool at home simply isn’t feasible. The costs of installation and maintenance can be high and most gardens just won’t accommodate one with any room to spare. A swim spa is much easier to find a space for, simpler to maintain and provides you with the opportunity to swim on a daily basis.
• Swimming is full body exercise. Swimming for just 30 minutes a week can provide a boost to your body in terms of both cardiovascular exercise and muscle toning. Swimming uses almost every muscle in the body and is a great way to burn calories. It’s also low impact, which means it’s much gentler on your joints than running or using the gym.
• A simple stress reliever. Exercise is a great way to help relieve stress but exercise in water is even more effective. Research has found that swimming for just 20 minutes a couple of times a week can help to significantly reduce stress levels, bring blood pressure down and release feel good hormones into your system.
• The benefits of hydrotherapy. Human beings have been using hydrotherapy for centuries to help improve wellness and aid recovery. A swim spa is a very easy way to access this, whether you’re looking to ease tired muscles or recover from an injury. Warm water helps to boost circulation and increased blood flow around the body has all kinds of benefits, from minimising the pain from chronic conditions to rehabilitation. If you’re in water that is warmer than 28 degrees then you’ll also enjoy a detoxification effect and this can help to make the immune system more effective at collecting and removing toxins from the body. Spending time in a swim spa can also be ideal if you’re embarking on a new exercise regime, helping to ease soreness and provide an opportunity to keep moving on slower days.

These are just some of the reasons why now is the ideal time to consider a swim spa for your home.

The short answer to this question is a resounding yes! It’s totally possible to swim in a swim spa – in fact, this is one of the reasons why the swim spa was developed. Being able to swim at home used to require the luxury of a large pool, which could be expensive to install and maintain and which most people simply don’t have the space for. A swim spa is much smaller but still provides options for swimming as far, and as fast, as you want.

How does a swim spa work?

It’s the watery equivalent of a treadmill. Most of us have either used or seen a treadmill, whether at home or in the gym. On a treadmill you can run for miles without ever moving from a single spot and a swim spa is the same concept. A swim spa comes with a unit built in that pushes a consistent current towards you when you’re swimming, allowing you to essentially swim on the spot. You can set the resistance of the swim spa so that you’re moving at the pace that works best for you.

What’s the swimming experience like?

Most people who use a swim spa describe it as similar to open water swimming, not just because you can be out in the open air when you do it but also because the water can present a good level of challenge. Like a treadmill it can take a little getting used to but offers a great opportunity for daily exercise at home once you’re comfortable with the feeling and how you want to swim in it.

Is a swim spa like a hot tub?

The main difference is that the hot tub is designed to be enjoyed without moving. You’ll still get many of the hydrotherapy benefits of the hot tub experience in a swim spa but with the added advantage of being able to exercise too. Also, the flow rate in a swim spa tends to be higher because of the design and the technology required for the swim jets tends to be more advanced. If you’re looking for a way to exercise in water then the swim spa is the obvious choice.

What are the benefits of the swim spa?

Having a swim spa at home means that you’re able to exercise to your own schedule and as often as you want to. No expensive gym fees to pay and no need to share the water with strangers. Particularly in the light of COVID-19 it’s not just more convenient to have a swim spa at home but could be safer too. Swimming is a full body exercise that uses most major muscle groups but is supported and easy on joints and muscles. It’s a great way to exercise without risking the injuries that come from some higher impact sports, such as running.

It’s definitely possible to swim in a swim spa and the experience could change your life.

Hydropool Inc have announced a collaboration to allow our GB Olympic Swimmers to continue to train at home for Tokyo 2021 during the current UK lock down. 

The exciting new partnerships sees that GB Swimmers James Guy, Ben Proud, Anna Hopkins, Luke Greenbank, Tom Dean, Adam Peaty MBE, Sarah Vasey and Jack Burnell have been provided with our popular Reverse Current Swimming Pools, also known as Swim Spa units for their home gardens. 

Fans will have already noticed GB swimmers posting videos of their training social media account and updates will continue to be shared in the coming weeks. through their social media account and updates will continue to be shared in the coming weeks. 

James Guy who is now using one of Hydropool’s flagship 16ft Executive Trainer swim spas added: 

“It feels unreal to be back in the water again, a massive thank you to Bedfordshire Hot Tubs and Hydropool. The support that I have had from them has been second to none and the way they have conducted themselves around me and provided me a pool is unbelievable. To actually be in the water every single day is amazing, you don’t actually realise you miss it until it’s gone. I am doing real sessions in there and its definitely going to give me an advantage for next year leading into the Olympic games.” 

Mel Marshall, Head Coach for Swim England also shared her view:

“With the Olympics moved to 2021, we had a window of three weeks where no swimming was going to be ok for the athletes. However, beyond that we needed to somehow find our way to water. However, Hydropool® were able to do one better and bring water to us!!! Jim has worked tirelessly over the last week to make this possible and the team will be forever grateful for making this happen. On a personal note the current climate is incredibly hard, and it’s important that we stay safe. To now be able to do this and train at the same time is just incredible.” 

Andy Bewicke, Business Development Director for Hydropool UK Ltd also added:

“This is an amazing collaboration on a number of levels. First and foremost, getting our GB Swimmers back in water and training for Tokyo was our number one concern. We are huge supporters of what these people achieve for the nation and the opportunity to help and become a small part of the journey was incredible. “

About Hydropool Inc 

Headquartered in Mississauga, Canada, Hydropool Hot Tubs Inc. originated in 1970 as a commercial swimming pool company and in 1978 became one of the first hot tub retailers in North America. Our products are now sold through a 250+ retailer network in over 40 countries.

About British Swimming

British Swimming is the national governing body for Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Open Water in Great Britain. It is responsible internationally for the high performance representation of the sport. The members of British Swimming are the three Home Country national governing bodies of England (Swim England), Scotland (Scottish Swimming) and Wales (Swim Wales) British Swimming seeks to enable its athletes to achieve gold medal success at the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games. For more information about British Swimming, visit https://www.britishswimming.org/