Swim spas have been around since the 1980s and have become more and more popular with people looking for a dedicated space in their garden for fitness, leisure and family time! In this blog post, we will explain what a swim spa is and look at some of the key benefits of owning one of these products.

What is a Swim Spa?

A swim spa a self-contained unit that is a hybrid between a hot tub and a swimming pool. They range about 10 to 20 feet long, designed for both exercise and relaxation. The main feature of a swim spa is the continuous current jet, allowing users to swim in place against the flow, mimicking the experience of a full-sized pool. Some swim spas also have separate sections or adjustable settings for hot tub functions, like heated water and massage jets, for soaking and relaxation. At Happy Hot Tubs, we offer the Endless Pools range of swim spas, with features such as the HydroDrive swim machine and underwater treadmill bringing ultimate innovation to this product category.

Benefits of Owning a Swim Spa

No Planning Requirements

Swim spas are fully portable, which means they do not come with planning requirements unlike inground swimming pools. When comparing to an inground swimming pool, this not only saves money but also speeds up the delivery process. Please note that buildings or features around the swim spa may be subject to planning and please always check your local planning regulations if unsure. 

Versatile 

A swim spa is not just a place to swim. Swim spas are much more versatile and the hybrid nature of the unit contributes towards this. In the area of fitness, swim spas can offer swimming, underwater running (see E-series) and a space for pilates/yoga. Socially, swim spas offer a great space to relax or have fun with friends and family. Some swim spas (such as the X2000 or E2000) even contain seperate hot tubs so you can relax after a workout! Swim spas can also be sat above ground, partially sunk or fully sunk (with equipment access) and this offers versatility on install. 

Easy Setup and Maintenance

Everything required to maintain a swim spa is built-in to the unit, this means no need for a seperate plant room (like an in-ground swimming pool). Swim spas are filled by your hosepipe and do not require any plumbing to setup. Simply fill with the hose and connect the electrics (requires a qualfiied electrician, see specific models for power requirements) and your swim spa will heat and filter by itself. Built-in cartridge filtration makes things very easy, simply clean the filters bi-weekly or monthly (depending on usage) and replace the filters every 2 years. The built in heater and control system will keep the swim spa at temperature. Endless Pools can also be fitted with the Gecko In.touch 2 system for remote monitoring and control on your phone. 

Increased and Improved Family Time

Do you love the fun times in the swimming pool on holiday or while teaching your kids to swim? Want to bring those times home? Well then a Swim Spa is perfect for you! Time to close the laptop, put the phones down and head outside to the swim spa for valuable time with friends or loved ones. Although this is also a benefit of owning a hot tub, a swim spa has more space and the ability to swim adds a fun element too. 

Year-Round Usage

A swim spa has insulated covers and insulated side panels to help retain heat, combined with the with the flow-thru heater running to keep the water at temperature, swim spas can be used all year round. So if you are looking to swim or exercise outside in 30 degree water in the middle of Winter, a swim spa could be the perfect product for you.

Portability

As mentioned above, a swim spa is not a permanent feature like an in-ground swimming pool. Although they are large and bulky, with the right equipment and planning, swim spas can be moved from one location to another and this is a service that we offer at Happy Hot Tubs. This means your investment into a swim spa can go with you to a new property if required. You also have the flexibility to move the location of the swim spa in your garden if required. 

Costs Less than an In-Ground Swimming Pool

Overall setup and install costs on a swim spa are generally less than an in-ground swimming pool. This is mainly due to time on site, planning and a less complex start-up process. The ongoing running costs of a swim spa also tend to be slightly less depending on heating systems and covers. While a swim spa is smaller than an in-ground swimming pool, the ''swim in place'' nature means that you are not constrained by how far you can swim, meaning you can enjoy a proper, continuous swim experience. 

A Full Hydrotherapy Experience

Hydrotherapy, in the context of a swim spa, involves using water-based activities to promote physical and mental health, rehabilitation, or relaxation. Swim spas are particularly suited for hydrotherapy due to their adjustable water temperatures, powerful jets, and compact design. Below is a breakdown of activities that fall under hydrotherapy where a swim spa can provide a benefit: 

• Therapeutic Jet Massage

• Low-Impact Exercise

• Buoyancy-Assisted Stretching

• Swimming Against Resistance

• Relaxation and Stress Relief

• Contrast Therapy

Space Saving and Compact

Swim spas like the Endless Pools R200, can be as small as 3.66 metre by 2.26 metre and even on the larger end of the scale, the fact they are one self-contained unit helps keep things compact. This means that even the smallest gardens can enjoy the benefits of having a swim spa. 

Swim, Run and Relax at Home

Don't like the hassle and stress of public swimming baths? Would prefer not having to worry about speed in shared lanes? Or just like working out in private? Then a swim spa is a perfect solution for you. Within the comfort and privacy of you own home, you can have access to a top class wellness tool and all the benefits that come with it.