Why Can a Swim Spa be Used as a Hot Tub

If you have been considering the idea of buying either a hot tub or swimming pool, you may have wished that there was an option that was the best of both worlds. There actually is and the unit is called a swim spa. Compact and designed to deliver an excellent swim and fitness workout, these are quickly gaining in popularity across the county. When learning more about swim spas, people often wonder if a swim spa can be used as a hot tub as well. The great news is that with most models, it can which is why it truly is a great blend of both the features of a lap pool and hot tub.

To find out more about how a swim spa is used, keep reading below.

Swim Spa History

Swim spas were introduced to the market in the 1980s but didn’t really start gaining widespread popularity until the past 10-15 years. With urban yard sizes shrinking and smaller square footage for many living spaces, a swim spa is an excellent solution for anyone that may be tight on space but wants a spa that offers plenty of versatility.

What Does a Swim Spa Do?

A swim spa looks a bit like an oversized hot tub with extra space for swimming. There are plenty of differences between a hot tub and a swim spa. A swim spa is designed to generate a strong, adjustable current which keeps swimmers in place. This allows them to continuously swim against a current without having to turn around and do laps. The swim current is typically powered by a type of jet propulsion.

Split Design Swim Spas

These days, most swim spas come with what is referred to as a split design. Essentially, they are divided into two sections, with the larger area used to swim and exercise and the smaller area featuring spa seats and water jets like a hot tub does. Most split design swim spas will also feature a dual temperature mode so that someone can exercise in cool water while someone else can enjoy a therapeutic massage in heated water.

A split design swim spa is the perfect choice for those that want to swim, workout and use their swim spa like a hot tub.

Exercising in a Swim Spa

Other than swimming, there is a wide range of exercises that can be performed in a swim spa to get a full body workout. Some larger swim spa models even feature specialized exercise mats and handles to be used for running and rowing. Other common exercises that people use their swim spas for are:

• Water aerobics
• Water Yoga
• Water Walking
• Low Impact Stretching
• Sports Injury Recovery
• Resistance Training

Making a Decision

It can be difficult to decide whether to buy a hot tub, swim spa or swimming pool. If you enjoy working out, want something that can accommodate multiple users and a way to enjoy the benefits that a hot tub provides, a swim spa is a winning choice.

If you think a swim spa may be right for you, download a swim spa buyer’s guide to learn more about the features and models available.