Swim spa reviews and buying guide

A lot of swim spa reviews fail to mention that a swim spa is not a pool nor is it a hot tub – it is something in between and it definitely fills a specific niche!

While the concept of the swim spa has been around for some time now, they have experienced dramatic rises in popularity in the United States as people become more health and relaxation conscious.

Swim spa benefits

Recent medical studies have shown that just 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day a few times per week can significantly reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

As well as being beneficial for your health, they are also great for small spaces or where a traditional swimming pool is either not required or not possible.

Some swim spas even come with a jacuzzi tacked onto the end just in case you are one of those people that enjoy the best of both worlds.

The underlying concept of a jet pool (as it is also known) is also very customizable and user friendly.

What else can you expect to get out of a swim spa?

  • You can have them installed above-ground or below-ground and the prefabricated units come with everything already fitted so you are ready to start swimming straight away.
  • Portable swim spas are also available too. While they are not something you’d want to have reposition frequently, you could quite easily take them with you if you ever moved house.
  • You also have the option of retrofitting a swim jet to an existing pool which replicates the process of a swim spa surprisingly well.
  • Having your own personal place of relaxation or exercise is also cheaper than going to a public swimming pool where you are subject to having to line up for the use of lanes and other problems associated with public places of gathering.
  • The addition of an inground swim spa will add significant value to your home and make your yard look aesthetically pleasing.
  • Where a typical swim spa setup excels over a standard pool is in the ability to be used for more than one thing – a swim spa can double as a normal pool and as a jacuzzi – providing a place for relaxation and exercise when applicable.
swim spa reviews

How to choose a swim spa and what to look for

As I briefly touched on in the introduction, there are many different formats, styles and locations to choose from if you are buying one for the first time.

You should always try them out before you purchase wherever possible, and make sure you choose a swim spa that has a good acrylic or fiberglass lining that will extend its life.

Also make sure that the bottom of the spa is flat because an uneven surface on the bottom will cause difficulties for swimming. Since swim spa prices are quite high it pays to get it right first time.

Besides the obvious factors like cost, what other things should you look out for before you part with a serious chunk of hard earned cash?

  • How many seats does it have, and what is the overall swimming area (will it be too small for a person swimming with arms and legs outstretched)?
  • Do you want or need attachment points or level bottoms for aquatic workouts involving such things as aquatic treadmills or bikes?
  • What sort of warranty is there and does it cover the pool and all of its accessories?
  • What is it made from? Acrylic is best but a decent fiberglass system comes close.
  • How is the current in the water generated, is it going to provide an adequate work out?
  • What about monthly running costs? Does it come with a cover to keep costs down by reducing evaporation and retaining heat?

What about the propulsion method?

While the underlying principles of swim spas are the same, the ways in which the current or opposing force is generated can differ from one manufacturer to the next.

  • Paddle wheels - these generate a constant and deep resistance that is generally free from turbulence and other distracting factors
  • Swim jets - this involves pumping water through nozzles at high speed and while the amount of current that is generated is adjustable from swimmer to swimmer, the output usually makes the water quite choppy and sometimes the direction of the current is scattered slightly.
  • Propeller - similar to a paddle wheel but the edges of the pool remain out of the stream – this has obvious advantages for people who want to use the pool for rest and relaxation while another individual swims in the center, or if there is no dedicated relaxation area.

Read swim spa reviews and choose according to your needs

Before you make a final decision on a particular model, you should be absolutely clear on not only the right type of propulsion method but also if you want a dual-use spa or just a dedicated exercise pool.swim spa reviews h2x swim spa

Pay particular attention to swim spa reviews that make claims of being dual purpose at the expense of functionality.

For instance the swim spa compartment may be too small or provide to weak a current, or conversely the relaxation area may fall short when compared with a traditional, dedicated spa or hot tub.

Other things like the extent of the warranty, parts maintenance, the number of seats and whether massage jets come standard are just some of the other things you need to be aware of.

Benefits to health and well-being

The fact of the matter is, swimming is a less stressful form of exercise because there is nowhere the near the pressure on your muscles or joints as there is in conventional methods like running and weights.

Water rehabilitation is particularly useful for sports players who are recovering from injuries and strains especially with the addition of a water bike or underwater treadmill which can easily be fitted to a spa.

Ideal for the aged and mobility impaired

It is also ideal for the very elderly amongst us or for those with severe physical or mental disabilities – in some instances it may be the only type of exercise that is suitable but it can be just as advantageous and fulfilling.

Medical studies have shown that water workouts also significantly reduce the chance of developing a number of diseases and ailments, including:

  • obesity
  • muscle stiffness
  • depression and sleep problems
  • pre-natal and post-natal health
  • back, neck and shoulder soreness
  • diabetes

Some popular swim spa manufacturers

Many attribute the development of the swim spa to Endless Pools and the quality of their product is second to none.

Their units arrive with all of their plumbing installed and they can be set down anywhere there is a flat surface – everything from a converted garage to an atrium or anywhere you want it really.

One major advantage of all Endless pools is the fact that their method of creating a current of water is unique to them only.

It is probably the best around because it delivers a stream of water that is deeper and wider than your own body and is far superior to a cheap model which seems to push the water in all different directions which defeats the purpose of a jet pool in the first place.

Many of their spas are dual-use – meaning they can function as both a swim spa and a fully kitted-out hot tub to relax your muscles after a session of exercise.