Have you thought about getting a swim spa but are feeling unsure about how it works and what it takes to maintain it? Then you’re in the right place!
A swim spa combines the best of a hot tub and a swimming pool. It’s a compact solution for relaxation, fun and fitness.
It sounds like a perfect choice, but the question that often stops people is, once you own one, how do you take care of it?
Read on to find out why a swim spa is an exceptional addition to any home.
What Is a Swim Spa?
A swim spa is the ultimate combo of a hot tub and a swimming pool.
It’s larger than a hot tub, smaller than a pool and offers the best of both – it’s the perfect blend of fun, fitness and relaxation! You swim against a current for a workout, then soak in the warm waters and gentle jets for some relaxation.
Unlike swimming pools, swim spas create a strong current that lets you swim in place – perfect for exercise. You can swim to your heart’s content without ever reaching the end of the pool or bumping into other swimmers. Or you can take a brisk walk – or a serious run, or wake board!
On the other hand, swim spas are also made for relaxation. The water heats up to the same temperature as a hot tub. And like a hot tub, it has soothing currents to ease muscles and relieve stress. With seats and head rests designed for comfort, you can unwind and enjoy the same benefits a hot tub offers.
Swim spas come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, along with adjustable jets and temperature settings. You can customize your experience in multiple ways from adding lighting, sound, and all types of accessories for fitness or fun
Maybe one of the biggest benefits is that swim spas make it easy to relax, unwind, and maintain your fitness routine year-round.
Some swim spas offer 2 separate bodies of water; one for the “swim” spa side and one completely separate “hot tub” side. It all depends on where you want to put it, and how you want to use it.
Swim Spa Benefits
With their unique feature of adjustable currents, swim spas accommodate many different fitness levels. You can tailor your workouts to your preferences. They’re an excellent place for low-impact exercise, ideal for injury recovery and those with joint issues. And, perfect for people who want to train for a triathlon or maintain themselves at their peak level of fitness.
Beyond fitness, swim spas deliver therapeutic benefits. The combination of warm water and massage jets helps relieve stress, manage muscle soreness and improves sleep Some studies have shown that immersing yourself in hot water could decrease depression symptoms.
And Swim spas are ideal for your social life! They’re perfect for hosting guests and making family memories.
Swim spas also cost less than installing a swimming pool and can be delivered and set up in a day. How’s that for efficiency?
Plus, they’re movable! It takes a crane, but they can be moved to a different location – you don’t have to leave it behind if you buy a new home.
Essential Swim Spa Maintenance Tips
As for taking care of them, swim spa water care is generally easier than pool water upkeep, especially with FROG® @ease® Sanitizing System for Swim Spas. It’s the first and only complete sanitizing system made especially for a swim spa’s unique water volumes and temperatures.
It’s true, a swim spa requires regular upkeep, but it doesn’t have to be a pain!
You have many resources for help. Your local retailer will provide all the information you need and recommend products that work best. They also understand local water sources and can help with water care upkeep and solve any issues that may come up. They are sure to set you up well and help you keep your swim spa in top shape.
You can get help 24/7 from the free FROG Water Care® App – download it for free, and you’ll have a ton of help in the palm of your hand, from how-to videos to testing your water, answers to common questions, and more.
Once you get your swim spa, here’s a few essential tips for water care:
1. Create a cleaning schedule
Keep your swim spa clean. Wipe down the surfaces, the cover – inside and out – and the rails. This keeps out debris including tiny algae spores or mildew – both of which can get into water and cause trouble. Keep the deck around the swim spa clean and remove any debris in the water immediately. Use a net or vacuum out any debris – leaves or twigs – that may be on the bottom of the swim spa.
Take a quick shower before getting into the water. This will keep everyday residue like sweat, lotions or makeup out of the swim spa water. This will keep your water cleaner and clearer and put less demand on your sanitizer.
2. Test your swim spa water routinely and keep it balanced
When you get a swim spa, you’ll learn some water chemistry, but you don’t have become a backyard chemist! One of the terms you’ll hear and use a lot is “water balance.”
Water balance in a swim spa is the chemical composition of the water. This refers to the level of pH, Total Alkalinity, Total Hardness (also known as Water Hardness) and Sanitizer – usually chlorine.
To keep your swim spa water balanced, you’ll need to test it regularly.
Test strips are the most common way to test, and are very easy to use. You dip one strip into the water, and then compare the colors on the tab to the colors on the test strip bottle. If one of the levels is outside of the “ideal” on the bottle, you’ll need to adjust the water.
Regular testing and adjusting as needed will keep your water “balanced.” That means that all the essential water levels are within the recommended range and your water is clean and clear. See the FROG Water Balancing Guide for more information.
3. Keep the Filters Clean
Every swim spa comes with filters. Filters remove small particles from the water and work hard to keep it clean. They’re easy to maintain, but regular cleaning is important. Check them often and replace them if they become worn or damaged.
It’s a good idea to have a new filter on hand so you can put it in while cleaning the one you’re using, and if you discover the one you’re using is in bad shape, you can replace it without missing any time in the swim spa.
4. Drain and Refill
It’s also a good idea to purge, drain and refill your swim spa periodically, typically every three to four months, to keep the plumbing clean and clear, and prevent problems. Read our in-depth article on how and when to do this on our article page.
How FROG Makes Swim Spa Care Easy
We mentioned that swim spa water care is important, but it doesn’t have to be difficult.
FROG @ease Sanitizing System for Swim Spas is the first and only complete water care sanitizer made specifically for swim spas. With FROG @ease, you’ll enjoy Cleaner, Clearer, Softer® water that’s easier to maintain.
How Does FROG @ease Work?
FROG combines Sanitizing Minerals and SmartChlor® Technology to kill bacteria, creating Fresh Mineral Water®∞ that feels silky soft with less odors.
SmartChlor is a unique, patented chlorine that is self-regulating. When more chlorine is needed, it automatically dispenses the right amount. That means no more constant dosing every time you use the swim spa. And no more peaks and valleys of high or low chlorine levels that are frustrating to manage.
What’s more, the SmartChlor cartridge flips upside down when it’s time to replace it – how easy is that for a reminder?
The patented Sanitizing Minerals kill bacteria. They work alongside the SmartChlor so you use up to 75% less chlorine*. Less chlorine means water feels softer, swimsuits don’t fade, and your swim spa surfaces are protected from damage that high chlorine levels cause.
Also helpful, you’ll find how-to videos for startup and troubleshooting on the FROG YouTube channel. Click here to check them out!
In addition, FROG @ease is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. This means that all the claims FROG @ease makes are true.
When you’re faced with shelves of chemicals with all kinds of claims, you can be assured that FROG @ease will do what it says it will do. To back that up, FROG has a Satisfaction Guarantee.
Your Swim Spa Awaits
Now that you know the answer to “what’s a swim spa?” And, you have an idea of how easy it can be to take care of with products like FROG @ease Sanitizing System for Swim Spas, you might want to go swim spa shopping!
What is a swim spa? Learn how a swim spa works, the benefits of a swim spa and easy swim spa maintenance tips.
* Compared to the minimum ANSI recommended chlorine level of 2.0 ppm for a hot tub or swim spa
∞ Cleaner, Clearer and Softer water for pools, hot tubs and swim spas
