Why Buy a Swim Spa? Benefits and What to Consider Before You Buy
Max PiggottA swim spa is more than just a luxury item—it’s an investment in your health, wellness, and lifestyle. It provides you with the best of both worlds – the warmth and hydrotherapy jets of a hot tub and the ability to swim and do aqua aerobics like you would in a large pool. Combining the benefits of a swimming pool and a spa, swim spas are versatile, efficient, and perfect for year-round use. Here are the top reasons why buying a swim spa might be the best decision for you:
Top Reasons to Buy a Swim Spa
Compact Yet Functional
Swim spas are designed to provide all the benefits of a full-sized pool in a much smaller footprint. If you don’t have the space for a traditional pool, a swim spa offers the perfect alternative. It fits seamlessly into most back gardens or even indoor spaces, giving you a private aquatic oasis without compromising on functionality.
Year-Round Enjoyment
Unlike outdoor pools that are often limited to seasonal use, swim spas are designed for all-weather enjoyment. With built-in temperature control, you can swim in cool water during the summer and enjoy a warm, soothing soak during colder months.
A Multi-Functional Investment
Swim spas are incredibly versatile. Whether you’re looking for a place to swim, exercise, relax, or entertain, a swim spa has it all. Key features include:
- Swimming Against a Current: Adjustable jets or propulsion systems create a current for swimming in place, perfect for fitness or training. Turned down to a gentle flow, the same current is ideal for water jogging and resistance exercises.
- Hydrotherapy Jets: Massage jets soothe sore muscles and provide therapeutic relief, so you can finish a workout with a proper soak.
- Family Fun: Swim spas are great for kids and adults alike, offering hours of entertainment.
Health and Fitness Benefits
Swim spas provide a unique way to stay active and improve overall health. Benefits include:
- Low-Impact Exercise: Swimming and water resistance exercises are gentle on joints, making swim spas ideal for rehabilitation, weight loss, and general fitness.
- Improved Cardiovascular Health: Swimming and aquatic workouts boost heart health and endurance.
- Stress Relief and Mental Wellness: The calming effect of warm water and hydrotherapy jets helps reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Cost-Effective Alternative to a Pool
A swim spa is more affordable than a traditional pool in terms of both installation and maintenance. You avoid the building work a conventional pool involves, and swim spas use less water, require fewer chemicals, and have advanced energy-efficient systems to keep operational costs low.
Customisable Options
Whether you want to go for a swim, do some resistance training, need more room for the kids to splash around, or just want to relax, the St. Lawrence Swim Spas are completely customisable to your needs, with a full-body lounger for unwinding once your swim is done.
Ease of Maintenance
Swim spas are designed to be user-friendly and low-maintenance. They feature advanced filtration systems and energy-efficient heaters, so you can spend more time enjoying your spa and less time on upkeep.
Flexible Siting, and It Can Move With You
A swim spa can be sited above ground or set into the ground, so you can choose the look that suits your garden. Either way it needs a solid, level base and clear access to the equipment for servicing; our guide to choosing a location for your hot tub covers many of the same siting questions.
And unlike a built-in swimming pool, a swim spa is a self-contained unit, so if you move house you can take it with you. Moving one is a job for a specialist team, and it is simpler if the spa sits above ground.
A Social and Family-Friendly Addition
Swim spas are perfect for social gatherings, family bonding, or even solo relaxation. Whether hosting a movie night in the water or teaching kids to swim, it’s a space everyone will love, and a great way to spend quality time with family and friends.
Is a Swim Spa Right for You?
A swim spa is not just a luxury—it’s a lifestyle upgrade. It enhances your physical health, mental wellbeing, and overall quality of life. Whether you’re an athlete, a busy professional, or a family looking for fun, a swim spa offers something for everyone.
If you’re still weighing up a swim spa against a hot tub, our guide to what to look for when buying a hot tub walks through the questions to ask yourself first.
Are you ready to explore swim spa options that fit your needs and budget? Please get in touch with us at Canadian Spa Company 01293 824094.
Types of swim spa
| Type | How it works | Best for | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-zone sport swim spa | One body of water with a swim current at one end and seats at the other | Swimming, aqua fitness and a warm soak in one compact unit | 13ft St Lawrence XSport |
| Larger trainer | A longer swim zone and more seats | Households who want more room to train and relax | 16ft St Lawrence XTrainer |
| Dual-temperature | Separate swim and spa zones, each with its own heater, so the swim end can be cooler | Regular swimmers who also want a hot soak | 20ft St Lawrence dual temperature |
Swim spa vs swimming pool
| Swim spa | Traditional in-ground pool | |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint | About 3.9 to 5.9 metres long across our range | Usually much larger, plus surrounding paving |
| Building work | A concrete base and an electrical supply | Excavation, construction and plant room |
| Water volume | A few thousand litres | Typically many tens of thousands |
| Year-round use in the UK | Yes, with an insulated hard cover | Often seasonal unless enclosed and heated |
| Hydrotherapy seats | Built in | Not usually |
| Can move house with you | Yes, with a specialist lift | No |
Space, base and power
Plan these early, as they affect the total cost more than anything else.
- Base: a level concrete base covering the whole footprint. For our 20ft model we specify a 6 inch (150 mm) concrete base, and the product page for each model lists its own requirements.
- Delivery: swim spas arrive on a flatbed lorry and usually need a crane or hiab to lift them into place. This is booked separately, and local firms will often quote for free.
- Power: swim spas are hardwired by a qualified electrician. The 20ft dual temperature model, for example, needs a 50 amp supply to the swim end and 32 amps to the spa end.
- Access: leave room around the spa to remove panels for servicing.
Running costs
As with a hot tub, most running cost is heating. A swim spa holds far more water, so a good cover matters even more. A rolling cover makes a large cover easier to handle every day, and a heat pump designed for swim spas can cut heating energy. Our heat pump guide explains how. Check your own unit rate against the Ofgem price cap, and budget for swim spa filters every 6 to 12 months.
Health and safety
The NHS recommends adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, and its physical activity guidelines include swimming as one option. A swim spa may help make that easier to fit into your week. If you have a health condition, speak to your GP before starting a new exercise routine. You should not use the warm spa end, or a hot tub, while pregnant. Always supervise children.
Frequently asked questions
Can you really swim in a swim spa?
Yes. The current lets you swim in place without turning. Strong swimmers may prefer a tether for extra resistance, and the current can be turned down for aqua jogging or gentle exercise.
Do I need planning permission?
Usually not for a swim spa in a back garden, but a building or large shelter around it may need permission. See the Planning Portal outbuildings guidance.
How long does it take to heat?
Much longer than a hot tub on first fill, because there is so much more water. Fill in mild weather if you can and keep the cover on throughout. Once it is running, our swim spa winter care guide shows how to keep it warm and protected through the cold months.
Can a swim spa go indoors?
It can, but the room needs a strong floor, drainage and good ventilation. Speak to us and a structural engineer before planning an indoor install.
Thinking about a swim spa?
See the swim spas we sell, or ask our team about servicing and parts.