By now, we all know the benefits of exercise. It has been proven to lower blood pressure, lower bad cholesterol levels and decrease our risk of diabetes. Aquatic exercise is one of the best forms of exercise. It is a non impact exercise; meaning it puts no impact on your joints. Plus, Swimming is one of the only sports that uses EVERY single muscle in your body.

I am a huge advocate of exercise. I jokingly say that exercise is my anti depressant of choice. But, seriously, I am a much happier person if I exercise at a high intensity for at least 5 hours a week. I have seen first hand all the benefits of exercise. Swimming is one form of exercise that I have never been very good at. I am fearful of the water. In recent years, I have been exposed to the sport of swimming because my daughter is involved in a swim league. I’ve become the proverbial “swim mom”. I have seen the sport take her from somewhat “chubby” to muscular. Swimming engages all of your major muscle groups. It is a great sport.

With that said, I have become very interested in swim spas and the obvious health benefits associated with swim spas. Owning a swim spa, is like having a gym in your backyard. Swim spas seem to be a growing trend in the swimming pool industry. A swim spa is a smaller version of a pool, usually equipped with a high pressure jet that allows you to simulate swimming, while in place. Because of the obvious benefits of swimming and the space constraints of small backyards, a growing number of people are choosing to buy swim spas.

A swim spa can be used for both relaxation and for exercise. It can be incorporated into your existing landscape. The possibilities are endless when it comes to designing your swim spa. You can choose to have a custom in-ground gunite swim spa or a preformed fiberglass swim spa. You can decide to have one end equipped with a high pressure jet and the other end with built in seating. You can have it built indoors or outdoors. You can have it surrounded by the pool deck of your choosing (stone, pavers, travertine, stamped concrete, exposed aggregate, and so on). If you decide to have a heater installed, you can even swim year round. There are even underwater bikes and treadmills on the market today.

No matter what your age, weight or fitness level is, swimming is an excellent form of exercise. Swimming increases flexibility, improves endurance, and improves muscle tone. From beginner to professional , to anyone in between, swim spas are an excellent choice.

We’d love to hear from you about your experience with a swim spa. Or, if you’d like some information on swim spas, please contact us at Ben@watercolorspools.com.