How To Get In Shape With a Swim Spa - Complete Guide (2024)
Outdoor swim spas are great for getting exercise in a convenient way. Swim spas are larger than normal spas or hot tubs, but they are more compact than a swimming pool.
A high-powered jetting system can be found at one end of swim spa, which can push water at a continuous pace for a swim spa owner to swim against. Swim spas have adjustable settings so that you can swim at your own pace.
In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at how a swim spa can be utilized to help you exercise.
What Are the Types of Swim Spas Available?
Swim spas are easy to use, require little maintenance, and offer a big enough space to relax comfortably in, while at the same time providing the perfect environment for low-impact exercise. There is another type of swim spa that offers a dual-temperature experience.
Essentially, a dividing wall splits the swim spa into two sections, one larger and more open-concept area that is perfect for exercise and recreation, and a smaller area with many seats, perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation. Most often, the larger area is kept at a cooler temperature and the smaller area at a warmer temperature, making them the ideal areas for each activity.
How Do I Exercise in a Swim Spa?
It’s time to exercise and get in shape with help from your swim spa! To create the perfect water workout, we have listed the 7 essential steps to help you get started.
Of course, before starting any exercise regimen, we always suggest that you first speak with your physician to ensure your safety and best health.
Step 1: Purchase Accessories and Exercise Supplies
Nothing complements a swim spa installation like the right accessories. Some accessories can actually help to improve the effectiveness of your workout. For regular exercise, we suggest investing in the following:
- Attachable rowing accessories
- Attachable resistance training accessories
- Water weights
- Ankle weights
- Large towel
- High-quality swimsuit
- Outdoor lighting
- Outdoor stereo system
- Reusable water bottle
Having everything that you need can help to ensure both an enjoyable and effective workout.
Step 2: Prepare for Your Workout
Is it time to exercise in your swim spa? Make sure that you bring everything that you will need, including a towel, shoes, water weights, a reusable water bottle, and music. Downloading new music and creating a special playlist catered to your workout can help to both motivate and excite you for what’s to come.
We always suggest letting another person know that you will be exercising and having a phone nearby, just in case.
Step 3: Warming Up
After you have entered the water, a light warm-up can help to get your blood flowing and muscles warmed up. Gentle warm-up exercises can include walking or jogging in place against the current and/or jumping jacks.
Step 4: Stretching
Once your body is warmed up, it’s time to stretch. At this point in your exercise routine, we suggest doing dynamic stretches, which are essentially stretches that involve consistent movement. Some stretches could include:
- Hip circles
- Torso twists
- Twisted lunges
- Arm circles
- Leg pendulums
- Spinal rotations
These stretches are meant to get your body moving and aren’t held for any length of time.
Step 5: The Workout
Your workout is completely up to you! Your goals, personal preferences and current state of health can all contribute to how you build your exercise regimen.
Many will include a variety of cardio and muscle-building exercises, using each workout to target one main area of the body, for example, arms, legs or core. Others choose to include all areas of the body in their workout, using a circuit style model.
Here are some swim spa exercises you may want to include:
Arms
- Triceps dips
- Wall push-ups
- Bicep curls
- Resistance training
Legs
- Squats
- Lunges
- Toe pushes
- Leg extensions
Core
- Torso twists
- Reverse crunches
- Seated Russian twists
- Rowing
Cardiovascular
- Swimming laps against the current
- Jogging or walking against the current
- Jumping jacks
- Treading water
Step 6: The Cool Down
Once your workout is complete, it’s time to cool down your body. This is when static stretching comes into play. Stretch the various areas of your body, even the ones you didn’t necessarily target during your workout. In between stretches, allow your body to float and move in the water. You may even want to include a few yoga poses as well.
Step 7: Relax & Repeat
Congratulations – your workout is complete! Take some time to reward yourself with a relaxing, jet-driven soak in your spa and a refreshing bottle of water. Depending on where you are in your fitness journey, you may want to work out in your swim spa as little as once or twice a week, or as much as four to five times a week. This is something that your physician can help you to determine, along with setting goals.
Swim Spas in Kalispell
If you’re interested in getting a swim spa or just want to know more, come visit Big John’s located in Kalispell, MT. We have a wide array of large swim spas for sale, and we’d like to help you choose the right one.
Our swim spa prices are reasonable too, so don’t be afraid to come visit us! If you’re interested in learning more about swim spas or hot tubs, please take a look at our blog!