Swim Spas or the Gym: Which is Better?

When most Americans think about exercising, they probably envision going to the gym for a run on the treadmill or a weightlifting session. These are certainly valid and popular workout methods, but they are also far from the only ones that reap rewards. The benefits of exercising in the water have long been recognized, and a swim spa can only help with your workout.

A swim spa allows you to enjoy the benefits of hot water and jets while swimming against a constant current. This allows you to exercise while also enjoying hydrotherapy to boost your endurance and ease muscle soreness. There are several distinct advantages to exercising in your swim spa rather than the gym.

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Less Strain on Joints

Conventional workout methods can put a lot of pressure on the joints, particularly for the elderly or anyone with excess body weight. On the other hand, exercising while largely submerged in water reduces your body weight by 50-90% and puts less weight on your joints.

Constant Heat Treatment

It’s no secret that heated water is a particularly effective treatment for muscle soreness or injury. Imagine exercising while treating yourself with warm water instead of waiting until afterward! A swim spa allows you to swim in place against a constant current, like an underwater treadmill, while simultaneously enjoying the benefits of jetted hot water. Exercise has never felt this good!

Comparable or Better Results

Underwater exercise may seem like the easy way out, but the popularity of underwater treadmills in the professional athletic field shows that this workout method has science on its side. Fighting water resistance allows for just as much muscle building and strength training as traditional exercise with fewer risks of injury. Depending on the level of resistance you choose, you should burn a comparable number of calories as well. Like a conventional workout, it depends on how much effort you put into it.

Pro Tip: Because exercising in a swim spa feels good and strains your body less while providing similar results, it can also help motivate you to work out more often and for longer periods of time.

End Your Workout with a Soak

As you take advantage of your swim spa’s exercise features, don’t forget that you still own a spa! Once you’ve hit your daily goal, turn off the current and just let your muscles relax in the hot water. After a long workout, you deserve to rest.

Want to learn more about popular exercises for your new swim spa? Join the conversation to see how hydrotherapy and the underwater workout method has helped others get in shape.