Swim spas are becoming increasingly popular in Australia, due to their convenience and the versatility they offer. But what is a swim spa? And what is the difference between a swim spa and our ‘Little Pool’?
Here we answer all your questions to help you make an informed decision about which is the right product for you.
What are swim spas?
Swim spas are a highly practical solution for those who want to combine the exercise and enjoyment of swimming with all the benefits of hydrotherapy. Smaller than a regular pool, a swim spa is ideal for those who want to enjoy onsite swimming options but do not have sufficient space in their backyard to accommodate a full-sized swimming pool.
Swim spas also offer a cost-effective solution for those who want their own backyard pools. Costing on average $25,000, they are around a half or even one-third of the price of a full-sized pool, while still enabling you to enjoy swimming and relaxing in the water.
Some of the cost savings come from the fact that many swim spas sit above ground rather than having to be installed and sunk into your backyard. This means that no extensive excavation work is required, so substantial savings can be made on building costs, and there is also less noise, disruption and mess involved.
Additionally, as an above-ground swim spa comes pre-fabricated, it is a highly convenient solution which is ready to use as soon as it has been put in place, enabling you to enjoy it straight away instead of having to wait for it to be constructed. In the case of a regular in-ground swimming pool, the construction process can take weeks or even months, depending on what type of pool you choose.
A swim spa contains two types of jets: swim jets and spa jets. Swim jets provide a current in the water for you to swim against, giving you the option of a more intensive workout whenever you choose. Spa jets are specifically designed for spa pools, and can be used for massage and hydrotherapy treatments.
What are the benefits of swimming and hydrotherapy?
Swimming and hydrotherapy each have a range of essential benefits for physical and mental health and wellbeing. Swimming is one of the best all-body workouts, as it uses practically every muscle in the body, pushing against the resistance of the water. This can be intensified even further with the use of swim jets.
Because of this, swimming strengthens and tones the muscles, and helps you to maintain a healthy body weight. It is also a great cardiovascular exercise, and improves your flexibility and coordination at the same time.
Hydrotherapy is often used to help people recover from muscular injuries or to treat conditions that cause chronic pain, such as arthritis. The spa jets provide a massage treatment which helps people to recover more quickly from injuries and strained muscles. Hydrotherapy has also been shown to lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health, as well as improving your appearance – it helps to remove toxins from your skin, making it clearer and brighter.
Swimming and hydrotherapy are also both highly beneficial for mental health and wellbeing. The water assists with relaxation and reduces stress and anxiety, which more of us are suffering from in today’s fast-paced world. It can also improve the quality of your sleep, which is essential for being able to tackle the problems that life throws at you each day.
These spa benefits demonstrate why swim spas are now so popular in Australia. But is there an alternative to a regular swim spa?
What are Little Pools?
Little Pools are a new concept coming to Australian backyards. Developed with the help of one of Australia’s leading pool manufacturers, they combine the convenience of a swim spa with the benefits of a regular swimming pool.
A Little Pool is compact in size, so it is an ideal solution for you if you want your own swimming pool, but space is at a premium. Little Pools are manufactured in a choice of convenient sizes and designs in a factory, so they are off-the-shelf solutions which are quick and easy to transport to your home.
Like many swim spas, Little Pools are designed to sit fully above the ground, so they do not require any extensive excavation work, and there is no on-site construction involved. All they need is a simple, level concrete pad which the pool stands on top of. As soon as your pool is in place, you simply fill it and it is ready to use, enabling you to enjoy all the health and well being benefits of swimming straight away, instead of having to wait for a lengthy construction process to be completed.
Little Pools are also highly cost-effective, priced similarly to a swim spa at around $25,000-$30,000. This is a huge saving in comparison to a full-sized in-ground swimming pool, which usually coast above $50,000, but can easily cost $75,000 or even more.
What are the differences between Little Pools and swim spas?
Little Pools and swim spas each have their own advantages. But there are a number of important differences between the two, which you will need to consider when you are making a decision about the right kind of pool or spa for your backyard.
1. Design quality
There are numerous swim spas available to buy, which are made by a number of manufacturers and consequently are built to different standards. This means a great deal of research is necessary before you purchase a swim spa.
Little Pools are manufactured to the same exacting standards. They have been created and designed in conjunction with one of Australia’s leading manufacturers of full-sized swimming pools, and some of the most respected engineers in the pool construction industry.
Because of this, when you purchase a Little Pool, you are purchasing a pool which has been designed and constructed to the exact same standards as a full-sized fibreglass swimming pool. In addition, the pump, filter and chlorinator are made by AstralPool, Australia’s largest and most respected pool company.
2. Strength and durability
A pool, even a small one such as a Little Pool or a swim spa, is a significant investment. This means it has to be strong and durable enough to withstand the Australian climate and last for many years to come.
Swim spas tend to be made of acrylic, and some swim spas have thicker acrylic layers than others, which means it is not always easy to estimate how long your acrylic swim spa is going to last. The material can sometimes crack or be damaged by constant exposure to the sun. Once it is damaged, it can be extremely difficult to repair, so these spas tend to require quite a lot of maintenance and care.
Little Pools are constructed from fibreglass composite, which is commonly used to make full-sized, in-ground swimming pools in Australia. It is a highly durable material which is watertight, resistant to sun damage, and capable of retaining its structural integrity, even in harsh weather conditions. A Little Pool is an investment which you can continue to enjoy for a long time into the future.
3. Appearance
Your pool or swim spa will become the main feature of your backyard, so it is important that it looks good. While many people consider above-ground pools not to look as attractive as in-ground options, there are a number of attractive swim spas available which, with the right landscaping, can become a design highlight in your backyard.
Little Pools are designed with aesthetics in mind. Although they are pre-fabricated solutions, there are a number of customisation options, enabling you to choose a Little Pool which suits your tastes and the style of your property. There are three different options for the exterior cladding, with various colour choices available, while four vivid colour options are available for the interior of your pool.
A Little Pool is also designed to maintain its appearance for longer than a swim spa, as it has a gel coat surface on its interior. This highlights the colour of the pool effectively, and protects it from sun damage, ensuring that it appears fresh and new for many years to come.
Thanks to the range of accessories available for Little Pools, you can also customise the appearance of your pool even further, by choosing to add options such as external steps, attractive balustrades or multicoloured LED lighting.
Want to know more about Little Pools in comparison to swim spas?
Choosing your pool or swim spa is a highly personal decision, as it has to suit the individual needs of you and your family. But it can be useful to find out as much as possible about a particular pool before you make a purchase.
If you would like more information about Little Pools, or want advice about the best model for you, our team are always happy to provide you with the help and information you need. Please contact us for more details.
