The best way to approach buying a swim spa is to put together a checklist of the specifications and features you want and then rate the swim spas you see accordingly, however the hardest question that you will have to answer when buying a swim spa is what size should I go for? Here at Penguin Spas, we can help you choose the right swim spa for you and your family. But first, how big are swim spas anyway?
How Big Are Swim Spas?
Swim spas come in a variety of different sizes. Most swim spas, however, are around 2.2 meters (7.21ft) wide and are anywhere from 3.85 meters (12.63ft) to 5.9 meters (19.357ft) long. Different swim spas use this available space in different ways, however, with some swim spas having larger swim areas and others having a split section where one half is dedicated to swimming and the other half dedicated to massage therapy seats which supports recovery.
How Big Should Your Swim Spa Be?
When determining what size your swim spa should be there are a few questions you should ask yourself which is how you will be using the swim spa and what you want to get out of it as it’s a big investment. When it comes to picking out the right swim spa for you and your family, you should consider the main points below.
The Swim Experience
Fun & Fitness
Comfort, Design & Massage
Reputation
Insulation
Ease of Maintenance
How Much Space Do You Need for a Swim Spa?
The first step in your swim spa buying process should be measuring the available space in your garden to see what you’re able to fit but also take into consideration the following key points:
Will the location provide you and your guests with enough privacy?
Does the location provide proper support for the swim spa?
Will it be easy for the retailer to deliver the swim spa?
Can the swim spa be easily serviced if something goes wrong?
Is there enough space on each side of the swim spa for the hard cover when removed?
What view will bathers have when sitting in this location?
Does the location make it easy to get in and out of the swim spa?
Is the swim spa close enough to an electrical source to ensure an easy hook up?
How Many People Will Be Using the Swim Spa?
Start by asking yourself how many people will be using the swim spa regularly. If the answer is just 1 or 2, you can pretty much buy any size of swim spa you like. In the interest of saving money, a 12ft to 14ft swim spa would probably be best. Any larger and you’re just spending money for more area that you don’t really need.
If on the other hand you have a couple of young kids that will likely have friends over for a pool party, you should look for a swim spa that has a large swimming area to give them room to move around and play. In this case it is usually better to go with between a 15ft or 19ft swim spa for larger families.
How Tall Are the People That Will Be Using the Swim Spa?
If one or more people using the swim spa are quite tall (over 6′ 2″) you might want to consider buying a slightly larger swim spa than you otherwise would. This is because a 12′ or 14′ swim spa simply won’t have a long enough swim tank for them to comfortably swim in. Upsizing to a 16ft or 17ft swim spa will allow them to swim comfortably without fear of hitting their feet or ankles off the seats or steps at the back end of the swim spa.
How Will You Be Using the Swim Spa?
When it comes to picking out the right swim spa for you and your family, one of the biggest factors to consider is how you and your family will use the swim spa. For simplicity’s sake, we will split these potential usages into three categories: relaxation, a pool for kids, and fitness.
If you’re looking to use the swim spa as a simple splash pool to relax in, the size of the swim spa is likely going to be less important than the space dedicated to therapy as well as the number of therapy seats. If relaxation and therapy is your focus, you’re going to want to make sure that there are enough therapy seats for everyone that will be using the swim spa at a given time.
If you will be using the swim spa primarily as a pool for your kids your primary focus should be on finding a swim spa big enough to accommodate them and any of their friends that they might want to have over.
If you will be using the swim spa for fitness and swimming against the current, you will want to make sure that the swim spa is big enough for you to comfortably swim in. If you’re shorter than 6′ tall, a 14ft swim spa will likely be just fine. If you’re taller than 6ft you may want to consider going up to a 16ft or 17ft model.
Will You Be Using the Swim Spa Year-Round?
Another factor that might affect the size of your new swim spa is if you’re planning on using it year-round, or just in the warmer months – yes, we do sometimes get warmer weather in Scotland.
One of the major advantages that swim spas have over traditional pools is that they can be used even when the outside temperatures dips below freezing. While many swim spas can be used year-round, their running costs do increase as outside temperatures decrease. Buying a slightly smaller swim spa will mean less water to heat and a smaller increase in these costs.
That said, if a smaller swim spa isn’t an option, you can also simply look for a swim spa that is more energy efficient. Sunbeach Swim Spas and Oasis Swim Spas, for example, features award-winning R10 (Sunbeach Spas) and R18 (Oasis Spas) insulation and comes fitted with twin ultra-efficient filtration system that together greatly reduce the running costs of the swim spa, especially in the colder months.
What Size Should Your Swim Spa Be?
If you have no space restrictions, here are some general guidelines for choosing the right size swim spa for you and your family.
12-14 Feet Swim Spa
Swim spas in the 12′-14′ range are best if you’re only planning on having 1-4 people use the swim spa at a given time. They should be avoided if you will regularly have 4 or more people using the swim spa or if you’re a person over 6 ′2” tall and are planning on regularly swimming against the current created by the swim jets on a Sunbeach Swim Spa or the turbo jets on an Oasis Swim Spa.
15-18 Feet Swim Spa
Swim spas in the 15′-18′ range are good all-round swim spas that can be used for fitness, swimming, and simple relaxation. They are best for taller people looking to swim against the current, or if you plan on having 4 or more people using the swim spa at a given time.
Dual Temperature Swim Spas
Some swim spa manufacturers offer “dual temp” swim spas. These are swim spas where the swimming end and the therapy ends are separated; allowing you to set both sides to different temperatures and even close one while keeping the other one running.
Dual temp swim spas are usually 19′ or longer but due to the wall needed to separate both the “hot tub” tank and the swimming tank, the swimming tanks are usually not much bigger than a standard 14′ swim spa. If you’re taller and plan on swimming against the current in a dual temp swim spa, double check the size of the swim tank to make sure that it is big enough for you to swim comfortably.
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About Penguin Spas Premium Outdoor Living
Here at Penguin Spa Premium Outdoor Living, we are passionate about delivering the best quality hot tubs, best quality swim spas, best in energy efficiency, great value for money, and unbeatable customer service. Our friendly team is here to help you choose the right hot tub or swim spa for your needs and your budget.
Our new Scottish outdoor living showroom is an oasis of calm, showcasing a large selection of multiple award-winning hot tubs and accessories we have to offer. Based in Yieldshields, near Carluke – right in the central belt of Scotland – we are within easy reach of the M74 & M8 motorway network and less than 35-minute drive to the city of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Since 2012, Penguin Spas Outdoor Living have been devoted at creating and supplying elaborate products which are all designed to help improve people’s health, wellbeing, wellness, and happiness.
All our premium products are carefully designed and manufactured, and we strive to constantly improve ourselves and the products we deliver. We embrace new technologies and understand the importance of delivering reliable and durable products which help to improve our customers lives.
Do you want to know more about our range of multiple award-winning, energy efficient hot tubs available here in Scotland?
Here at Penguin Spas, we are proud to be the only official Scottish dealer of award-winning, energy efficiency gold standard hot tubs and swim spas from UK designed Sunbeach Spas and the world’s premier spa brand Oasis Spas
Both manufacturers of the Sunbeach Spas and the Oasis Spas have created a complete insulation energy saving system that reduces energy consumption to save you money. You can have peace of mind that your hot tub or swim spa will be hot and ready for you, without costly energy bills.
Sunbeach Swim Spas are leading the hot tub and swim spa industry with cutting edge technology. The multiple award-winning Sunbeach Spas with R10 insulation are all designed here in the UK and are manufactured with the newest industry features which the company consistently pushes the industry forward with innovative designs and features.
Oasis Swim Spas are built by one of the world’s largest international hot tub and swim spa manufacturers who distribute products in 40 countries around the world. Oasis Spas are built to last with premium components and the thickest shells on the market. The Power Saver Technology and R18 multi-layer insulation system will save you thousands over the life of your hot tub or swim spa and the Easy-Care Technology makes maintenance simple.
Marathon Fitness Treadmill Pools allows users to achieve immediate rehabilitation results in water, even when it's too painful to exercise on dry land. Plus you can start earlier so you can get back to your normal life sooner. It's a safe, beneficial option for people with arthritis and other joint disorders; muscular dystrophy; muscle atrophy; and lower-extremity injuries. Walk, jog, or run on our Underwater Treadmill, and you'll burn as many calories as on a dry-land treadmill.
Wood Fired Hot Tubs
We know a lot of thought and research goes into buying a hot tub and if you have not already seen a wood fired hot tub, we would strongly encourage you to come to our new outdoor living showroom where you can view the 2020 European Product Design Award Hot Tub from Tubmarine and a range of Gardenvity wood-fired hot tubs on display.
Tubmarine: Since 2013,Tubmarine founder Chris Galley has worked with the engineers and suppliers throughout the UK and Europe to arrive at the new hot tub design. The end result is a hot tub that requires absolutely no electricity, heats up in less than two hours and is easy to maintain.
Gardenvity: Here at Penguin Spas, we are proud of our continuous business partnership with Gardenvity at providing UK and Ireland logistics of the safe installation of Gardenvity Luxury Wood-Fired Hot Tubs, along with technical advice and support to customers.
Outdoor Living Premium Range
As our company has grown so has our passion to create amazing outdoor spaces. Whatever style garden you have, large or small, you want it to be a place that you can relax in, and escape to. As well as the obvious perks of getting more fresh air and sunlight, there are lots of other benefits of an ideal outdoor living spaces.
Creating an outdoor living space will provide an additional space in your home to relax and unwind. Expand the space that you already have available to you. A casual living space in the garden is also the perfect place to entertain guests, to provide seating, and mingling space to enjoy evening drinks or a BBQ. Create a functional and enjoyable area for you and your family to use in the garden, whatever the weather.
BaltoScandia is a family-owned company founded with a clear objective: to create and design a premium line of Scandinavian designed outdoor living products like no other. There collection of premium Scandinavian designed cosy BBQ huts, grill cabins, glamping pods, glamping cubes, sauna cabins, sauna barrels and hot tub enclosures are all designed for private, and business uses.
Alfa Forni Pizza Ovens - Everybody Loves Restaurant Quality Pizza. Now You Can Enjoy it at Home with an Alfa Oven! Turning a traditional tool like an oven into a designer object acclaimed all over the world as a standard-bearer for “Made in Italy” and high-quality has always been the mission of the Alfa family. That is why Alfa ovens are conceived and designed as professional ovens that guarantee excellent results in baking pizza, bread and then some combined with unparalleled ease of use and maintenance.
The story of RB73 is a story of passion for fire. But also of beautiful and timeless products. Handmade by professionals with love for the product. Enjoy beautiful moments, enjoy staying outside! Think of warm summer evenings, but also throughout the rest of the year there are often beautiful days when an outdoor fireplace can be used to give that wonderful extra warmth and atmosphere on your terrace. The fires have glass fronted doors so you do not suffer from smoke, ash or sparks on the terrace.
Contact Us
Address: Thornhome House, Yieldshields, Carluke, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML8 4QD
Telephone: 0800 112 3886 or 01555 729 607
Email: office@penguinspas.com
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