“Should I get a pool or a swim spa?” We’re glad you asked! The best answer to this comes in the form of another question: What are your goals? Ultimately, the scales will tip depending on how you envision using your swimming environment.
Pool or Swim Spa: Does It Matter?
There are numerous ways to create an aquatic environment that is safe, enjoyable, and durable. Pools and swim spas are just two of the most popular members on the list. As you research both options, you’ll notice that the cost of a pool and the cost of a swim spa have broad ranges. When you account for variables like custom features, size, etc., the prices between the two look more and more similar.
Therefore, the best guiding question behind your ownership process is this: How do you want to enhance your quality of life through a pool or swim spa? If you’re not totally sure, consider the following questions for yourself and with other members of your household. After giving them some genuine thought, you’re more likely to land on the best choice.
What activities do you want to perform?
One of the main qualities that differentiate pools from swim spas is size. Let’s put it this way: there’s a reason they’re called “pool parties.” Pools give you more real estate and volume to accommodate party-like activities with multiple users. A game of volleyball. Diving for pool toys. A lazy float on inner tubes. Pools offer all these opportunities. A swim spa, on the other hand, is much smaller. You can still have a social gathering in your swim spa, but it will be much more intimate.
With that said, swim spas have the upper hand if your goal is physical fitness. Their defining characteristic is a menu of programmable flow currents that allow users to perform distance swimming exercises within a much smaller area. Furthermore, they provide hydrotherapy through their hot tub seats. So when you need muscle and joint relief, you have a relaxing, targeted therapy at your disposal. This makes swim spas a great alternative to pools if you have a smaller yard or, simply, want to devote less ground to your swimming area.
How many people do you anticipate using the feature?
Size also figures into how many people you anticipate accessing your swimming environment. So start by counting the number of people in your household. Then, include the number of guests you would ultimately like to invite over for a swim or soak.
Do you want to be that person famous for their summer parties where the whole neighborhood shows up? If so, go with a pool, provided your yard has the space. Again, a swim spa is more fitting for intimate gatherings. Yes, a swim spa accommodates more people than a traditional hot tub (i.e., 5 – 7 people on average). But if you want to play Marco Polo in your swim spa, it’s going to be a short game.
How long do you want your swim season to last?
The final question to ask yourself is how long you want your swim season to last. If you have a pool in Pennsylvania, your swim season ends, typically, between late September and early October when temperatures consistently drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. That is unless you have a reliable pool heater. In this case, you can extend your swim season by as much as a few weeks.
A swim spa, however, gives you the benefit of swimming year-round. This is because it functions like a hot tub with warm waters and heating mechanisms keeping the environment swimmable even in winter conditions.
Where to Get Your Pool or Swim Spa
Whether you prefer a pool or swim spa, Goodall Pools & Spas is Central Pennsylvania’s leading dealer of both. Contact us or visit one of our five locations today. We will help you weigh all your options and deliver the best swim experience for you and your loved ones.
