Are you keen on doing aquatic exercises?

Do you want a pool that is not very large and easy to manage?

Do you want a recreational facility that is cost-efficient?

Do you still want a pool even if you don't have much space?

If you answer "yes" to all the questions, then a swim spa may be waiting for you! It's the "latest and the greatest" as marketing geeks like to say, and we'll provide you with some information to help you make that decision.

Tread very carefully because this is an investment decision and you'll want that investment to work for you. In other words, you want some ROI (return on investment) that will provide many years of enjoyment.

Needless to say you'll have to do the due diligence when looking for a Houston spa builder to undertake the project for you. You'll find out as you begin your shopping spree that traditional pool builders have added swim spas into their product catalog, introducing innovative technologies and unique accessories that will make you say oh wow!

This should clue you into the idea that swim spas are widely available and are not super luxury commodities that are hard to find.

Exercise benefits of a swim spa:

A swim spa offers a whole spectrum of water aerobic activities like swimming, weight resistance training, jogging, walking, rowing and stretching. For hardworking athletes who are nursing sports injuries, a swim spa is an excellent rehabilitation and therapy tool, although this particular activity must be supervised by a sports fitness professional.

Given the aerobic features of aquatic exercises, you can get your heart pumping efficiently. There are exercise accessories that Houston spa builders offer to complement your exercise routine.

For those who prefer not to use a swim spa for exercise, they can socialize and laze around and carry a conversation while in the water. It's a great meeting place for friends and families.

Swim spa: ideally sized, easy to manage, cost-effective

Because of its smaller size, owning a swim spa is generally cost-effective.

It allows you to conserve your resources - water, chemicals and electricity. It is also easier to maintain because you don't have to scrub and vacuum for hours on end. They require minimum effort, so care and maintenance expenses do not significantly erode your budget.

Remember, however, that adding spa accessories can jack up the price. These accessories range from underwater treadmills and aquatic rowers to weights. There are also accessories that measure speed and distance and heart monitors for those athletes who are keen on monitoring their progress.

Swim spa: space efficient

Esthetic considerations must be included when deciding where to install your swim spa. Think of an area in the house that can accommodate the spa itself along with its technical specifications.

They're compact-sized and range from six to eight feet wide and 17 to 19 feet long. They go from 3 to 5 feet deep. If you have a reasonably-sized house, a swim spa can snuggle almost anywhere in the house. Ideal spots would be a side yard or a basement that's also used as a workout room.

The area must be able to support at least 200 pounds per square foot. If the swim spa is manufactured with fiberglass, you'll need to make room for more weight.

What Motors a Swim Spa?

There are three types of propulsion systems that drive a swim spa, the idea being to direct the water against you, not with you. These systems spew out average speeds from 2.5 to 8 miles per hour.

The first type is the jet propulsion model. Pumps direct water through jets that users adjust for speed, direction and position for flotation purposes. Then you have the propeller-powered types which are located at the front of the spa and covered safely behind a fence.

The propellers manipulate the water towards the center of the spa and to the back. Given the center movement, water along the fringes of the spa flows undisturbed. The third type is the paddlewheel system which is installed behind the spa and it draws water through. It goes at a circulation speed that uses 80% of the spa's water so that it generates a wide and deep wave.

If you go for the portable swim spas, you're in luck because they are manufactured to be over-the-wall units that can be plugged into a swimming pool or to an electrical outlet.