Swimming is an excellent form of low-impact exercise and swim spas are more versatile than full-sized swimming pools as they can be installed in much smaller spaces and used year round. Depending on the model, swim spas allow you to swim at a pace anywhere from 3 km/h to 18 km/h which is faster than Olympic athletes! 

How Fast Can You Swim in a Swim Spa?

There are a few different things to understand that will allow you to feel comfortable swimming in a spa. High quality spas don’t require the use of a tether because they’re strategically shaped and designed to produce a strong enough current to hold the swimmer in place. The ideal spot for swimming is directly in the middle of the current which allows you to maintain a steady, even stroke so you’ll need a wider space than a regular swim lane. 

You might think that a higher horsepower (hp) water pump will result in a stronger swimming current, but you should really look at the gallons per minute (gpm) rating. If you compare a 5 hp pump rated for 360 gpm, it’ll create a stronger current than a 7 hp pump rated for 300 gpm. Most models allow you to adjust the difficulty by swimming against different levels of current anywhere from 3 km/h to 18 km/h (the top pace of elite athletes is around 6-7 km/h). 

In addition to the propulsion method,  the shape of the tank plays a big role in how much turbulence is created which will affect the ability to maintain a natural swimming stroke. Rectangular spas with straight walls create the most turbulence, but ones that have curved walls with recesses and wells that channel the water back to the front of the spa will feel smoother. 

Is it Difficult to Swim in a Swim Spa? 

If you’re used to swimming laps in a pool, a swim spa does take some getting used to. Because the flow of water is constant, it might feel stronger than you’d expect at first and you’ll need to learn to adjust your body position and technique slightly to accommodate it. Most people say it doesn’t take long to adjust once they get used to the sensation but expect it to be more tiring when you’re first starting out.

Propulsion swim spas generate a current using a propeller design which generates a smooth and more streamlined current at the water level and below. Endless Pools X Series has a completely airless water stream to give a smooth stream of water and a river jet built in to help keep the swimmer in line and buoyant. In addition to less turbulence, an airless system also makes it much easier to see in the water while swimming. 

All four strokes are fair game in an Endless Pool, too. There’s no need to worry about hitting your hands on the sides of the pool during butterfly, or kicking the walls during breaststroke, as these pools are designed wide enough to swim comfortably. You can also easily kick, swim with a snorkel or wear fins. If you swim with a swim mirror, you can focus on technique and make corrections with every stroke. 

If you’re looking for a pool that you can enjoy in any type of weather condition, that will fit beautifully inside or outside of your home, a swim spa might be just the thing. Give us a call at 970-879-4390 or click here to contact us for more info.