The word “spa” elicits an air of relaxation and tranquility. But did you know that your swim spa can also be an amazing place to get a good workout? Whether you’re doing more traditional exercises like resistance swimming or water aerobics all the way to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or plyometric workouts, your swim spa can be an amazing addition to your exercise routine.
Whether you’re a beginning exerciser or advanced gym goer, a swim spa can add an element to your routine you can’t get anywhere else.
Here are some ways to stay active and build strength in a swim spa. They are easy, approachable and also enjoyable!
Common Exercises
One of the most common exercises is unsurprisingly swimming. Swim spas are equipped with a powerful jet that you can swim against as a great workout! Typically, the power of the jet is adjustable depending on the difficulty of exercise you’re looking for ranging from a chill swim to a fast-paced stroke.
Other common bodyweight exercises in a swim spa include walking or jogging in place. Not only is the resistance good for building strength, but the support of the water makes it easier on joints than running or walking on hard ground with repeated impact, which can be especially beneficial for those with preexisting injuries, arthritis, or older adults combating the normal wear and tear that comes with aging.
Water weights can also be used for basic, yet still effective, exercises. For example, floating dumbbells can be lifted underwater for added resistance, while helping to avoid the risk of injury like traditional, on-land dumbbells. Similarly, you could wear water ankle weights when walking or jogging in place in the swim spa to give the legs an extra workout!
Advanced Exercises
Plyometrics are an advanced exercise whether you’re on solid ground or in the water. These explosive movements involve fast, hard exercises such as jumping straight up from a squat position or lunging side to side. The resistance of the water adds a strength element, while the water helps soften the landing on what could otherwise be difficult exercises on the back and knees.
Adding advanced equipment is also a way to up your swim spa exercise game. For example, resistance style tethered cords can help keep you in place while you perform sprints or high knees against the strong current. You could also consider a kickboard, which basically looks like a child’s beach boogie board! You can lay your body on the board to focus on leg kicks, or you can place the board under water for extra resistance against the current known as a “plow.”
On the more expensive end of the budget, equipment like submersible bicycles can provide a unique, fun, and challenging experience. You can also find sports-specific equipment, such as tools that focus on using the resistance of water to help with your golf swing.
Be Safety Conscious
As with any exercise, it’s important to keep safety in mind. If you have any preexisting medical conditions, you should consult your physician for clearance. Further, if you have a history of lightheadedness or fainting, you shouldn’t perform water-based exercises alone.
If heating the swim spa in the winter months for exercise, be cognizant of not staying in the heat too long, especially during high-intensity workouts. While in the water, it can be difficult to tell if you’re actually overheating.
Additionally, check equipment before each use. You’d hate for the tether to break mid-exercise!
Fitness and Relaxation at Home with a Swim Spa
Water-based exercises are an amazing way to get the heart rate up and work on your strength, all while protecting the body’s joints. By implementing combinations of basic exercises and working your way up to more advanced equipment and moves, your swim spa can become one of your best health tools, not to mention the post-workout relaxation.
If you’re looking to add this wonderful investment to your home, speak with a swim spa specialist at The Hot Tub Store. With showrooms in Rochester Hills and Macomb, we can help you explore a variety of swim spas designed for exercise, hydrotherapy, relaxation, and year-round enjoyment. Visit one of our locations and check out the Michael Phelps Signature series or the H2X – you will be amazed!