What Does a Professional Swimmer Think of a Swim Spa?
Can you actually swim in a swim spa? Yes you can!
What is it like to swim in a swim spa? That’s a good question that takes a little bit to answer.
People ask us that when they come to our Hydropool retailers on a regular basis. We always invite them to try and we’d do the same for you.
Some people looking at buying a swim spa are vigorous, capable swimmers looking for a place to train. Others want their swim spa to be a place to learn and improve where they can enjoy the benefits of swimming. Whatever swimming experience or type of swim you're looking for, our swim spas are designed for both, and so are many made by other manufacturers.
We want to help if you’re trying to get a sense before you buy on whether swimming in a swim spa will work for you.
So we went to someone who is both a triathlete-level swimmer and someone who works with people as a trainer with a key question: Can you really swim in a swim spa?
Jodie Becker has been a fitness trainer and swim spa owner for years (she owns Hydropool’s 14-foot AquaTrainer). She uses hers for workouts and has sessions where people come train in her swim spa. So we turned to her for an interview about what it is actually like to swim in a swim spa.
What is it Like to Swim in a Swim Spa?
“Just like any swim session, there are good days and bad days. On the good days, you get into the zone, feel super relaxed and comfortable in your body. On the tougher days, the current feels a bit stronger than usual, and you have to work extra hard to stay focused.
“Overall, the swim spa experience compared to the pool is this: You’re not having to change in a smelly changeroom or worry that you’re in the wrong lane. You’re in your backyard, your environment, and totally control the pace.”
Jodie Becker says she used her swim spa more for playing with her son Max than actual swimming once she realized how he liked going in there. Jodie has a Hydropool Aquatic swim spa.
What is the Difference Between Swimming in a Pool or a Swim Spa?
“There’s no need to practice your flip turns in the swim spa! In a pool, you’re always reaching the other side and having to turn around with a flip. It’s often fun at first, but I find most people who are training for open water swims, for example, don’t need to develop that skill. In a swim spa, you’re swimming all of the time.
“The other main difference is that you can change the level of swim that you want. You can set the current high one day, and medium the next, depending on your level or just how you feel. And you can do the same with the temperature. If you want warm water you can adjust that as well.”
How Do You Swim in a Swim Spa?
"It's the same as swimming almost anywhere else. You just have to push a few buttons. On my swim spa, you set the current on the control panel. The current is what you swim into. And after that you just swim to the pace of the current.
"If you find you're struggling a little, you can turn it down to a pace you can handle. And if you're touching the other side because you're feeling so strong that day, you can adjust it up."
Can You Go Whatever Speed You Want in a Swim Spa or Can You “Out Swim It”?
“I’ve heard lots of people say that they can “out swim” the current, and I’m sure they can! The top speed is approximately 1:15/100M, which is very fast.”
“So for sure, you can swim at that pace for maybe a minute. But most workouts are more than a minute long! Controlling the speed and having the ability to train both anaerobically and aerobically really provides the opportunity to custom design your swim session each day.”
What is the Difference Between Swimming in a Lake or Ocean and a Swim Spa?
“I find the lake or ocean more comparable to the swim spa than a pool. The gentle turbulence of the current is a nice comparison to the ocean.
“Luckily, in a swim spa you don’t have to worry about getting hit by a boat or watching where you’re going. And if you get in any trouble, like have a swimmer’s cramp all of a sudden, all you have to do is stand up, with exits all around you.”
How Fast Do You Usually Go When Swimming in a Swim Spa?
“It depends what you’re up to! If your training is calling for some speed intervals, you can crank it up to 9 or 10 for a minute at a time and recover in-between sets. Alternatively, you can set it to a 5 or a 6 and swim for an hour. Totally up to you!”
Can You Do Every Kind of Swim Stroke in a Swim Spa?
“Yes! My swim spa is a 14-footer and I’ve never had an issue with space. If you do want more space than that though, I know there are larger swim spas available. But I’ve never had an issue with the 14-footer and I’ve trained everyone from larger individuals and powerful swimmers to beginners.
“If you’re trying to learn a new stroke, some swimmers benefit from buoyancy jets on Hydropool’s models to help their body position. I’m sure other companies have similar elements. These jets come from the side and help hold you in place so that you stay in the current while you’re learning. We all know there can be some thrashing around when you try a new stroke!”
Jodie Becker is an accomplished triathlete, who has represented Canada at national and international competitions.
What’s It Like to Swim in a Swim Spa?
We hope Jodie gave you a sense of what it’s like to swim in a swim spa. She’s a long-time fitness trainer, who specializes in aquatic training. She has also owned a swim spa herself for years, and uses it as part of her triathlete training program. She also uses it for exercise and relaxation.
While we hope Jodie’s tips and insight helped, we still think the best way to learn what it’s like to swim in a swim spa is to try swimming in it yourself.
We know that might seem awkward for some, but we highly recommend you test it before you buy, just like you’d test drive a car. There are a lot of different manufacturers out there, offering different kinds of swim spa models and you want to know what you’re getting and make sure it’s right for you before you make any downpayments.
If you’d like to find a Hydropool retailer in your area, click here.
