A Complete Guide to Swim Spa Sizes: What You REALLY Need to Know

Swim spas initially were developed as pool replacements, with the idea of creating all the benefits of a pool in a smaller package and at less cost.

They remain that! We began developing our swim spas in the 1980s, as one of the first in North America. But as swim spas have become more common, people have started using them for different purposes.

Some of the questions we are commonly asked are “what are common swim spa sizes?” and “what’s the largest swim spa I can get?”  

Here’s the speedy response on what’s the largest: When it comes to the largest swim spa, you can get a swim spa up to 25 feet and beyond – we’ve seen models for sale that are up to 40 feet long but they are exceptionally rare. However, most swim spas that are considered “large” are between 17 and 20 feet long.

Why that length? Because a swim spa longer than 20 feet long stops making a lot of sense, unless what you really want is a long, skinny pool (then it makes perfect sense)! Because swim spas feature a current that you swim into, extra length doesn’t give you extra swimming space. It just gives you an extra long skinny pool, as you’re only able to swim into a current at one end.   

Swim spas have minor changes in lengths and widths, and we will go over that in this article, while explaining why swim spas are the size they are. We will cover:

• What are the common swim spa sizes and ranges?
• What are the most popular swim spa sizes?
• What is considered a large swim spa?
• What is a dual-temp swim spa (it’s a certain kind of large swim spa: we’ll explain).
• How do you decide what size of swim spa is best for your space?

By the end, we hope you’ll have a good sense about swim spa sizing.

 

 

What Are the Common Swim Spa Sizes and Ranges?

Common swim spa sizes range from small to large.

• Dimensions typically fall between 12 feet to 20 feet in length.
• Most are about 7 to 8 wide and typically about 3.5 feet deep (although you can find models that are 5 feet or deeper)
• Smaller swim spas are often around 12 to 15 feet in length and are suitable for smaller spaces or for individuals who have limited outdoor area.
• Medium-sized swim spas are typically between 15 to 18 feet long and can accommodate multiple users comfortably.
• Larger swim spas, measuring around 18 to 20 feet in length, offer ample space for swimming and soaking, making them ideal for families or those who enjoy entertaining guests or anyone who wants a split model with both a hot tub and a swim spa (more on that later).

You will find most swim spa manufacturers line up with this approach to sizing. Only a select few have swim spas that are more than 20 feet long – they are quite rare.

What are Hydropool swim spa sizes? Hydropool has a 13-foot model, multiple 14-foot models, multiple 16-foot models and multiple 19-foot models.

What is the Most Popular Swim Spa Size?

Large swim spas aren’t the most popular size: 14 feet by about 7 is the most common size. We think this is because this is a swim spa large enough for anyone to swim in, no matter the height, with ample room. It’s also compact enough to fit into most backyards.

This size is usually adequate to accommodate several bathers as well as taller individuals comfortably. If you are over six feet tall, choosing the smallest swim spa model available will seem a bit cramped.

If you are a competitive swimmer, serious athlete or dedicated to maintaining your wellness, deciding to get a large swim spa is a worthy investment. The convenience of being able to swim, train, exercise, have fun as well as receive therapeutic hydrotherapy massages in the comfort of your own home and at your convenience are what drives many athletes to buy larger swim spas.

What is Considered a Large Swim Spa?

A large swim spa is anything 17 feet or larger. Large swim spas provide ample length for swimming, as well as providing space for family members to enjoy. So they are often purchased by two groups: serious trainers or anyone looking for a full pool replacement.

What is a Duel-Temp Swim Spa?

A duel-temp swim spa is one capable of having two temperatures. This is achieved by having multiple tanks, such as both a swim spa and a hot tub. The Hydropool AquaTrainer 19AX is one example of this.

 

How Do You Measure for Your Swim Spa Space?

There’s one major thing you need to know about figuring out the space required for a swim spa. You need to have  two to three feet of space all the way around it. This is required to ensure you are able to service all sides of the swim spa during the time that you own it.

Delivery is also a key part. At Hydropool, swim spa deliveries are done by crane. This tends to alleviate most of the issues of figuring out how you’re going to access the space where your swim spa will ultimately reside.

What Sizes Do Swim Spas Come in?

Swim spas come in a variety of sizes, with the largest stretching out to nearly 40 feet long. But these are very rare exceptions. Ninety-nine percent of swim spas that are sold are between 13 and 20 feet long.

Most are about 7 to 8 feet wide and about 3.5 feet deep – although some manufacturers offer five-foot deep models as an option.

In this article, we covered all of the sizing information we have! We talked about the common sizes available, duel-temp models and what space you need to leave for deliveries and installation.

We hope we answered all your questions on swim spas, but if you have more questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the dealer closest to you.