What is the difference between a Swim Spa and a Spa Pool?

Swim spas and spa pools are distinct products designed for different primary purposes, though they share some features.

Primary Function

A spa pool is primarily designed for relaxation and hydrotherapy. It features moulded seats, massage jets, and heating systems to provide a therapeutic soaking experience. The water temperature typically ranges from 37-40°C, keeping it hot and ready for continuous use.​

A swim spa, by contrast, is designed for both exercise and relaxation. It combines elements of both a swimming pool and a spa pool, featuring powerful jets that create a continuous water current allowing you to swim in place. The water temperature is usually cooler at 26-30°C to facilitate comfortable workouts, though it can be adjusted for relaxation purposes.​​

Size and Space Requirements

Spa pools are relatively compact units, while swim spas are considerably larger and deeper—typically ranging from 4 to 8 metres in length and 1.3 to 1.5 metres in depth, holding 8,000 to 10,000 litres of water. Despite their size advantage over traditional swimming pools, swim spas still require less backyard space than a full-sized pool and can fit virtually anywhere.​​

Core Features and Functionality

The defining feature of a swim spa is its powerful swim jets that generate an adjustable current, enabling a "swim-in-place" experience similar to using a treadmill for running. This allows you to maintain a consistent swimming position without needing lap lanes. Spa pools, meanwhile, feature multiple hydrotherapy jets positioned to target different muscle groups for massage and therapeutic purposes.​

Usage and Fitness

Spa pools excel at relaxation, massage therapy, and hydrotherapy treatments. Swim spas serve dual purposes—they're excellent for low-impact water workouts, resistance training, and athletic recovery, while still offering a separate hydrotherapy area with spa seating for relaxation. This makes swim spas particularly valuable for athletes and fitness-focused individuals.​

Heating and Maintenance

Both are typically heated with electric heaters or heat pumps and can be used year-round. However, swim spas generally require less maintenance than full-sized pools due to their smaller water volume, and they're more environmentally friendly. Both systems use circulation pumps and filtration to keep water clean and heated.​

Cost and Practicality

Swim spas generally have lower upfront costs and ongoing expenses compared to traditional swimming pools, while also being easier to install and more portable. They offer what many consider the "best of both worlds"—providing swimming exercise capability combined with spa relaxation in a single compact unit.​

Conclusion:

Swim spas and spa pools serve distinctly different primary purposes. Spa pools are compact relaxation units designed for hydrotherapy and massage, featuring moulded seats, therapeutic jets, and hot water temperatures (37-40°C) for continuous soaking. Swim spas are larger vessels combining exercise and relaxation functionality, with powerful current-generating jets enabling swimming in place, cooler water temperatures (26-30°C) for comfortable workouts, and separate hydrotherapy zones. While spa pools excel at pure relaxation and therapeutic massage, swim spas offer versatile "best of both worlds" functionality—providing effective low-impact fitness capabilities alongside spa amenities. For those prioritizing relaxation, spa pools are ideal; fitness-focused individuals seeking exercise options with therapeutic benefits will find swim spas more suitable for their comprehensive wellness needs.

In Summary:

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