swim spa sizes
Swim spas are increasing in popularity every single day. This is largely due to their compact sizes compared to traditional pools, which makes them perfect for smaller backyards and spaces.
A question we get often,
How much room do you need for a swim spa?
The smallest swim spa models sit around ten feet in length and seven feet in width. Of course, you’ll want to make space for the surrounding area as well. To better understand swim spa sizes and space needs, let’s hop in and explore the variety of swim spa sizes and things you need to consider before purchasing a swim spa for your backyard!
How Much Space Do You Need For Your Swim Spa?
While many choose swim spas over pools because they are far more compact, there are still space requirements for the smallest of swim spas. As we said before, the smallest swim spas that you’ll find on the market hover around ten feet long and seven feet wide. In terms of depth, you’re typically looking around four feet or deeper.
After you have taken your swim spa dimensions into consideration, you will need to factor in any external pieces that you may want to add, including decking, optional steps for easy swim spa access, and more. You’ll want to keep at least a few feet around the outer edges of your swim spa for maintenance as well. Every so often, you might have to have someone come in and check the pumps, heater, or other electronics.
Having enough space for someone to do work is a very important consideration to make ahead of time.
Lastly, you may want to consider what you will put around your swim spa. For example, many people like to create relaxation spaces that sit adjacent to their swim spas. You may also want to create an additional workout space to complement your swim workout.
What Size Swim Spa Is Right For You?
Once you have figured out how much room you will need for your swim spa, there are a few personal considerations you will need to make.
Are you going to be the only one using your swim spa or do you want to be able to host multiple people at once? Do you envision family and friends hanging out together in the swim spa at all?
If that is the case, you’ll want to purchase a model that is large enough to accommodate multiple people. You should also take into consideration how much room there is for seating and relaxation. If you have the available space, your best bet is to purchase a larger swim spa. On average, we recommend that buyers purchase a swim spa that is at least fifteen feet long. At this size, you’ll have plenty of room to relax and hang out with family and friends.
Consider how you are planning on swimming as well. Different types of strokes require different requirements for space. You may want a wide movement area so that you can take advantage of all types of strokes. For example, if you are someone who wants to practice butterfly stroke, you will want to have enough space to accommodate you.
Next, you’ll need to consider your own size, as well as the size of people in your family. If you are on the taller side, it is probably not a great idea to get a small swim spa. Plus, a larger swim spa will provide more flow for the current, which is necessary to provide resistance for larger people. If you or anyone in your family is over six feet tall, you may want to consider shooting for a larger tub.
Swim Spa Dimensions and Sizes
#1 Small Swim Spa – Ten to Eleven Feet
These are the smallest swim spas that you will typically find.
They don’t provide tons of room for swimming, unless you are smaller or you are only planning on doing freestyle or backstroke.
These swim spas are more similar to hot tubs in that they provide users with the benefits of hydrotherapy and muscle relaxation.
However, there is plenty of room for other types of exercise too, especially for those who like to use water weights or perform other types of in-water cardio.
You’ll typically find up to 50 jets in these types of swim spas.
If you don’t have a ton of space to work with, you might want to consider a small swim spa like this. You probably won’t have enough room to hang out with the whole family, though you’ll be able to use powerful jets, take advantage of relaxing massages, and practice different forms of resistance exercise.
What to Expect:
- Great for non-swimming types of exercise
- Similar to a hot tub in terms of use
- Usually one hydrotherapy jet seat
Swim spas that fall within this range are typically referred to as fitness or trainer swimming spas.
These swim spas are best for those looking to take advantage of all types of swimming.
They come with active currents that are powered using rotating paddlewheels, jet propulsions, or propellers.
This size is one of the most popular choices for those who are looking to combine fun and fitness.
You’ll often find these models come with available customizations, including underwater treadmills, rowing machines, and other types of additional exercise equipment.
These types of spas are often upgraded with fountains, waterproof sound systems, LED lighting, and more, making them a wonderful choice for leisure activities too.
What to Expect:
- Better for family fun and fitness
- Additional swim current
- Usually up to two hydrotherapy seats
If you’re looking to add a bit of space for exercising and swimming, we recommend going with a larger swim spa that is somewhere from seventeen to eighteen feet.
These larger swim spas typically come with paddlewheels or propellers for better water flow. We highly recommend these larger swim spas for serious swimmers and athletes, as the higher-tier active currents are far more consistent.
Plus, they usually span the width of the spa, which provides a smooth swimming experience.
Essentially, you’ll get the same flow of water as you would in a larger pool.
Of course, these large swim spas come with additional features as well, including Bluetooth sound systems, LED lighting, WiFi, and more.
What to Expect:
- Plenty of water capacity and additional water features
- Paddlewheel or propeller water currents for more stable swimming sessions
- Usually up to two hydrotherapy seats and two traditional hot tub seats
The longest swim spas on the market fall in this range.
These extra-large swim spas typically come with separated hydrotherapy pools, which are perfect for relaxing and soaking in after a long swim session.
Here you’ll find all of the cool features that are available on other, shorter models, though many of them come with additional luxury features, including tiling, customizable LED lighting, and massage functions.
At this size, you’ll usually find somewhere around 60 or more hydrotherapy jets in the hydrotherapy section.
As for seating, these spas are most often good for anywhere from four to six people. If you’re looking for the biggest and baddest swim spa of them all, check out the models that fall in this size category.
What to Expect:
- Dimensions similar to your average fitness pool
- Between four and five seats in the hot tub section
- Additional fitness products included and currents with better directional resistance
Finding the Best Swim Spa for Your Needs
Buying a swimming spa is a significant investment. You must take the time to do your research.
Never feel afraid to ask your dealer as many questions as you need during the buying process.
Beyond calculating the amount of space that you will need to install your swim spa, you might also want to consider the surrounding area as well.
This can include landscaping and additional outdoor features to complement your spa.
Make sure to check out the product specifications on your chosen model and you’ll be well on your way to bringing one of these luxurious, cutting-edge machines into your outdoor area!
When you’re ready to buy, don’t waste time calling every swim spa dealer in your neighborhood. And don’t overpay! Instead, fill out our FREE questionnaire below to get several quotes based on the features you want in a swim spa.
A lawyer never retires. So I would just say that I am not as active as I used to be. Now I simply dedicate myself to fishing, my hobby, and my grandchildren. For Business Finance News I write about legal aspects of mortgage policies, mostly regarding the rights of policyholders. I also have articles about personal injuries.
