Swim Spas

[poolboy34]

wow, I REALLY feel young now

[Chas]

Well, I certainly don't mean to stir anything up. I'm enjoyin' it, mind you...  and I'm proud of the way everyone's behavin'..... so far .....


But I have to say, without minimizing these other units:  one dip in a unit which moves the whole body of water, and you'll never go back.

I have seen High School Water Polo players who had a hard time outswimming a Swimex unit on high speed.

And they offer a range of exercise attachments and accessories, from underwater treadmills to rowing, recliner bikes, elipticals, regular excercyles. They also offer units aimed at sports rehab and specialised training. These guys have been doing just this a long time - I became a dealer for them shortly after I became a HotSpring dealer. I lost contact with them - I think they sell factory direct now.

Please understand that these other units offered by the various companies are fine items - some of them are the Bowflex of spas, others are the Universal Gym of spas, etc. But none of them move water like the units I've mentioned. They just can't and don't.

If you want to SWIM - look at swimex or endless. If you want a very high-end home unit spa with lots of options and extras available, these other units could work very well for you. But keep one other thing in mind: if you are doing some serious exercise, you are not going to want to heat the water very warm. As such, a dual-purpose unit must have a gas heater to be able to accomodate swimming and soaking without a long wait for heating, and the costs that would go with that.

The Swimex-type units are dedicated to swimming and exercising.

[stuart]

Well, I certainly don't mean to stir anything up. I'm enjoyin' it, mind you...  and I'm proud of the way everyone's behavin'..... so far .....

Even Steve?

Well I guess he must be, after all you haven't asked him to step outside yet!!

[Steve]

I'm still waiting for that line Stu! Maybe after this post...

Yes Chas, the swimex wheel is pretty cool. I'm not going to repeat myself from the last post as I did explain the negative aspect of turbulence and the fact that POWER (like a spa) really isn’t what makes up these units already. I’m not sure if you missed that or chose to believe that I wasn’t being truthful.

Have you ever tried a variety of swim spas to compare Chas or are you assuming that alternate swim spas with swim jets designed for specifically for swim spas wouldn't be adequate for a competitive swimmer? I'm just trying to understand if this an opinion based on personal experience or an assumption. Your quote of "But I have to say, without minimizing these other units:  one dip in a unit which moves the whole body of water, and you'll never go back." leads me to believe that you have experienced a number of swim spas, correct?

And nooooo, how would that statement ever be construed as minimizing all the other swim spas available…I mean, after all…you
pre-empted your comment with that first so of course there was no insult taken.

I'm not saying that other swim spas can't be decent but I'm trying to understand your bias and the level of knowledge you are basing this on. It’s tough to understand how someone selling spas can take a strong stance without really understanding the products available. Of all people Chas, I certainly expected you to be a little more open minded being that you defend all the posts that question any HotSprings shortcomings (though rightly so) and I'm guessing you find it difficult to comprehend how someone could make up their mind against your product without really taking the time to learn about it. That's how I'm feeling right now I guess...

*the above was said in a chilled sorta way*

Steve

[Chas]

I guess I should try a different approach:


If you want a machine which closely approximates the action of swimming in a lap pool - the best ones move the whole body of water. The flow is amazingly adjustable for speed, there is no turbulance or drag because the water flows evenly and powerfully - all of the water: from top to bottom, side to side. The water makes a single trip from end to end of the swimming area, and then it returns back to the starting point through a counterflow channel under the floor or alongside the bottom under benches, depending on the make and model. It is no more difficult to stay in the center than it would be when swimming down the lane of a real lap pool.

The speed is adjustable over a wide range by use of an electronic control over a gearmotor driving a paddlewheel. The drive unit is heavy duty, and not connected with the heating/filtration system in any way.

These companies offer a wide range of accessories such as eliptical trainers, steppers, treadmills, rowers and cycles. With the large flat floor, these units can allow any form of exercise you can dream up, and if you choose to you can strap on a harness and swim against still water, a punishing workout to be sure.

On the other hand, if you want a huge spa with tons of cool spa-features, which can also be used for all sorts of exercising, (other than a duplicate of swimming in a real lap pool...) then go for one of these other units. They offer much less expensive bungi-cord rowing arms and pull bars, and grab-rails to do leg-lifts and the like.

Bottom line: there are two very distinct categories of 'swim spa.'  I mean no disrepect to my esteemed colleagues: the units they sell are wonderful for what they are. And the units I sell will easily impersonate a lap pool for less money, and while taking up less space.

But the two devices are not even in the same league, other than the fact that they are commonly called by the same name.

How did I do?

[Chas]

One more thing: I have done many miles in a Swimex. I have also tried several different brands of jetted spas, even a huge 'Badu Jet' in a regular swimming pool. This latter item was hooked up to 15 hp (twin 7.5 hp pumps with 3" plumbing and an electrical panel all it's own).

But the most telling was what I described above: seeing the units in use, almost side-by-side at NSPI and other shows.

[Steve]

Hmmmmmmm

[Lori]

Look at these guys trying to provoke something here. Ya bunch of goons!  

YOUNG BUCK? I'm turning 40 on Apr.17 and feel anything BUT! I know that's younger than most of you 'ol fogies here though...

Steve

Hey Steve, April 17 will be our 6th wedding anniversary!  It is also one of my best friend's 41st birthday, so you aren't as old as some people...LOL!  

Does that help?

[Chas]

Hmmmmmmm

[Bill_Stevenson]

We have quite a bit of experience with swim spas having raised a couple of kids who swam competitively all the way through college.  

I think Chas has given excellent advice.  The best ones move the whole body of water with the return being ducted so as not to disturb the smooth laminar flow of the main body of water that the user swims against.  The best one that I have seen and used is the Endless Pool.  I am talking swimming, not other forms of excercise.  An Endless can be set up so that even Olympic level swimmers cannot outswim it.  

Regards,

Bill

[Steve]

Well then, I guess everything I said was completely wrong, deceptive, misleading and inaccurate...I apologize.  :-/    You're right, it has nothing to do with the quality of the swim and less turbulance in the water...it's more about the really BIG water it moves and ya gotta admit...that wheel is sooooo cool to watch!. I mean sheesh...if you can outswim those with a constant 100% effort for like 20 minutes...what's the point? Makes sense and I thank you for steering me straight there.

In closing, I agree with all those people that want 100+ jets for at least some degree of therapy… Those one's with 50 or 60 jets are just child’s play. Oh…and don’t forget a blower…YEH…they move the water around like CRAZY. Must be good! WhooHoo

signed,
Tim Taylor wannabe [glb] ;DWatch for the new Binford 6000 Swim Spa Coming Soon! [/glb]

P.S. Sorry Bill, which swim spa did you say you owned? I missed the part about your experience with them. I did get that the kids are really good swimmers (and that you own a HS spa) but if you can expand on that, it would be great..thanks!

[Spatech_tuo]

Pistols at 10 paces!!

[poolboy34]

I believe Bill said that he has used an Endless Pool in his post.  Both Steve and Chas have brought up excelent points, and given a lot of information on the DIFFERENT types of swim spas available today.  Each type is aimed at a specific customer.  While one might be good for one person it may not be good for another person.  Some people like having lots and lots of jets in their spas, others prefer spas with less jets that move a greater amount of water providing them with a gentler massage.  And in closing................Steve and Chas please STEP AWAY FROM THE GUN DEPOT!!!!

[Steve]

I's jus teasin. No harm no foul.  ..and no weapons used either!

Just hav'n some which ya'll.

Steve

[poolboy34]

I gotta say, the Binford swimspa 6000 was an excelent and funny touch steve