A swim spa is a heated pool designed with a built-in current, allowing you to swim in place. It blends fitness and relaxation into a compact unit, making it perfect for year-round enjoyment in Canada. This guide explores costs, uses, and key benefits.
A swim spa is a compact, insulated unit equipped with a powerful current system that allows you to swim in place, soak, and stay active year-round. It combines the best of a lap pool and a hot tub into one sleek, space-saving design, providing continuous swimming for fitness and warm, massaging waters for relaxation and recovery.
As a trusted provider of home and backyard leisure products proudly made in Canada, Wellness Shop has witnessed firsthand the growing popularity of swim spas across the country. Here’s what we’ve learned: most people think they know what a swim spa is… until they start shopping for one.
That’s when the questions flood in:
- What is a swim spa, really?
- How does it work?
- How much does it cost?
- What’s it like to swim in one?
- Can you even swim properly?
- Will it work in -30°C winters?
- Is it worth choosing over a traditional hot tub or pool?
If you’re considering a swim spa for your Canadian home, you probably have the same questions. We’re here to give you answers!
This guide explores how swim spas work, their operating costs, and whether they’re right for your lifestyle. We’ll cover everything from the mechanics of endless swimming to the real-world experience of owning a swim spa through harsh Canadian winters. Let’s plunge in!
What Is an All-Season Pool?
“All-season pool,” “endless pool,” or “endless swimming pool” are just other names for a swim spa. It often resembles a larger hot tub, but is built for more than just soaking.
Inside, you’ll find a spacious, open swim area with hydrotherapy seats around the sides. Some models even have two distinct zones: a swim area at one end and a hot tub at the other.
Often called “all-season pool” or “all-weather pool” in Canada, these swim spas continue to operate through sweltering summers and deep-freeze winters. They’re built to withstand freeze-thaw cycles so you can enjoy your water workouts, recovery, or relaxation year-round.
How Does a Swim Spa Work?
A swim spa uses swim jets, propulsion systems, or paddlewheels to generate a smooth, adjustable current that is strong enough for continuous swimming. This current provides steady resistance, allowing you to swim in place without exerting extra effort.
It’s similar to running on a treadmill, only you’re moving against water instead of a belt. Like a treadmill, you can adjust the current speeds to match your fitness level. It accommodates beginners, fitness swimmers, and athletes.
Many competitive swimmers (like Michael Phelps, who has his own signature line) use swim spas for technique training, endurance building, and cross-training because they provide a consistent, uninterrupted swim without needing a full-length pool.
Aside from swim jets, an endless lap pool or swim spa also features hydrotherapy jets, typically built into dedicated seating areas, such as those found in a hot tub. These jets give you the soothing massage benefits of a hot tub.
Benefits of a Swim Spa
Swim spas make year-round water workouts, relaxation, and recovery possible. However, are they worth the investment? For many Canadian homeowners, the answer is yes, and here’s why:
- Swim spas operate 365 days a year. Unlike in traditional pools, which you need to close down when temperatures drop, you can swim, soak, and stay active in swim spas even in the dead of Canadian winter.
- Swim spas fit perfectly in Canadian backyards. The compact, space-saving design makes them ideal for urban lots or smaller outdoor spaces.
- Swim spas install quickly with minimal disruption. A swim spa can be set up and ready to use in just a few days, provided you have a solid foundation. Even if you decide to install it inground, it still takes less work and time than a pool.
- Swim spas require minimal maintenance and fewer chemicals than a full-sized pool.
- Swim spas can be used for fitness, fun, recovery, and relaxation. You get a pool and a hot tub in one unit.
- Swim spas are family-friendly. Adjustable current lets kids learn to swim while adults enjoy serious workouts and seniors participate in gentle water aerobics.
- Swim spas cost less to install and operate than a full-sized pool. They cost a fraction of a full-length pool and use smaller water volume, all while providing superior insulation for manageable heating costs even in winter.
- Swim spas are portable. You can change its spot in your yard or take it with you when you move.
Learn more: 5 Reasons You Need a Swim Spa in Your Life
What Is Swimming in a Swim Spa Like?
Swimming in a swim spa feels like swimming in open water while using a treadmill. Many compare the experience to swimming in a lake or river. Whereas in a lap pool you’ll push off walls and count laps, swim spa swimming is continuous and uninterrupted.
That’s why we call it an endless swimming pool! And why it’s especially great for swim training.
Unless you have a large pool, you’ll likely cross a standard backyard pool in just a few strokes before having to turn around. If you’re looking to build endurance, refine your technique, or enjoy a focused, consistent workout, you’ll want non-stop swimming.
Swim spas’ steady current keeps you moving in place, so you can concentrate on your stroke, breathing, and pace without constant stops or flip turns. Plus, they open up possibilities for:
- Vertical aqua fitness
- Water running and jogging (especially in units with built-in underwater treadmills)
- Rehabilitation exercises
- Resistance workouts
Can you swim properly in a swim spa? Absolutely! Its current speed is adjustable, so you can set it up to be as gentle or challenging as you please. If you’re new to swim spa swimming or want to focus on stroke technique without fighting the current, use a swim tether to anchor you in place while you practice your form. |
Learn more: Top 5 Swim Spa Exercises
How Much Does a Swim Spa Cost?
A Canadian-made swim spa costs anywhere from $25,000 to $ 75,000 or more, depending on its size, features, brand, and technology. Installation and delivery can add $1,500 to $3,000 if you require the use of a crane or have a challenging location to access.
However, you don’t always have to pay the full amount upfront. Retailers like The Wellness Shop offer low-interest or even zero financing, allowing you to spread the cost across affordable monthly payments. We also offer free delivery and installation, further cutting down your upfront expenses.
Learn more: How Much Is a Swim Spa
Swim Spa vs Hot Tub vs Lap Pool
| Feature | Swim Spa | Hot Tub | Lap Pool |
| Primary Use | Swimming + Hydrotherapy | Relaxation + Hydrotherapy | Swimming Laps |
| Size | 3.7m – 6.4m or 12′ – 21′ (compact) | 2.1m – 2.7m or 7’ to 9’ (smallest) | 9.1m – 15.2 m or 30’ – 50’ (full size, rectangular) |
| Jets | Adjustable swim jets + hydrotherapy seating | Hydrotherapy seating only | Optional add-on |
| Temperature Control | Adjustable; swim zone cooler, spa zone warmer (if dual-zone) | Hot water only | Typically unheated or minimally heated |
| Year-Round Use | Yes (insulated for all-season use) | Yes (insulated for all-season use) | Usually seasonal, unless heavily heated |
| Exercise Potential | Tethered swimming + water aerobics + resistance training | Light stretching + water aerobics | Lap swimming + water aerobics |
| Maintenance | Moderate | Easiest | Most demanding |
| Installation | Quick, delivered ready-to-use | Quick, delivered ready-to-use | Complex, permanent construction |
| Price | $25,000 to $75,000+ | $4,599 to $40,000+ | $30,000 to $250,000+ |
| Best For | Active families, athletes, and rehab | Relaxation, wellness, and socializing enthusiasts | Competitive swimmers (with a large yard) |
What Is a Lap Pool?
A lap pool is a long, narrow pool made for swimming laps. It allows a straight, uninterrupted swim without relying on jets or currents like a swim spa, although you can add them for extra resistance or relaxation.
Typical lap pool depth is four to five feet, which is ideal for safe and efficient swimming. They’re often unheated, but many homeowners in Canada install heat pumps or gas heaters to maintain a comfortable temperature in the lap pool during cooler months.
Most lap pools are made with concrete or fibreglass, and while these have some insulation properties, keeping a large lap pool heated through Canadian winters is expensive. The massive water volume, often 12,000 to 20,000 gallons, requires enormous amounts of energy to maintain comfortable temperatures when the outside temperature is freezing.
Lap pools simply aren’t designed for all-season use. You either shut them down in winter or pay for costly heating and insulation upgrades. They’re best suited for those with the space, budget, and mild climate to match. |
Image Source: Shutterstock
Which is Better, a Hot Tub or a Swim Spa?
A hot tub is a heated pool designed primarily for relaxation and hydrotherapy. They’re built for soaking, not swimming, often with seats for two to eight people, depending on the size.
Hot tubs maintain higher water temperatures (100-104°F) and feature powerful massage jets strategically positioned to target muscle groups. The focus is on therapeutic benefits:
- stress relief
- muscle relaxation
- improved circulation
- social relaxation
Like swim spas, quality hot tubs operate year-round in Canadian climates. The smaller water volume makes them more energy-efficient to heat and maintain than traditional pools, though less versatile than swim spas for active fitness routines.
If you’re only looking for hydrotherapy and relaxation without the exercise component, a hot tub is the smarter and more cost-effective choice. However, if you want a combination of fitness and therapy, nothing beats a swim spa.
Learn more: Why Buy a Swim Spa Over a Hot Tub?
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the cons with a swim spa?
Swim spas can be expensive upfront, require electricity to run, and need regular maintenance. Some models may also have limited space for advanced swimmers. However, 0% financing and free delivery and installation from reliable sellers like Wellness Shop can address this concern.
Can you swim properly in a swim spa?
Yes, swim spas feature adjustable swim jets and propulsion systems that generate powerful currents that allow you to swim in place with proper form. You can customize the current according to your skill set.
What is the difference between a swim spa and a hot tub?
A hot tub is designed for hydrotherapy and relaxation and is small and compact. A swim spa is longer and built for swimming against a current, exercise, and relaxation.
Find the Best Swim Spas in Canada at Wellness Shop
What is a swim spa if not the ultimate four-season wellness investment for Canadian homeowners? When choosing the best swim spa in Canada, look for models that are:
- Well-insulated and energy-efficient
- Equipped with smooth, adjustable current systems
- Backed by strong warranties and local support
- Sold by trusted retailers like Wellness Shop
Wellness Shop offers Canadian-made SwimLife™ All Season Pools engineered specifically for our climate, accessible through 0% financing for 12 months. We provide complete white-glove service, from delivery and electrical setup to manual labour, permits, and installation.
Key Takeaways on Swim Spas and Lap Pools
- A swim spa is a compact, heated pool equipped with a current that allows you to swim in place. It combines the fitness of a lap pool with the relaxation of a hot tub and is also called an endless or all-season pool.
- Swim spas use jets or propulsion systems to generate adjustable currents for continuous swimming and incorporate hydrotherapy jets for recovery.
- Swim spas are energy-efficient, easy to install, and suitable for all climates, perfect for swimming even in Canadian winters. They’re versatile for fitness, relaxation, and family fun.
- A lap pool is a large, seasonal pool designed for lap swimming. A hot tub offers hydrotherapy and relaxation. A swim spa combines both, allowing year-round swimming and hydrotherapy in one unit.
- Swimming in a swim spa mimics open-water conditions with steady currents, making it perfect for focused workouts. Adjustable settings and features like swim tethers make it versatile for all fitness levels.
Ready to bring year-round wellness home? Shop the best swim spas in Canada from Wellness Shop and get yours delivered next weekend!
