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Swim Spa or Pool: Which Is Better for You?

A young blonde woman with brightly painted nails resting her arms on the tiled edge of a large indoor pool.

Choosing between a traditional swimming pool and a swim spa is one of the most significant backyard investment decisions homeowners face. Both options offer ways to relax, exercise, and entertain, but their features and benefits differ in important ways. In this post, we’ll list the major reasons why someone might prefer a swim spa or pool to help you determine which is the better choice for your property.

Space and Installation Requirements

Swim spas offer remarkable versatility in compact spaces. These units often measure between 7 and 20 feet in length and can fit in areas where traditional pools simply won’t work. Many homeowners install swim spas on existing patios, decks, or smaller yard sections.

By contrast, traditional pools demand substantial yard space and extensive excavation. In general, you’ll need at least 1,200 square feet of backyard space to build a pool, plus additional room for decking and safety features.

Year-Round Usability

Swim spas have built-in heating systems that maintain comfortable water temperatures year-round, extending your swimming season significantly. No matter the weather, you can relax and enjoy therapeutic hydrotherapy jets.

Traditional pools typically operate seasonally in most climates. Heating a full-sized pool becomes expensive during cooler months, often making it impractical for winter use. Pool covers retain some heat but don’t eliminate the substantial energy costs associated with maintaining comfortable temperatures in large water volumes.

Budget

You must consider your budget when deciding whether a swim spa or pool is a better fit for your home. A traditional in-ground pool often involves significant upfront and long-term costs, including the installation, landscaping, fencing, and ongoing maintenance. In contrast, a swim spa offers a more affordable alternative with lower installation and long-term operational expenses.

A Smart Solution for Smaller Spaces

If you’re working with limited backyard space, installing a full-sized swimming pool might not be realistic, regardless of your lifestyle or goals. However, you may be able to achieve what you want with a forever pool. These advanced swim spas use powerful, adjustable current systems that let you swim in place, delivering a continuous, challenging workout without a large footprint. You still get the full-body exercise, low-impact resistance, and therapeutic benefits of swimming in a more compact and energy-efficient setup.

Make the Right Choice With Confidence

At Atlantic Spas and Billiards, we specialize in helping you create the ideal at-home wellness experience, no massive backyard required. We offer high-performance swim spas and forever pools designed to deliver the exercise, hydrotherapy, and relaxation you’re looking for. Whether you want to improve your fitness routine or simply unwind in warm, circulating water, we’ll help you find the best fit.

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