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  Swim Spa Sizes: How Big is a Swim Spa?

  Back to the Learning Centre How Big is a Swim Spa? A Guide to Swim Spa Sizes By Jon Filson Hydropool Hot Tubs and Swim Spas Published Jun 16, 2025 You’ve learned about swim spas and you’re getting interested. But as always, logistics get in the way. Can one fit in your garden? How big is a swim spa? How deep are they? Can they go in the ground? What are swim spa sizes? These are all great questions. And we hear them often at our retail stores! Once you’ve decided that you want to be able to swim in your garden in a swim spa, the next logical step is figuring out how you can. That’s what this article is about. We want to answer the most common questions we get about swim spa sizes and installations. We know that most people are buying swim spas for the first time, and as a result, it’s only natural that they have good questions that need answering. So in this article, we will tackle the following questions:What’s the most popular size of swim spa?How big is a swim spa?What is the smallest swim spa?What is the largest swim spa?How much does a swim spa weigh?How deep is a swim spa?How much does a swim spa weigh?Can a swim spa be in ground?After reading it, we hope that you’ll have a solid sense of what sizes swim spas come in and what you may be looking for. What’s the Most Popular Size of Swim Spa? The most popular size you can find is 14 feet long x 8 feet wide (4 meters by 2.5 meters). That would be the top-selling size of swim spas around the world. Essentially every manufacturermakes this size so you will find the most options at this size.In the U.K., we find the 14-foot swim spa makes up about 30 per cent of Hydropool sales (we have two in this length, the Aquatic Trainer and the Aquatic Sport, as well as a 13-foot AquaPlay FFP). There are good reasons why this size is so popular, and why many think it’s the perfect swim spa: A 14-foot swim spa has a decent amount of space in its swim area for most people to swim in. If you’re under 6 feet, you will be able to swim in it easily.It’s small enough to feel intimate like a hot tub.It also fits in most gardens.It’s the easiest to ship. Swim spas that are longer require more space in shipping crates, and the cost of freight can creep up.A 14-foot is not the only size out there. It is just the most common! How Big is a Spa? Most swim spas range from 12 to 21 feet long and are 8 feet wide (Hydropool swim spas range from 13 feet to 19 feet long). We find 13 feet is large enough to feel like a pool and is large enough for families to use as a fun spa to play in.We find most people find the 14-foot combines the best ability to swim at the best price, while taking the least space. It’s big enough to use the swim spa for fitness, swimming and recreation.We have 16-foot swim spas and 17-foot units, which provide more space for swimming and more of a wow factor for gatherings.Our 19-foot models are long enough to hold a full swim spa and separate hot tub in one combined unit or exist as one large, open swim spa.Some manufacturers only offer 14-foot models, because of their popularity. Others have a range of sizes similar to what Hydropool offers. Still others go for the extremes. How Do I Decide Which Swim Spa Size is Best for Me?If you’re trying to decide what size is best for you and you are having trouble deciding, we’d encourage a “wet test.” Which is to say, find a dealer near you and try one or more than one out. These tests can be arranged so you’re the only one in the showroom, if you wish, and they give you a chance to see which size is best. A Guide to Swim Spa Sizes What Shapes Do Swim Spas Come In? Most swim spas are rectangles. You can find the occasional company that makes swim spas in an L-shape, with one exterior cabinet housing a separate hot tub and swim spa (Tidalfit does this, for example). If you do require an L, or a T-shaped set up, we find it can be less expensive and more effective to buy a completely separate hot tub and swim spa. That gives you more flexibility with the build and location of each as well as giving you the pick of which swim spa and which hot tub you’d like.   What’s the Smallest Swim Spa? We have seen swim spas as small as 10 feet. We don’t make one that small because at that point, you’re likely going to bump into the sides of the spa when you swim, as the current will move you around. While we get that size of swim spa would be a fit for some, we don’t think the swimming experience will be worth the price you’d have to pay, and most people would either be better off in a hot tub that size or a slightly larger swim spa. What’s the Largest Swim Spa? We have seen swim spas as large as 39 feet long. That’s a pretty long swim spa, with unique applications, (since you’re only able to swim into the current at one end of it, you’ve got a loooooong stretch that really would be standing room only). Like a stretch limousine, we think it looks impressive, but it’s not something we’d want to use every day (apologies if you’re a celebrity and do use a stretch limo to go everywhere every day).How Deep is a Swim Spa?There is some variation across manufacturers:Hydropool swim spas are 53” deep.You will find some swim spas go deeper than that, up to about 5 feet or 60.”Some swim spas are more shallow, as short as 3 feet deep or 36.”We…

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  Can You Actually Swim In a Swim Spa? The COMPLETE Answer

  Back to the Learning Centre Swim Spa Swimming: Your Guide to Everything You Can Do In a Swim Spa By Jon Filson Hydropool Hot Tubs and Swim Spas Published May 05, 2025 Are you wondering, “Can I swim in a swim spa?” or contemplating how to make the most of your swim spa for fitness? At Hydropool, we understand your curiosity, and we’re here to provide answers and insights into swim spa workouts and aquatic fitness. People invest in swim spas for various reasons. Some seek a cost-effective alternative to traditional pools, while others desire year-round fitness training without leaving their homes. Many simply want a safe aquatic playground for their children. We recognize that discussing swim spa fitness plans with strangers in-store can be uncomfortable. That’s why we elected to write this article. It aims to reveal the potential of swim spa models and how they can enhance your lifestyle, especially since they are still relatively new to many people in the UK. In this article, we’ve enlisted the expertise of Jodie Becker, a Canadian triathlete, mom, and mental health advocate. Together with Jodie, we’ll answer essential questions, such as: Can you really swim in a swim spa? What are the advantage of swim spa training?  Who can work out in a swim spa?  What’s the best swim spa exercise?  Can you build muscle in a swim spa?  Let’s take a look at what you can do.   Can You Really Swim in a Swim Spa?  The answer is a resounding yes! Swim spas originated from dropping a propeller into a pool, creating a current to swim against.  Over the years, they have evolved significantly, with Hydropool playing a leading role in their development since the 1980s. Today, most swim spas have replaced propellers with jets, which, when well-designed, create a smooth, consistent flow of water. Hydropool’s swim spas all work this way (propellers are great, but they take up a lot of room in the spa that isn’t required with a jet system).  While each manufacturer may offer a unique swim experience, the fundamental concept remains the same:  water flows from one end creating a current swimmers face this end and swim in place, often aided by buoyancy jets to help hold them in place suction picks up the water at the other end of the swim spa, recycling it back to the jets to create a continuous flow of current to swim into.  Some swim spas may require tethers (a rope which holds you in place as you swim), but they are generally unnecessary in a quality swim spa.  Some also create a turbulent swim with a lot of air in the water and a great deal of splashing, replicating open water swimming. Others aim to create a more wide, consistent channel of water (Hydropool is in this camp).  Whether you prefer a more dramatic wave-like experience or a calm, strong, ripple-free swim when buying a swim spa, there’s one to suit your needs. What Are the Key Advantages of Swim Spa Training?  Strength and Aerobic Capacity Aquatic fitness offers a unique advantage—it allows you to build strength and aerobic capacity without subjecting your muscles and joints to excessive strain.  This low-impact workout minimizes discomfort and pain, making it accessible to individuals of all fitness levels. While swim spa workouts can be part of a weight loss-focused fitness routine, triathlete Jodie Becker emphasizes a broader perspective.  For her, it’s about promoting movement, well-being, and the joy of exercise. A toned body often follows a lifestyle centered on movement and wellness. As Jodie says of her clients: “I want them to enjoy exercise.”  Canadian triathlete Jodie Becker uses her swim spa to train year-round, even in the middle of winter. That way she can compete in any race around the world, no matter what time of year. Is Aquatic Fitness Exclusively for the Elderly? Exercise and enjoyment don’t always go hand in hand, but swim spas offer a delightful exception. Aquatic fitness is often associated with older adults due to its joint-friendly nature.  But swim spas provide a fitness environment suitable for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Regardless of your age or fitness stage, regular swim spa use can significantly contribute to a healthy lifestyle.  As Jodie asserts, “We have proven, over and over, that aquatic fitness is for athletes at all levels.”  While it has historically been embraced by those with reduced mobility or recovering from injuries due to its low-impact nature, it’s by no means limited to low-intensity workouts. What’s the Ultimate Swim Spa Exercise?  If you had to choose just one fitness exercise in a swim spa, it would undoubtedly be swimming. Swimming offers a comprehensive cardiovascular workout that engages all the muscles in your body. To keep the experience exciting and prevent monotony, we continually introduce new and unique workouts designed to keep you motivated and in excellent shape. Harvard Health agrees, stating that swimming: Engages all major muscle groups Enhances heart health Boosts cognitive function Places minimal stress on joints and the body  The natural buoyancy of water reduces joint stress while providing consistent resistance to strengthen muscles, making swimming a full-body workout. Can You Build Muscle Using a Swim Spa? Absolutely, you can build muscle through swim spa workouts. Hydropool offers a fitness kit tailored for swim spa use, featuring elements designed to facilitate muscle development.  As Jodie points out, “Water provides challenging resistance.” When combined with specialized equipment, it is effective in strength building. Are There Exercises to Avoid in Swim Spas? While there are a range of swim spas that offer an excellent fitness environment, exercising caution is essential. One fundamental guideline is to avoid using equipment designed for dry land in the pool.  Available water fitness kits and specific aquatic gear are designed to harness water’s properties for strength building, improved flexibility, and enhanced mobility. Using inappropriate equipment in the swim spa could lead to damage or safety concerns. Is Aquatic Fitness Right for Me? You can swim in a swim spa or work out in one dozens of ways. Aquatic fitness is an excellent choice for almost anyone. However, it shouldn’t be limited to specific groups. Aquatic fitness, especially swimming, offers lifelong advantages…