Is a Jacuzzi® Swim Spa right for me? (Review, costs, features and more)
September 22, 2023
Estimated read time - 12.5 minutes
Author – Annabella Garwood, Content Manager UK, Jacuzzi Group
Thinking of buying a swim spa and wondering what the Jacuzzi® Swim Spa collections can offer?
In this article we’ll give you:
-A clear overview of each Jacuzzi® Swim Spa collection
-Jacuzzi® Swim Spa costs in the UK
-Jacuzzi® Swim Spa features and benefits
-And how to decide if one of our products could be right for you
From here you’ll know if you should take a closer look at a Jacuzzi® Swim Spa, or check out other options.
What is a swim spa?
A swim spa brings together the main features you’ll find in a swimming pool and a hot tub. They're rectangular, have space to swim, deeper, water you can heat and hydrotherapy seating with jets.
You can learn more about the swim spa basics by reading this article.
What are the Jacuzzi® Swim Spa Collections?
There are three Jacuzzi® Swim Spa collections – PowerPro™, PowerActive™, PowerPlay™ and they all offer something different.
This may depend on your budget, size and the primary use you want from a swim spa. Here’s a quick summary:
Jacuzzi® PowerPro™ overview
Models – J-16™ and J-19™
Dimensions – J-16 472 x 236 x 135cm. J-19 564 x 236 x 136cm
Seating – Hydromassage seating with PowerPro® jets
Pumps - x4
Key features:
-Design and construction
-Modern, stylish appearance
-SmoothSwim™ shell design that factors shape of hips into the shell
-Soft stride mats to easily enter and exit swim spa
-Illuminated wide sheet waterfall
-Multi-layered foam insulation
-Heat pump ready plumbing
-Swim
-PowerPro® swim jets (that are adjustable)
-SteadySwim™ buoyancy jet to elevate body while swimming
-Fitness
-PowerTone™ Fitness Kit and Workout Videos
-FORM® Goggles
-Control
-x2 control touch screen control panels
-Water filtration
-Optional
-Rollaway cover (optional)
Ideal for – Swimmers of all abilities
Jacuzzi® PowerActive™ overview
Models – J-16™ and J-19™
Dimensions – J-16™ 472 x 236 x 135cm. J-19™ 564 x 236 x 135cm
Seating – Hydromassage seating with PowerPro® jets
Pumps - x2
Key features:
-Design and construction
-Modern, stylish appearance
-SmoothSwim™ shell design that factors shape of hips into the shell
-Soft stride mats to easily enter and exit swim spa
-Illuminated wide sheet waterfall
-Multi-layered foam insulation
-Heat pump ready plumbing
-Swim
-PowerActive™ swim jets
-SteadySwim™ buoyancy jet to elevate body while swimming
-Fitness
-PowerTone™ Fitness Kit and Workout Videos
-FORM® goggles
-Control
-Touch screen control panel
-Water filtration
-Optional
-Rollaway cover (optional)
-Ideal for – Aqua fitness and fun
Jacuzzi® J-13™ PowerPlay™ overview
Model – J-13™
Dimensions – 381 x 236 x 135cm
Seating – Hydromassage seating with PowerPro® jets and bench seating
Pumps - x3
Key features:
-Design and construction
-Modern, stylish appearance
-Soft Stride mat to prevent slipping during aqua fitness
-Illuminated control panel for ease of use
-Illuminated waterfall
-9 seating around swim spa, including 5 dedicated hydrotherapy seats, bench seating for 4 and a maximised swimming area
-Heat pump ready plumbing
-Swim
-PowerPlay™ swim jets
-Water filtration
-Optional
-SmartTub®
-PowerTone™ Fitness Kit and Workout Videos
-Rollaway cover
-Ideal for – Family play and relaxation
Wondering what some of these key features are? We’ll cover these in more detail in the article.
How much does a Jacuzzi® Swim Spa cost in the UK?
Jacuzzi® Swim Spas vary in price in the UK, depending on the collection and size.
J-13™ PowerPlay® – RRP £22,499.00
J-16™ PowerActive® – RRP £30,499.00
J-19™ PowerActive® – RRP £34,499.00
J-16™ PowerPro® – RRP £35,499.00
J-19™ PowerPro® – RRP £39,499.00
Do I want a swim spa for a great swimming experience?
If you're wanting to swim in a swim spa, the swim experience you get from it is key.
Did you know that if the water flow through the plumbing and out the swim jets is effective, it will lead to a predictable and turbulent-free and smoother swim for you?
Here at Jacuzzi®, we place a big priority on features that contribute to the quality of the swim experience.
Listed below are key features that work together to create a balanced flow of water for swimming.
1 Placing the swim spa pumps near the swim jets
Benefit - The pump will be able to deal with a higher volume of water and less pipework is needed as the water only needs to travel a short distance. The reduced amount of pipework also reduces resistance, so you get maximum water speed from the jets.
2 Vertical discharge of water from pump
Benefit - Increases the volume of water. This upward position, rather than an angled position, reduces drag that can slow the flow of water.
3 Sweep plumbing instead of 90-degree plumbing
Benefit – Can reduce water flow by up to around 30% for every 90-degree bend. Rounded plumbing equipment ensures the water can keep moving.
4 Larger plumbing equipment
Benefit – The Jacuzzi® PowerPro™ collection has 2.5 inch plumbing compared to the standard 2 inch. This leads to a larger volume of water, instead of increased water pressure. (Which isn’t pleasant while you’re swimming face-on to the swim jets!)
5 Swim spa design
There are three design features that work together to create a great swimming experience in a Jacuzzi® Swim Spa
-U-shape design
-Hips in the shell
-Suctions
A - U-shape swim spa design
Jacuzzi® Swim Spas have a U-shape design, compared to others you may see on the market which have a V-shaped tank. So, why does this matter?
The strength of the acrylic can be an indication of what tank design swim spa manufacturers will produce.
As an example, Jacuzzi® Swim Spas are made using a thick acrylic that has a fibreglass backing. Galvanised steel frames are then cemented into the tank of the swim spa to create the U-shape.
Benefit - This U-shape maximises the volume of water that can be added to the swim tank. You will find that Jacuzzi® Swim Spas across the collections have a generous area for swimming, excluding the area with hydrotherapy seating.
B - Hips in the shell
Three quarters of the way down the length of the swim spa, you will notice the shell design replicates the shape of hips. This is to create an eddy current in the water.
Benefit - stop reflective waves and the water from rebounding from the back of the swim spa, crating a back splash on you.
C – Suctions
The suctions work to extend the current of water to wrap it back down the outer edges of the swim spa, in a conveyor belt-like motion.
Benefit - The hip design works in tandem with the suctions at the back of the swim spa to reduce back splash.
Do I want a swim spa for fun or fitness?
Listed below are the jets that help define the type of swim you can experience from each Jacuzzi® Swim Spa collection.
Jacuzzi® PowerPlay™ CX Jets
This CX jet is a round jet which combine both water and air and creates a vortex of water.
Designed for – If you’re looking for a swim spa that creates a fun white-water effect from the swim jets for play, splashing around and children, the PowerPlay™ could be an ideal choice.
Jacuzzi® PowerActive™ AX Jets
The AX jet is an oval jet which flattens the vortex of water.
Designed for – Medium volume and speed of water is ideal for beginner swimmers as well as aqua fitness, fun and play.
Jacuzzi® PowerPro™ PX Jets
The PX jet is a wide stream jet which produces a diffused and smooth flow of water.
Designed for – High volume and speed of water is ideal for more advanced swimmers and doing aqua fitness workouts.
How can I track my swim performance in a swim spa?
FORM smart swim goggles are calibrated to work with Jacuzzi® Swim Spas.
You can use the optical display to keep watch of certain metrics such as time, distance and pace. You can then analyse your results by downloading an app to your smart device.
How much do FORM smart swim goggles cost?
The FORM smart swim goggles cost £249.00 and can be purchased from the FORM smart website.
Do I want a swim spa with a buoyancy jet?
A buoyancy swim jet helps your hips to stay in a high position while swimming, leading to a more enjoyable swimming experience.
You will find the SteadySwim™ buoyancy jet in the PowerPro™ and PowerActive™ Swim Spas.
Do I want a swim spa where I can control the swim level?
Wondering if you can control the swimming experience in a swim spa?
The answer is yes, depending on the swim spa brand and model. In a Jacuzzi® Swim Spa, the level of customisation to suit your swim ability or level of play will vary, depending on the swim spa collection you’re looking at.
In a Jacuzzi® PowerActive™ Swim Spa, you can activate the swim jets and hydrotherapy with the ProTouch™ control keypad. To adjust the speed of water, you can make manual adjustments from the hip jets.
In a Jacuzzi® PowerPro™ Swim Spa, a secondary control panel, alongside the ProTouch™ control, allows you to control the swim levels, you can turn the buoyancy jet on or off. This is useful if you're wanting extra stability or prefer less assistance so you can increase core strength.
This is where you can also activate the HIIT training workout programme.
What is HIIT in a Jacuzzi® Swim Spa?
The High Intensity Interval Training feature allows you to use preset swim workouts or create your own. You can change the speed, set programmes to last between 5 to 45 minutes and set the level from easy, medium to hard.
The pre-set workouts include:
-Short interval swim
-Long interval swim
-Half life
-Peak
-Random
-You can also program and save up to 4 of your own workouts
These workouts are designed to transition between high intensity and low intensity swim levels. The training replicates other varied intensity workouts you may be familiar on equipment such as a treadmill or bike.
With the ability to customise the intervals to suit your fitness level, you can create and achieve your own fitness goals.
If you are coaching someone in a swim spa or want someone to direct you. The person outside the swim spa can also communicate to you what’s on the keypad screen and which interval, workout or break is coming up next.
Do I want a swim spa for aqua fitness?
Is improving or maintaining your fitness or swimming ability one of the reasons why you’re thinking of buying a swim spa?
The great thing about a swim spa is that you can utilise specially designed equipment for a variety of uses. It could be that swimming is your focus and you want to also carry out other exercises to improve your strength or cardio.
On the flipside, you may want to skip the swimming and just focus on using the fitness equipment.
Here are a few accessories that you can pair with a Jacuzzi® Swim Spa. Depending on the collection, you may find they are included with it too!
What is the PowerTone™ Fitness Kit and Workout Series?
If you’re interested in doing drag resistance training in a swim spa, the Jacuzzi® patented PowerTone™ Kit and Workout Series comes with 4 types of equipment that you can use to do your own workouts or follow an online workout series that’s designed specifically for PowerTone™.
The kit comes with PowerTone™ Bells, a swing trainer and resistance fins for your wrists and ankles. Each workout series has its own focus and the exercises and repetitions vary between them.
PowerTone™ is included with PowerActive™ and PowerPro™ swim spas.
How much does the PowerTone™ Fitness Kit and Workout Series cost?
PowerTone™ is offered as standard with Jacuzzi® PowerPro™ and PowerActive™ Swim Spas.
It is an optional purchase with PowerPlay™ and costs £390.
Do I want a swim spa that will last for many years?
Dedication to maintenance and quality of materials are key to a long usability life with a swim spa.
Did you know that the acrylic shell and frame on a swim spa can’t be replaced? That’s why investing in an option that prioritised the quality of build materials can save you time and stress in the long run.
Jacuzzi® Swim Spas are equipped with a shell made with US acrylic and fibreglass. US acrylic is considered to be the best in the industry.
In fact, Jacuzzi® is so confident in the durability of the shell, that we offer a 10-year warranty.
Cemented into this is the galvanised steel frame. It can easily go unnoticed but holds the large volume of swim spa water and won’t rust or deform over time.
You will find other swim spas in the industry have wooden frames and you may want to question their longevity and proneness to hold the significant weight of water in the swim spa.
Do I want a swim spa with quality water filtration?
Maintaining clean, healthy water is as important in a swim spa, as it is in a hot tub.
Different brands offer different systems and features to deal with water maintenance. You will find that Jacuzzi® Swim Spas replicate the water filtration system in Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs.
The Jacuzzi® PowerPlay™ has a 3-stage water filtration system
-ProCatch™ bag
-x2 ProClear® filters
PowerActive™ and PowerPro™ Swim Spas have a 4-stage water filtration system including:
-Skimming weir
-ProCatch™ bag
-x2 ProClear® filters
-CLEARRAY Active Oxygen™
Do I want a swim spa with quality hydrotherapy seating?
Swim spas bring together the best of both worlds, a swimming pool and a hot tub.
Quality options on the market may include some key hydrotherapy components you will featured on the brand’s range of hot tubs. This is something we do here at Jacuzzi®.
The Jacuzzi® PowerPro™ and PowerActive™ models feature jets you will find in the premium J-400™ Hot Tub collection.
The Jacuzzi® PowerPlay™ Swim Spa features jets from the J-300™ Hot Tub collection.
So, why does this matter? If you're looking for a swim spa for play, swimming, aqua fitness as well as resting and relieving your body against hydromassage seating, a Jacuzzi® Swim Spa could be a great option for you.
Do I want to remotely control my swim spa?
Do you lead a busy lifestyle and want care and maintenance for a future swim spa in your life to be as simple as possible? There are a couple of factors that play a part and one of them is SmartTub®.
Some of it functions includes remote access to key controls and settings (such as temperature, jets, filtration and lights) from anywhere with a 3G mobile connection.
SmartTub® will also send you important maintenance alerts and can access the PowerTone™ fitness videos by opening up workout mode.
These are just a few of the SmartTub® features that are available with SmartTub for Jacuzzi® Swim Spas. We recommend you read this article to learn more about this system.
How much does SmartTub® cost?
SmartTub® is included with Jacuzzi® PowerPro™ and PowerActive™ Swim Spas.
It is an optional upgrade with Jacuzzi® PowerPlay™ and costs £399 to buy.
The Jacuzzi® app is free for the first year and costs $36 USD per year following this, for both hot tub and swim spa owners. You'll find that 3 or 5 year app packages are available at a discounted cost.
*Requires subscription beginning in second year of ownership at $36 per year. Estimates are based on sensor readings and are not meant to match your utility measurements. See your local utility company for specifics.
Is a Jacuzzi® Swim Spa right for me?
Now you have read through the key features that define Jacuzzi® Swim Spas, you may still be wondering if a model within our three collections could be right for you?
If you’re looking for a swim spa that features:
-A smooth, balanced flow of water
-Sleek, modern design
-Maximum space with its U-shaped tank
-Swim jets to suit different uses
-Buoyancy jet to assist with elevation while swimming
-Sturdy galvanised steel frame for durability and longevity
-Customisable controls to suit different swimming and fitness levels
-Accessories for aqua fitness
-SmartTub® for remote control, ease of use and accessing workout mode
-Can also act as a large hot tub (J-13™ PowerPlay)
Then a Jacuzzi® Swim Spa could be well suited to you and other people in your life who may use it.
Is a Jacuzzi® Swim Spa not right for me?
If you’re looking for a product:
-In a lower price range
-With no seating (or hydromassage seating isn’t a priority for you)
-No fitness accessories included or available as an optional extra
-No app that offers remote access
-Different swim workouts to what you will find with PowerTone™ Fitness Kit
-Different customising abilities to what you will find on the PowerActive™ and PowerPro™ models
-Is a dual zone swim spa (with a dedicated hot tub space)
-A different look or appearance
Summary
We understand that our products won’t be the solution for everyone. In that case you may want to consider another swim spa option.
If you are interested in taking a closer look at a Jacuzzi® Swim Spa, one of the best ways to help you make a confident decision in which model could be best suited to you is to book a time to try a swim spa for yourself!
Wondering where you can find a Jacuzzi® Swim Spa for sale? There are more than 30 independent dealerships in the UK that offer our products. You can find one nearest to you by clicking the button below and arranging a time to speak to our expert teams.
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