Buy a Hot Tub for Health and Low Stress in 2013

The days before the holidays can seem like more pressure than pleasure. There is the hustle and bustle of trying to finish your holiday shopping and all of those Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve party invites you have to choose from. And in the end you still have to remember to wrap all of those last minute gifts. With stress and a high energy lifestyle and the world wanting more and more from each and every person, de-stressing options are are more important than ever. So what is there to do?

Hot tubs have long been known for their stress relief and relaxation properties. What we have noticed is the way most people feel the stress just melt away when they step foot into a warm, relaxing hot tub. The warm water relaxes and soothes muscle aches and pains, while helping melt away any tension from life. Turn on the jets for the added massing action of hydrotherapy. Hot tubs are like a personal escape from the many outside stress factors in life.

Stress is not good for you, as you probably know. Stress can do more than just sap all of your energy. It can trigger disease and shorten your lifespan. It can cause a myriad of health problems and issues as it begins breaking down your system. It can often lead to weight gain as well. So how can the hot tub help?

If you have a really bad and stressful day, the warm, calming water of your hot tub might be just what you need. It will help sooth away your worries and your muscle tension. You can even bring in a book if you like reading, candles or scent pods if you want a soothing scent. If you have  hot tub with a stereo, you can enjoy some relaxing music from your built in speakers.

What should you look for in a spa to make it the most relaxing experience? Make sure the hot tub is a good fit for your size and shape, and the seating is comfortable. Make sure your spa has multiple jets and jets that are adjustable. These are all great ways to make your hot tub as comfortable and relaxing as possible.

A nice, long hot tub soak might be just the thing to melt away the holiday stress. Head on over to our amazing hot tub model selection to choose the right one for you. And enjoy our free shipping and amazing prices! Happy Holidays from Spas And Stuff.

Hot Tub Stereos Liven Up The Spa

Hot tubs are becoming one of the more popular entertaining features in homes across the country. They are a great way to bring people together for a fun, relaxing and entertaining time. With so many different hot tubs and styles, there are a variety of options to make a hot tub fit into your life. One of the greatest parts of being a hot tub owner is all of the fun toys and hot tub accessories you can outfit your hot tub with.

Awesome and stylish drink holders, floating beer coozies, steps, storage containers, and umbrellas…the options are endless to make your hot tub your own. One of the new popular options for your spas are hot tub stereos.

The BellaGrande SL is one the most sought after hot tubs with a standard stereo system. This system includes four topside pop-up corner speakers that are accompanied by an in-cabinet sub-woofer for great sound quality and volume. A great feature with this stereo hot tub is that the corner speakers are positioned closer to your ears so you do not have to have the volume too loud to enjoy the music. On the other hand, should the occasion arise, the stereo has plenty of power "impress" the neighbors!

In-cabinet sub-woofers improve the sound quality and we always include them on our stereo spas. At Spas And Stuff, we figure that if you are going to add a stereo to your hot tub, the most important feature is the sound quality. These speaker options can be used for stepping up the romance, pumping up the party, or setting a relaxing mood.

SpasAndStuff.com always includes a floating remote for hot tub bather convenience. This allows you to change the music or volume without leaving your seat. We also have two other spa lines with optional stereos. These are the Free Free-Spirit model spas and the Free-Spirit Lounger models.

Visit www.spasandstuff.com to check out our stereo options for your next hot tub. Your entertaining will get a boost and the outdoor hot tub will be the place to be during your next party.

Buying A Hot Tub - Lounger or No Lounger?

There are so many hot tub and spa options that it can be difficult to choose which one is the perfect option for you and your family. Most of the time you have to ask how many people will normally be using your hot tub and how much room you will need. Then you have to ask how large of a hot tub you can buy and consider where you will be putting it, either indoors or outdoors.

For those of our customers who plan on using the hot tub a lot to relax and for therapy work, hot tubs with a personal lounger seat are a great option. They have a lounge-type chair where you can extend your legs, lay back and truly relax in style. If you and your partner would like some more one on one time our Solitude hot tub is perfect to sit and lounge side-by-side. Lounger hot tubs come in all different sizes to fit your needs.

Lounger hot tubs allow the user to escape and relax at a different level from sitting in a regular hot tub. The beauty is you can also sit or lounge, giving this option a nice versatility. Perfect for the person who will mainly be using their hot tub for hydrotherapy and extreme relaxation.

If you are using your hot tub more for entertainment and having a lot of people in the spa the majority of the time, hot tubs with maximum individual seats may be the best choice for you. They give more seating options and allow for everyone to enjoy the hot tub comfortably. These are perfect for the house where the hot tub will get a ton of use by friends and larger families. With round, square and additional shape options, we will find the hot tub to fit all of your needs.

SpasAndStuff.com has discount prices on a great selection of both Lounger and No-Lounger hot tubs and spas. Factory direct hot tubs with free shipping.

Adding a Hot Tub as a Home Improvement

Including a hot tub in your next home improvement project just might be the best thing to increase your home value. When you look around your house, you think of a million things you might want to update or change. Is a hot tub on your list? What is the best way to add a hot tub to your home? We have the answer.

Hot tubs are great for bringing people together and relaxing while entertaining with friends and family. A hot tub has many benefits including physical relaxation as well as providing a great atmosphere for social gatherings. And because a hot tub is heated they can be used all year round.

So where should you put the hot tub to increase the value of your home and make sure it gets the most use?

The Outdoor Hot Tub in the Backyard. Many people love adding a hot tub to their backyard or patio. Since they are heated and can be used all year around, they can be used in all different climates, including snowy vacation homes. With the many different shapes and options, adding a hot tub to your backyard is a great option. If you have the room, you can also add a cabana to surround your hot tub, making it a backyard sanctuary.

The Indoor Basement Hot Tub. Many homes across the nation have basements that are the perfect place to upgrade with a hot tub or spa. These basements are normally slightly colder than the main levels of a home, since they are underground. Plus, basements can be made into entertainment central, with movie rooms, bar features and a relaxing hot tub in the corner. When you are having a get together, many people flock toward the basement in a home since it is designed for entertainment in many instances. What better addition than a spa?

The Bathroom Hot Tub. Some friends of mine decided to upgrade their abode in a major way by adding an amazing hot tub right in the bathroom. They designed the room around this amazing feature, and it was one to remember. Everyone who goes to their home mentions how perfect it is to relax in your hot tub in the comfort of your own home, and how convenient it is to have it right in your bathroom! This might be a great option for you if you have a large bathroom and want to create a relaxing sanctuary.

What other interesting places can you come up with for a hot tub? If you are thinking about some home improvement options for your home, adding a spa to the house or a hot tub in the backyard might be the perfect answer. Visit Spas And Stuff for many perfect hot tub options, including saltwater hot tubs and saltwater hot tub conversions. They offer all different shapes and sizes to fit exactly what you are looking for.

Loving the Round Hot Tub Trend

There are so many benefits to owning a hot tub. Detoxing and relieving muscle soreness are two advantages many active people and those suffering from arthritis think of when hot tubs are brought up. The best way to help heal muscle soreness after a tough workout is to fully relax your muscles, and hot tubs can help you achieve this relaxation. Spending just 30 minutes in a hot tub after working out can help decrease muscle inflammation, helping you recover quickly.

Many people love taking advantage of the benefits listed above, and a round hot tub is shaped perfectly for this. Round hot tubs are the traditional hot tub shape, fitting in the corner of a room or in a smaller space if needed. Most round hot tubs typically sit four to seven people, depending on the model and the size of the hot tub.

Round spas tend to have a more open seating plan feel. The jets in a round hot tub are in strategic positions to define the seats, although some models have sculpted seats. Round hot tubs with barrier-free seating make it easy to move from seat to seat. It depends on your preference and what size and model you are looking at. The average round hot tub measures 78 inches in diameter, but they also come in many different sizes.

Round hot tubs are easy to move and come be situated in smaller house situations easier than some larger rectangular models. As with all hot tubs, it is personal preference depending on how much space you have, how large of a hot tub you would like, and what style you prefer.

SpasAndStuff.com has a great selection of round hot tubs for you to choose from once you determine where you plan to put your hot tub. With a sleek design and the ability to be surrounded by swirling, relaxing water from jets in every position, round hot tubs would make the perfect addition to your house.

Using a Hot Tub For Muscle Soreness

The summer Olympics are in full swing and you felt motivated to head to the gym to channel your inner athlete. Sounded like a good idea after watching the plethora of athletes making it look easy on the television, but now you can barely walk due to your sore muscles. SpasAndStuff.com is here to help you with that issue. Hot tubs are a great way to relax your overworked muscles and help relieve the soreness.

The best way to help heal muscle soreness after a tough workout is to fully relax your muscles, and hot tubs can help you achieve this relaxation. Spending just 30 minutes in a hot tub after working out can help decrease muscle inflammation, helping you recover quickly.

Hot tubs are a great way to promote healing throughout the body by helping you flush the toxins out of your muscles. Warm water combined with increased oxygen and circulation promotes healing inside and out. Research has also shown that the jets in a hot tub help raise antibody levels and white blood cells in injured areas, which help them heal faster by destroying injured cells and stimulating the formation of new, healthy tissue.

Improving nerve function and relieving stress are additional reasons hot tubs are a great place to bring your sore muscles. The increase in circulation due to the warm water can speed the healing of muscles and allow you to fully relax all your muscles.

Next time you overdo it at the gym and try to lift way more weight than you normally do, head to your nearest portable hot tub to help speed the healing from your sore muscles. If you work out on a regular basis, having your own personal hot tub to relax in after each hard workout will give you a tranquil paradise for your muscles. Make sure you grab a water to stay hydrated while relieving your sore muscles. Even if you’re not standing on the podium, your body will feel gold medal worthy at the end of the day.

Cooling your Hot Tub for Summer Fun

The temperatures are rising and the heat of summer is on! With high humidity levels in many areas of the mid west and east coast, and skyrocketing temperatures of 120 in some parts of the west and southwest, a warm hot tub might not sound appealing during the dead of summer.

Spas and hot tubs can make the perfect mini pool if you only have a small deck or patio, or if you don’t want to deal with the maintenance of an above ground pool. Hot tub owners can go into "cool water mode" by turning the temperature down as low as possible so the heater will not come on. This will allow you to enjoy cooler water in the hot, hot heat. Once you remove the hot tub cover and turn on the jets, the spa will begin to cool immediately. Make sure you have any air and waterfall type features on, as this will assist in cooling the water. To keep the spa cooler, you can put the cover back on so the sun doesn’t reheat the tub. You can also try leaving the cover off at night, where the cooler ambient night air can help cool the water. Important to note thought that it is very difficult to get the water below the actual ambient air temperature.

Having a hot tub gives you the perfect soaking tub/pool that is easy to maintain and a great size for those who don’t have a lot of room. Another great benefit is the cost savings that comes from cooling down your hot tub. You don’t have to pay for heating during the warm summer months. This reduces your operating costs for many months, saving you money while still allowing you to enjoy your spa.

If you have small children, cooling down your hot tub will be perfect to allow them to swim without having to invest in a full size pool. They can splash around, enjoy some lemonade, and have the perfect place to spend your warm summer months. Kids love pools during the summer and a small pool is perfect for you to be able to watch the kids in a small space while allowing them to blow off some energy splashing in the water.

SpasAndStuff.com has the largest selection of spas and hot tubs in many different shapes, sizes, styles and price points to fit your needs and exactly what you are looking for. Being able to use the hot tub all year is an added bonus for the family. So what are you waiting for? Get your kids and family the gift of a hot tub that will keep on giving, even all summer and all winter long!

Saltwater Hot Tubs: New Hot Tubs and Converting

Saltwater hot tubs are growing in popularity at an outstanding rate. Due to recent media coverage surrounding chemicals and how they can affect the body, many people are decreasing the amount of chemicals they are exposed to and have made changes in various parts of their lives to achieve this. Saltwater hot tubs offer a great option for those who fall in this camp. They are virtually chemical free and might be a great choice for you.

There are some basic differences between a saltwater hot tub and a conventional, chlorine-based tub. Salt-water hot tubs will often use Bromine instead of chlorine, which has fewer odors, a more neutral smell and tends to be less harsh on the skin and eyes. Salt-water can actually be better for your spa since you should not have to use powders to clean it. Since the Bromine keeps it clean and bacteria free, fewer harsh cleaning agents are required for regular upkeep.

The skin benefits of ocean water have been talked about, and girls even use salt water to style their hair!
Saltwater spas have far less salt content than the ocean, but the same great benefits from the saltwater including those that help your skin, stress levels, and overall health.

Hydrotherapy in saltwater is cleansing and will leave your skin feeling smooth and supple. It increases moisture retention, rejuvenates the skin by detoxifying and promotes cellular regeneration. Salt water also reduces the inflammation of joints and muscles, leaving your body relaxed and stress free. It contains bromide, which helps relieve muscle pain and soreness. The minerals in saltwater also offer health benefits. The potassium present in salt water is beneficial because your blood needs it after exercise. Magnesium helps in making your nervous system healthy. The sodium in salt water keeps your immune system in check for appropriate fluid balance in your body. The calcium helps in keeping your bones and teeth healthy.

Saltwater Systems for New Hot Tubs: SpasAndStuff.com offers the Gecko in.clear® salt bromine generators for hot tubs that use sodium bromide to produce free bromine in spa water, using a chemical reaction similar to that used in a saltwater chlorine generator. A big feature of the bromine salt generator is that the salt content in the water is much less than a salt chlorine generator. With the in.clear® system, it is around 1,400 ppm, compared to a salt chlorine generator system, which is typically more than 2,000 ppm. The lowered salt level is an important benefit because not only is it a less expensive option, but it also reduces the potential for corrosion, which can be a concern in saltwater environments under certain conditions.

Saltwater Systems to Convert your Hot Tub: We now offer compact saltwater chlorine and bromine generators, so you can convert your hot tub to saltwater sanitizing. The same units work with sodium bromide to generate bromine, or sodium chloride to generate chlorine. Whether you choose to convert your hot tub to chlorine or bromine, there is nothing like the soft water feel of a saltwater hot tub.

Spa Lifts - Hot Tub Access for the Disabled

Lift your hot tub experience to the next level and make sure your spa is compliant with the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The regulations have changed and commercial spas and hot tubs have to make small changes to stay within legal limits. We have some exciting and innovative ADA Compliant Pool and Spa lifts to keep your community hot tub available to everyone, including those with disabilities. It also is a great option for those owners that have users that might need spa assistance so everyone can have a good time.

Based on 2010 regulations, all public accommodations including hotels, resorts, timeshares, and more must bring certain elements of their facilities into compliance with the 2010 ADA standards as of March 15, 2012. Congress passed sn extension has been granted for pools, but don't wait. Manufacturing and shipping lead times can be as long as 8 weeks.

Spas, wave action pools and leisure rivers, wading pools and sand bottom pools all need one ADA Compliant Access point. Spas must have a pool lift, transfer all or transfer system. If you have multiple pools or bodies of water, the Rebel Portable Pool and Spa Lift or Scout Pool & Spa Lift might be the perfect option to serve different areas.

In order to confirm your current spa lift is ADA compliant, make sure it has a lifting capacity of at least 300 pounds. A manually cranked or manually rotated lift is not ADA compliant. An ADA Compliant lift is a full power lift with controls that the user can manage on their own

You can review the entire new requirements at the ADA website here. (http://www.ada.gov/).

SpasAndStuff.com has many great options for ADA Spa Lifts to meet your specific style and needs. Our qualified staff can help figure out the best option for your hot tub set up, as well as offer free shipping in the 48 states. Meeting the new regulations can be fun!

Making Your Hot Tub Healthy and More Eco Friendly

Going green continues to be a top priority. Everyone is carrying reusable grocery bags, using reusable water bottles and saving energy at every turn. What can you do to make your hot tub more eco-friendly and green? Most environmental improvements require little effort and are relatively cost effective.

Some awesome ideas to help your hot tub or spa “go green” are:

Keep your hot tub covered when it is not in use. Make sure you utilize your spa cover when the spa is not in use to help keep the water clean and prevent heat and chemicals from escaping into the air. Your spa cover should be free of tears and cracks, and contain thick foam. If your spa cover is damaged, you can check out our great selection of replacement hot tub spa covers.

During colder weather, close the air valves on hot tub jets. Many hot tub models draw air into the water  lines to increase the massaging pressure of the hydrotherapy jets. If you leave the air "open" when you close the hot tub after use, cool air will be drawn in when the hot tub circulates and this will increase the amount of time your heater has to operate to keep the water hot.

Circulate the water on low speed. Some hot tub models use a separate low-speed pump that runs constantly to circulate water. These specially-designed pumps operate on very low horsepower, which keeps monthly electric bills to a minimum while helping maintain healthy water in the spa. They also help recycle the heat as they redistribute the warmth given off by the pump to heat the water. This will help reduce your overall energy consumption.

Reuse the hot tub water for other areas. Since hot tubs need to be drained about every three months, depending on how often you use them, this is a great deal of water waste. Draining the hot tub helps get rid of contaminants. To avoid an average of 500 gallons being wasted, you can use this water to irrigate your lawn. Just be sure to not add any chemicals to the water for at least three days prior to draining.

Any little thing you can do to help save the earth is appreciated by future generations. Hot tubs are great additions to the backyard or home, and there are ways to make them green like the rest of the things in your life. Email us green ideas to keep your hot tub earth friendly?

Inflatable Hot Tubs - Love 'Em

Inflatable hot tubs are one of the most popular options for those on the go. You can set it up whenever and wherever to make this Valentine’s Day the most romantic one yet. You can secretly set it up in your special spot and surprise the one you love with the most romantic picnic and hot tub session ever, while not committing to a hot tub behind his or her back.

Inflatable hot tubs are all the rage with the ability to use them anywhere and set them up when you want to take advantage of the benefits of a relaxing spa session. You can take them with you camping, to the cottage, tailgating at a football game and wherever else you might go.

To use the inflatable hot tub, you simply inflate it, fill it with water, plug it into a 110 volt power supply, let it heat up, and you have a wonderful relaxing hot tub. Besides being easy to move and having the ability to put it up where and when you want to, inflatable hot tubs are also a cheaper option and are still a durable hot tub that can last you for many years. Inflatables are also more economical to buy – so if you thought a hot tub was out of your price range…think inflatable!

SpasAndStuff.com just recently added the Spa2Go and the AiriSpa Inflatable Hot Tubs to their site. The AiriSpa offers a unique construction, making it very strong when inflated. It is lightweight and easy to use.

So if you are holding back from committing to a hot tub due to the cost or lack of mobility, an inflatable hot tub is the perfect option for you. And just in time for Valentine’s day!

Hot Tub Don'ts

Hot tubs are an amazing stable in any entertainer’s house. If you love getting people together, there is no easier way to attract people to your backyard than with owning a hot tub. Spas are relatively easy to use, but there are many bloopers out there teaching people what not to do. Before you learn these horrible experiences on your own the hard way, we will help so you don’t have to make these mistakes on your own.

The following are several “don't's” when it comes to hot tub use:

Don’t Dive
Hot tubs are relatively shallow and this diving explanation seems like something that should not have to be posted here. The problem is when people see water, some automatically turn into an Olympic diver. Diving head first into three feet of water is never a good idea.

Don’t Fall Out of the Hot Tub
If you spend a great deal of time relaxing in the warm waters of your hot tub, you may find your muscles are loose and more relaxed than ever when you exit said spa. Make sure you go slow so that you don't fall upon exiting. Stairs can be slippery and there could be water everywhere.

Don’t Drink Too Much Alcohol
Because the hot water in a hot tub causes your red blood cells to dilate, it increases the absorption of alcohol into your blood stream and multiplies the effects of alcohol on your system. So use caution when enjoying the libations and again, watch the exit!

Don’t Get Trigger Happy on the Temperature Button
Make sure you focus on a comfortable, hot spa temperature instead of overdoing it. It can harm your health if you aren't able to handle it. Take note of the recommended hot tub settings and don’t make your tub hotter than that. US regulations limit a hot tub to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Don’t Forget To Keep It Clean
Have you ever been excited to hang out in someone’s hot tub and noticed how nasty the water looked before you got in? So you made an excuse like you had a birthday party, mother’s anniversary or work meeting to get to. Make sure to keep your water clean by keeping the sanitizer at the proper level at all times. The warm water of hot tubs can provide an ideal breeding ground for potentially harmful microorganisms if we did not initiate and maintain an effective sanitizer system to control them. Make sure you keep it clean so it is an enjoyable experience for all.

This list will help you have the most enjoyable hot tub sessions and parties in 2012, without the embarrassing mishaps that might make the top viewed YouTube videos. Check out www.SpasAndStuff.com for our latest hot tubs and accessories to make your outdoor hot tub the top place to hang out. A definite Do!