Bradford Swim Spa Review

Pros: It works good and I can lap swim from home every morning before work.

Cons: Expensive

Price Paid: 

Review: 

I grew up swimming on swim team and always found it a good way to stay in shape. It is a pain to go to the pool every day though. I don't have the time. I decided to get a Bradford Swim Spa because I wanted to be able to swim from home. I compared prices of buying a swim spa vs. digging an inground lap pool in the backyard. Both are pretty pricey. Finally I decided a swim spa makes more sense because I live in the Pacific Northwest where it rains a lot and doesn't get that hot even in the summer. I decided a pool I could put indoors was best. I ended up converting the solarium on the back of the house for the purpose.

I went with Bradford instead of some of the other swim spa makers out there because I though their stainless steel and designer ceramic tiles just looked classier than the alternatives. I also like that Bradford is willing to do custom built spas. I wanted something that was going to add value to my home and not just be functional.

The swim spa works like a treadmill but for swimming. You select the current you want and swim against it until you get tired. I'm 6'2" and it is big enough and wide enough for me to do all the strokes. When you don't feel like swimming you can heat up the water and use it for soaking just like with a regular hot tub.

I did not put a price down because with a swim spa you need to realize that the price of the equipment is only part of it. Because it goes in the ground it is a complicated enough install that you will need professionals and that is where the money can really add up. I ended up spending more than I really want to but I don't regret it. I will tell you that the total cost ended up being in the tens of thousands. Fortunately I am happy with the Bradford Swim Spa and it is really a handsome part of my home. I have had it for about a year and so far it does not need any more maintenance than a regular hot tub and it is holding up fine. I have not had any troubles yet. 

There are a few different swim spas out there. I think you will do best if you check out all their sites and order their promo material. I think all of them have free videos. Then you should call them and find out both how much they cost and if you are on your own for installation. I think most of them just ship the units and you have to find someone to install it for you. That can be hard because swim spas are pretty rare so it can be hard to find contractors that have installed it before. Best to get someone who experience with in ground hot tubs.

 

--Review submitted by MakkTruck