Swim spa reviews: 'swimmer's treadmills'

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Swim spa reviews: 'swimmer's treadmills'

http://www.latimes.com/features/printedition/health/la-he-gear11-

2008aug11,0,5267154.story

Retired Huntington Beach firefighter LaFever, 61, and his

wife, Gaye, 57, a retired dental hygienist, wanted to stay fit with

daily swimming and water running, but didn't like the heavily

chlorinated water at the gym and didn't have the budget and backyard

space for their own full-size pool. The solution? Last year they got

a swim spa -- essentially an elongated hot tub with a current

emanating from one end. Already popular with dedicated triathletes

and swimmers, these so-called swimmer's treadmills aren't cheap,

starting around $20,000 for a vinyl-lined model and going to $35,000

or more for a fully molded fiberglass pool, not including

installation and remodeling costs. But they eliminate the need to

drive to a public pool, can be used at any time and double as a hot

tub when company's over. The LaFevers just had 12 of their kids,

grandkids and friends in it at once.

--

Roy M. Wallack

Strong current

Endless Pools: Modular, flexible-sized pool -- roughly 8 feet by 15

feet, with steel-panel and vinyl lining -- that uses a 5-horsepower

engine (6- and 7.5-hp optional) and 16-inch propeller to create a

current.

Likes: Smooth, consistent, turbulent-free current about 3 feet wide.

The current does not peter out near the back end (as in the AquaPro

and H2X, at right), as the water is drawn toward rear ports that then

send the water back to the front in side pipes. To take a breather or

swim slower, you can angle slightly off to the side, out of the

narrow current, then duck back into the full stream when you're

ready. Pool can be set up at any depth. Includes retractable security

cover. Much lower-priced than solid fiberglass spas; in fact, if you

already have a pool, Endless Pools' add-on Fastlane device provides

the same current for $5,900, a relative bargain.

Dislikes: Vinyl sheeting may not be as resistant to scuffs or tears

as a hard fiberglass pool, a consideration if it may be used as a

conventional spa. The effect of regular water running on the vinyl

sheet is unknown. Hydrotherapy jets are an option, not standard.

Price: $20,400 for complete system. (800) 732-8660;

www.endlesspools.com.

Whole-pool workout

SwimEx 500: Fiberglass swim spa with a current, driven by a paddle

wheel, that is the width of the pool, not a narrow stream. Pool is 18

feet by 7 1/2 feet, and 50 inches deep.

Likes: Smooth, consistent 6-foot-wide current allowed me to drift a

bit from side to side during my pleasant 20-minute swim. Speed is

easily adjusted by buttons at the edge of the pool. Nonslip bottom is

fine for barefoot running in water. The 50-inch depth is also fine

for running, although my hands came up out of the water a bit (an

optional 1- or 2-foot-deep well box for runners is $3,200 or $3,700

more, respectively, and the 5-foot-deep 600-S model runs $41,250).

Built-in bench seating on each side accommodates 10 to 12 as a spa.

Built-in entrance steps with handrails.

Dislikes: Hydrotherapy jets are an option, not standard.

Price: $26,900. (800) 877-7946; www.swimex.com.

Nautilus in a pool

Aquatic Fitness System AquaPro 19: Fiberglass swim spa that combines

a 5-horsepower engine and six water-current jets with built-in

stretching and strength attachments, such as resistance cords, a

fitness bar and ankle cuffs.

Likes: A full-body water workout. As directed by a trainer, I swam,

ran, did curls, overhead presses, lunges, leaping twists and other

exercises, all made possible by a logical design that allows you to

clip stretch cords and press bars to built-in attachment points.

Sixteen jets make for a good after-swim spa massage.

Dislikes: Current is a bit rougher and more bubbly than in an Endless

Pool or SwimEx, so the swim workout is not as enjoyable or natural.

Water is shallow, like the H2X (below), so upper body is largely out

of the water during running.

Price: Three models, including this one, $25,995 to $34,995. (310)

876-1052 or (800) 530-8036; www.AquaticFitnessSystems.com.

Many uses, low power

H2X CrossTrainer: Acrylic-fiberglass swim spa with swim current, spa

seating for six and numerous attachment points for stretch-cord

exercises. 14 1/2 feet long.

Likes: Lots of variety. Like the AquaPro 19 (above), it can be used

for swimming, water running, resistance exercises (including an

innovative rowing function), and conventional spa-style relaxation.

Superb strength exercises via a variety of stretch cords that attach

around several metal bars at poolside. An optional mp3-player audio

system ($1,200) has pop-up speakers. The acrylic surface is

impregnated with an antimicrobial substance the company says inhibits

growth of algae and reduces cleaning requirements.

Dislikes: The current is a bit rough and underpowered, sloshing the

water around like a storm but only fast enough for good swimmers to

do a moderate-paced breast stroke, not the crawl. I'm slow-to-

average, but out-swam the machine at its highest setting. I was told

that the speed can be ramped up by adjusting internal engine

settings. Water running was fine, although the low water height (3

feet, 4 inches) left my arms in the air.

Price: $25,000 to $35,000, depending on accessories. (260) 436-9100

or (800) 860-7727; www.h2xswimspa.com.