Providing Effective Sports, Beauty And Medical Therapy Starts With The Right Massage Table

Whether you’re a student, a newly qualified therapist or have been treating clients for years, without doubt, one of the most important factors in your ability to work well is finding the right massage table. In today’s fast-moving marketplace there are many different styles and qualities of massage table available, so how do you find the right one for you, your clients and the specific treatments you offer?

What To Look For In A Massage Table

The list is long; is a flat massage table adequate or do you need it to have a lifting backrest? Weight will be a key factor if you need a portable couch and which support structure is more suitable – wood or aluminium? It’s a competitive arena for therapists, and a crucial part of gaining your clients repeat custom lies in the creation of a comfortable, relaxing environment - (Click here for 10 tips to keep your customers comfortable and coming back) starting with the treatment bed they’ll be lying on.

It can be a confusing minefield, best avoided by considering the following criteria prior to making your all important decision:

• Which massage table has adequate strength and stability for the treatments you offer? If you perform vigorous types of treatments such as sports massage or physiotherapy, you’ll need a table strong enough to go the distance on a regular basis.
  
  
• How flexible is the massage couch? Reiki practitioners for example will find Reiki end panels and the ability to tilt the bed on an angle essential.
  
  
• Height is another important factor – be sure to check the adjustable height range is suitable for your treatment range (Will you need to sit at certain points? Do some of your clients have difficulty getting onto a high couch? If so your table will need to be at a low level on occasion. A higher level table may be more suitable if you stand throughout treatments.
  
  
• What is the foam thickness and composition? Beauty treatment clients tend to appreciate a more luxurious padding, aiding relaxation during their session – plus it gives a more high-end appeal to your brand image. Consider also if a face cradle or breathe hole is better, and if an arm rest would enhance your treatments.
  
  
• Do you need a narrow or wide massage table width? Therapists of 5’4” or under will find a table width of 29” or under best, whereas if you are 5’10” or over you should opt for a table width of between 27” and 33”. Similarly, those with larger clients on a regular basis will find a wider table width useful, whereas a narrower table is ideal for getting in close and delivering pressure massage and stretching (plus it will be easier to transport around of course!)
  
  
• Are you mobile or at a fixed location? A table no heavier than 15kg is ideal for mobile therapists, plus the ease of set up and put down of your massage table could add up to a lot of time savings.
  
  

Not All Massage Beds Are Created Equal

With such a wealth of choice and wide range of prices available in the world of massage tables, it can be tough identifying the right one for you, especially if you’re starting out and have a limited budget available.

In the same way your clients put their trust in you to provide them with a high quality treatment session, you need to be sure you are equipped with a trustworthy massage table that is strong, comfortable and hard-wearing enough to sustain regular usage.

Affinity Massage Tables – Designed BY Therapists FOR Therapists

With nearly 20 years of manufacturing experience, Affinity therapy tables and equipment have been developed to meet the most demanding of standards, reliability and unsurpassed quality. Working with therapists has enabled Affinity to create and nurture, new and innovative ideas into the tables which are now widely used by the UK’s leading therapists in private practice, spas, salons, colleges, sports and medical establishments.

The Affinity range of Portable Massage Tables portable massage tables are lightweight yet sturdy, featuring a rapid set-up design – the perfect choice for those starting out seeking a reliable table that will see them through training and for years to come. Complete with wheeled carry cases, Therafoam padding and in a choice of frames, Affinity Portable Massage Beds are the ideal blend of comfort and functionality.

And if you are in a fixed salon or centre, the range of Affinity Motorised Massage Tables motorised massage couches offers the ultimate in luxurious, versatile treatment couches. Ideal for Beauty Salons, Holistic and Medical Centres, Hotels, Spas and Sports Clubs/Clinics alike – indeed, you can find Affinity Motorised Couches in many of the UK’s most prolific treatment centres and well known spas, sports clubs and hotels.

No matter what your requirements, the Affinity range will hopefully exceed all your expectations and with the assurance of the backing of one of Europe’s leading leisure manufacturers, Certikin International Ltd, you know that every product is made to the highest of standards is covered by CE approval and carries a 2 year warranty, so when you buy Affinity, you can buy with confidence.

Supporting Your Decision

If you have any questions or concerns about choosing the right Massage Table, simply contact us for advice on 02920 705059 and we will happily discuss your requirements and help you make an informed choice that will suit you and your business now and for years to come.

Chlorine

When chlorine is added to pool or spa water a portion is consumed in the process when it destroys bacteria, algae and other contaminants introduced to the swimming pool or hot tub water. The amount of chlorine consumed is known as chlorine demand. Sunlight, bacteria, perspiration, urine, algae, make up, fake tan and many other forms of debris all create this chlorine demand.

Once this initial demand has been met, the chlorine that remains in the water is referred to as the total residual chlorine, which is a combination of free available chlorine and combined chlorine. The free available chlorine is the active chlorine that’s left to kill any new contaminants entering the pool or spa. Combined chlorine is tied up in nitrogen and ammonia compounds referred to as chloramines, which remain in the water from organic waste from swimmers and bathers. Chloramines are responsible for eye irritation and the chlorine odour that some people find offensive. When chlorine is tied up in chloramines it loses most of it’s effectiveness as a sanitiser.

To keep a swimming pool or hot tub sanitary with chlorine it is necessary to maintain the following free chlorine residuals:

• Residential Pools between 1.0 and 3.0ppm
• Commercial Pools between 1.5 and 2.0ppm using Calcium Hypochlorite or Liquid Chlorine, sometimes a little lower if using UV
• Residential & Commercial Hot tubs and Spas between 3.0 and 5.0ppm

When levels are kept within this range chlorine is able to control organisms as well as destroying any new contaminants entering the pool or hot tub.

Super Chlorination

Super chlorination is recommended as a weekly treatment if temperatures exceed 90 degrees, when your swimming pool or spa is receiving a heavy bather or swimmer load, is subject to long periods of rain or when high winds carry debris and pollen into your pool. Super chlorination is the addition of an extra dose of chlorine to pool or spa water, which brings the free available chlorine levels to 3.0 to 5.0ppm (Generally a super chlorination boosts the free chlorine level up to between 5 – 10ppm). This helps restore the chlorine’s ability to control algae and bacteria. Some algae spores can also become immune to small doses of sanitisers so super chlorination can help combat this.

Shock Treatment

Shock treatment is a larger dose of chlorine to bring the free available chlorine level up to 10ppm. This is intended to control visible algae, burn out organic swimmer and bather waste and destroy excess chloramines. When swimmers complain of burning eyes and a strong chlorine smell, it is due to excess chloramines and not enough free available chlorine residual in the water - not too much! The odour can also be even stronger if the pH is also low. The use of a periodic shock treatment along with a normal chlorination routine will aid in the prevention of undesirable side effects of using your swimming pool or hot tub. After shock treatment do not resume swimming or bathing until the chlorine residual drops to below 3ppm.

Please note, if your chlorine reading is very high, typically 10ppm, you may obtain a false result when testing for pH with a testing kit. In these cases lower the chlorine levels first before testing for pH and total alkalinity.

Bromine

Bromine is another type of pool and hot tub sanitiser, although it is quite different to chlorine. If you using Bromine you won’t require a conditioner (an additive that helps prevent chemicals dissipating under the action of the ultraviolet rays of the sun). Like chlorine, bromine combines with nitrogen and ammonia compounds to form bromamines (as opposed to chloramines). Unlike chloramines, bromamines do not irritate eyes or have an offensive odour, and bromamines are effective sanitisers. Bromine is a more effective sanitiser at higher temperatures and therefore is a popular choice for hot tubs and with pool and spa users that dislike the unpleasant odour associated with chloramines.

A molecule of bromine is 2.25 times as heavy as chlorine, a 1.0ppm chlorine residual is therefore equivalent to a 2.25ppm bromine residual. Therefore, it is important to maintain the following bromine levels:

• Residential & Commercial Pools between 2.0 and 4.0ppm
• Residential Hot tubs and Spas between 3.0 and 5.0ppm
• Commercial Hot tubs and Spas between 4.0 and 6.0ppm

When levels are kept within this range bromine is able to control organisms as well as destroying any new contaminants entering the pool and hot tub.

PH & Total Alkalinity

The two most important factors in controlling your sanitisers ability to kill bacteria are pH and total alkalinity levels.

pH is a value expressing the relative acidity or alkalinity of swimming pool or hot tub water. It is expressed as a number from 0 to 14 with 0 being the most acidic and 14 being the most alkaline. A value of 7.0 is neutral. Low pH values cause corrosion of equipment and pool or spa surfaces. High pH values cause scale to form on equipment and on pool or hot tub surfaces. The ideal range for pools is 7.2 - 7.6 and the ideal range for hot tubs is 7.0 - 7.6. For swimming pools, to raise pH you will need to use Sodium Carbonate or PAK 2 and to lower pH you will need to use Sodium Bisulphate or Pool Acid. For hot tubs, to raise pH you will need to use Aquasparkle pH Plus and to lower pH you will need to use Aquasparkle pH Minus.  

Total Alkalinity is the ability of water to resist a change in pH. It is also commonly known as the buffering capacity of water. High alkalinity makes it hard to change the pH and may cause scale. Low alkalinity causes dramatic changes in pH, often referred to as pH bounce, and causes corrosion of equipment and pool or hot tub surfaces. The ideal total alkalinity varies depending on the type of sanitiser you are using. For swimming pools, to adjust your Total Alkalinity you will need to use Bicarbonate of Soda or PAK 1. For hot tubs you will need to use Aquasparkle TA Plus.

Always remember, total alkalinity is the key to water balance. Always adjust total alkalinity first and then adjust the pH.

pH and Total Alkalinity are related. It is not possible to change one without affecting the other.

Conditioner or Stabiliser

Whatever type of chlorine chemical you use in your swimming pool or hot tub as a disinfectant is a very active chemical that is easily dissipated by the ultraviolet rays of the sun. To prolong the useful life of free, available chlorine the addition of cyanuric acid (conditioner) is recommended when filling a new pool or at the start of each swimming season if required. Conditioner acts as a type of chemical umbrella, protecting the chlorine sanitiser against loss against the sun’s UV rays. The ideal range for pool stabiliser is 30 - 50ppm. All Swim Conditioner is ideal for adjusting the levels of stabiliser in your swimming pool.

Calcium Hardness

Calcium hardness refers to the portion of the swimming pool or hot tub water’s total hardness due to calcium salts. Calcium hardness will vary with your local water source, the chemicals you add to the water and the rate of evaporation. If you’re based in Wales you can check your local authority’s source water quality at the Welsh Water website.

High calcium hardness can cause cloudy water and also cause the formation of scale on pool and spa equipment. If hardness reaches a level of 400ppm, approximately 25% of the pool or spa water it should be drained and refilled. Soft water without hardness is undesirable because it can cause equipment corrosion and adversely affect the grout on concrete tiled pools. Recommended hardness levels are 200-400ppm for tiled pools and 175-250ppm for vinyl, fibreglass or other types of pool and spa surfaces. Increasing water hardness can be achieved with the use of All Swim’s Pak 3, Calcium Chloride.

Win The War Against Algae This Season

Without doubt, one of the most irritating things for swimming pool owners is the dreaded appearance of algae in your pool. Not being able to use the pool during the algae elimination process, the expense of treating the problem and so on.

It is a common problem amongst pool owners, and for many, when the algae is caught early and swift action taken to tackle it they find it easy enough to manage.

However, others may find despite that knowing how to clear the pool of algae and following the correct procedure, they are plagued by stubborn recurrences of algae – and are fed up of it!

If that sounds familiar, you may be experiencing an issue with the level of Phosphates in your swimming pool. Phos-what?! Allow us to explain…

What Are Phosphates?

Phosphates are pollutants that also happen to be a form of plant-food. They are present in rainwater, fertilisers for landscapes, soil and leaves – all of which can find their way into your swimming pool water. When the level of phosphates in water builds up over time, it provides an excellent food source for algae, which alongside light, water and carbon dioxide set the perfect conditions for algae to thrive in.

What Can Be Done To Stop Recurring Algae?

As mentioned above, algae requires four components to enable it to thrive; Light, Water, Carbon Dioxide and Food. By removing one or more of these components, algae will struggle and be unable to thrive. If you find that algae keeps making an unwelcome return to your swimming pool each year, you more than likely have a higher than desired level of phosphates present.

Testing For Phosphates

If all of this sounds familiar, it makes sense to test your water for phosphates. This can easily be done by bringing a water sample into All Swim for us to test for you. Once you’ve identified a high phosphate problem, you can take the necessary steps to remove the phosphate (food) source, dramatically reducing the chance of persistent algae recurrence.

How Do You Remove Phosphates?

When conducting a shock treatment to kill off algae you typically conclude the treatment process with either a clarifier or flocculant product to remove the dead algae spores from the pool water.  While this appears to resolve the problem, phosphate particles are very small and do not get removed at the same time. They remain in the water, waiting for the next batch of algae to emerge!

Fear not though, as there are products specifically designed to remove phosphates; Lo Chlor Starver Phosphate Remover and Lo-Chlor Starver X. These products are a natural composition of unique polymers and rare earth compounds, proven to safely and effectively remove phosphates from swimming pool water, ponds and fountains.

Both Starver and Starver X are fast acting while simultaneously increasing the efficiency of sanitisers and salt water chlorinators. There is no need to vacuum to waste as no residue settles in the pool and they are compatible with all pool treatment products and equipment.

We offer free, comprehensive advice on all manner of water chemistry queries and managing your swimming pool too of course, so please feel free to get in touch with any questions you have either by calling 02920 705059, emailing sales@allswimltd.com or visiting our swimming pool and hot tub showroom here in Cardiff. We’re here to help!

What is a liquid pool cover?

Heatsavr is an effective ‘liquid pool blanket’ for swimming pools and spas that replaces the need for conventional pool covers, greatly reducing heat loss and evaporation from exposed pool surfaces 24 hours a day.

Heatsavr is a patented, non-toxic, biodegradable and completely safe liquid that does not change the appearance or operation of your pool and has been fully tested by numerous independent authorities to ensure that it meets the health and safety standards required.

What are the benefits of Heatsavr over conventional pool covers?

• Low capital cost
• Quick payback – costs funded directly from savings
• Available 24/7
• No cleaning issues due to bacterial build up
• Fully automatic – no cover to remove
• Pool always ready to use
• Ultimate reliability
• Energy Savings up to 50%

Using Heatsavr for outdoor pools

Heatsavr works like conventional solar covers for outdoor pools by enabling the pool to benefit from direct solar radiation, so an unheated pool will be naturally warmer or a heated pool cost less to run. Savings relate directly to reduced evaporation and hence pool water heat loss. Heat savings of up to 40% can be expected using Heatsavr although actual savings will depend on location and usage.

Using Heatsavr for indoor swimming pools

In addition to savings on water heating, Heatsavr also reduces the overall energy usage which includes dehumidification and air heating. Reduced evaporation means less load on any dehumidification plant and when the pool is unoccupied the air temperature can be reduced to a set back level, resulting in reduced air heating costs. Dependant on building design and pool usage, overall reduction in energy costs can be as high as 50% when using Heatsavr compared to an uncovered pool.

Chemical Savings of up to 50%

Whilst the chemical saving benefits of Heatsavr have long been recognised, controlled tests carried out on several outdoor pools during 2011 showed reductions in chlorine consumption of between 45 and 50% - economic justification alone for the use of Heatsavr without taking into account the energy savings!

How does Heatsavr work?

In non-technical terms Heatsavr is a mixture of carefully chosen ingredients which are lighter than water so the mixture automatically floats to the surface. The particles of the liquid are then attracted to each other so they always try to form a perfect, very thin layer - one molecule thick - over the whole surface of the pool. They are individually so small that they are 500 times smaller than the spaces in a super high quality filter so you won’t lose performance from your swimming pool filtration system.

Unlike a conventional pool cover which has to be removed from the pool for swimming, the Heatsavr molecules break apart locally whenever the water is sufficiently disturbed but when the water calms down again they regroup to re-form the protective layer.

Easy and inexpensive to install, it provides a reliable and accurate method of ensuring that the pool benefits from the maximum energy savings possible. Fully programmable to suit pool size and hours of operation, it only requires a periodic check of the reservoir, topping up as necessary.

How to calculate the application rate of Heatsavr

Calculate your swimming pool’s surface area (length x width) then add 0.8ml per sq metre every 24 hours for a skimmer pool and 1ml per sq metre every 24 hours for a deck level pool. To help automatically dose you can use a Heatsavr dosing pump to ensure the Heatsavr liquid is added to your pool on a regular basis.

• Save money, water & energy
• Biodegradable: Environmentally friendly
• Reduces make up water
• Proven: Lab & field tested and verified
• Easy to use – no manual handling
• Reduces humidity in indoor pools
• Safe: Tested extensively
• Transparent
• Safe for filters & plumbing

Heatsavr is also undetectable by pool users as it’s  tasteless, odourless and leaves no residue on your hair or clothing.

Ecosavr

For a handy way to dose your domestic swimming pool with Heatsavr why not try the Ecosavr Fish? Combining the effective ‘liquid pool blanket’ treatment in a handy, easy to use sachet. One Ecosavr Fish treats a pool up to 40m2 for approximately one month, larger pools will require two Ecosavr Fish.

AquaFinesse offers you an alternative to chlorine and bromine

As a hot tub owner, one of the first things you come to understand is the importance of sanitising the water in your spa, right? A vital step in looking after both the health and wellbeing of those using your hot tub and the water quality involves eliminating and killing bacteria, protecting users from the unwelcome, hazardous effects bacteria can pose.

An Alternative Choice

Whilst the majority of hot tub and spa owners still tend to use either Chlorine or Bromine as their sanitiser of choice, did you know there is an alternative product that not only destroys bacteria, but actually prevents it from reforming?! That's right, Aquafiness offers you a proven alternative to traditional sanitisers.

The AquaFinesse Effect

Firstly, let’s ensure we fully understand the cause of bacterial build up; in order for it to thrive, bacteria creates a layer of slime where they feed, shelter and breed (gross isn’t it?!). As time passes, the slime (called Biofilm) actually increases in thickness, becoming increasingly resistant to sanitisers. In fact, 99% of all bacteria actually live in the Biofilm, only 1% of bacteria present in a spa lives in the water itself!

This then lurks invisibly on surfaces in your hot tub and within the pipework – and even high levels of chlorine or bromine are only able to kill off bacteria in the outer layer, with the remaining bacteria still present (and able to continue breeding) underneath.

Our AquaFinesse kit is a simple, environmentally friendly, patented weekly treatment that really takes bacteria and biofilm to task; the Aquafinesse ingredients act by loosening the slimy layer of biofilm from surfaces and pipework, which the action of the water then rinses away. Bacteria is also prevented from reforming, as it simply can no longer stick to surfaces during the presence of AquaFinesse. Only a very small amount of sanitiser is required alongside AquaFinesse. An added bonus is AquaFinesse’s ability to prevent calcium build up (your hot tub will thank you for this!).

How Do I Switch To AquaFinesse?

If you have previously been using chlorine or bromine as your sanitiser, you will need to perform a ‘deep clean’ with AquaFinesse Spa Clean prior to changing over AND to shock dose with your sanitiser at the same time. This action kills off and releases the bacteria present. Next you will need to drain your hot tub and fill with fresh water.

Then you can simply continue to use AquaFinesse weekly and enjoy crystal clear, softer and safer spa water every use.

Are swim spas going to be big enough to swim in?

This is a question we get asked regularly from customers looking at purchasing swim spas, and the answer is yes, of course. You don’t need a large area or a deep body of water to be able to swim effectively. If you’ve ever used public swimming pools you probably didn’t need to adjust your swimming stroke when transitioning from the deep end to the shallow end, and the shallow end of a municipal pool will usually measure 0.9 metres in depth (some of the swimspas in our range are deeper than this).

So what is a swim spa and how does it work?

Well, a swim spa is a product that allows you to swim continuously against a current without having to turn or change direction, often referred to as a counter current swimming pool. Whether you're a fitness fanatic training to keep fit and healthy, or looking to endure the extreme demands of competitive swimming, open water swimming, triathlons or iron man competitions, a swim spa can provide you with a tailored, adjustable swim current strength to suit your individual fitness needs. They also have their own integrated heaters so you can adjust the water temperature to suit you. They're a bit like an oversized hot tub swimming machine!

Swim spas work by either using a counter current swim jets to create an adjustable water current to swim against or, in the case of our Endless Pools Fitness Systems, use the unrivalled Endless Pools Fastlane to provide the water current for you. Either counter current pool will work well to help you increase your swimming fitness and choice is usually dependent on your needs and proposed use.

Which counter current swimming machine will be the best for me?

This will depend entirely on your individual needs and how you will be using the swim spa. You will either be considering counter current swim jets or an Endless Pools Fastlane. Don’t worry, our trained sales staff are here to help you make the right choice for you but we can let you know a little bit about each type of system to help you understand how to make the right choice for you. We also have the X500 Swimcross Exercise System and E2000 Endless Pools Fitness System available to view and wet test at our Cardiff showroom, just bring your swimming costume and a towel to try these fabulous swim spas for yourself!

Counter current swim jets are designed for both swim and water workout exercising and are suitable for all ages, body sizes and skill levels. Our SwimCross Exercise Systems feature five swim jets and are driven by two pumps providing a powerful and steady water stream of 1,200 litres per minute. The SwimCross jet design is also unlike many other because they don’t rely on introducing air to the swim current to add extra force, instead they use a boost effect to draw in more water, multiplying the volume and resulting in a stronger resistance for swimming against with less turbulence. This means you will find it easier to stay centered on the swimlane and the unique lift provided by the lower jets gives you added buoyancy when in the water.

The Endless Pools Fitness Systems is a swimming pool counter current system that will appeal to regular swimmers and fitness enthusiasts right through to serious competitive swimmers, triathletes and iron men and women, it offers you the ultimate in swim lane technology. The industry leading Endless Pools Fastlane provides a superior swim-in-place experience, is custom made and the hydraulically powered propulsion system creates a laminar current of up to 19,000 litres per minute that is wider than your body and deeper than your stroke! Featuring multiple conditioning grills help smooth and redirect the water, removing air resulting in a counter current pool that is completely free of turbulence. Even at full power it feels like swimming in a smooth, open water current. The swimming machine flow can also be adjusted from speeds ranging from 5:33 minutes (gentle breaststroke) to 1:14 minutes per 100 metres and can be precisely adjusted for perfect pace control.

These swim spas also have some great optional extras to further enhance your swim training. Choose a swim pace display system to really start measuring your performance efforts or, if you opt for a system without an underwater treadmill, add an underwater floor mirror.

Can I choose a size of swim spa that’s right for me?

Yes you can. The SwimCross and Fitness Systems are available in a number of different sizes and depth to suit your particular needs. The respective swim lane lengths for each swim spa are then determined by the distance from the front of the swim jet to the start of the first step at the rear of the unit. This gives you an indication of the fit you will need to comfortably swim within the swim lane offered by each model.

Swim lane length of the X200 Swimcross Exercise System

Swim lane length of the X500 Swimcross Exercise System

Swim lane length of the Endless Pools Fitness System E500

Swim lane length of the Endless Pools Fitness System E700

Swim lane length of the Endless Pools Fitness System E2000

Awarding excellence in the Swimming Pool, Swimspa and Hot tub industry

Well, another year is fast approaching an end and it’s time for companies in the Pool and Spa industry to start reflecting on their achievements over the past twelve months and plan for the forthcoming new season. Every company hopes to build on the completion of successful swimming pool and hot tub projects year on year, improve customer service levels and make valued improvements to the overall buying experience. It’s also nice to know that those continued efforts in a business are implemented effectively and that the improvements are recognised by both customers and industry peers alike. No industry awards ceremony reflects those efforts better than the UK Pool & Spa Awards.

Now in it’s seventh year the UK Pool & Spa Awards has continued to grow bigger and better year on year and has seen an overwhelming demand for entrants with 31 award winning opportunities now on offer. The competition is open to the entire water leisure industry across multiple disciplines including swimming pool designers, swimming pool installers, hot tub and swim spa manufacturers together with retailers and wholesalers. Entering these prestigious awards is an opportunity for any company to raise their profile amongst industry leaders and customers alike.

Simply entering these awards isn’t a guarantee of success though. Each entry is judged by both a public and private vote with 40% of the overall vote being cast on-line by the general public and 60% being judged by a specially selected panel consisting of industry representatives and professionals from around the globe. If you’re going to put yourself forward for an award there aren’t many places to hide unfortunately!

As ever, we’ve continued to work hard to make improvements to the business over the last year and decided that the categories best reflecting our efforts for reward were Spa Retailer of the Year, Pool Retailer of the Year, Pool Showroom of the Year, Pool & Spa Showroom of the Year and Website of the Year. That’s 5 in total, hopefully everyone else agreed with our opinions on the improvements we had made!

So began the anxious wait for the award results at The Vox Conference Centre, Resorts World, Birmingham. As ever, the turnout was impressive with many leading industry figures present including a special guest appearance from Michelle Dewberry, a broadcaster, business woman and winner of the second series of the BBC’s, Apprentice. Our first chance to settle the nerves came with an informal networking session with major suppliers within the swimming pool, swimspa and hot tub industry followed by an introduction to the award entries and the companies looking to take home some awards. The competition was as strong as ever and winning an award was going to be an achievement this year.

After a few inspirational words from Michelle on the role of technology and young women in business together with an insightful look at the pool and spa industry and the repercussions of the Brexit vote by the UK Pool & Spa Awards event organiser it was time to announce the winners. First awards category and our first entry, Website of the Year. There were some well deserved Business Award winners in this competitive field but we were stunned to be collecting our first win so early in the evening, a Gold Standard Award for the All Swim website. A great start! Next came the Commercial Pool and Project Awards with some stand out winners in the Luxury Pools and Hot Tub and Spa of the Year Awards. Finally, the Prestige Awards and the remainder of our four entries, let’s hope we followed on from our early success. Pool Showroom of the Year was announced as another Gold Standard Award for All Swim, followed by Winner of the Pool and Spa Showroom of the Year and amazingly, 2 more Gold Standard Awards for Pool Retailer of the Year and Spa Retailer of the Year. What an incredible end to an exciting evening of events, an award in every category we entered!

Jane Veysey, company director remarked:

“It’s unbelievable to receive so many awards at the UK Pool & Spa Awards this year, they are always genuinely unexpected as the competition is always very tough. I would just like to thank all of our customers for their continued support and to my team of staff who help make my business a success with their hard work and commitment.”

Here’s to another year of continued improvements at All Swim and another successful year of business in 2018, we hope you will all continue to support us as a business and enjoy the continued improvements we consistently make to our products and services.

Is Swimming The Ideal Exercise Choice For All?

Whether you enjoy the occasional leisurely dip in the swimming pool or competing for your club team, we all know that swimming provides great benefits to health and wellbeing.  And with today’s hectic pace of life, it’s never been more important to dedicate time to taking care of ourselves and using that time wisely to improve our health, fitness and general wellbeing. 

Here are four reasons to consider fitting swimming into your workout routine:

#1 Swimming Boosts Mindfulness

While most forms of exercise are proven to release endorphins and aid mental wellbeing, the act of swimming forces you to truly ‘live in the moment’ as your visual focus is solely on the water not easily distracted by anything around you. In addition, the sound of the rushing water as you move aids in transporting you to a ‘zen’ like mental state – helping you to switch off from the stresses of the day.  Swimming has even been referred to as the Moving Meditation, a great option if you aren’t keen on traditional meditation styles. Here's 4 useful tips for turning your swimming routines into moving meditation.

#2 Time Savvy Workouts

Did you know that exercising in water makes your body work harder than on dry land? So swap that 45 minute exercise class the other side of town for a 30 minute aquatic workout instead when time is of the essence. Here's 8 more benefits of swimming that you may not be aware of. And don't worry, we understand that not everyone has the space for traditional swimming pools so our superb range of swimspas allows you to swim in place with the added benefits of easy installation of a unit that is totally self-contained.

#3 Swimming Can Help Relieve Asthma Symptoms

It can prove difficult trying to find the most suitable form of keeping fit when you suffer from asthma or respiratory system complaints, particularly as breathing in cold, dry air is often a trigger for symptoms.  The air you breathe in while swimming (particularly indoors) is moist, warm and humid which does not cause the same irritation in the lungs and airways – helping asthma sufferers to enjoy a work out without the additional struggle of battling symptoms. Here's more information on why regular exercise offers many benefits for people with asthma.

#4 Full Body Workout Minus The Impact

Every stroke and kick when swimming provides excellent resistance, as water is denser than air, and while your limbs are working hard your core stability comes into play to keep your head, neck and spine stable while your heart and lungs pump simultaneously. This combination of factors ticks every box in the great workout checklist; Aerobic Fitness, Core Stability Strengthening and Muscle Building/Definition.  Swimming is also a low-impact form of exercise, making it the ideal choice for those recovering from injury or suffering from joint and mobility issues.

Regardless of your ability level, swimming can provide some unique health and wellness benefits for everyone - whether you are 8 months or 80 years old! 

Discover The Health Benefits Of A Barrel Sauna

Barrel saunas are a great addition to any home and the build quality and craftsmanship of our barrel saunas will provide you with years of care free, outdoor sauna living. The circular design of a barrel sauna helps eliminate unused air spaces allowing the sauna to heat up more rapidly. The circular design also helps the hot air rising to the ceiling to be pushed naturally back down into the sauna, creating warmer temperatures lower in the barrel sauna.

Cooperage is also a key aspect to your barrel saunas performance. Constructed in a similar way to wine barrels (that can only be a good thing!), our Almost Heaven Saunas are specifically designed with a breathable performance in mind. With no permanent fixings and specially designed fixing bands the saunas staves are able to swell and contract with fluctuations in temperature, creating a tight seal for the trapped heat to help rejuvenate your body. The solid wood construction also has great insulating properties, prevents delamination and closely replicates the look, smell and feel of a traditional Finnish sauna experience.

Saunas Help Relieve Stress

Reducing your stress levels is one of the key benefits of using a sauna. Medical studies often cite stress as a major factor affecting our health and well being. Stepping into a sauna helps you immediately shut off from the outside world, enclosed in a warm, quiet space free from everyday distractions immediately puts you in a calmer, more relaxed state of mind. The heat from a barrel sauna helps relax your body’s muscles, stimulates circulation and encourages the release of endorphins, the ‘feel good’ chemical that gives you a natural high.

Muscle Aches And Pains Can Be Soothed Away

As well as promoting the release of endorphins that can help reduce the sensation of pain, the natural heat of a barrel sauna raises your body temperature, dilating blood vessels and improving your circulation. An increased blood flow can help speed up your body’s natural healing process and promote muscle regeneration together with natural healing. Stepping into a barrel sauna after an intense workout will immediately reduce muscle tension, eliminate lactic acid build up and help reduce toxin levels in your body. The perfect way to unwind after exercise.

Cleanse Your Skin The Natural Way

Sweating helps your skin naturally clear pores, rinse bacteria and replace dead skin cells, keeping your skin feeling soft and rejuvenated.

Saunas Help Improve Your Sleep Patterns

Natural sleep is normally preceded by a drop in body temperature. Using a barrel sauna in the evenings will help you increase your body temperature which in turn promotes a dramatic drop in core temperature after sauna use. This in turn signals the brain that it is time to sleep. Users often recount the feelings of deep sleep after bathing in the calming heat of a sauna.

Me Time Can Be Us Time

Often an overlooked but important aspect of owning your own barrel sauna is the social and recreational benefits they can provide you, your family and friends. They’re a great way to relax and are conducive to some much needed open, intimate and quiet conversation with those close to you. With our increasingly connected, online lifestyles it’s important to take time to unwind and disconnect. A barrel sauna provides the perfect private, personal space to escape from the rigours of your hectic working schedule, switch off and re-connect with family and friends.

Improve Your Cardiovascular Health With A Barrel Sauna

High temperatures naturally heat up your skin and makes your core body temperature increase, this in turn dilates blood vessels near the surface of your skin increasing cardiac output. Medical research has shown that sitting in a sauna helps increase your heart rate by up to 50%. Regularly using saunas helps improve your heart rate and cardiac output together with your body’s natural regulatory system. Even more cardiovascular conditioning can be promoted with multiple sessions in your sauna. Each time your body rapidly changes temperature, from hot to cool and vice versa, your heart rate increases and can be comparable to the same physiological benefits of moderate exercise and don’t forget those all important improved sleep patterns!

Help Fight Illness

Saunas have been linked to a significant reduction in incidences of colds and flu among regular users. As your body is exposed to the heat and steam of a traditional barrel sauna more white blood cells are produced helping your body fight illness and kill viruses. Saunas are also the perfect way to relieve uncomfortable sinus problems associated with colds and allergies, warm steam vapour helps clear congestion and a touch of eucalyptus added to your water bucket will only help enhance your sauna experience.

Saunas Just Smell And Feel Good

There’s no getting away from it, the smell of natural wood together with a private, warm steam laden environment feels great! The stresses of a working day can be dissolved in the private, personal retreat of a barrel sauna. No distractions from the outside world, barrel saunas provide you and your family with a personal pampering retreat where you are able to relax and restore your body, mind and soul.

Our guide to buying hot tubs

There are a bewildering array of hot tubs and spas on the UK market and it can be confusing knowing which spa is going to be the right choice for you and your family. Thankfully All Swim have done a lot of the hard work for you. We’ve been in the swimming pool and hot tub industry for over 45 years and our hot tub expertise will help you make the right buying choice.

Choosing the right hot tub for you

Should I research hot tubs online?

The hot tub market in the UK is growing every year. According to Nick Clamp, owner of What Spa? magazine, feedback from retailers and manufacturers has the current UK ownership at nearly 300,000 households. Joining this growing market is certainly an exciting prospect, but do some research online and find out why people are choosing a hot tub lifestyle. What exactly is it going to offer you and your family? Decide what are the important factors in wanting an outdoor hot tub and read hot tub reviews and comments from other owners online. Researching our range of Caldera Spas will also give you a good indication of why they offer more for your money compared to other manufacturers.

Be warned though, that a great deal online may be too good to be true. It’s always better to view hot tubs or spas before you buy them. If the hot tub you’ve decided to buy online has an inferior build quality, cheap jets and pumps or sub standard cabinet and cover insulation you’ll probably end up with a spa that costs you more to run and repair than you expected. It’s also important to check that the product has official CE marking. An abbreviation of the French phrase ‘Conformité Européene’, it means ‘European Conformity’ and indicates to government officials that the product can be legally placed on a country’s market place and safeguards consumers best interests. A hot tub is likely to be a long term investment and should provide you and your family with years of entertainment, make sure you understand the quality of your preferred hot tubs by visiting a reputable hot tub showroom like All Swim.

Is how a hot tub made important?

There are many different manufacturing processes involved with building hot tubs and if there’s a difference in price, there’s likely to be a difference in the build quality. Look carefully at a hot tub retailer’s website. You should be able to find plenty of information on their products, technical specifications and warranty details. Pay particular attention to the level and type of insulation used in your hot tub, our Caldera hot tubs utilise a revolutionary new loose, wool-like fibre called FiberCor® insulation - with four times the density of traditional urethane foam (used in most hot tubs) it has vastly improved insulating efficiency and fills all voids and gaps in the hot tub compartment. With a better insulated cabinet you will be spending less time heating your hot tub water, and that translates to lower running costs which, most consumers would agree, is an important consideration for purchase. It’s also important to look at the quality of the rigid cover supplied with your hot tub. Most of the heat loss will occur on the surface of the water so a strong, full-foam insulated cover with a durable, marine grade vinyl will help you reduce your running costs. Also check the cover has skirts on all sides of the hot tub when it’s closed as this will ensure the very best thermal seal.

What size hot tub should I choose?

Hot tubs are available in many different shapes and sizes. Your first consideration should be how much space you have in your garden and how many people are likely to be using your new hot tub. If you have a big family or like having friends around regularly for parties then you will probably need a larger hot tub with multiple seating positions. Be careful though, how much access you have at your property will also be a consideration for delivering your new hot tub. Don’t worry though, All Swim offer free site surveys so if you’re unsure of anything we are happy to advise.

It may sound obvious but always try and sit in a new hot tub in a dealer’s showroom, hot tubs look very different from the outside than they do sat in them! Visiting your local hot tub showroom with family or friends will allow you to try them on for size. Pay particular attention to the size of the foot well and the ergonomic design of the seating positions. A hot tub may specify a large array of seating but if it comes with a small footwell you’re likely to be struggling to fit everyone into your new hot tub!

What is hot tub hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy is a term used to describe the use of water for pain relief and treating illness. Water is a great way to soothe aching joints, help relax and reduce stress levels. The design, configuration and quality of hydrotherapy jets in your hot tub is probably the most important aspect of your new hot tub purchase, you’ll want to ensure you’re getting the best possible massage for your money. Caldera hot tubs differ to any other on the market with the introduction of their unique Hot Tub Circuit Therapy. Similar to the approach used by personal trainers, a Caldera Spas hot tub treats individual muscles with strategically placed jets and purposefully designed seats throughout the hot tub itself, moving you from station to station helps deliver a full body workout and intense all over massage.

Do I need help looking after my hot tub water?

Buying a hot tub is an important decision to make but proper care and maintenance of your water can be just as important. Well maintained spa water will ensure you and your family are safe and you will help prolong the life of your hot tub. Buying cheap hot tubs online or from large high street retailers may save you money in the short term but you could be left to make costly water balance mistakes on your own. All Swim ensures you have ongoing support from our trained staff and helpful advice on correct water balance tips if you ever need them.

Our Caldera spas have also been purposefully designed with you, the end user, in mind. The integrated spa frog system takes a lot of the work out of dosing your hot tubs water correctly and the Utopia and Paradise series feature Monarch CD Ozone systems that naturally kill bacteria helping reduce the cost of chemical sanitisers.

We will always provide an informative introduction to your new hot tub with our delivery, positioning and commissioning service. Our trained spa engineers can talk you through the set up of the hot tub and answer any questions you may have on looking after the water on the day your hot tub arrives.

How important is a good hot tub cover?

p>Most of the heat lost from the water in your hot tub will occur from the surface so a well designed, efficient hot tub cover is a great asset. Caldera hot tub covers are designed to be energy efficient, meeting the most stringent energy standards established by the California Energy Commission for portable spas. Keeping your hot tub covered when not in use will not only ensure you spend less money heating the water but it will also prevent airborne debris entering the hot tub water and adversely affecting the water quality.

Can I play music in my hot tub?

Absolutely! If music is an important aspect of your hot tub lifestyle then our Caldera Spas won’t disappoint. Almost all models across the Utopia, Paradise and Vacanza ranges are available with a fantastic bluetooth enabled music system, a few clicks and your smart phone, tablet or laptop can be synchronised effortlessly with your hot tub.

Can I spread the costs of a hot tub purchase?

Yes you can. All Swim have always put the customer first and our finance packages will help you spread the payment costs and ensure you find an affordable hot tub to suit you and your family’s budget. We can offer 12 and 24 months interest free credit at 0% APR or a 60 month finance option at 4.9% APR. You can even apply for finance online today!