Swimming is a popular outdoor activity that is enjoyed by people from all walks of life. In fact, there are approximately 10.4 million residential swimming pools total in the U.S. But what happens come wintertime when the pool closes? Luckily, that’s where hot spring spas come in.

While hot tubs do require the same level of maintenance as swimming pools, many have versatile capabilities, such as the ability to be cooled down if necessary. In warmer climates like the Southwest where temperatures can reach up to 104 degrees, this can be a very helpful and low-cost feature.

The installation of a hot spring spa at your home can improve your quality of life and can drastically benefit you in many ways. Here are 3 health benefits of hot tubs:

Stress Relief
Long day at the office? A tense family dinner? Hot tubs are the ultimate key to home luxury and relaxation. Simply the act of soaking in a hot spring spa releases endorphins in the body, and increases blood flow. Additionally, the jets serve as a means of therapeutic massage, ridding your body of the tenseness you may have accrued throughout the day.

Additionally, time in a hot springs spa means time spent outside with nature. Being outside is extremely good for overall health and well-being, and may provide you the essential time you need each day to reconnect with yourself.

Muscle Relaxation
For aches and pains in the back, knees, and joints, hot spring spas help to relieve a great deal of tension. Just soaking in the tub for a half hour a day is proven to improve the range of motion for athletes who had undergone knee replacement surgery.

Increased Social Activity
Like inground pools, having a hot springs spa is a great excuse to bring family members and loved ones outside to gather, soak, and relax. And with hot spring spas having a multitude of features these days, such as added scents, lights, and music and video entertainment, it’s guaranteed that your time together in the hot tub will be an unforgettable time, indeed.

Homeowners with pools and hot tubs in NJ are getting close to that time of year where it becomes necessary to close the pool for the winter. Whether it’s an inground pool or above ground pool, there are certain things every pool owners must attend to throughout the year. Maintaining a calcium hardness between 220-350, acidity between 7.5 and 7.8, and cleaning out filter baskets at least once a week are among the responsibilities any pool owner must face up to. Yet a different set of responsibilities emerges when it’s time to close up shop on your pools and hot tubs in NJ. Here are five tips for what to do when that time comes.

• NJ pool chemicals are an important element of pool maintenance. One week prior to closing your pool, you should add a phosphate remover to prevent algae from accumulating.
• The water level left in your pool should vary based on whether or not you expect it to freeze. Four to six inches below the skimmer or tile line is recommended for pools expected to freeze over, whereas for pools that will not freeze, the water level should be right up to the top, almost overflowing.
• If your pool is expected to freeze, draining pool lines and adding antifreeze is a crucial step.
• Allow the pump to run for a full cycle before backwashing and chemically cleaning your filter.
• Finally, shocking and chlorinating your pool will help keep the water bacteria-free during the winter.

Handling pools and hot tubs in NJ is all about assessing the conditions in your area that will affect your pool, and taking steps to reduce the impact. We also recommend continuing to test your pool at least once a week during the winter to ensure proper water balance and sanitizer levels. Call the experts if anything is seeming wrong. We’re confident that these strategies will enable you to achieve the perfect conditions to keep your pool safe during the off-season and running smoothly at all other times.