Spa Day, Every Day

Spas have been beloved since ancient Greece and Rome. Of course, Socrates and Caesar didn’t have access to modern features such as immersive sound, customizable jets and choreographed lighting. But they certainly appreciated the therapeutic benefits of hot water soaks.

Spa pros like Brian Poggie of Pinch A Penny Pool Patio Spa in Tallahassee and Rob Abel of 30A Hot Tubs in Miramar Beach are passionate promoters of spa hydrotherapy.

Poggie, who runs three Tallahassee Pinch A Penny stores, keeps busy alongside his wife raising two young girls. He enjoys the benefits of a good soak after a long day.

“At the end of the day, we head for our spa and spend 30 to 50 minutes soaking away the day’s slings and arrows, sore feet and muscles,” he said. Poggie’s personal spa, an Aria, offers multi-level options, a lounge seat, and calf and foot jets. “It’s perfect for us,” he said.

In the spa business for 30 years, Abel shares his knowledge with Emerald Coast residents through a hot tub school that covers 21st-century hydrotherapy. He offers advice on choosing the right spa and maintaining it and discusses the health benefits.

Once in place, a portable hot tub is simply filled with water and plugged in, while in-ground varieties require planning, overall landscape design, excavation and dealings with a number of tradespeople. Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus: irina88w

Initial Considerations

Poggie and Abel acknowledge that the number of spa options can be overwhelming. Hot tubs may be designed for pleasure, relaxation or hydrotherapy; can accommodate from two to seven or more people; and may feature several well-placed jets or offer elaborate technology.

The first consideration is choosing between a portable spa or an in-ground model. The portable hot tub is simply filled with water and plugged in, while the in-ground version calls for planning, overall landscape design, excavation and employing a variety of tradespeople.

Costs for an above-ground, portable hot tub range from $2,000 to more than $5,000. Expect to pay $6,000 to $10,000 for a basic in-ground spa package. Another option is dropping a manufactured shell, typically made of molded acrylic reinforced with fiberglass, into a deck. But keep in mind that it will need proper support from below, for example, a steel frame.

Abel recommends careful consideration of the number of jets, noting that more jets don’t always equate to increased therapeutic benefits. When there are too many jets competing with each other, you will eventually start losing jet power. Concentrate on the location of those pre-installed jets — make sure they address the right areas.

Installing a spa in the garden versus close to the house can enhance your landscape and create a nearby escape. But consideration should be given to privacy and prevailing wind patterns. For in-ground spas, soil and obstacles such as rocks and tree roots must be considered. Portable spas will need a level spot.

Homeowners inclined to place a hot tub away from the house should be mindful of privacy considerations and even prevailing wind patterns. Unwelcome buzzing visitors may frequent spas left open to surroundings. Spas require level ground and may necessitate the removal of tree roots. Photo by irina88w / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Additions and Enhancements

Hot tubs may be customized with features such as immersive sound, customizable jets and choreographed lighting. Add them to taste. Just the right amount of sensory stimulation for some people may be too much for others. Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus: welcomia

Modern spas offer a number of feature enhancements. Good examples are water-care systems, in-spa audio, remote control operation and numerous lighting options. They are meant to improve the experience and simplify maintenance, but Poggie and Abel warn that some features amount to unnecessary frills.

Examples of spa lighting include back-lit water features, full-color in-spa lighting, lighted cup holders and exterior sconce lighting for safety.

Audio systems to heighten the spa experience include seat-surround speakers, an in-spa subwoofer or simple Bluetooth connectivity for phone or digital audio.

Spa Wellness

Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus: welcomia

People with heart disease or other health issues might best refrain from hot-tubbing. Even if you’re healthy, a dirty spa can cause illness, which is why every spa dealer emphasizes spa cleaning and maintenance. Spa owners should regularly assess pH levels and check for chemical balance and cleanliness.

Wellness pros acknowledge that a spa dip feels great and can offer many health benefits. Safety can be maximized, they say, if you keep the temperature below 104 degrees and listen to your body.

As long as you take a few precautions and check for cleanliness, a safe and relaxing at-home reprieve is yours for the soaking.