To Lounge or not to Lounge

That is the question, certainly for most first time hot tub buyers.  In fact, it may not be a question at all, but a feature that is an absolute must.  I've heard my prospective customers say it over and over.  "We want a spa with a lounger."  A lounge in a spa can be very appealing.  To recline in a soothing, warm spa environment with the jets working your sore and tired muscles sure seems like heaven to me. This perception is reality for many, but not for everyone.  Many spa users, while being enthralled with the thought of a lounger at first, find their preconceptions were misplaced.  There are several issues that make a lounger work well for one individual and not so well for another.

                                                              

         

Let's begin with defining just what a lounger in a spa is.  A lounger is an area in a spa the allows the bather to recline in a position that puts your feet up and your shoulders back, often with your head on a spa pillow.  It's like lying in a bed of soothing warm water.  At least that is the goal, which many spa makers fall short of. 

If the lounger in a spa is not designed well, if it allows your hips to float up when you recline, then you feel as if you must hold on to keep from floating out into the spa. Some spas makers put too many jets in a lounger.  When the jets operate, they can lift you off the lounge, again making you hold on in a less than relaxing manner.

Hot Spring  has designed their loungers to keep your center of gravity under your shoulders, with the knees slightly higher.  This allows most bathers to completely relax their body and not float.  I say "most" because individuals vary in shape and size.  The very smallest may never be able to enjoy a lounge the way they may have imagined, feeling that if completely relaxed, their head would slip under water.  My point is that people come in many different sizes and shapes.  Hot Spring designed their loungers to accommodate most body types.  But one size can never fit everyone.

I do have a very general rule for loungers.  Women have more tendency to float than men.  But this is general and for you to know if a lounger in a particular spa is right for you, you MUST wet test the spa.  Sitting in the spa dry gives many insights to a prospective customer, but only a wet test can tell you if a lounger is right for you.  So bring your suits the next time you visit one of our stores and wet test.  You'll be glad you did.