Swim spas have been a major source of relaxation, exercise, and hydrotherapy for decades. The swim spa category was first invented by Catalina Luxury Spas decades ago, and since then, Catalina has patented new innovations in the industry, while several competitors have also entered the space.

If you’re contemplating buying a swim spa, either for therapy or simple relaxation, one of the key considerations you’ll have to take into account is the size of the spa you want to purchase. Most swim spas come in an assortment of sizes, with common choices including 12-foot, 16-foot, and 19-foot spas. Below, we’ll lay out the benefits of each class, explaining what you can expect and laying out which spa size best suits various customer needs. 

The swim spa category was first invented by Catalina Spas, and since then, Catalina has patented new innovations in the industry, while several competitors have also entered the space. Both Catalina and Dr. Wellness swim spas are built by LPI, Inc., the largest hot tub manufacturer in the United States, which manufactures domestically rather than importing.

12-Foot Swim Spas

12-foot swim spas are the smallest of the three main swim spa sizes. They are ideal for single users and for those who primarily prioritize fitness training and joint therapy. Below is a breakdown of what you can expect from a 12-foot swim spa: 

16-Foot Swim Spas

16-foot swim spas are larger than 12-foot spas, and often begin to contain advanced features like dual hydrotherapy and swim function. These spas are best for those looking for a mid-range option merging a better cost with more advanced features. Below is a breakdown of 16-foot swim spas:

19-Foot Swim Spas

19-foot swim spas are among the largest types of swim spa you can buy. These spas are the most advanced and luxurious, with fully-separated therapy and swimming areas, large capacities, and sophisticated features. They cost the most and are ideal for those who want the fullest package and experience available. Below is a breakdown of 19-foot swim spas:

How To Choose the Right Swim Spa Size For You

Choosing the right size of swim spa primarily depends on what you are looking to use your spa for. In general, swim spa buyers use their units for fitness, entertainment with family and friends, or therapy. Each primary use places particular emphasis on certain features of a swim spa that are not common across all sizes.

Below is a rough breakdown of how each swim spa size measures up depending on what you intend to use it for, with more details on each priority provided afterward:

Here are some additional details explaining why each size was given the designations above:

Fitness

• 12-foot spas are ideal for fitness goals on an individual level.
• 16-foot spas are a solid alternative for buyers who want a larger fitness area along with hydrotherapy, but they cost a bit more.
• 19-foot spas are less optimal for fitness alone, because despite their larger swim area, they cost a lot more and include extra hydrotherapy features that may make the purchase seem overboard.

Family

• 12-foot spas are less optimal for families, as they offer little entertainment or relaxation value.
• 16-foot spas are a solid budget option for small families and groups of guests.
• 19-foot spas are a great choice for larger families and those who want to entertain frequently.

Therapy

• 12-foot spas can be great for hydrotherapy if you are the only user, but are suboptimal for groups
• 16-foot spas often provide enough hydrotherapy space for small groups
• 19-foot spas are ideal for larger groups or users who want distinct separation of hydrotherapy and swim functions.

All Three

• 12-foot spas are suboptimal if you want fitness, entertainment, and therapy value, as they are simply too small.
• 16-foot spas are the ideal midline option, providing a solid combination of all three features.
• 19-foot spas are a solid choice if you want a more high-end combination of fitness, entertainment, and therapy value.

Handling Site Planning and Delivery

When buying a swim spa, you will often have to invest in site planning to ensure that your unit can be delivered and installed safely. To have the best experience, invest in the following steps:

1. Perform a Pre-Purchase Site Survey: determine access paths, turning radius, overhead clearance, and ground-level obstacles.
2. Decide on Crane vs. Rigged Delivery: Your spa can either be rolled in on skids or placed with a crane.
3. Research Pad and Foundation Requirements: Decide on reinforced concrete pads, load-bearing capacity, and drainage needs.
4. Plan Electrical Work: Establish exactly where subpanels, conduits, and disconnect boxes will be placed and secure an electrician for delivery day. The circuit configuration you install also shapes what the unit costs to run each month.
5. Schedule Delivery: Coordinate with your dealer and electrician to install the unit.

For the easiest and most stress-free delivery experience, Catalina Spas and Dr. Wellness both carry swim spas across several lines, all manufactured in the United States by LPI, Inc. Current models and pricing are listed at HotTub.com. They are sold through Aqua Living, which operates nearly 100 showrooms nationwide, letting buyers examine full-size models before committing to a purchase. Aqua Living provides nationwide backyard delivery regardless of location and in-house financing at every credit level, including buyers with no credit or bad credit.

Verified customer reviews found on aqualivingreviews.com and whisperoutdoorreviews.com offer perspective on how these models perform once installed.