If you have owned a spa before you are aware of the benefits and don't see it as a luxury item but as a necessary part of your lifestyle. Your day ends with a soothing, relaxing soak in a hot tub and you sleep like a baby.

If you are new to spas and are considering upgrading the quality of your life with your own backyard oasis, we hope the following information will provide you with insight and direction on your journey to finding the best hot tub for you.

Health benefits

The health benefits of hot tubs are well known and widely documented. Hot tubs promote relaxation and stress relief. Arthritis suffers get relief from aches and stiffness. Muscles are relaxed and the warm water decreases muscle tension allowing greater flexibility. Adding jets to your tub can soothe inflamed tissue and relieve pain. Nasal and brochial passages are opened with the rising steam off the water, helping to maintain upper respiratory health. Tension headaches can be eased with your time in the hot tub.

The increased blood flow created by hot water can help the with circulatory problems. Many therapists, trainers and professional sports organizations use warm-water therapy to reduce pain and improve cardio health by increasing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure.

Lifestyle benefits

Now you can unwind at the end of your day as warm water lowers your blood pressure and hydrotherapy massage jets relieve the tensions of the day. For less than the cost of a vacation, you can have a backyard oasis to enjoy every single day for years to come with friends and family as well and by yourself. A hot tub will add greatly to the quality of life you currently enjoy by offering you daily on site access to the benefits of hydrotherapy.

How it works

The mechanics of a hot tub are essentially simple and the same for all hot tubs. A big vessel of contained water is heated by taking water from the vessel and pumping it through a heater as well as a filter before returning it to the vessel. The process is controlled by a specialized computer. How Hot Tubs Work from the spadepot.com shows how everything works together in a really fun way. The vessel is insulated using one of a variety of methods which helps to reduce the operating costs.

What is it made from?

Hot Tub manufacturers vaccum form the acrylic shell (PPT / PDF) and sometimes make the framing and cabinetry. The remainder is assembled from components received from quality suppliers. Quality Canadian Spa Component Suppliers include Gecko Alliance who supply the computers and pumps as well as a variety of accessories.

As examples C.G Air Systems Inc supplies the industry with air blowers, Foam Creations inc. is a major pillow and filter lid supplier. Elyke Woodcrafting supplies quality cabinetry and HST Synthetics supplies most of Eastern Canada with Hot Tub covers. These are all examples of quality Canadian suppliers supporting Canadian Manufacturers.

What is water chemistry?

At first glance it may look like you need to be a chemist to maintain proper water chemistry, whatever that is, with PH this and Alkaline that as well as a host of other variables that need to be in check as mandated by Health Canada so that you can enjoy your spa safely.

Your hot tub retailer will be your doctor in regards to your water chemistry as well as your spa. You should be bringing them regular water samples and benfiting from their water care services.

What should I be looking for?

It is my personal opinion having worked in technical, warranty and sales management positions for 4 Canadian Spa manufacturers, and after having studied the remaining Canadian Spa manufacturers while managing a buying group, that while each has unique selling features, all Canadian Manufacturers are very close to each other in regards to quality, price & warranties.

They have to be as it’s an extremely competitive market.

Once you figure out which line has the best look, feel and value for YOU, the real decision comes down to finding a retailer that you feel comfortable with and who has a proven track record in after market care. You want to make sure to be clear and feel good about the level of service that you can expect to receive after the sale and for the years to follow. This is one of the most important hot tub decisions you will make.

How do I get a Hot Tub?

As you already know, there are a billion web sites out there selling hot tubs and they are as easy to find through a Google Search and most hot tub retailers are also listed in the Yellow Pages.

The uniqueness of this site is based on being the only site of it's kind to promote only Canadian Manufacturers and Canadian Retailers in one centralized location. If you are a Canadian Hot Tub Retailer and you are not already listed with us, please fill out the "FREE" listing submission so that Canadians can find you on this site.

Do you have a question that isn't covered in this site? Email us and we will do our best to have it answered quickly or at least point you in the right direction.