March 12, 2019 – It’s a terrific time to invest in a hot tub right now. With all the new changes made over the last two years in Hot Spring’s Highlife & Limelight Collection hot tubs, they have never looked better, used fewer water care products, allow you to soak in healthy salt water…there’s a long list!

If it’s time for you to think about buying either a new Hot Spring Spa (did I mention we have a Trade-In Event on now through March 21^st?) or buying your very first one, you’ve probably thought of a lot of questions:

• How do I prepare the backyard for a tub?
• How big do I want it? (Or, how small?)
• How much will it cost for ongoing care?
• Is there much work involved in taking care of it?

One question that no one ever seems to think about and makes a big difference in how you’ll use your tub and get the most benefit out of it: Should I get a lounge?

This often turns out to be a much bigger part of the hot tub decision. It becomes even more so when there’s a clear difference in height between couples when both are using the tub. Here are some things to think about when deciding whether you’d like a lounge in your new tub.

• A lounge needs to be a spot in your tub that will get used regularly. A terrific hot tub is a financial investment in your health, so you don’t want to give up real estate in your hot tub’s footprint to a lounge that gets little use.
• Your height dictates a lot here, the same way it does in other places you come across in life. You can certainly equate your ability to sit comfortably in a lounge much in the same way that sign on an amusement park rides does: You must be this tall to enjoy this lounge. I’m 6’2” tall, and I love sitting in the lounge and reclining while buoyant. The reason this is great is due to the fact that my center of gravity works when I get into a hot tub and let myself float in the lounge. If you’re under 5’10”, this may not be your experience.
• That being said, tubs that are thoughtfully designed take into account those who are vertically challenged might still like to enjoy that lounge seat! Many Hot Spring Spas have been designed with an indentation near the end of the lounge, allowing for a spot to give someone shorter a place to “anchor” themselves while floating. It tends to be just the ticket to allow lounge use.
• If you’re in doubt, take a test soak. This is the ideal way to make sure you’ll enjoy the lounge. It could also surprise you and help you decide that, for you, the lounge isn’t necessarily a “must have” after all.
• Here’s a tip: If you really love the lounge idea, but do struggle sitting comfortably in one while buoyant, a Water Brick might be a solution for you. This handy booster seat placed in the lounge may alter your body’s positioning enough while floating that it will allow you to be comfortable where you were having challenges before. (They’re terrific to have around when someone finds a seat in the tub a little too deep for comfort. Great for kids too!)

And hey! If you discover that you love a lounge so much that you need more than one, you’re in luck! Hot Spring introduced the Triumph into its lineup for 2019. This model has enjoyed great success internationally, and it’s now making its debut in the U.S. With each lounge’s length and pitch a bit different, it may be the perfect fit for both of you!

If you’re getting ready to go on a quest for your new tub, make sure you put “lounge or no lounge?” into your early decision-making. You’ll be glad you did!