Better You. Better Life.

December 18th, 2022 - I recently learned a very important lesson on hot tubbing in the winter: DON’T FALL! My hot tub is on my rooftop deck. It’s a lovely way to end the day! I head up there about an hour and a half before I plan to go to bed. It’s one of the best sleep aids you can have. A couple of days before Thanksgiving, it had rained non-stop after being pretty dry for a number of weeks. The rain had stopped, and it was time for me to take a soak. Soooo…up to the deck I went. I had a truly terrific soak in the tub, turned on the clean cycle, and returned the cover to the tub.  What I didn’t realize: The dry weather we had prior to that very wet day had allowed a bit of pollen to gather and a bit of algae to start taking hold on the steps. Well…I slipped on that top step and took a very bumpy nasty painful ride down nine wooden stairs. The litany of expletives that were coming out of me…well, it’s no wonder my cat didn’t try to call 911. Three hours in the emergency room revealed that, thankfully, I had not broken any bones. I also was lucky enough to not hit my head. Nevertheless, my entire left arm was bruised and swollen like nothing I’d ever seen. I also had a serious large bruise on my left thigh and my left ankle. Nearly a month later and things are still on the mend! Obviously, this tumble could have been avoided. It put me on the path of thinking of the things we all could do to make sure the deck, stairs, and pathway to our hot tubs are safe and slip free during the fall and winter. Here are some things to consider doing to make sure your hot tub soaks are accident free.

• Be sure your deck and stairs are thoroughly cleaned prior to fall. If you do have any algae present, a stiff putty knife will aid you in scraping any buildup away. Once you’ve done that, you can use steel wool to scrub the steps with mild soap and warm water, rinsing it well when finished. If you choose to use any bleach, make sure it’s oxygen bleach. Because it’s nontoxic, it will not remove any color from the wood.
• Once you do the necessary cleaning, a synthetic resin deck product can be used to seal the stairs.
• If your stairs or deck get slick when it’s cold and frosty, you can employ the use of an anti-slip product like Safe Paw instead of salt. Salt can obviously do damage to wood or the finish that you’d want to avoid. You can use the nontoxic product on stairs, brick, deck, and stone. And it’s clearly safe for pets too! It serves as an ice melter and prevents ice and frost from sticking too for up to three days. If you know a storm is on the horizon, it’s smart to use some ahead of time.
• It should be obvious to use handrails when using stairs, but when you’re so used to your environment, you think you don’t need to. I’m here to tell you that’s a mistake! 
• AND—also important to make sure you have good lighting at night so you can see where you’re going.

Hot tubs are terrific! Falls are not! I hope you’ll all get out there and enjoy your tub on these crisp winter nights. It’s really great. Just be sure you take the proper precautions to make the area to and from your tub safe.

November 7th, 2022 - You may have already decided to take a dip in your hot tub Tuesday, November 8th. Given that it’s mid-term election day, there will surely be plenty of stress you’ll want to soak away! But there’s a much better reason this year: the last lunar eclipse for quite a while will take place. This particular eclipse has the nickname of the Beaver Blood Moon eclipse. Any full moon within the month of November is given this moniker. Given that November is typically the time of year that beavers decide to hunker down for the winter season, it makes sense that it enjoys this nickname. The moon will appear to have an orange/red hue during the eclipse. This is due to the moon only getting bathed with sunlight that passes through Earth’s atmosphere. Now, naturally we must have some cooperation from Mother Nature in order for you to see the eclipse. But it will be a terrific sky show if weather cooperates. And admittedly you’ll need to stay up late for the event. It will begin around midnight Pacific Standard Time. I twill continue through the entire eclipse progression until about 3:45 a.m. It will also not only be visible to anyone in the 48 contiguous United States, but it can also be viewed from Alaska & Hawaii! I am a big fan of soaking in the evening before bed. It absolutely helps me get a more restful nights sleep. And studies show that using the tub about an hour before bed will also afford your body the chance to fall into REM sleep much faster. So, why not take in this terrific show and prep yourself for a great night’s sleep at the same time? If you can take advantage of this, do it! It will be the last event like this for quite some time. The next total lunar eclipse is not slated to happen until March 2025.

July 28th, 2022 - The Pacific Northwest is in the midst of a heatwave! I don’t know about you, but I’m a wimp when it comes to anything above 75 degrees. I’m a true Northwesterner through and through. But guess what? Even with the high temps, I’m still using my hot tub nearly every night. For me, the benefits of soaking are too important to skip for too many days. I feel so much better when I have a daily soak. It really is a lifesaver when it comes to better sleep and helps with the aches and pains I feel from my lower back issues and the bit of working out I do. I turn the temperature down on my tub just a couple of degrees during a heat wave. Once I get into the tub, with the ambient temperature being much warmer, I find that is “just right” for me to be able to enjoy my normal soak time. If you’d like to cool the tub down a bit more to continue to enjoy it through hotter nights, here are some tips to do so.

• Do NOT turn the heat off to your tub altogether. Often the heating and cleaning functions of a tub can be interconnected, and you definitely want your tub to still get its cleaning and sanitizing to keep the water safe and healthy for your soaks.
• If you’d like to turn the temp down, sometimes just a few degrees below your body’s normal 98.6 will feel refreshing. If your internal thermometer tends to run on the hotter side, you might want to drop it a few degrees lower.
• Now, if you have a Hot Spring Spa, they are well insulated. That means just dropping the temperature isn’t enough to get things cooled down. With the ambient temperature as warm as it is, it could take weeks to get the temp dropped. It’s better to drain a few inches of the water in your tub and refill with fresh water to help get it cooler.
• When you soak, it’s always a good idea to hydrate. That’s even more important when it’s hot outside! Make sure to bring something refreshing to sip with you. Sparkling water, lemonade, iced tea, fruit-infused water…they’re all great while you’re in the tub.

Summer provides one of the most fantastic times to soak and take in a sky full of stars. I just had my new tub delivered in March. Even in the city, I’ve been able to enjoy plenty of stargazing opportunities. Don’t let these fabulous summer nights slip by! You’ll be so glad you made the most of hot tubbin’ in the summer.

  April 14th, 2022 - A lot of hot tubs in backyards are reaching the age where it’s time to replace them. The hot tubs available today are a far cry from hot tubs from years past and look beautiful when placed on a deck. But there are some out there that still prefer to deck in a hot tub. If you are one of those people, there are some important things to keep in mind, especially if you’re replacing a tub that’s currently in a deck.

• If you’re looking to replace your tub with one similar in size, it’s important to have all the dimensions when shopping for a new one. Not only is the length and width of the hot tub important, the tub height is required info too.
• Always be prepared to do some deck work when replacing the tub. It’s not realistic to think this can be avoided. The radius of the hot tub corners will most likely be different from the tub you’re replacing.
• You’ll need to remove enough of the decking surrounding the old tub to get it taken away safely. Best to remove at least six inches of the surrounding decking.
• A lot of hot tubs installed in years past lacked a good solid foundation (or even one at all!). A tub can settle over time. In order to set the tub up for long term success, be sure to pour a level concrete pad for the new tub.
• Hot tub service providers in the state of Washington must be licensed electricians to do work on your tub. This means your deck must be built to provide the appropriate clearance for service work to be done. The equipment side of the tub must have three feet of unobstructed clearance and six feet of overhead allowance to satisfy code. It’s critical that any deck builder or landscape architect adhere to this with any design!
• Speaking of electrical, some hot tubs may require wiring updates. Be sure to budget money for new wiring and/or a new sub panel to be installed.
• New decking should only be finished once the hot tub is there, not before! Dropping a tub into a pre-built hole is a no-no. You want to be sure the tub can be safely lowered and positioned, then the decking can be finished.
• Hot tubs installed years ago may have been delivered long before plants and trees matured, or fences and gates built. Be sure to look at the path the old hot tub will leave the backyard and the new hot tub will be delivered. If you’re uncertain if the access is adequate for this to be done successfully, a backyard consult would be a smart thing to schedule. This will also prepare you should a boom truck or extra manpower be needed for your project.

Getting a new hot tub is an exciting event! This little checklist will help make things go much more smoothly.      

April 5th, 2022 | Each April Olympic chooses a charity to benefit from the sale of our hot tubs and swim spas. I started this endeavor in 2017 to honor those who I consider heroes. First responders, military, public teachers, and healthcare workers fall into that category for me. It’s been a very rewarding way for us to give back to those in the communities in which we do business. This year, due to the crisis in Ukraine, it caused me to look outside of our normal beneficiaries. What’s happening to Ukraine seems so out of the realm of reality—not unlike the pandemic we just all endured. As the pandemic is finally ebbing, I can’t imagine how the people of Ukraine are suffering. The things they are struggling with they never dreamed would happen to them in their lifetime, or the rage they must feel at someone attacking their very homes, destroying lives in the process. When I was chatting recently with someone about what’s happening there, the person I was speaking with said, “Well, hopefully this will end soon, and their lives will get back to normal.” Seeing the reporting being done on the devastation there, “normal” may be a word alien to Ukrainians for years to come. And some will never return to normal, given they may have had their home destroyed, been forced to leave their country, suffered from the death of a loved one, been separated from family…it’s a sobering list. That’s why Olympic has chosen the Ukrainian Association of Washington to receive the funds we raise from this April’s Honoring Heroes Event. Their organization, founded over 50 years ago in 1971, has been in the news here much of late. The Association has diverted their attention to getting medical supplies to hospitals in Ukraine and helping provide support to civilians in life-saving tactical medicine. They’re also working to help internally displaced families and orphans. Civilians are being forced to defend their neighborhoods with very little to do so. The Association is doing what they can to provide those civilian units with body armor to protect themselves. Their President, Liliya Kovalenko, just returned from a trip to Europe, where she visited her parents in Poland and went into Ukraine with a shipment of severely needed supplies. She has yet another trip back soon. I can’t imagine the kind of perseverance and bravery it takes to do this kind of work day in and day out. Crises like this force humans to rise up and do what’s necessary to help their fellow man survive. The Ukrainian Association of Washington is doing just that, and we applaud their efforts. The citizens of Ukraine are fighting every day for their country. It doesn’t get more frightening—or more heroic—than that. If you  or anyone you know have thought about a hot tub or swim spa to further your health and well-being at home, I hope you’ll consider purchasing from us this month. We will donate a portion of each sale to the Association. Our goal is just $18,000, but I’m hoping we’ll soar way past that amount and give a larger donation to help their important life-saving work. If you would like to donate directly to the Ukrainian Association of Washington, we encourage it! You can do so at their website. I know they would be grateful for the support.

February 18^th, 2022 - Spring is just around the corner! I don’t know about you, but this time of year always has me thinking about ways to get active and try to get in better shape. One of the terrific things about owning a swim spa at home is not only the great entertainment aspect of it. It is also an excellent way to get in a great all over body workout that’s easy on your joints and excellent for your heart, weight loss and more.       Here are three swim strokes you can easily do in your swim spa.

• Backstroke—Targets thighs & back muscles

The backstroke is done when floating on your back, moving each arm backwards to create a paddling motion. In combination with the arm movement, you’ll also be doing a flutter kick—each leg making a light push one at a time. With each arm’s backward movement, you’ll give your latissimus dorsi—the muscles on your shoulder—a good workout. Your flutter kicks working against the resistance of the water will do wonders for your thighs.

• Butterfly—Targets back, shoulders…and excellent for core

The butterfly is the way to get that expansive chest! Swum on the chest with both of your arms moving symmetrically, while keeping them straight throughout the entire stroke. Arms get extended above the head and then travel backwards underwater. You’ll want your arm movements to make a perfect circle over and over. You’ll be combining your arm motions with a dolphin kick—both legs pressed together as you kick up and down, mimicking the movement of a dolphin’s tale. The butterfly will work out your anterior deltoids (shoulder muscles) as well as your pectorals…those chest muscles you want to build to impress. The leg movement portion of this stroke will strengthen your core!

• Freestyle—For endurance, weight loss & cardio

Freestyle requires repetitive submerging and re-emerging of your head, taking in breaths as you rise out of the water. As your head bops below and above water, you’re making windmill arc motions with your arms. The exercise is finished out by adding a flutter kick. During this stroke, breathing as little as possible will up your speed and endurance. Freestyle also provides unique cardio challenges that will mimic a high-intensity cardio workout. It will help your heart, aid in weight loss, reduce stress and significantly improve your overall health. Swimming gives you a chance to do a complete body workout every time you take a dip vs. targeting various muscle groups as you would at the gym. You’ll love the muscle tone you achieve, and swimming releases fantastic amounts of feel-good endorphins. It will really help transform your physique! If you have access to a swimming pool, this will be an excellent regimen for there as well. But! If you don’t have access to a pool (or room for one at home!), a swim spa is the perfect solution. You’ll be able to reap the benefits of swim fitness in your own backyard every day, as well as create a wonderful place to entertain and relax. Is it time to consider a swim spa at home? If so, Olympic has the perfect solution for you! Our line of Vita Swim Spas offer state-of-the-art equipment for swimming against a current and will put your fitness goals within reach. Check out the range of models on our website and visit our swim spa planning page today. Or better yet, visit one of our showrooms and take a test swim in a Vita Swim Spa. We’ll have you on the road to a better you and a better life in no time!

January 20^th, 2022 - With the way the world has changed over the past few years, you’ve no doubt done a lot more texting. You may be using your cell phone or other smart devices far more than you ever thought. In fact, in 2021, owners of cell phones spent an astonishing average of 5-6 hours on them!! Guess what that means? Users are experiencing more wrist, forearm, and finger pain (yes, that’s a thing) than ever before in our lifetime. All that extra texting, scrolling, playing online games, ordering food or other items over the phone can lead to “texting tendonitis”. It will also create pain and tension in your shoulders and neck. There are a couple exercises you can do to help get relief from overuse of your phone. And, if you do these exercises in the hot tub, it will help relieve pain, increase circulation, and relax muscles and joints. Perform the following exercises twice a week, three sets of ten repetitions:

• Opposing Muscle Strengthening: This will help work the muscles on the back of your hand. Close your fingers (like you’re grabbing a piece of paper between your thumb and fingers). Once closed, cup your hand so your thumb and fingers create an oval shape. Then, take a rubber band and wrap it around your thumb and fingers at the knuckle. Slowly open your hand, creating resistance against the rubber band.
• Dumbbell Wrist Extensions: Hold a 3-lb dumbbell and place your forearm on the bar top of the hot tub so only your hand hangs over the edge. A great place to do this in a Hot Spring Spa is on the cool down seat. It will usually put you at the right height to easily extend your forearm. Relax your wrist and let the weight naturally drop your hand. Then, raise the weight so your hand is parallel with your forearm. If a 3-lb weight is too heavy or too painful, drop to a 1- or 2-lb weight.

Did you know there are weights specifically designed for use in a pool or hot tub? They’re the perfect solution for hot tub exercising! Once you’ve completed the reps on these two exercises (and in-between each as well), take a moment to use the jets on your wrists and forearms. Rotary jets that have a stimulating pulse that is excellent to help relax muscles and increase circulation to the area. Here are some other tips to help avoid texting tendonitis:

• Limit texting to just a few minutes, then take a break.
• Keep your messages short. Long texts really take a toll on your thumb and fingers. Move to a keyboard or desktop for the novellas.
• Get a heftier phone cover. It will give your hand something more significant to hold and alleviate some strain.
• Type with different fingers.
• Rest your phone on a surface rather than holding it nonstop in your hand. That will make it easier and create less stress on your fingers, wrist, neck, and shoulders.

You can also put the phone down and just talk to people too…just a suggestion. Definitely check with your doctor should you have texting tendonitis and get his endorsement to try what we suggested. And…If you try any of these hints and have success, let me know! (But please…don’t text me!)

November 18th, 2021 - One of the best events to view from the warm bubbly waters of your hot tub is up early this Friday morning. The year’s second and final eclipse happens in the wee early hours of November 19^th. Now, let’s be real: it’s mid-November in the Northwest, which means we’re in the midst of days and nights often full of clouds and rain. (At least the craziness of the storms earlier this week are behind us!) Even so, you might live in a pocket where Mother Nature will cooperate and give you a chance to glimpse the night show. The entire west coast will be in a position to get the best view of the eclipse if you’ve got a clear sky. According to NASA, you’ll have an incredibly long window to view the eclipse. In fact, it’s looking to be the longest eclipse in 580 years—nearly 3½ hours! You’ll be able to get the optimal view of the eclipse at its peak around 1:00 a.m. Pacific Time. By 10:00 p.m. tonight you’ll be able to see the moon starting to pass into the Earth’s shadow. By 11:20, the moon will look like a chunk is missing as it moves into the umbra—the inner part of Earth’s shadow. Give it another hour and a half, and you’ll see the eclipse in its full glory complete with its red hue. This particular eclipse is considered an “almost” event. Nearly the entire moon will pass into Earth’s umbra—about 99%. Not a total eclipse…but very close! An eclipse is always a very special magical event to witness in the heavens. BUT boy is it terrific from your hot tub! Be sure you keep your tub’s lights and any other outdoor lighting off during your soak and night show. It will afford you the best viewing. Getting buoyant in a body of hot water outdoors in the peace and quiet helps relax your mind and heighten your senses to really appreciate the eclipse. If you take advantage of the last eclipse of the year, send us a few pics! We’d love to see them.

October 5th, 2021 - I’ve always been a big fan of fall. I love the changing of the season, cooler weather, and I am one of those Northwest inhabitants that enjoys rain! Since I purchased Olympic five years ago, though, I’ve also enjoyed fall for another reason: our annual Founder’s Event. October marks our 5^th annual effort to raise funds for a worthy charity doing great work in our region. The Founder’s Event specifically focuses on organizations that help with homelessness, hunger, or arts organizations. This year, I’m pleased to say we’re working to support Pioneer Human Services. One of the reasons many end up homeless is because they’ve recently been released from prison or jail. Think about being determined to work on a fresh start if you’ve left that situation, only to find it’s difficult to find a job because you don’t even have a home address? The need for counseling or other assistance is vital as well, and it’s far easier for these folks to not re-offend, get jobs and get a chance for change if they have assistance. Enter Pioneer Human Services! Recognizing these individuals are first and foremost human beings is the foundation on which Pioneer starts their aid. Returning them to society with the support to thrive as a citizen with job training and housing assistance makes all the difference in the world. And Olympic wants to be part of that difference with our support. We will earmark money from every hot tub and swim spa sold in October to donate to Pioneer Human Services. Our hope is a minimum donation of at least $18,000! If we can help folks buying from us find better health and wellness through water, we can also help others find the path to a healthier life in our region. If you’ve thought about purchasing a hot tub or swim spa, I hope you’ll consider buying this month! Your purchase will help Pioneer’s mission to support those in need build better lives. You can learn more about the breadth of services Pioneer offices by visiting pioneerhumanservices.org. Happy Fall!