Forget the ’70s hot-tub image

Modern water features can be both practical and attractive design elements

While a full-sized swimming pool may not be practical in our northern climate, there are plenty of other water features that will help you soak tired muscles, cool off and stay in shape.

Compact, space-conserving hot tubs, lap pools and swim spas have expanded aquatic options for homeowners.

Forget the cliché of the 1970s-era party-animal hot tub. Today’s hottub owner is more often an emptynest baby boomer looking for decompression instead of action, architects and retailers explained.

“The No. 1 reason people own hot tubs is for relaxation and stress relief, because, from a physiological standpoint, it actually does dilate the capillaries, lowers your blood pressure. It does relax you,” said Adam Burke, owner of two spa shops in the Southern U.S.

Burke carries a variety of hot tubs and jetted swim spas, including the Michael Phelps line of high-performance swim spas, which use propellers to create a current to swim against.

“The swim spas have had a big uptick as the baby boomers have moved into retirement,” Burke affirmed. “They have those aches and pains, hip replacement, knee replacement, old sports injuries,” making swim spas and hot tubs an ideal zero-impact workout.

Many older customers also are choosing water features to create a vacation-worthy experience at home.

Architect Michael Gamble says he has seen a definite increase in clients wanting water features like lap pools or hot tubs, which are far more affordable than a traditional swimming pool.

“You can build a small water feature in the backyard for a very reasonable amount of money — less than $10,000,” Gamble said.

Whether your hot tub or swim spa is placed inside or outside, architects and retailers recommend that you treat a water feature not just as an experience to enhance your quality of life, but as a design element within your home.

Consider your view from the water, privacy, when you will be most likely to use it, sun angle and maintenance.

“You’re using it to enhance the experience of the house,” Gamble said.

photos: supplied Making a hot tub convenient is one way to ensure it is used. At right, this one was built right into a master bedroom.

A workout and yoga room completes the spa experience when combined with a water feature that can work as either a hot tub or a plunge pool.