Hot Tub Bliss

Thanks to Cindy & Dave Lorengo for the lovely Christmas card sent to their salesperson, Jim Gatens, who manages our Issaquah store.  Jim shared it with me because it illustrates a very important point about hot tub buying:

Dear Jim: Can’t tell you how much you helped us find the perfect spa! Dave told me the one pictured would be more than enough, but thank God I insisted on seeing you first!! Thanks again! May you and your family have a great holiday! Love Cindy & Dave Lorengo.

Jim is a gifted listener. He listened to Cindy and Dave’s need and wants and matched them with a new Limelight Flair model.  It’s ultra spacious for two; roomy for 4 and, in a pinch, will seat 6.  The original picture they’d looked at was much smaller. You can understand why they’re so happy!

Yes..size does matter in a hot tub. Buy the smallest one and you’ll regret it forever. In our 31 one years in the hot tub business, no one has ever come back saying the one they bought was too big!  As long as it fits the setting and doesn’t overwhelm the space (i.e. small urban backyard), go for the roomiest model you can afford.  More water equals more fun. More space guarantees more pleasure.

Sanum per Aqua- Latin for Health through Water.

Sound too good to be true?

Normally you wouldn’t think that soaking in a hot tub and coffee go together.  The tub relaxes you and the caffeine gets you going.  However, if you jump in your hot tub for a short time-say 10 minutes, you’ll find that you’re revved up and ready to go. If you sometimes suffer from stress headaches and ibuprofen is your pain reliever of choice, you’ll be interested in research from the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago.

We all know that soaking in a hot tub can help relieve tension and the kind of stress that causes headaches.  Also, a combination of caffeine and ibuprofen appears to bring faster and longer lasting relief from tension headaches than either substance taken alone. And, while it’s well known that caffeine helps pain relievers work better, this is the first clinical study to show that caffeine alone can work as an analgesic.

Researchers gave volunteers either ibuprofen, ibuprofen and caffeine, or a dummy pill.  In the first hour and a half, the group taking caffeine alone had just as much pain relief as the ibuprofen/caffeine group indicating initially that caffeine was responsible for the actual analgesic effect.

A number of pain medication contain caffeine, but for now no manufacturer makes an ibuprofen/caffeine combination. It seems that you can get the same effect by taking ibuprofen with a cup of coffee or two.

More research is needed on the ibuprofen/caffeine pain relief connection.  We do know that  even faster, more effective tension relief can result if you hop in the hot tub after taking ibuprofen with a cup of coffee.  Soaking speeds up your circulation and makes both substances work more quickly on your headache!  Many of our customers have told us that this is a sure cure for a tension headache.

After New Year’s Eve, you may have wondered about hangover headache relief…yes, hot tub soaking “the morning after” speeds recovery.

Sanum per aqua-Latin for Health through water.

Tonight’s the night for our yearly ritual. We soak in the tub with a glass of bubbly and celebrate our good fortune.  We can hear the bells & horns and see tips of fireworks from across the lake from our rooftop hot tub.  Safe, warm and away from the traffic, it’s just the two of us. We toast the year to come and wish for another year of health and happiness, continued good fortune, a great business, family & friends.  Here’s to all of you hot tubbers who are doing the same tonight: Wishing You A Happy New Year! May all of your wishes come true.

This is the Dream.

This is the Dream we carry through the world

that something fantastic will happen

that it has to happen

that time will open by itself

that doors shall open by themselves

that the heart will find itself open

that mountain springs will rise up

that the dream will open itself

that we will one early morning

slip into a harbor

we have never know before.

Thanks to Robert Bly for this translation of the poem from the late Norwegian poet Olav Hauge.

That sums up my feeling about the hot tub: dreams are dreamt and feelings felt and explored like no where else on earth.  We wouldn’t be without our dream machine!

Happy New Year!

This fan letter from an Olympic hot tub owner says it all.  SilkBalance has been a skin saver during our recent snows and bad weather.  Read on:

“I’m a family physician in his sixties. Over the years my skin has
gotten drier, and during the winter I get eczema rashes. I had to
limit my use of my Olympic Hot Tub (the Bengal) to once a week or
less. Any more frequently increased the itchy rash. This was a big
disappointment to me because the hot tub has long been part of my
stress management. When I get into the tub, the stress just melts
away. The family is also the beneficiary of my better mood!

I was in the showroom, buying some more Spa Shock, when I saw someone
with this tear-shaped orange bottle. He was telling the salesperson
that he used the Silk treatment weekly, and since he did, his skin was
much better. Having overheard him and sensing his delight with the
product, I decided to try it myself.

I purged the tub and filled it with fresh water, according to the
instructions. I did not use the Calcium Hardener, but did use the
shock, Silk, and a bit of chlorine. Then I started using the tub
daily. What is truly amazing is that my dry skin and rash have
diminished dramatically. The water feels soft on my skin, and my sense
is that the natural oils are not washed away as much with the softer
water. I also enjoy the feel of the softer water compared to the
Calcium hardened water.

The further benefit is that I don’t have to check the chemical balance
of the tub anymore. I just trust that with weekly application of the
Silk, the balance will be maintained appropriately.

I’ve been using the Silk weekly ever since. My skin continues to be
way better, and I need way less moisturizing and cortisone creams.
I’m afraid I’ve become a true believer.”

Hope that’s helpful. My bottle of Silk is near gone. Let me know when
I can drop by and pick up another.

Warm thanks.
Bruce Davis.

If you haven’t tried SilkBalance yet, what are you waiting for? Enhance your spa experience, save your skin AND use your tub with less hassle. It’s a win/win!  Order today at our estore. We ship nationwide: http://www.olympichottubestore.com/silkbalance.html

If you’re already a SilkBalance user, I’d love to hear what you think about it in your hot tub!

Sanum per aqua-Latin for Health through water.

Holiday cheer-that’s tea by the hot tub-brought by our friendly, ready for any weather delivery crew! Want your new hot tub by New Year’s Eve? We’re ready to deliver it for you!

I just got an email from a customer about hot tubbing in the snow:

We are really enjoying our hot tub. Good way to warm up when it’s so darn cold. (My feet get like ice. Is it because they are so far away from my heart? Do short women have warm feet?)

The first day it snowed - we suited up and headed out to the hot tub. It is such a rush to be in  the freezing air one minute and up to your neck in hot water the next!!

We caught our breaths, laid back with the winter sun in our faces, snow glistening on the branches above our heads. Keith turned to me and said ”this is the moment hot tub owners look forward to all year. I mean,  isn’t this what’s it all about?”

I told him he sounded like a commercial!

But he’s right. No matter how wonderful it is to soak under the stars in the summer or to a chorus of peeper frogs in the spring- the first soak after the first snowfall is magical.

There’s an intersting blog called Journey to the Hot Tub by Hot Tub Lizzy aka Beth G. Intrigued, I emailed her and asked her why she used that title. Here’s her reply:
“Here’s the deal with the hot tub. I’ve been separated for a year, and going through divorce. I’ve met a WONDERFUL new man, who I just adore, and we were talking about what could make our wedding night special, since we’ve both been married and had kids and all that… stuff. I said something about always wanting to have someone with me in a hot tub that I could cuddle with and just enjoy (my ex was SO not a cuddler or anything like that) so we decided that on our wedding night we will for sure get a room with a big hot tub… so my blog started out as just as my thoughts and feelings as he and I start to get to know each other and as we progress towards the day we get married… but then it sort of took over a life of it’s own.. :)”
Beth, best of luck on your “journey to the hot tub” via walking down the aisle!!
You’ve made the right choice for a wedding night: a room with a hot tub. Here’s my 2009 wish for you: a hot tub of your own that you can soak in every night with your new husband!! Best of luck! Happy Holidays.

Res est severa voluptas-Pleasure is a serious business!

Here are 5 ways to create the perfect hot tub environment! The right temperature, mood, company, refreshments and moderation will increase your enjoyment.
1. Temperature- The optimum temperature for getting the most out of your backyard vacation is between 100 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.  You can experiment within this range of temperatures to find the perfect setting for the most enjoyable hot tub experience. My husband and I find that our hot tub temperature varies with the outside temperature. The colder it is, the hotter we like it. In the summer we turn it down.  An old teacher of mine said that “consciousness loves contrast”.  And that is certainly true of our hot tub temperature.

2. Mood- The hot tub is best enjoyed coming home after a hard day at work or right before bed. We turn off the lights and simply gaze up at the stars-trying to decide which is a star and which is a planet. We light some candles, too, and place them around the hot tub to provide a romantic ambiance for our rooftop escape. Adding some aromatherapy products to the soak further enhances relaxation. Just make sure though that the product is specifically made for use in hot tubs. Go to our estore for the absolute best aromatherapy products “Being” which are especially formulated for hot tubs. Being isn’t greasy, won’t screw up your water chemistry AND the scents are heavenly.  Being scents include: Enlighten with Lemon, Cypress, and Basil;  Reflect with Lavender and Geranium; Uplift with Green Tea, Ginger and Lime; Awaken with Tangerine and Grapefruit; and, Release with Chamomile and Clary Sage.  Order today from our E-Store: http://www.olympichottubestore.com/spascents.html

3. Company- What would be the essence of a hot tub experience if there is no one to share it with? The soothing warmth of the water is best enjoyed in the company of a special someone and makes the setting an ideal opportunity for quiet conversation.  My husband and I never run out of things to talk about in the hot tub and it’s so relaxing that any potential disagreements get melted away before they bloom into an argument.

4. Refreshments- It is important to stay hydrated during the soak, but please no alcohol. It can create some adverse health risks. Many people do use alcohol when they first get a new tub. But the next day they feel so awful if they over imbibe, that they’re cured from every drinking in the tub again. The Hot Tub plunge for relaxation and detoxification, so try just plain water.  We like icy cold San Pellegrino.

5. Moderation- Medical Studies have shown that over-exposure to excess heat is dangerous to one’s body, so don’t risk it. A moderate soak in a hot tub is advised, but limit immersion time to twenty minutes or so. One can always come back for more anyway. The benefits of improved circulation, cardiac output and purifying your body toxins make it so worthwhile.  I had a nasy fall last Monday which was quite painful. I stayed in bed all day Tuesday except for 3 trips to the hot tub for 20 minutes each time.  The result: pain greatly diminished and I could walk without wincing! Talk about a miracle cure!

With that said, forget that pending resort and spa membership or that long desired expensive trip to Paris this year and enjoy a vacation instead right in the backyard everyday!
Create your own backyard sanctuary now by installing a hot tub which will give you years of enjoyment with family and friends.

Res est severa voluptas-Pleasure is a serious business!

Many, many hot tubs are energy hogs…but NOT Hot Spring Spas. They’re designed to stay hot-at your desired temperature- 24/7 for the lowest energy cost of any spa on the market.

Hot Spring Spas have proven that they are the most energy-efficient spas made and document this fact with test results by Exponent, Inc, the nation’s leading independent, scientific engineering firm. Exponent, Inc. calculated the actual energy consumption of Hot Spring Spas through rigorous third-party testing.

Go to our Olympic Hot Tub Company website to see the estimated costs for most areas in Puget Sound based on this testing.  http://www.olympichottub.com/buyer/energy.html

As of November 1, 2008, the highest cost to operate one of our most popular 4-person models, the Hot Spring Sovereign, was $17.01 in most parts of Puget Sound that were served by Puget Sound Energy and Seattle City Light.  Other utilities including Snohomish PUD and Tacoma Power had an even lower cost.

Hot Spring’s superior full foam insulation as well as the 4″ insulating cover-on which snow won’t melt-keep the heat in like a thermos bottle keeps coffee hot. The spa stays at temperature, ready for your relaxing pleasure 24/7 with just little increments of added heat.  It costs much less to keep the spa hot all of the time rather than let it cool and raise it to temperature.  Plus, you’re far more likely to use it on a regular basis if it’s hot and ready when you are.  If you take 3 or or more baths a week, for example, owing and using a hot tub will be far more economical.  And, not just for electricity usage. The water savings are significant as well.

There are many other energy saving features built-into Hot Spring Spas. The peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ll be able to use your Hot Spring Spa every day without fear of high utility bills…priceless. Purchasing a Hot Spring is a powerfully efficient decision.

Res est severa voluptas-Pleasure is a serious business!

Silk Balance feels good, smells good, is simple to use, protects equipment and is environmentally friendly! Why would anyone stick with old-fashioned chemicals that dry out their skin, are bad for the environment and are a hassle to use?  Our Olympic Hot Tub customers have been emailing their raves for the product since we put it on our shelves in August.

Here’s one from Marty Cole of Seattle, a Hot Spring Sovereign owner.  He made the switch and is so happy with the results.  Silk Balance is a must have for every hot tub!

Hi Alice,

Attached is a pic of me with my Sovereign spa, and below is what I have to say about Silk Balance.

I am a water care FANATIC, and have been faithfully  maintaining my Hot Springs spa for the past 5 years.  I switched to Silk Balance about 6 months ago and could not be happier!  What a time-saver.  No more testing, measuring and keeping so many different chemicals on hand. And my wife and I both notice the silky difference in the quality of the water.  Make the switch… you’ll be glad you did!

Marty Cole

Seattle, WA 98122

Thanks, Marty for your email and photo! Order  on line from Olympic’s estore: http://www.olympichottubestore.com/silkbalance.html

Res est severa voluptas-Pleasure is a serious business!