Whether in the privacy of your backyard or in a relaxed social setting the health benefits of using a hot tub or spa can be reaped. You may think that a hot tub is just a luxury, however, you must know that they are often prescribed by professionals to relieve certain ailments.

The hot water in a hot tub or spa creates a much needed relaxed and rejuvenating state for your body. It loosens up your cramped muscles, relieves pressure on nerves and soothes aches and pain away.

The steam also helps you breathe better by loosening up congestion and therefore providing your body with more restorative oxygen.

Soaking in a hot tub or spa can also increase the efficiency of your circulatory system.

When you are immersed in hot water your heart has to work less to pump blood throughout your body. The volume of blood in your chest cavity and your heart will increase and your heart rate enjoys a bit of a slow down creating a state of deep relaxation.

This deep relaxation comes from the dilation of blood vessels that not only help prevent headaches but also helps you to fall asleep quicker since you are in a relaxed state.

There is also evidence that having a nightly ritual of soaking in the hot tub about 90 minutes before bedtime has its benefits. The National Sleep Foundation states, “soaking in hot water, such as a hot tub, before retiring to bed can ease the transition into deeper sleep”.

If you are looking into a hot tub or spa for fun and social reasons now you have added benefits that will help you stay healthier too. All of the benefits mentioned above seem to come together beautifully to give you a soothing therapy that can be enjoyed at the end of long hard day.

At Pool Sharks we are always looking for great design and style in pools. We have compiled a list of our favorite infinity edge pools, also called negative edge pools or vanishing edge pools.

Number 10: Joule Hotel-Dallas, Texas

Extending an incredible 8 feet beyond the hotel’s structure and with a glass wall this pool is sure to send chills down your spine if you are afraid of heights.

Number 9: Jade Mountain, St. Lucia

Size is not the beauty of this pool but the privacy. Each suite has its own private infinity pool that has specially designed glass tiles and fiber optics to fit each unique color scheme.

Number 8: Four Seasons Maui at Wailea-Maui, Hawaii

With an underwater music system, six cabanas equipped with flat screen tv’s, wireless internet, and fully stocked mini-fridges you could not ask for more.

Number 7: Hotel Caruso-Ravello, Italy

At over 1,000 feet above sea level, this infinity edge pool is found at the highest point of Ravello. Its waters are heated for the comfort of the swimmers and to blend perfectly to its natural surroundings.

Number 6: Astarte Suites-Santorini, Greece

This infinity pool is located in one of the most stunning and peaceful areas in Greece overlooking a volcano, the blue Aegean Sea and the breathtaking Caldera.

Number 5: Marina Bay Sands-Singapore

Home to the world’s longest elevated swimming pool with a 478 foot infinity edge, or vanishing edge, and at almost 600 feet above the ground this pool is a breathtaking must see for all.

Number 4: Murni’s Villas-Ubud, Bali

A stunning view of an exotic place can only be complemented by this 50-foot salt water swimming pool. Kept at a perfect temperature for the comfort of their guests it is certainly unmatched.

Number 3: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge-Tanzania, Africa

Above the waters of Lake Manyara’s alkaline waters this infinity edge swimming pool was built to honor the unique birdlife of Africa with its unique avian curves and concentric patterns.

Number 2: Conrad Maldives Resort-Rangali Island

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Set on two private islands, this award winning resort is home to one of the most amazing views from an infinity edge pool. Pair that with a private butler and a glass-floored living room and you have a majestic setting on white sand beaches and turquoise waters.

Number 1: Golden Triangle Resort-Chiang Rai, Thailand

This free-form infinity edge swimming pool has a lush tree canopy as its backdrop that goes towards the Mekong River and up to the green hills of Myanmar and Laos.

Which one is your favorite? Leave us a comment.

With the weak economy many people looking to get a pool are using inflatable pools as a starters. However, these purchases often come with hidden costs that leave a sour taste in our mouths.

We have all been there at one time or another, we think we are saving money and being smart and then our purchases come back and haunt us.

Now, the purchase of an inflatable pool initially can leave us with money to spare but the catch is that cites are now requiring fencing, safety and permit requirements.

We are currently seeing here in Texas proposed or revised city ordinances that require owners of inflatable pools higher than 18 or 24 inches high to install fences, self-locking devices and alarms. Some areas are even enforcing grounded electrical hookups.

Thus, in the end these unexpected back-end costs add up considerably to the once “better buy”.

Another thing that big retail stores don’t tell us when purchasing one of their inflatable pools is that most of the time the filtering equipment that comes with those pools is quite inadequate.

This causes problems in the long run when your water is starting to look murky, dirty, or green and, no matter what you do it doesn’t get any better.

We often see people having to buy upgraded pump and filter systems just to keep up with simple inflatable pool maintenance.

As a concerned retailer, it is our duty to keep the buyers informed and educated of what could turn out to be a sour buy.

Here at Texas Pool Sharks we are committed to keeping you informed so that you can make wise purchases. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.