Swim Spas Played a Role in Phelps' Olympic Training

After winning six more medals (four gold and two silver) in the 2012 London Olympics, Michael Phelps has a total of 22 medals (18 gold, two silver, and two bronze), making him the most decorated Olympian of all time!

The historic moment occurred on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 when he won his 19th medal, surpassing Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina for the title of most decorated. Phelps won the gold medal--along with teammates Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer, and Ricky Berens--in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay less than an hour after placing second and winning silver in the 200m butterfly. No doubt this event will be remembered as one of the most celebrated moments of the 2012 London Olympics.

Phelps may be enjoying retirement now, at the age of 27, but how did he train for his final Olympic Games? Part of his training involved swimming against a current in a swim-in-place pool, also known as a swim spa.

Back in October, Master Spas’ CEO Bob Lauter, along with a group of Master Spas dealers, visited the Meadowbrook Aquatics Center in Baltimore, Md. There, they had a chance to observe Phelps training in the swim spa and understand its many benefits.

“[The underwater camera] is great for teaching because all the important stuff happens underwater—not on top,” said Bowman in footage from the event posted on Master Spas’ YouTube channel. “You can stay in one spot and see how the swimmer’s body reacts to different speeds without having to move around.”

Phelps also finds the underwater camera to be a major advantage: “I can look at stroke technique, how I’m catching the water, if my hips are late or if they’re early. I’m a visual learner so if I’m able to see what I’m doing wrong, I’m able to pick up on it and move on and make those small little corrections.” Both Phelps and Bowman can watch the recording at a slower speed to focus on Phelps’ movements and see how everything is connected. 

The adjustable current is another key component for training. “We’ll start out at a relatively slow speed so [the
swimmers] can have very good technique and don’t have to be stressed by the effort that they’re going to have to put in to keep up with the spa,” said Bowman. “And then I’ll gradually increase the speed as they go so they get more of a training effect.”

The Signature model used by Phelps features a wide range of speeds to accommodate swimmers at any fitness level; plus, users can do much more than swim laps in the swim spa. “You can do drills, kicking, pulling, and anything else we’d do in the regular pool right in the swim spa,” Bowman explained.

You Can Swim in a Michael Phelps Swim Spa Too!

One of Phelps’ major goals—aside from racking up medals—has been to promote the sport of swimming. Since access to a community pool might be limited or nonexistent for some people, Phelps believes a swim spa is an ideal solution. Not only does it provide the owner and his family with personal access to swimmable water, it also allows users to improve their abilities and adjust the speed as they work up to higher levels.

“Michael wants to bring more people into the sport,” says Lauter. “This is why swim spas appeal to him. A number of public pools are closing, making it harder for people to have access to water. This is the perfect alternative to a pool.” 

The Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spas by Master Spas feature five residential models, retailing for $29,995 to $44,500, based on size and features. The smallest model, the MP Impact, features three molded hot tub seats with a total of 51 jets. The largest model is the MP Momentum, which includes a five-person hot tub that is sectioned off from the swim area by a clear divider. The model with the largest swim area is the MP Signature model, which is used by Phelps at Meadowbrook.

In addition to developing a swim spa that can be used by competitive swimmers, it was important for the Signature Series to suit a wide range of fitness levels, including moderate exercisers and those who are just getting into swimming. 

For one Master Spas customer, Miles McDonough of Bedford, Mass., swimming is an important way to stay in shape, namely because it’s a low-impact activity. “I’m a big skier and snowboarder, but I have bad knees so I can’t run,” he says. McDonough loves the advantage of having his own private swim spa right outside his back door. “I used to go to a public pool, but my eyes would get irritated because I had to wear my contacts. By swimming in place against a current at home, I don’t need to wear my contacts or worry about running into people.” 

McDonough keeps his swim spa running all year and uses it almost every day. “I’ll get in, soak for a bit, stretch for 20 – 30 minutes, then begin my swim. I also use the resistance bands to work out my arms,” he says. On the weekends, McDonough relaxes by taking full advantage of the therapy seats. In the winter, he’ll set it to 92 degrees F; come summer, he’ll lower it to accommodate the warm weather.

Photos courtesy of Master Spas, Inc.

World swimming champion and sports icon Michael Phelps and the engineering design team of Master Spas® have teamed up to create and introduce a new signature line of swim spas. The collaborative effort has resulted in a full line of new swim spas under the brand name of Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spas by Master Spas. This new line of signature swim spas was debuted at the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo held at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, November 3 through 5, 2010.

The Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spas by Master Spas was designed and developed with the input of Mr. Phelps, Coach Bob Bowman, and a team of Master Spas’ experienced engineers. The signature line of swim spas provides a solution for all fitness levels, health regimens, and spaces not typically conducive for accessible, year-round aquatic exercise and hydrothermal therapy. The line features six new and different, premium swim spas for residential settings and one premium, commercial-grade swim spa ideal for fitness centers, universities, and physical therapy centers.

Mr. Phelps and Mr. Bowman, in conjunction with Master Spas, are actively promoting the sport of swimming and the health benefits associated with aquatic exercise and spa therapy.

“One of the biggest goals I have in my career is to grow the sport of swimming in as many ways as possible, and the ability to partner with Master Spas’ to create a signature line of swim spas is another unique way to help the sport,” stated Phelps. “Our goal with this line of swim spas is to create more and better opportunities for everyone interested in swimming, from exercise enthusiasts through the next generation of competitive swimmers.”

The distinguishing difference of the Phelps-designed swim spas is the unique, patented Wave Propulsion™ Technology that provides an exceptionally wide, deep, and smooth current for a superior swimming experience. The propeller drive system generates a turbulent-free current.

“Working with Michael Phelps and Bob Bowman to create this new line of signature swim spas is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us,” states Bob Lauter, CEO of Master Spas. “It is a tremendous honor to have this level of input that will draw global attention to the pool and spa industry and help promote the benefits of swimming and aquatic exercise.”

For elite swimmers, the MP Signature Model features the largest swim area and more advanced Wave Propulsion™ Technology with an incredible 40 percent more power than standard Wave Propulsion™ Technology. All models include the exclusive, proprietary Swim Number System that allows swimmers of all levels to control the speed of the current—at the touch of a button, the speed is fully adjustable from 0 to 60.

“We designed the Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spa by Master Spas as an efficient and effective training tool for competitive swimming,” explains Bob Bowman, Hall of Fame swim coach and personal coach for Mr. Phelps, “but our goal was to create a swim spa that can apply to individual fitness levels as well. Aquatic exercise is extremely beneficial for building overall strength and endurance.”

Each model of the MP Signature Model includes an Aquatic Exercise System, which includes a rowing kit and resistance bands and comes standard on all models. A workout DVD along with an exercise booklet designed specifically for Master Spas is available to assist beginning, intermediate, and advanced swimmers to fully maximize the swim spa’s capabilities. Optional underwater cameras can be installed to record a swimmer’s stroke for easy reviewing in order to help his or her performance.

As with all Master Spas product lines, a portion of the swim spa is designed with hydrothermal therapy jets and seating that target major muscle groups. A special standing therapy cove works on hard-to-reach spots like hips, lower back, and legs. The Xtreme Therapy Seat (XTS) is ergonomically designed for comfort and a twin power pump system for maximum muscle massage.

Installation is quick (typically less than a day), without digging for footers. A concrete pad, patio, or prepared deck is sufficient, and partial in-ground installation is also available. Climate factors are eliminated with the Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spas by Master Spas, as each unit offers maximum energy efficiency, and an optional automatic cover lift will remove the insulated hard cover at the touch of a button.

About Master Spas®

Master Spas is based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, 90 miles north of Indianapolis. Operating on a
27-acre campus with more than 250,000 square feet of state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution, Master Spas is one of the largest manufacturers of portable spas, luxury hot tubs, and premium swim spas in North America. The company’s management team boasts more than 100 years of spa manufacturing success and one of the strongest track records in the industry. 

About Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps is widely recognized as the most accomplished swimmer of all time. Phelps—who holds more gold medals, world championships, and world records than any other swimmer—remains steadfast in his efforts to grow the sport of swimming and encourage active and healthy lifestyles, especially for children. He established the Michael Phelps Foundation in 2008 and launched the Michael Phelps Swim School in 2009.

About Bob Bowman

Bob Bowman is the CEO and Head Coach of North Baltimore Aquatic Club in Baltimore, MD where he also serves as the personal coach to Michael Phelps. Over the course of his 24-year-career, Bowman has established himself as one of the preeminent coaches in the sport of swimming with wealth of knowledge and experience on the international, collegiate and club levels. Recently inducted into the American Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Bowman has received USA Swimming Foundation’s Golden Goggle for Coach of the Year honors for three consecutive years (2006 – 08). 

Caption: World swimming champion Michael Phelps in his new signature line of swim spas by Master Spas.

Photos courtesy of Master Spas