Whirlpool Baths vs. Air Tubs

From the bathhouses of Ancient Rome to the most luxurious spa resorts today, people have been captivated by the relaxing and therapeutic effects of hot bubbling waters. Hot tubs are found in homes and spas around the world, offering mineral water deep and warm enough to relax your tired muscles and calm your running mind.

But not everyone relaxes the same way. Some prefer a firmer massage, while others like a softer touch. That's where air tubs come in. Air tubs are water-jetted tubs, similar to whirlpool baths, that offer a gentler massage than their counterparts. Creating bubbles that some describe as a thousand tiny massaging fingers, air tubs have found a niche with bathers who prefer a gentler experience. From home enthusiasts to spa vacationers, people around the world are becoming more familiar with the air tub.

As you might expect, the technology that underlies whirlpool baths and air tubs is very similar. On the next page, we'll take a look at the two and what makes them different.

Why use a whirlpool or air tub at all? Other than the fact that it feels good, it just may be good for you, too. You can get fancy, if you want, by calling it hydrotherapy. Hot water relaxes your muscles and jets massage and soothe your body. Proponents of hydrotherapy believe that it eases joint pain, improves circulation and is beneficial to the body's overall healing process [source: American Cancer Society]. In fact, it was hydrotherapy that launched the hot tub business. After engineering a submersible pump that could be used in a bathtub for a family member's hydrotherapy needs, the Jacuzzis built the first integrated whirlpool tub in the 1960s [source: Jacuzzi].

Whirlpool tubs mix air and water and force the mixture through outlets toward the person sitting in the tub. Manufacturers build outlets for the jets into the seating areas of the tub to massage and soothe tired bodies.

Air tubs create a much gentler massage by compressing air and jetting it out through the bottom of the tub via many smaller outlets. Millions of small bubbles rise through the water and surround the body, creating a less intense, effervescent massaging sensation. Tubs that combine air and water jets are also available and allow users to vary their massage depending on preferred pressure.

Air tubs are slightly easier to maintain and keep clean than whirlpool tubs. The fact that air tubs jet air means that they rarely allow excess water to build up internally, preventing mold and mildew from growing in and around the piping and pump. Whirlpool tubs that use water in their jets should be cleaned periodically according to the manufacturer's directions, usually with a disinfectant and possibly bleach .You can also buy purpose-made whirlpool cleaning solutions.