There’s Never Been a Better Time to Buy a Walk-in Tub



By Kerry Knight

Photo Credit: bettermedicine.com
How do you know when it’s the right time to buy something? When it’s on sale? Is it based on new or special features? The right color, technology or other factors? Or maybe it's the right time to buy a product because its time has come?

One of the best innovations to enter the market place in the last ten years is the Walk-in Tub.  For years, senior citizens and younger adults with mobility challenges had to depend upon traditional bathtubs for bathing.  This was creating problems.  The statistics for falling in the bathroom had become a major health issue, one that was garnering much discussion.  In 2011 a report came out that stated, “Over 80% of injuries in the bathroom were caused by falls.”  Reports also said that women were 72% more likely to fall than men.  According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.6 million older adults seek emergency care each year for fall-related injuries, and especially fractures or head trauma.  In addition to potentially losing their independence, seniors 65 years old and up have a 25% greater chance of dying within six months to a year if they fall and break a hip.

Photo Credit: bathcrest.com
It’s a fact: the Walk-in Tub provides a much safer alternative in the bathroom to a regular tub with a high threshold. Instead having to lift the leg 12 inches or more across the rim of a normal drop-in tub, they have an easy six-inch threshold to traverse. Now, after several years of being available in the U.S., the Walk-in Tub has become an advent for greater safety in the bathroom.  And there has never been a better time to get one.  Why?  Read on.

Today’s Walk-in Tubs are better made.  Just as with any new product, there must be time to shake out all the bugs in the system.  That means after ten years, these tubs just function better than their original prototypes. Initially, the structure of the tub was not as durable.  Most were made of thin fiberglass, and the supportive frame was lacking.  Today, the better Walk-in Tubs are made of acrylic or better yet, Marine-grade fiberglass.  That’s the same material you find in a ski boat, which is significantly more durable. Plus, the better frames now are made of stainless steel. That means the frame will not rust, it is lighter weight and just as durable and rugged as pure steel.

Today’s Walk-in Tubs are available in a variety of sizes. Let's face it, people are not all the same size, so the Walk-in Tubs should be available in sizes to fit the person buying it.  Smaller size Walk-in Tubs enable them to fit through doors in the house without having to do major remodeling.  And for larger sized individuals, or those who may have to manipulate themselves out of and into a wheelchair after bathing, the doors on the tubs are wider today, thus making entry a lot easier.

Photo Credit: goodrichlifecare.com
Today’s Walk-in Tubs have more features available to enhance the benefits of water therapy. The air-jetted hydrotherapy system creates thousands of micro-bubbles in the tub that positively affect the entire body.  They stimulate the skin and nourish it, creating a gentle massage as the bubbles burst against the skin.  It makes for a tremendous rejuvenation of the body.  Keep in mind that your body weighs 90% less when submerged in water, easing pressure on joints, ligaments and muscles that don’t normally receive relief. Another system that can be purchased today is the water-jetted massage system. This allows for larger jet ports that are adjustable. You can specifically target parts of your body that need therapeutic attention.  The adjustable jets can alter both direction and pressure to reach the maximum comfort level, whether you are treating your back, hips, arms, legs or feet.  

 Another feature is the inline heater. This is a way to keep the water warm while you’re bathing.  It doesn’t continue to increase the temperature (which would eventually become uncomfortable), but rather maintains a comfortable temperature throughout the bathing experience.

Photo Credit: tubking.com
The Walk-in Tub’s safety features have never been better. Not only is there a low entry point or
threshold in entering and exiting the tub (around six inches), there are many other safety features to enhance the tub. The floor and seat are typically slip-resistant.  There is also a grab bar located across from the door on the inside wall of the tub to make it easier for getting up and down.  The seat is normally ADA-compliant (17 inches) so that there is no unnecessary strain on the back.  The hand-held shower sprayer allows one to rinse off while sitting and is within easy reach, just like the faucet and other controls.  Today, everything about the tub speaks to the point of safety and ergonomics.

Photo Credit: tubking.com
Our Walk-in Tub's prices have never been lower. I know, there are many companies out there who still charge ridiculous prices for the Walk-in Tub, but there are a few, like Tub King, Inc., which has made these tubs affordable for everyone.  I receive emails constantly from potential customers saying, “Why are some firms charging $10,000 to $15,000 for the same Walk-in Tub that you sell for less than $3,000?”  Of course they’re wondering if there’s something defective about a Walk- in Tub that’s priced so low.  It has nothing to do with higher price/better quality.  The answer lies in how companies choose to market their products.  Some companies are content to sell fewer tubs (less hassle for them) while marking the price up.  Others, (like Tub King, Inc.) would rather sell more volume, thus helping more people obtain their tub at a lower more affordable price.

There has never been a better time to own a Walk-in Tub.  Not only does it help with safety in the bathroom, creating independence so that you don’t have to depend on others while performing your own personal hygiene maintenance, relaxing the body, and soothing aching muscles, it can also help with many medical conditions.  

One article listed the following areas that might be helped by regular hydrotherapy sessions in a Walk-in Tub:
Photo Credit: slimsculptedsane.com
  • Anxiety
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Balance Challenges
  • Bronchitis
  • Chest Congestion
  • Colds
  • Diabetes
  • Fibrosis
  • Headaches
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Insomnia
  • Joints
  • Lower Back Pain
  • Lumbago
  • Muscle and Nerve Concerns
  • Poor Circulation
  • Rheumatism
  • Sciatica
  • Shingles
  • Stress
  • Varicose Veins
As I mentioned above, there has never been a better time to purchase a Walk-in Tub.  No reason to wait.  You can get a well-equipped Walk-in Tub at a great price and utilize a professional installer, your own plumber, or maybe even your own skills to install the tub.  Most Walk-in tubs will fit right in the spot where you have a bathtub now.  

Maybe it’s time to stop reading about it, and take the next step.  Your body, mind and spirit will thank you. 

In this article, I listed several reasons why now is the best time ever to buy a Walk-in Tub.  Today’s models have new and improved design features since they were first introduced about a decade ago. Several upgrades have been made to improve their already high safety standards. Also, new features have been added to provide additional health benefits.

If you found this article useful, please share it with your friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it in the Comment section of this blog.  

 Free Walk-in Tub Buyers' Guide

If you’d like to receive a FREE Walk In Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here.  Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I’ll personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.

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Alan and Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com  in Jacksonville, Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. If you’d like to contact them, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to Alan@tubking.com.

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