There's a moment that happens about three minutes into your first test soak.
Your shoulders drop. Your breathing slows. That knot between your shoulder blades—the one you didn't even realize was there—starts to dissolve. And suddenly, you get it. This isn't about buying a hot tub. It's about buying back your life.
Why Test Soaking Isn't Optional (It's Essential)
You wouldn't buy a car without driving it. You wouldn't buy a mattress without lying on it. Yet somehow, people spend $10,000 on a hot tub they've only seen dry. That's like choosing a home based on photos taken with the lights off.
Here's what changes when the jets are running:
- That "perfect" seat might hit your back all wrong
- The jet pressure you imagined might be too soft (or too intense)
- The size that looked right might feel cramped (or wastefully large)
- The control position that seemed fine might require awkward reaching
But more importantly, here's what you discover:
- Which seat will become "yours"
- Where your spouse fits perfectly beside you
- How the kids will naturally arrange themselves
- Whether this model creates conversation or contemplation
What Actually Happens During a Test Soak
First, let's address the elephant in the room: No, you don't need to bring a swimsuit.
We keep the spa at 100°F (comfortable, not overwhelming) and you can test soak in shorts and a t-shirt, workout clothes, or yes, a swimsuit if you prefer. We've had customers test in everything from jeans to sundresses. The point isn't to swim—it's to sit, feel, and imagine.
Here's your 20-minute journey:
Minutes 1-3: You're slightly awkward, wondering if you're doing this right. Our spa consultant gives you space while staying nearby. You try the first seat tentatively.
Minutes 4-7: You start exploring. Moving seats. Testing different jet configurations. Your shoulders begin to relax. You notice which positions feel natural.
Minutes 8-12: The magic happens. You stop thinking about the hot tub and start thinking about your life in it. Morning coffee here. Evening wine there. Kids laughing. Friends gathering. You're not sitting in our showroom anymore—you're in your backyard.
Minutes 13-18: Reality testing. You check the controls. Ask about maintenance. Discuss placement in your yard. But you're asking from inside the experience, not outside it. Different questions emerge when you're comfortable.
Minutes 19-20: You don't want to get out. This is the moment of truth. If you're checking your watch, this isn't your spa. If you're disappointed it's ending, we need to talk about delivery dates.
The Test Soak Teaches You What You Actually Want
Sarah from Alpharetta came in wanting the biggest spa we had. After test soaking, she bought a smaller model: "I realized we're never having 8 people in there. The 5-person felt cozy, not cramped. We saved $3,000 and got the one we'll actually use."
Mike from Kennesaw thought he needed lounger seats. Twenty minutes later: "The upright seats were actually more comfortable for my back. The lounger made me float. Would've been a $12,000 mistake."
The Johnsons from Columbus weren't sure about jets versus bubbles: "We discovered I like powerful jets for my shoulders, she prefers gentle bubbles for her legs. Found a model that does both. You can't learn that from a brochure."
Bring Your Whole Committee
Your spouse. Your teenagers. Your bad back. Your skepticism. Bring them all.
We've seen it a thousand times: The reluctant husband who becomes the biggest champion. The teenager who puts down their phone. The mother-in-law who finally admits this is a good idea. The bad back that whispers "yes, this."
Pro tip: Test soak at the time you'll use it most. Morning person? Come at opening. Evening soaker? Visit after work. The experience changes with your energy level.
What We Won't Do During Your Test Soak
- Hover awkwardly while you're trying to relax
- Pressure you to buy today (though we'll honor today's pricing if you decide later)
- Rush you out for the next appointment
- Judge your choice (or your budget)
- Make you feel obligated to buy anything
What We Will Do
- Answer the questions you didn't know to ask
- Show you the hidden features salespeople at big box stores don't know exist
- Calculate real costs (not just purchase price, but energy, chemicals, maintenance)
- Share what your neighbors bought and why
- Take photos of you in different models so you can remember which was which
- Text you the best deals when they happen (if you want)
The Test Soak Nobody Talks About
There's another test soak that matters even more—the one where you bring your problems.
Visit us on your worst day. After the brutal commute. With the screaming backache. Following the argument. During the stress. Because that's when you'll use it most. If it can fix your worst day, imagine what it'll do for your best ones.
Ready? Here's What to Do Next
Call your nearest showroom now. Not to schedule for someday. For this weekend. For tonight if we're open.
Saturday mornings are busy but energetic. Tuesday afternoons are quiet and personal. Thursday evenings let you soak while discussing it over dinner after. Every time has its advantages.
What to bring:
- Your phone (for photos)
- Your questions (all of them)
- Your partner (especially if they're skeptical)
- Your excitement (or your exhaustion—we work with both)
What not to bring:
- Your checkbook (seriously, this is about feeling, not buying)
- Your final decision (that comes later, in your own time)
- Your salesperson defenses (we're consultants, not closers)
The Truth About Test Soaking
After 32 years and thousands of test soaks, we've noticed something: The customers who test soak stay customers for life. The ones who buy without trying buy the wrong spa, use it less, and enjoy it less.
Fifteen minutes in water teaches you more than fifteen hours of research. Your body knows what it needs. Your family knows how they'll gather. Your back knows what works.
The spa is already yours. The test soak just helps you find which one.
Book Your Test Soak at Georgia Spa Company
Nine locations. Hundreds of possibilities. One perfect match waiting.
Walk-ins welcome. Appointments preferred. Swimsuits optional. Life-changing moments guaranteed.
P.S. - The average test soak leads to a 10-year relationship with your spa. That's 3,650 days of potential pain relief, stress reduction, and family connection. Every day you wait to test soak is another day without those benefits. What's your back pain costing you today?