FRESNO, Calif. — After a long shift as a paramedic, a round of golf or an afternoon of yardwork, Lance Adams of Fresno, Calif., often sits himself in the water—not in a swimming pool, but rather, a spa.

"I bought it for both relaxation and therapeutic reasons," says Adams, 47, a paramedic for almost 20 years who has bad knees. "I get more benefit year-round from a spa than a pool."

In the winter, "you can heat it up, and in the summertime, you can cool it down and still have the relaxing feeling on your back and feet."

Warm spring temperatures might stir fun images of splashing in a pool. But spas do have advantages over pools for people who want to relax.

You don't have to rely on the outside temperature to get in the mood. You can savor a spa's bubbling jets practically any time of the year. And unless you build a combination pool-spa, a spa takes up less space than a pool.

"It's nice to use in the summer, and it's nice to use in the winter," says Tim Bakman of Fresno, who had a spa-pool combo built about two years ago. "We like to use it at night and on weekends. It's a good way to release some stress and relax."

The terms "spa" and "hot tub" are often used interchangeably. Traditionally, hot tubs were made of wood and had bench seating, says Eddie Bishop, owner of Clearwater Pool & Spa in Clovis, Calif. But today's units provide much more than just a place to soak your tired bones.

When people ask about spas and hot tubs, they're pretty much talking about the same thing, says Tom Verduzco, owner of Backyard Spa & Leisure in Fresno.

But "when they come in asking for a hot tub, they're ... looking for a hot body of water. And when they come in asking about spa, they're looking for (something with a) more therapeutic value," he says.

However, Greg Kearns, vice president of Wildwood Aquatech Pools in Fresno, thinks of hot tubs as portable units and spas as those that are installed in the ground. To make sure there's no confusion, he will explain the differences between the two.

Regardless of the type, spas can come in various shapes, including round, square, rectangular and triangular. Two or more people typically fit in one.

Some in-ground spas and many portable ones have seating arrangements that provide individuals with therapeutic relief with multiple jets.

Other extras, which will add to the price, include waterfalls, more adjustable jets, speakers, stereo systems, subwoofers and players for compact discs, MP3s or iPods.

A few custom spas also will let you turn on the spa before you get home with a simple phone call, Kearns says.

There are two basic styles of spas: those that sit aboveground and others that are built into the ground. The type you choose often depends on your budget and how important aesthetics are to you.

Aboveground spas are considered portable because they can be moved. They require electricity, and most need to be hard-wired to a 220-volt outlet.

Many portable spas have acrylic shells with foam insulation underneath, and the units must sit on a sturdy, flat surface that can support about 4,000 pounds.

Depending on the size and features, they can range from $4,000 to nearly $13,000.

Their mobility is a reason Lance Adams and his wife, Jamie, opted for one.

The spa on his deck seats eight people and includes a waterfall, LED lights and a Bose music system. It cost $8,000.

"I always thought, if I had a spa that was portable, there was a thought of possibly taking it with me, or if it broke down, I could replace it," he says.

He also felt it would be easier to maintain than a swimming pool. "Everyone was thinking about a pool, but I didn't really want a pool. I had one growing up, but it was too much work for me. So we thought about a spa."

In-ground spas are typically constructed of gunite and some sort of finish, such as plaster or pebble.

Many homeowners who build pools often opt for spas at the same time, says Tom Hill, owner of Blue Fin Pools & Spas in Fresno. "Very seldom have I just built a spa."

These built-in spas also tend to raise property values and look more appealing, Wildwood's Kearns says.

Tim Bakman, who owned a portable spa at his previous house, decided to go with an in-ground one when he and his wife, Penne, built their swimming pool about two years ago. The spa, which fits up to six people, sits higher than the pool and has a waterfall spilling into the pool.

"I like it because it just adds to the pool," says Bakman, 49, who worked with Wildwood Aquatech Pools to create "an ocean feel" with the spa and pool. "It adds an elevation to the pool."

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