Sometimes a new hot tub or swim spa product launches with a ripple of interest, but other times, as in the case of GPM Distributors’ new Icelandic Triathlon, it hits the market with a splash. Or, should we say, flash.
“It was probably the most photographed display at the [recent] pool and spa show,” says GPM Distibutors owner Peter von Hopffgarten, recalling the steady flash of phone cameras aimed at his new product.
And with good reason. Triathlon is the first of its kind — a unique combination of swim spa, hot tub and cold plunge in one model. With a seamless transition between the three distinct water environments, it provides comprehensive fitness, relaxation and recovery experiences in a luxury product.
“The inspiration [behind the innovation] was tied directly to the wellness trend that appears to be ramping up for the past three or four years,” he says.
The inspiration [behind the innovation] was tied directly to the wellness trend.”
Peter von Hopffgarten, GPM Distributors
At over 19 feet long, Triathlon was designed for maximum flexibility, von Hopffgarten says. “We were first to market trying to solve a problem where a consumer wouldn’t have to necessarily buy [a pool] from stock and then buy a separate hot tub and then try to figure out a cold plunge.”
The Triathlon is versatile, offering recreational use and athletic training with a spacious swim area for resistance training and low-impact cardiovascular workouts. Afterward, users can alternate between a hot soak to ease muscle tension and release lactic acid, or a cold plunge to accelerate muscle recovery and invigorate the body, von Hopffgarten says.
One of the standout features of the Triathlon, he adds, is its electrical setup. “[It has] a 50-amp breaker to run the swim area and then two 15-amp plug-and-play connections for the hot tub and the cold plunge, allowing each body of water to be controlled and operated separately.”
Other features include steps leading from zone to zone, waterline LED lights in all three zones, waterfalls and a slip-resistant floor mat.
Manufactured with a welded 3-inch galvanized steel frame, Triathlon is fully portable. “You can take it with you when you move — using an experienced pool and spa mover,” von Hopffgarten adds.

Triathlon is a new addition to the Icelandic Collection, produced by GPM, in Franklin, Kentucky. Also owned by von Hopffgarten, it is a separate entity from his retail operation, Pool & Spa Depot, which he founded in 1996 and now has eight locations spread throughout Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama, including its headquarters in La Vergne, Tennessee.
The price tag for the Icelandic Triathlon — $45,000-$60,000 — is one the company tries to keep in line with the cost of two elements, a pool and a spa. A roll-off insulated cover that allows each zone to be used separately is included with the purchase, von Hopffgarten says.
The cover is a sweet selling point for retailers who offer Triathlon, in addition to the multiple health and wellness benefits in a single, space-efficient design. Retailers, along with potential customers, may already be familiar with the craftsmanship and technology behind GPM’s other Icelandic products, including Fire & Ice (a hot tub/cold plunge combination), Icelandic Bath (a cold plunge tub) and Icelandic Fire (a two-person hot tub).
Von Hopffgarten expects the market for swim spa and cold plunge products to grow, particularly as the Icelandic Triathlon gains more recognition. It provides homeowners with a convenient, space-saving luxury that supports relaxation and fitness.
For retailers, it’s an enticing new product that “checks all the boxes,” he adds.