You no longer have to travel to a spa or health club to relieve those tired, aching muscles. It's possible to get the same pulsating water massage in the privacy of your own bathroom.

Bathtub Options

While a five or six-foot rectangular tub remains the standard, there are many other choices to consider, including:

• oval tubs
• round tubs or even
• heart-shaped tubs

Size options run the gamut from the standard size to a 84-inch by 66-inch design. Always check to make sure the tub is large enough.  Can you fully stretch out and lean back without your knees hitting the faucet?

Fiberglass Versus Cast Iron

Many tubs are made of fiberglass, which can be molded into shapes more easily than cast iron. They also are easier to repair. If you do scratch them, there are companies that come out and repair them for about $150.

Following are some of the most popular options in luxurious bathtubs:

Water Jets

Regardless the terminology or the size of the tub, consumers often opt for those ever-popular jets.

There are two main choices:

·           stationary jets, often called "eyeballs"; and

·           jets that can be turned, which are called "hydro-massaging"

There also are safety features that can be added. One device will prevent the jets from turning on unless there is water in the tub.

Pick Your Color

Bathtubs are sold in a variety of colors, though renovators typically shy away from bold colors and choose white or neutral shades instead. However, if you plan to be in your home for many years or you have your heart set on that hot-pink bathtub, why not express your individuality?

Self Cleaning Tubs

High tech features also are making their way into the bathroom. MTI Whirlpools has a whirlpool tub designed to be "self cleaning." Consumers shouldn't get too excited about the prospects of tiny scrubbing bubbles jumping into the tub to scour the deck, however. The term refers to a system that cleans the tub's air and water line system.

"When people hear about self cleaning, they think about the surface of the tub, but what we're talking about is the pipes and plumbing that are behind the tub," said Brooke Wilson, a spokesperson for the Sugar Hill, GA.-based company.

In other whirlpool tubs, water, soap and other residue that is not flushed down the drain can be trapped in the tub's plumbing lines, leading to bacteria growth, she said. This system allows consumers to push a button to flush detergent through the system and clean the lines. The tub is priced from $2,000 to $3,000.

Hot Water Heater Issues

It's best to increase the size of your water heater or add a second one, depending upon the tub's water capacity. Some of the larger, two-person tubs go up to 120 gallons!

Renovation Costs

Expect to spend between $700 and $5,000 to upgrade to a different tub. Some of the expense is due to the installation costs.  Usually the more elaborate the tub, the more expensive it is to install.  As always, it’s smart to compare prices of tubs, get a few estimates and measure the space before buying one.