We're sharing you can use hot tub therapy to deal with muscle soreness.
Hot Tub After Workout – How It Helps Regenerate Your Muscles
Using a hot tub for workout recovery can provide many health benefits. We share how hot tubbing can help with both pre and post working out.
Whether you’re new to working out, or a seasoned athlete, using a hot tub for workout recovery or preparation can have amazing effects. We are going to share with you the benefits of a hot tub:
- AFTER you exercise
- and BEFORE you exercise
As well as:
- How long to use your hot tub
- And when to use your hot tub
Table of Contents
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Benefits of Hot Tubbing AFTER a Workout
Using a hot tub after a workout carries many benefits for your health. Some of these benefits include:
- Increased Blood Circulation: Due to the warm water, your blood vessels will expand and increase your blood flow.
- Lower Blood Pressure: Blood pressure goes hand in hand with your circulation. With increased circulation comes lower blood pressure.
- Burn Additional Calories: If you are looking to lose weight or burn some more calories, soaking in a hot tub can help to burn up to as many calories as a half hour walk.
- Less Muscle Soreness: With increased blood flow, your body also processes lactic acid quicker. This acid buildup is what contributes to muscle soreness, so the quicker you can process it, the less sore you will be.
Do Hot Tubs Help Sore Muscles and Muscle Recovery?
Hot tubs are highly effective for muscle recovery, particularly for soothing sore muscles after intense exercise. The warm water and massaging jets work together to promote hot tub muscle recovery by relaxing tight muscles and reducing inflammation. For those wondering, “do hot tubs help sore muscles?” the answer is yes—hydrotherapy in a hot tub can alleviate discomfort by improving blood flow, which helps flush out lactic acid, a key contributor to post-workout soreness. Whether you’re dealing with aches from running or heavy lifting, a hot tub for sore muscles can provide significant relief, making it a go-to solution for athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike.
Hot Tub vs. Hot Bath After Workout
While a hot bath after workout can provide some relaxation, it lacks the advanced hydrotherapy features of a hot tub. Hot tubs offer powerful jets that massage muscles, enhancing the benefits of a hot bath after workout by targeting specific areas of soreness. The benefits of a Jacuzzi after workout are similar, as Jacuzzi is a brand of hot tub with specialized jets for muscle relief. For those considering a spa after workout, a hot tub provides a more dynamic experience compared to a static hot bath, making it ideal for post-workout recovery.
Who Can Benefit From Using a Hot Tub After a Workout
Anyone can benefit from using a hot tub, even if you don’t work out! Hot tubbing provides many health benefits that can make you feel better every day. However, if you do workout, or experience muscle soreness, using a hot tub can provide additional benefits.
When to Use Your Hot Tub Post-Workout
Be careful to not overheat when using your hot tub post-workout. You should wait at least 15-20 minutes after your workout has finished to allow your body to cool off. This will also help to prevent dehydration since the heat of the water can have adverse effects on your hydration levels.
How Long to Use Your Hot Tub Post-Workout
For maximum efficiency, limit your use to no more than 30 minutes. This ensures you receive the healing benefits, but do not overheat or get dehydrated.
Hot Tub Before or After Workout: Which Is Better?
Deciding whether to use a hot tub before or after exercise depends on your goals. Using a hot tub before a workout can warm up your muscles, increase flexibility, and reduce the risk of injury, making it ideal for activities like running or yoga. Conversely, a hot tub after exercise excels at promoting muscle recovery by reducing soreness and improving circulation. For optimal results, many users combine both—using a hot tub for recovery post-workout and as a warm-up pre-workout. The choice depends on your workout type and recovery needs.
Benefits of Using a Hot Tub Before a Workout
Hot tubs aren’t just beneficial for after your workout, but can also help with your pre-workout. Some reasons you might want to use your hot tub before a workout include:
- Warm Up Your Muscles: The warm water of a hot tub can help to loosen up your muscles and prevent muscle strains.
- Increase Circulation: Just like when using a hot tub after your workout, soaking beforehand can increase your blood flow and circulation and get you prepared for your exercise.
Who Can Benefit From Using a Hot Tub BEFORE a Workout
Using a hot tub before exercise can be beneficial for many people. Runners, weightlifters or people practicing yoga can find a pre-workout soak especially helpful. Giving your body the time to loosen up, paired with stretching beforehand will ensure you are fully prepared and lower the risk of exercise related injury.
When to Use Your Hot Tub Pre-Workout
When using a hot tub before your workout, you can use it immediately before exercise. Make sure you do not feel light headed going into your workout and be sure to drink enough water to remain hydrated as the heat can lead to dehydration.
How Long to Use Your Hot Tub Pre-Workout
Only about 10 minutes of soaking can loosen up your muscles and get your body ready for your workout.
Get Motivated to Work Out
By using your hot tub after a workout, you can treat it as a reward to motivate yourself to workout more. If you are new to working out, or just don’t do it very often, adding the luxury of a relaxing soak may get you more excited to exercise.
Combine Working Out With Recovery in a Swim Spa
With a swim spa, you can combine the health benefits of a hot tub for pre and post workout, but can also do the actual working out. With a swim spa, powerful swim jets allow you to walk, jog or swim in place and get a full body workout. With additional accessories, you can add a variety of exercises to your routine with a swim spa. Swim spa exercise plans are great for many people as the level of difficulty can be adjusted to your needs. It can also be extremely beneficial to people with arthritis or general aches and pains.
Recommended Hot Tub Usage for Specific Workouts
| Workout Type | Best Time to Use Hot Tub | Recommended Duration | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running | After | 15-20 minutes | Reduces muscle soreness, improves recovery for legs |
| Weightlifting | Before and After | 10 minutes (pre), 15-20 minutes (post) | Warms up muscles pre-workout, aids recovery post-workout |
| Yoga | Before | 10 minutes | Increases flexibility, prepares muscles for stretching |
| Swimming | After | 15-20 minutes | Relieves shoulder and back tension |
This table outlines how long in a hot tub for muscle recovery and when to use it based on your workout type, ensuring you maximize the benefits of hot tub after workout sessions.
Think a Hot Tub Could Benefit Your Workouts?
Contact us at Epic Hot Tubs by calling 888-884-3742, visiting our Durham or Raleigh Swim Spa Showrooms, or filling out the form below to get in touch with a member of our team today.
About The Author:
Richard Horvath
Hot Tub & Spa Expert
Richard has been in the hot tub & spa industry for years. As a long hot tub & swim spa owner himself, Richard has a passion for helping homeowners create their dream backyard.
