Too often, we think that “healthy” and “fun” are opposites or, at the very least, incompatible. If something is good for us, it can’t also be relaxing, enjoyable, and something we look forward to doing… right?
This couldn’t be further from the truth, and the perfect examples are hot tubs and swim spas.
It’s no secret that people love hot tubs and swim spas as a way to unwind and have fun, either alone or with family and friends. But did you know that hot tubs and swim spas also have huge health benefits? These include:
- Reducing stress
- Managing joint and muscle pain
- Promoting quality sleep
- Increasing flexibility
If you’re considering improving your home or backyard with the addition of a hot tub or swim spa, then you should know about the amazing potential they have to completely transform your health and well-being.
About Hydrotherapy
What is Hydrotherapy and How Can it Improve Your Health and Well-Being?
Almost everyone is familiar with the way a hot shower or bath can energize, refresh, and relax you, shifting your whole mood and state of mind.
This is because showers and baths are actually a form of hydrotherapy.
Although the term may sound technical, at its most basic level hydrotherapy is simply a form of therapy that uses water for health and healing purposes.
Hot tubs and swim spas take these healing benefits to the next level. Warm water exerts a specific kind of pressure on the body, known as hydrostatic pressure, that promotes circulation, reduces joint inflammation, improves circulation, and encourages relaxation.
This hydrostatic pressure also takes the pressure of your muscles and joints, allowing you a feeling of weightlessness and buoyancy that is not only fun and freeing but also a huge support when doing exercises. Many people struggle with the impact and wear and tear that traditional “on land” exercises have on the body.
Muscle soreness and stiffness, back pain, strains, and sprains are common side effects of strenuous workouts. However, the water pressure in your hot tub or swim spa provides support and eliminates impact in a way that allows you to tackle exercise with more energy and a greater range of motion than you might have thought possible.
You have so many options when it comes to using your hot tub or swim spa for hydrotherapy. You can adjust the temperature of the water, the power of the jets, the time spent in the water, and more to create a customized healing experience that fits your unique needs and lifestyle.
The Health Benefits of Hot Tubs and Swim Spas
The use of water to heal the body and mind has been around for centuries. From luxurious bathhouses to natural hot springs, people all over the world have been enjoying the health benefits of water and hydrotherapy throughout history.
Hydrotherapy has the potential to be effective for both short-term issues and chronic conditions:
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Skin and complexion issues
- Depression and anxiety
- Muscle injuries
- Back pain
- Insomnia
The buoyancy of the water also creates a low-impact environment where you can stretch and work out your muscles without any additional stress on your joints. Swim spas in particular are designed to create a convenient, at-home exercise environment that is ideal for people with differing levels of physical abilities.
Swim spas produce a gentle current of water that allows you to swim, walk, jog, and perform other underwater exercises without the space and upkeep that a full-sized swimming pool requires.
When exercise is relaxing, fun, and enjoyable, it’s much easier to stick with. We often hear from our clients that they use their hot tubs and swim spas on a daily basis and look forward to their exercise routines.
As awesome as hot tubs and swims spas are for physical health, we can’t forget about all the incredible ways they support mental health as well. There’s no better way to relax and practice mindfulness than by being in the moment, either alone or with your loved ones, surrounded by the gentle pressure of water jets, letting the warm water melt away your stress.
One of the most amazing benefits of hydrotherapy in your hot tub or swim spa is how versatile it is and how it can be adapted to your specific needs and lifestyle.
Here are just a few of the ways you can incorporate hydrotherapy into your life:
- Use it in the morning to energize yourself for the day ahead (jets are great for waking up tired muscles)
- Break up your day with a soak in the afternoon
- Unwind with a leisurely nighttime dip (bonus points if it’s outside and you can watch the sunset)
- Schedule quality family time together
Check with Your Doctor Before Jumping Into Hydrotherapy
In general, hydrotherapy is a safe, natural, and effective way to treat a variety of mental and physical conditions. However, before starting any kind of therapy or treatment, it’s important to check with your doctor first.
A qualified medical professional can help you determine whether hydrotherapy is right for you and flag any potential issues that you need to keep an eye on while using hydrotherapy. They can also let you know more about the incredible benefits of this kind of treatment.
How to Use a Hot Tub or Swim Spa for Exercise
It’s easy to make your hot tub or swim spa part of your regular exercise routine.
To begin with, it’s usually more energy-efficient to keep your tub or spa at a constant temperature, rather than turn it off and on whenever you need it.
This means that your water getaway is always ready for you to enjoy at a moment’s notice, whether you plan to plunge right in after waking up to get your muscles moving or you decide to have an impromptu soak on the spur of the moment.
Here are ten simple exercises you can do in your hot tub or swim spa.
1. Swim
Swim spas were made for swimming! People who are used to doing laps in a pool are often surprised to find that they prefer the experience of a swim spa, since a swim spa uses a powerful jet stream to generate resistance. This offers a challenging and invigorating workout, in the convenience and privacy of your home.
2. Walk
Walking in your swim spa is an excellent low-impact exercise that is easy on your knees and ankles. The buoyancy of the water adds a little bit of extra resistance and fun to this simple workout. For a bigger challenge, walk against your swim spa’s current to really get the blood flowing.
3. Jog
Enjoy all the calorie-burning of a jog but without the wear and tear on your joints. Plus, you won’t get sweaty while jogging in your swim spa as the water continually washes away any perspiration and stimulates circulation for an amazing post-workout glow.
4. Row
Did you know you can bring some of your exercise accessories right into your swim spa? Switch up your routine with stretch cords and rowers so you can experience all of the muscle-pumping power of a rowing workout right in the water.
5. Tone your upper body
Your stretch cords can do more than just rowing. Simulate the kind of workout you do at the gym with weights by using your stretch cords to do bicep curls, chest presses, and other moves that tone your upper body. You’ll be amazed at how much more enjoyable and relaxing it is to do these exercises in the warm, soothing waters of your hot tub or swim spa.
6. Do squats
For a lower body workout that doesn’t require any special equipment, try doing squats in the water. Position your feet shoulder-width apart and bend down, using the muscles in your lower half to support you. The water provides gentle support and keeps your muscles warm and your circulation high for an invigorating experience.
7. Do torso twists
Torso twists are another great exercise that you can do with just your body. Cross your arms over your chest to form a letter “X” and keep your stomach muscles tight and pulled in as you slowly twist from left to right. Couple this with deep breathing exercises that are in harmony with the movement. You can perform this move in sets of 30 to 50 repetitions to tone and strengthen your torso.
8. Do lower ab crunches
This exercise uses the walls of your hot tub or swim spa to provide back support while you target your lower abs. Sit with your back up against the wall of your spa with your legs extended in front of you. Place your hands on the floor of the spa to steady yourself and then use your core to bring your knees into your chest and back out again. Inhale as you pull your knees in and exhale as you push your legs out.
9. Do push-ups
If traditional push-ups are a challenge for you, push-ups in your swim spa are an awesome way to build up strength in your arms. Grab the entry steps or the exercise bar in your swim spa and push your body up and down, using slow, steady movements. Go as low as you can without submerging your face in the water.
10. Practice yoga
Yoga becomes an even more transcendent experience in the water. All of the stretching, lengthening, and strengthening benefits of yoga get enhanced by the water, which allows your muscles to loosen up and enjoy a greater range of flexibility and motion. Many yogis find that they can achieve and hold some of the more complex yoga poses more easily in the water than they do on dry land.
Shop Hot Tubs and Swim Spas in Red Rock, Utah
Are you inspired to enhance your life and improve your health with a hot tub or swim spa?
Find more information about how you can enjoy the health benefits of a hot tub or swim spa from Red Rock Spas.
Check out our blog for answers to frequently asked questions. Or start shopping our wide range of luxurious hot tubs and swim spas and start building the water oasis of your dreams today.
Our team of kind and dedicated experts are always available to help you find the best product to transform your home, backyard, and lifestyle. Choose from a wide selection of top-of-the-line brands that feature the most advanced technology in the industry.
