After an enduring exercise, relaxing in a hot tub sounds perfect. However, to reduce muscle inflammation and get the most out of your experience, it's better to wait until your muscles have cooled off and your heart rate has dropped back down to normal.
Soaking in the hot tub before your workout can help you put work-related and other stress behind you, so you can focus on-and get excited about-your wellness routine ahead. A 20-minute soak after your workout can help dissolve muscle and joint stress brought on by exercise.
Here's a quick recap: A brief hot tub soak before your exercise can warm and prepare your muscles, making your workout more effective and enjoyable. Avoid the hot tub right after intense physical activity to prevent exacerbating muscle inflammation and dehydration.
A Spa Soak Before Exercise Is Beneficial
An increased core body temperature results in your body burning more calories during your exercise routine. The soak also relaxes your muscles and helps avoid muscle cramps and other problems that can come when muscles are stretched without first warming up.
Hot tubs can contribute to weight loss, but the impact is minor. The body cooling itself down in response to heat burns some calories. This amount is small compared to active forms of exercise, and the direct impact on long-term weight loss is limited.
And now, we have another reason to add some R & R to our agendas, thanks to research from Loughborough University published in the journal Temperature: Relaxing in a hot bath can burn as many calories as a 30-minute walk, about 140 calories. Wait, what?
You can do a variety of low impact exercises in your hot tub. The warm water provides resistance, which works your muscles harder and burns more calories. Because the water provides buoyancy, the exercises you do are easier on your joints than if you did them on land.
You can reap the benefits of sauna bathing anytime. But while some people like to pregame their workout by warming up their muscles in a sauna—which helps you loosen up, but shouldn't replace your regular warmup—using the sauna after you exercise, when you're still a little dehydrated, may be even better.
Follow the correct procedure for your best wellness & Spa experience. Use the services in the following order: First, use the pool, then the whirlpool, then the saunas, and finally enjoy a massage. Never change this procedure! After the massage, just let all its benefits end in the resting room or your hotel room.
A recent study found that spending time in the warm water of a hot tub lowers blood pressure and inflammation, increases metabolism, and burns 140 calories in 30 minutes, which is the equivalent of a 30-minute walk. These results do not constitute a cheat.
Experiencing a hot tub in the morning can be an ideal way to start your day. As you soak in warmth, your body and mind awaken, prepping you for the day ahead. The increased blood circulation helps loosen your muscles, easing tension and providing a relaxing hydrotherapy experience.
After exercise, let your muscles and heart rate cool down
Try a gentle walk or stretches. Then, take advantage of a calming hot tub soak to help your mind and body relax and help stimulate the healing and recovery process.
“Your skin is the largest organ in the body and absorbs fluid easily,” says Dr. Keith Kantor, a leading nutritionist and CEO of the Nutritional Addiction Mitigation Eating and Drinking (NAMED) program. “After a swim or a shower, your body can absorb 1 to 3 cups of water, increasing your true weight by a few pounds.”
While hot tubs offer relaxation and may provide some cardiovascular benefits through the gentle pressure of the water, the dry heat of saunas creates a more profound cardiovascular response, making them a preferred choice for those seeking to prioritize heart health.
Avoid Heavy Meals and Alcohol Eating a heavy meal or consuming alcohol before a visit can make you feel uncomfortable and less able to enjoy your treatment. Opt for a light snack and stay hydrated with water or herbal tea. Refrain from Loud Conversations Spas are designed to be quiet and serene.
Enhanced Muscle Recovery and Pain Relief
Start with the sauna to warm up and loosen tight muscles, then follow up with a soak in the hot tub to alleviate any lingering pain and accelerate muscle recovery.
In a sauna, it's better to breathe through your nose than your mouth. This cools the air as it enters your body. Your nose is a good yardstick: If the air feels too hot, move to a lower seating level.
You can go to the swimming pool first, but it is necessary to dry well afterwards, before entering the sauna, so that the sweating effect starts earlier and is stronger. Drink at least one full glass of water before and after using the sauna to avoid dehydration.
The short answer is that it's generally not recommended to bring your phone into a sauna. The high temperatures and humidity levels can cause damage to your phone's internal components, and the risk of overheating or even explosion is not worth the convenience of having your phone with you.
If you weigh around 150 pounds, you can normally burn up to 17 calories or . 005 pounds of fat by simply submerging yourself in your hot tub for 15 to 20 minutes. However, you would need at least 125 days of 15-minute soaking sessions in the morning and evening to lose one pound of fat.
However, science has proven hot tubs provide several advantages to your health and are a prime way to recover after a workout. Having a soak in a hot tub, besides providing relaxation and pain relief, has been proven to aid in muscle recovery, reduced joint pain, and sleep regulation.