Hot Tub Benefits for Athletes
Posted: April 25, 2023Do you or someone you know consider themselves an athlete? Have you ever thought of adding a hot tub to your workout routine? If not, it’s time to start exploring the many benefits of using a hot tub as part of your regular training!
Hot tubs can help athletes speed up the recovery process after an intense workout session and even increase overall performance. While research about how hot tubs affect athletes specifically is limited, we know that soaking in warm water or hydrotherapy has been proven to help with muscle soreness, circulation, and joint pain in general. Here are some notable hot tub benefits for athletes:
Reduced Muscle Soreness
The soothing heat of the hot tub increases blood flow to the muscles, which can help significantly reduce muscle soreness following strenuous exercise routines. The elevated temperatures also help loosen stiff joints and other connections, allowing more freedom of movement from the muscles involved. Hot tubs also use bubbles and massaging jets which create gentle pressure along targeted parts of the body for a relaxing session.
Improved Sleep Quality
When used consistently, taking a soak in a hot tub before bedtime has been known to improve sleep quality for both athletes and non-athletes alike. This is because when your body temperature drops after soaking, you experience an increase in melatonin production that helps make falling asleep easier. Not to mention it will probably be much more comfortable sleeping on top of your worn-out muscles!
Increased Flexibility
Elevated temperatures and increased blood circulation lead to increased flexibility which is essential for any athlete who wants to train correctly while not putting too much stress on their body. Proper stretching has long since been known as one of the best ways to ensure proper flexibility, but if done improperly could lead to injury instead of prevention. Taking regular soaks can help alleviate this issue by ensuring flexibility without having to utilize additional stretches during workouts.
Decreased Risk Of Injury
As mentioned above, moving with proper flexibility can decrease the risk of any potential injuries occurring while exercising vigorously or taking on challenging physical activities during competitions or practices. Not only does increased circulation provided by heated water protect against injury, but it also soothes existing wounds like pulled muscles or jammed joints that may be slowing down progress due to discomfort caused.
What Type Of Exercises Can I Do In the Hot Tub?
Many athletes have started incorporating hot tub exercises into their regular workout routine. These can range from cardio activities to strength training exercises, depending on the person’s goals and abilities.
Some popular options include walking against the current of a hot tub’s jets, stationary running in place, or using resistance bands for toning and sculpting muscles.
There are also water-friendly pieces of equipment out there, such as aqua dumbbells and even aerobic steps, which can help you take your hot tub workout to the next level!
Wrapping It Up
Having access to a reliable hot tub can provide countless benefits for athletes looking for safe ways of quickening their recovery times, resulting in better performance over the long haul! It’s essential, however, not just jump straight into soaking as overly high temperatures could cause dizziness or faintness, so always check with a doctor before engaging in any related activity!
Are you in the market for a new hot tub? At WCI Pools and Spas, we have a wide selection of hot tubs for you to choose from, so contact us today and start feeling the benefits of using a hot tub for your workout routine!