Should I Use My Hot Tub Before or After Exercise?

March 5, 2020

Hot tubs and spas are relaxing and soothing, and never more so than when you’ve engaged in a strenuous workout beforehand. Stiff, sore muscles benefit from the hot water and jet streams, which help increase blood flow to the muscles and speed up healing.

In fact, you’ll increase those benefits if you soak in the hot tub before your workout, too—similar to the warmup you should be doing before any workout, a soak in the hot tub allows your muscles to heat and loosen up before you start your routine.

How to use your hot tub before and after exercise in Lubbock, TX

As always, you should consult with your doctor about any new exercise routines, as well as using a hot tub, especially if you have any underlying health conditions. They’ll be able to advise you how to best take care of your health. Once you’ve gotten the “all clear,” you can jump right in and enjoy the relaxing benefits.

Warming up your body before exercise gets your cardiovascular system ready to handle the increased demands you’ll put on your body. Before you exercise, allow yourself to soak in the hot tub for about 10 to 20 minutes. This allows your muscles to loosen and increases your circulation all over. It also lessens the risk that you’ll get injured during the workout. However, you should still warm up physically, too—10 minutes of stretching is the recommended baseline.

After your workout, be sure to cool down, which allows your heart rate to gradually return to its normal pace. This can be done through walking, stretching or other doctor-recommended exercise. Then you’re free to jump back in the spa and relax, letting the hot water work its magic once again.

Important hot tub and exercise tips

Safety is still important even when you’re using your hot tub for exercise in Lubbock, TX. Here are some key tips to keep in mind:

  • Hydrate: You should be hydrating during your workout, but many people neglect the importance of drinking water while in the hot tub. Your body is still losing water, even when you’re submerged.
  • Listen to your body’s cues: Many of us push ourselves a little too hard when getting into a new exercise routine, eager to start looking and feeling better. This can result in strain and injury that not even a hot tub will help soothe. Listen to your body, take it slow and allow yourself plenty of recovery time.
  • Don’t neglect your physical warmup and cooldown: Hot tubs are great for enhancing your warmup and cooldown, but you still need to stretch and allow your heart rate to return to normal before getting back into the spa.

Alcoe wants to help you make your exercise routine a little more relaxing with a spa, sauna, swim spa or hot tub. Since 1959, we have been providing the Lubbock area with the highest quality outdoor and recreational products, complete with installation, repair, maintenance and the best customer service around. Call or stop by today to find out why hot tubs and exercise make the perfect pair in Lubbock, TX.

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