How to Use a Hot Tub
Ok, so you have found the perfect hot tub and are ready to relax. Now what? If you’re wondering how to use a hot tub to get the most enjoyment out of your investment, you’re in the right place.
A new hot tub offers several ways to improve the quality of your life, bringing a bit of luxury and an inviting escape to your own backyard. You’ll love the improvements in your health and wellness, social and romantic relationships, and the relaxation that your spa provides.
Of course, it’s not that challenging to jump in and enjoy. However, there are a few things to consider that will help you get the best use out of your hot tub. Years of happy spa ownership start by focusing on the benefits your spa provides and making this a part of your everyday.
Keep reading to learn more about getting the most of your hot tub, or jump to a section that interests you by selecting a link below.
Using a hot tub for therapy
Did you know that there are many significant health benefits to owning and using your spa?
If you actively participate in vigorous exercise or sports, you may find that your hot tub can help you improve performance, recover faster, and reach your healthy fitness goals.
Soaking in warm water, especially after a hard workout, is shown to reduce muscle soreness and speed up your recovery. The therapy features of your spa, like specifically targeted jets, can give you the appropriate massage to loosen stiff muscles and reduce long term swelling. Bullfrog Spas even features 17 interchangeable JetPak massages so you can choose the jets that target your specific aches and pains.
John B., a hot tub user, said, “Absolutely nothing relieves my soreness like 10 minutes in the jets. I’m so glad I bought it.”
If you’re not able to do high-intensity exercises like jogging, weight lifting, or cross training but you’re still looking to transition into a healthier lifestyle, your hot tub can still help you reach your fitness goals.
There are many things to do in a hot tub, such as low-impact exercises or stretches, to keep your body healthy and pain-free. Many spa owners practice hot tub yoga, moderate calisthenics, water aerobics, and even Pilates right in the spa.
These exercises are a great way to increase your flexibility and range of motion, all while enjoying the relaxation of the warm water. If you suffer from arthritis, muscle and joint pain, back pain, or just general aches and pains, these exercises can support your treatment goals while providing all-natural pain relief.
Using a hot tub for relaxation
Owning your own spa is one of the easiest ways to create your own personal oasis for escape and relaxation. A little escape and alone time now and then not only improves your health and relationships, but it can also help you reconnect with yourself and your priorities. Making time for yourself through a regular soak in the hot tub can help you clear your mind and renew your energy.
Using your hot tub also provides several passive benefits for your health and wellness. Studies show that regular hot water therapy can be a great way to reduce insomnia, stress, and anxiety. Soaking in warm water before bed is a great way to relieve stress, improve your mood, and regulate your autonomic nervous system helping you to feel better and fall asleep more easily.
Ross B. said, “[My hot tub] de-stresses me, helps me sleep better, and I like sitting in it with just the circulation pump running…very relaxing!”
To truly make your hot tub a backyard retreat, focus on creating a relaxing mood and atmosphere. Adding privacy screens or shrubbery, mood lighting, relaxing music, and beautiful landscaping can truly transform your spa into an oasis. Aromatherapy and meditation can also help you achieve the rejuvenation and relaxation you’re looking for.
Best time to use a hot tub
There’s really no wrong time to use a hot tub. Some of the best times to use a hot tub are in the Fall or Spring when the weather is cooler. Winter is also many people’s favorite time since the heat from the spa is such a contrast to the outside temperature. Summer can also be a great time to turn your spa temperature down a bit and use it more like a small pool.
As far as the best time of day to use a spa, most people prefer about an hour before bed. This helps you wind down after a stressful day, support muscle recovery after exercising or manual labor, and sleep better. Many customers also love using their spa first thing in the morning to start their day off right and loosen your muscles before any activity.
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Using a hot tub to strengthen your family
Hot tubs offer a great way to build your relationship with your spouse, children, and other family members.
The shared experience of relaxing in warm water is perfect for getting you and your significant other on the same page. The quiet time and ease of conversation are just what many couples need.
Kevin O., who uses his spa regularly with his wife, said, “We allow no electronics in the tub and it gives us a great chance to reconnect and just enjoy each other’s company with no outside distractions.”
If you’re a parent, you will love using your spa to spend quality time together as a family. The relaxing atmosphere of a hot tub is perfect for conversations and catching up after a busy day at work, school and extracurricular activities. Everyone from children to grandparents can enjoy the benefits of a hot tub, whether it’s used together as a family, for some alone time for mom and dad, or to keep the kids at home and out of trouble.
Using a hot tub for fun
Not only can hot tubs provide health benefits, but they can be a great form of entertainment and fun. There are a lot of things to do in your hot tub such as throw backyard parties, play water games, and enjoy fun hot tub toys and accessories.
Hot tub parties
Having a hot tub in your own backyard is a great way to become the most popular person in your neighborhood. If you enjoy being the life of the party, you’ll love being the go-to host for summer BBQs, get-togethers, and hot tub parties.
Make your hot tub event even more enjoyable by playing hot tub games and adding the fun hot tub accessories listed below.
Hot tub games
Hot tubs provide the perfect setting to play games. Large hot tubs can fit 8 friends or more and encourage people to put their technology away and connect with each other.
Play fun games like 20 Questions or Would You Rather, or grab a deck of waterproof playing cards and play your favorite card games together.
There are even lots of fun games invented specifically for hot tubs and pools. Try a game of floating basketball or ping pong, and see if you can beat your friends.
Hot tub accessories
Hot tubs come with amazing accessories to improve your spa experience. Try one of these with your next hot tub soak:
- In-spa audio
- Cup holders
- Mood lights
- Spazazz and Spa Bombzz
- Fun signs
- Privacy screens
Safety tips when using a hot tub
It’s important to learn how to stay safe when using a hot tub. As with any other activity involving water or heat, you need to be especially careful if you have health problems, if you have children around, or if you are pregnant.
Let’s discuss some of the common questions people have about hot tub safety.
Safe temperature
The CPSC advises to not exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit in your spa. Temperatures at 106 degrees Fahrenheit or more can increase your body temperature to the point of heat stroke.
Depending on your health and comfort preferences, it’s recommended to keep your spa temperature between 98 – 102 degrees.
How long to stay in
How long should you stay in a hot tub? This depends on the water temperature, your overall health, and your age. However, even a healthy adult generally should not stay in longer than 30 minutes.
If you enjoy longer soaks, most hot tubs provide cool-down seats that are higher up and allow you to keep more of your body out of the water. This can help keep your internal temperature and health levels so you can spend more time relaxing.
However, if you plan on staying in longer, look for warning signs such as dizziness, sweating, headache, and nausea. If you experience any of these symptoms or other discomfort, leave the hot tub and consult your doctor if symptoms continue.
Kid safety
Young children are more susceptible to drowning and can overheat quicker than an adult.
To make sure your children are safe around the hot tub, keep it covered and secured. If you are worried about children opening the cover, consider a locking cover and keep the key in a safe place.
Although your kids will love spending time with you in the hot tub, limit their soaking time to 10-15 minutes at a time and have them sit in the child or cool-down seats.
For safety reasons, never allow someone under the age of 5 to use a hot tub.
You should also keep your hot tub chemicals such as chlorine and bromine out of reach so children don’t accidentally ingest them.
Pregnancy safety
If you are pregnant and would like to use a hot tub, consult your doctor first. The CPSC advises that pregnant women don’t go in a hot tub with a temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that high heat is especially dangerous to the fetus during the first trimester.
What about dogs and other pets?
Many dog owners ask if it’s okay to let their dog use the hot tub. To keep your pets safe, it’s best to not let them join you.
Many dogs or pets panic when placed in water which can lead to drowning. Dogs are also at a higher risk of overheating because they don’t sweat. In addition, your pets might be tempted to drink the water which can be harmful because of the chemicals.
Now that you know how to use a hot tub, you can design the hot tub that’s right for you. Design a Bullfrog Spa online and choose your hot tub’s size, JetPak massages, and accessories.
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