Enjoying Your Spa or Hot Tub

Introducing Hot Water

The sparkling waters bubble and churn, inviting you in. Framed by an outdoor landscape, hidden in a private gazebo or designed as an extension of your living room or bedroom, your spa or hot tub is a uniquely enjoyable addition to your living area. Congratulations on your decision to purchase a spa or tub.

The National Spa & Pool Institute (NSPI) has developed this booklet to give you information on ways you can use your spa or hot tub for health, fun and relaxation.

A Very Brief History of Hot Water

For centuries, people have bathed in natural hot springs because of their supposed curative powers. Primitive cultures built temples around such springs, believing them to be the dwellings of gods and spirits. The Romans went a step further and built huge public baths for thousands of people. Today, hot mineral springs are still thought to have therapeutic value; and many famous resorts in the United States and Europe are based around natural mineral baths.

Hot Soaks

Modern professional athletes have also found value in a good, hot soak. Many professional sports teams prescribe hydrotherapy and hot baths for players with painful joints and sore muscles.

For the same reasons, a spa or hot tub is appreciated by anyone involved in a physical sport or activity. After a game of tennis, jogging, or even a hard day at the office, climbing into your jetted spa or hot tub is a good way to relax. A hot soak can relieve not only physical stress but mental stress and tension as well.

What Medical Experts Say About It

As one medical study puts it, upon getting into warm bubbling water, "the first response to immersion at this temperature is a general and muscular relaxation. The hot water produces dilation of the blood vessels, or vasodilation, which is beneficial to the functioning of weak or spastic muscles and is usually sedative for those with chronic arthritis, muscle pains and neuralgia." In other words, it's easier for your heart to work and muscle pain can be neutralized.

Other studies show that just being immersed in hot water slows down your pulse because your heart no longer has to fight against gravity. Your heart also enlarges slightly and works with 10 to 20% more efficiency. A hot soak improves blood flow to your entire body.

Many other benefits are associated with hot water bathing, from relieving indigestion to helping you reduce body weight.

Can You Exercise in Hot Water?

You can do stretching exercises that improve suppleness and flexibility and help to loosen tense muscles. When immersed in water to the neck, you weigh 90% less, so movement is easier and puts much less strain on your body. Spas and hot tubs also lend themselves to meditation techniques and other relaxation exercises.

Hot Water Games

There are many floating games and fun floating objects designed for use in spas and hot tubs. For instance, you can try your hand at floating backgammon or checkers while you relax on an inflatable cushion. Naturally, there are floating trays for cold drinks or a snack. Plus, there are water toys of all kinds, from ships to small beach balls. You can have plenty of fun when friends or family soak together.

Sociable Soaking

Soaking in a hot tub is also a good place for a relaxing conversation, so you may find that it becomes a social center in your home. You can invite neighbors in for a soak, and your friends will certainly warm up to your hospitality. To make entertaining even more enjoyable, you can add pillows, floating juice bars, and even eating utensils. There are also lighted thermometers for water temperature, automatic timers and other accessories.

Of course, the design of your spa or hot tub makes a big difference in your style of entertaining. You can create an indoor retreat, a family recreation area or an outdoor health center. And all you need to add for fun and relaxation is hot water.

A Few Words of Caution

  • As with any new piece of equipment, your spa or hot tub should be properly supervised for safe use. Pregnant women, persons with heart disease, diabetes, high or low blood pressure or any serious illness, and indeed persons with any doubt, should not enter a spa or hot tub without prior consultation with their doctor.
  • There is a distinction between warm water and hot - the maximum safe temperature is 104oF (40oC). Fifteen minutes per soak is the recommended maximum time at 104oF (40oC).
  • Never use a spa or hot tub if under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

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