No matter your sport of choice, there are many benefits to using a hot tub.
As an athlete, you know the importance of recovery and how vital it is to get back in the game as quickly as possible. Using a hot tub can help speed up your recovery time, decrease muscle soreness, and improve your performance overall.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the science behind why a hot tub can be so beneficial for athletes and offer some tips on how to best use a hot tub for your own training regimen. Let’s get started!
What are some common problems encountered by athletes during their training?
Some common complaints from athletes include reduced flexibility and soreness due to high amounts of lactic acid in muscles after strenuous workouts, and inflammation due to injuries.
Hot tubs can relieve all three of these symptoms.
What are some evidence-based benefits of hot tub use for athletes?
In a study from the Journal of Athletic Training, college football players were given a hot tub time as part of their preseason preparation. In the study group, many athletes reported less muscle soreness and improved sleep quality compared to those who did not use hot tubs as part of their preseason preparation. Another advantage is that they help speed up recovery time by increasing blood circulation and reducing swelling by encouraging lymphatic drainage after a workout or injury. Finally, jets also release endorphins, often dubbed as “happiness hormones” that naturally help reduce stress and anxiety.
What types of hot tubs athletes can use?
There are three types of hot tubs available for athletes: portable spas, hot tubs with water jets, and in-ground spas. Portable spas are great for those who want to be able to take their hot tub with them wherever they go. They’re small enough, you can even place them in your home or office, so you never have an excuse not to use them! These types of hot tubs also come with a variety of different features such as built-in seats, lights under the water’s surface, Bluetooth speakers along the side walls, and even a cover that has speakers for your smartphone.
In-ground spas are known for offering many features including soothing aromatherapy scents, filtration systems that clean the water as it is happening, massage jets that can be activated to target specific areas on the body such as shoulders or calves, and more color options than any other hot tub type. What’s better than having a spa in your own backyard? Having an inground spa in your backyard! When considering installing an inground spa in your backyard it is important to keep in mind things like ground conditions, weather conditions, water flow requirements, and even planning when it comes to the electrical source.
What are some tips on how athletes can use hot tubs in their training?
Some tips for using a hot tub in your training routine include:
- Using a hot tub before an intense workout is a great way to prepare your muscles and get them ready for what’s to come. If possible, try scheduling your hot tub time during lunch or at night so you can enjoy the benefits of its healing properties without interruption.
- A hot shower after a strenuous workout is beneficial as well because it causes blood vessels near the surface of your skin to open up, allowing more capillaries to transport lactic acid and other toxins away from muscles.
- If you have a hot tub in your backyard, use it regularly as a place to wind down after a long day of training. Just being in hot water for 15 minutes can help you relax, release built up muscle tension, reduce stress hormones such as cortisol, and increase serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter that helps improve moods!
Inground spas and hot tubs offer many benefits for athletes, from speeding up recovery time to reducing muscle soreness and inflammation. With a hot tub in your home or backyard, you’ll have the perfect place to wind down after a long day of training. In this blog post we’ve given you some tips on how to get the most out of that hot water so be sure not to miss them! If all these reasons aren’t enough for you yet, give us a call and we can discuss other ways an inground spa from Immerspa is right for you!