Author Archives: Christina Mantoura-Gough

If, like many other people at this time of year, you’re currently focused on losing weight, having access to a hot tub could help you achieve your goals. There are many benefits to shedding pounds, from improving your confidence to increasing sporting ability and general enjoyment of life. It’s essential to take a healthy and gentle approach to weight loss so that it’s sustainable, and a hot tub can help you to do that.

Losing weight with a hot tub

It is actually possible to burn calories simply from using a hot tub – for example, you’ll burn 3% more calories from a hot tub than you would by sitting on the sofa. However, these direct weight loss benefits are relatively modest compared to the other ways in which a hot tub can support you on your weight loss journey.

Using a hot tub for exercise

The resistance created by the water in a hot tub can significantly increase the impact of any exercise that you do while you’re in it. The buoyancy of the water supports your muscles too so there is much less chance of injury. Try yoga in a hot tub or opt for a homemade work out including exercises such as bicycle crunches and calf raises.

Getting better sleep

As anyone knows who has ever tried to remain motivated after a night of insomnia, sleep has a huge part to play in how committed you can be to a healthier lifestyle. Lack of sleep has been found to contribute to an increased appetite, as well as cravings for sugary snacks, which can make it difficult to remain within weight loss goals. Plus, lack of sleep can leave you feeling too tired to train. However, if you’re able to spend 15 minutes in a hot tub each evening you can prepare your body for sleep and enjoy a better night’s rest as a result.

Minimising stress and maximising effort

Stress hormones, such as cortisol, can destabilise plans for healthier living, for example by interrupting sleep patterns and increasing the potential for stress eating. Cortisol has also been linked to increased body fat and reduced muscle building. In a hot tub the combination of hot water and targeted hydrotherapy jets helps to relax muscles and slow breathing, gradually bringing cortisol levels down.

Recovery and reward

For most people, getting in shape involves a combination of diet changes as well as a new exercise regime. Any form of increase in physical activity can cause aches and pains that may make you feel like you don’t want to get back to the gym/running track etc for the next session. The warmth of a hot tub increases blood flow around the body, stimulating recovery and repair and can be very effective as part of a healing and cooling recovery process. It’s also a motivational and calorie free reward – looking forward to a hot tub session is a great way to push through your next workout.

These are just some of the ways in which a hot tub can help you with your weight loss journey this year.

When it comes to new year resolutions those that relate to health and fitness tend to be the most popular. If you opted to set these goals for yourself in 2020 then you’re not alone, as millions of other people have also decided that this is the year to get fitter, slimmer and be more active. Unfortunately, the failure rates for new year resolutions tend to be high – up around the 80 – 90%. However, if you have access to a hot tub then you have a secret weapon that will enable you to better achieve your goals this year. Here’s how:

BRINGING YOUR STRESS LEVELS DOWN

Stress has a generally negative impact on the human body and this is especially so when it comes to what we eat. The release of cortisol during a stressful situation may cause you to start craving high fat, high calorie foods, which can do a lot of damage to a carefully managed diet. If your cortisol levels remain consistently high then this can prevent new muscle being built and cause the body to store more fat in response. Soaking in a hot tub for just 15 minutes a day can significantly reduce stress levels. It will slow your breathing, relax muscles and help to slow down or stop the release of cortisol as your anxiety fades away.

ENCOURAGING RECOVERY FROM INJURY

When you take on a new exercise regime it can cause a lot of new aches and pains and you may even find that you end up injured. A hot tub could form an essential part of the process of preparing for, and recovering from, exercise. The warmth of the water means that capillaries and blood vessels dilate and blood flows more freely around the body, which can speed up recovery, as well as getting your muscles warm for activity. You’re also much less likely to try to avoid your next exercise session as a result of aches and pains from the last one.

IMPROVING QUALITY OF SLEEP

We all know what it feels like when you wake up after a bad night’s sleep – you’re tired, cranky and hungry. Lack of sleep can spike cortisol levels and result in lots of cravings that will ruin new year resolution diets. Sleep deprivation causes the body to release more ghrelin, which is the hormone that makes you hungry so if you’re not sleeping then you will struggle to stick to those goals. A hot tub session each night before you go to bed can help to combat this. Hot water helps the body to relax and get ready to wind down for the night. It’s often a much more effective way to switch off at the end of a hard day than having a glass of wine, which can add calories and actually keep you awake.

If you’ve set new year resolutions that revolve around health and wellness for 2020 there is plenty that you can use your hot tub for to help you achieve these positive goals.

Hot tubs are not just for summer. At this time of year if you’re lucky enough to have a hot tub it can really enhance your life. From helping to soothe seasonal aches and pains to getting you outdoors and giving you the opportunity for new experiences, winter is a great time to use your hot tub.

Warm hydrotherapy is the one

Do you find that your joints ache more at this time of year? Maybe you struggle to get warm in winter or it’s more difficult to recover from a heavy session at the gym. Regularly spending time in your hot tub can help with this, as it will loosen muscles to make physical activity easier to do and help to relieve any discomfort you experience after a long spell outside or a strong training session.

It can also boost your mood

Spending time in a warm, bubbly hot tub will help your body to release endorphins – especially useful if you tend to suffer from SAD at this time of year. Frequent hot tub sessions can also be a very effective stress reliever, helping to relax your mind and muscles and giving you space in which to step back from the hectic pace of every day life.

Finding the right spot for your hot tub is key

The right place will depend on how you want to enjoy being in the hot tub in winter. For example, you might prefer to have the hot tub close to your home so that you can get in and out quickly when it’s cold. On the other hand, you might prefer to position the hot tub away from the house so that you can enjoy some peace and quiet and get a good view of the stars.

How to enjoy your hot tub in winter

• Have dry clothes or a robe and slippers handy so that you can slip into them and get dry as soon as you get out of the water.
• Don’t stay in the hot tub for longer than you normally would. It might be tempting to keep having another five minutes as the air outside is cold but it’s still possible to get dehydrated if you stay in there too long.
• Consider a hat. Having something warm and cosy on your head can enhance the experience even more.
• Make it a really sociable space. Whether you’re looking to combat symptoms of SAD with social interaction or keen to find an alternative location for a party, your hot tub can add a bit of glamour and make it an unusual and memorable occasion.
• Keep up the schedule of cleaning and maintenance. You’ll need to continue to maintain and clean the hot tub during the winter as you would during the summer even if you’re using it slightly less.

Having a hot tub is a great way to get outside and enjoy the benefits of hydrotherapy all year round. Winter is one of the best times of year to appreciate having a hot tub at home.

Winter is a great time of year to really get the most from your hot tub. Being immersed in warm bubbles is especially enjoyable when it’s cold outside and could even be therapeutic if you suffer from stiff muscles and joints at this time of year. However, using a hot tub in winter is different to the summer months – these are out dos and don’ts for getting the most from your experience.

• DO get a good winter cover. The more insulated the cover the more heat will be preserved inside and the less energy will be required to heat your hot tub.
• DO lock the cover. If you’ve invested in a proper winter cover then make sure it’s fully secured so that it’s not allowing any heat or steam to escape. If the cover is tightly shut it will keep your heating costs down and ensure you don’t have to keep topping up the water level.
• DON’T change the water if it’s really cold. Although you may have scheduled a water change for every 3-4 months if that day falls within a period when temperatures are really low then wait until they rise again. If you don’t then you risk your pipes freezing. If you absolutely must change the water do it in small amounts so that you’re refilling and reheating the water each time.
• DO turn the jets off in winter when you’re not in the tub. The air that comes through the jets will be cold and will bring the water temperature down. This means that your tub will have to work harder just to maintain the right temperature and your energy costs will rise.
• DON’T ignore the colder weather. Using the hot tub in winter can be a magical experience but you do have to make a few changes to the way that you use it. For example, make sure that you’re wearing sandals to get to and from the hot tub, as opposed to walking in bare feet on cold ground. Have towels and a robe handy for as soon as you get out and prioritise getting warm straight away.
• DON’T use snow to refill your hot tub. Even if all the equipment you need is packed away in a frozen shed, using snow just isn’t a good alternative. Not only is it likely to be full of mud and dirt but you’ll have to add a lot of chemicals to the snow water to deal with impurities.
• DO continue to take good care of the hot tub. This is a busy time of year for many of us and it would be easy to simply leave your hot tub and hope for the best. However, if you want to be able to use it right through the winter – and next summer too – you need to ensure you check it once a week, keeping adding the right water chemicals and stick to your maintenance schedule.

Using your hot tub in winter is a great way to get the most from it – as long as you know what to do and what to avoid.

Often we tend to associate hot tubs with the summer. However, they are actually a great asset during the winter too. No matter what the weather is doing there is still a lot of pleasure to be had from sinking into a tub of warm water – and your hot tub could also make winter easier to survive. So, how can you make sure that you enjoy your hot tub in winter this year?

Use your hot tub for seasonal aches and pains

At this time of year the cold can get right into your joints – but a soak in a hot tub can heat you up from the core outward. Hydrotherapy has been used for centuries to help reduce pain from inflammation and increase circulation in the body. This can be incredibly effective when it comes to warming up stiff joints or promoting healing if you’re getting over an injury. Regular use of your hot tub in winter can help you to minimise some of the discomfort of this time of year.

Get out in your hot tub whatever the weather

If it’s blowing a gale you may not want to be outside. And, if you don’t have a covered area for your hot tub then rain may not be that appealing. However, the cold itself shouldn’t stop you from using your hot tub – in fact, it’s likely to enhance the experience. When the air is cold, and even if there is snow on the ground, you can stay toasty warm inside the hot tub and still enjoy the al fresco experience.

Make it part of your celebrations

Whether it’s a Christmas party or a New Year’s Eve event, your hot tub can be a great place to bring people together socially at a special time of the year. Just make sure that you have enough towels for everyone and that people get warm quickly when they get out.

Prepare your hot tub for winter

Instead of draining and covering over the tub until next summer get it ready for use during winter instead. That may mean cleaning and replacing the water and ensuring that you’re following the same schedule of maintenance that you would during the summer. You might also want to consider a few winter additions to the hot tub area to make the experience even more enjoyable. That could be heated towel rails, mats to stand on when you get out or somewhere to hang a cosy robe so that you can get warm as soon as you’re out of the water. You may also need to consider:

• A winter cover to help preserve heat and energy
• A freeze protection system to ensure the pipes stay clear
• Checking the water level every day – if it gets too low the pumps and heater may stop working and the water could freeze
• Turning off the air jets when you’re not in the hot tub to avoid cold air being pumped in

It’s easy to enjoy your hot tub during winter. From soothing aches and pains to hosting celebrations, hot tubs can be an essential part of the coldest season of the year.

There are some great reasons to use a spa or hot tub during the winter months. From warming up on chilly days to providing a space for unique socialising and applying hydrotherapy to aches and pains, continuing to use your hot tub or spa all year round is definitely the right choice. But what do you need to consider when it comes to safety at this time of year?

Don’t drastically increase the temperature of the water

It can be tempting to boost the heat in a hot tub or spa at this time of year to make things extra toasty but this isn’t recommended. The temperature of the water should never be higher than 104 degrees Fahrenheit and you should ensure that you don’t stay in the water for longer than usual. For a healthy adult a 15-minute soak is ideal – anything longer than that and you risk becoming light headed or could even suffer from heat stroke. It’s difficult for the human body to regulate its temperature when in water, as perspiration can’t happen. So, it’s essential that you’re attentive when it comes to water temperature and time immersed.

Take care of the cover at this time of year

Make sure you have a well fitting, high quality cover that will provide both protection and insulation. Try to regularly clear debris or snow from the top of the cover, especially if you’re about to take it off the hot tub or spa. Be careful when you’re removing the cover so that no damage is done and you don’t end up with ice and snow or dead leaves etc in the water.

Wear a hat

It may sound odd to wear a hat while the rest of your body is immersed in warm water but this will actually help you to better regulate your temperature. It’s almost impossible for the body to do this if your shoulders and neck are very cold and your lower half is warm. A hat can help to even this up and give your body more of a chance to regulate normally.

Prepare to get out before you get in

Hot tubs and spas are often outside and so there is a real need during the winter to ensure that you don’t get cold once you’re out of the water. Prepare for this exit before you even get into the water – put towels and a robe nearby or make sure that you have quick and easy access to somewhere that you can get dry and warm. You might want to wear shoes if the ground between your home and the hot tub is likely to be hard and cold – sandals or slippers are ideal. If the weather is icy make sure that whatever you opt for has decent grip so that you don’t slip.

These tips are designed to help you enjoy your spa or hot tub safely all year round, even during the winter months.