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Author Archives: Christina Mantoura-Gough

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Enhance your workout with a swim spa

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Working out in water is a great way to get all the benefits of exercise without the impact of gravity on the body. If you have access to a swim spa then there is plenty that you can do to use it to enhance your workout.

The benefits of exercising in water

There are many good reasons to consider using water in your exercise regime. The natural resistance of the water to movement means that the impact of every activity is optimised, for example. That same resistance also encourages a higher calorie burn – the body has to work harder in the water to complete the same exercises as on land so the rate of calorie burn is higher. Thanks to the way that water lessens the impact of gravity on the body it’s often possible to achieve a much wider range of movement when exercising in water. This also reduces the risk of injury by minimising the strain on joints and bones.

How to enhance your workout with a swim spa

Swimming

This is the most obvious way to use your swim spa for exercise. Swimming uses the entire body and is a great low impact way to exercise. Adding resistance by swimming against a current can help to considerably enhance the impact of this type of workout.

Jogging

For many people, jogging on land is the fastest way to get injured. However, in water this is a much more supported exercise but one that still achieves positive results – jog on the spot, lifting your knees as high as possible. Alternatively, you can switch on the jets and turn your back to them – studies have shown that walking or jogging backward tends to engage more muscles than regular jogging.

Other lower body exercise

There is a lot you can do in a swim spa to work the lower body, including kick backs – raising your leg behind you to the surface and squeezing the glutes as you do. Flutter kicks using the buoyancy jet can be very effective and the swim spa’s stairs provide an easy way to do step reps.

Core work

If it’s your core that you’re looking to work when you’re in the swim spa water planks are very effective – all you need is a pool noodle to act as a stabiliser. Water dumbbells can also come in useful, for example for doing core rotations, twisting to the right and left with the weights at shoulder height.

Enhancing an upper body workout

If you have a resistance band then a shoulder press is a very effective way to get more from a swim spa work out. Dumbbells can be used for chest presses and tricep pushes.

When you’re working out in a swim spa don’t forget that you’ll need to warm up, as for any other activity. You’ll also need to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water before and after your workout.

Call our team today on 0208 300 4003 to find the ideal swim spa for your lifestyle.

Benefits of using your hot tub in the cold weather

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At this time of year it can be tempting to stay inside, wrapped up tight, and forget all about the outside space your home has. However, if you’ve got a hot tub at home then you’re missing out, as this is a great time of year to see a wide range of benefits from using it regularly. Hot tubs in winter can be a great place to relax, be social and also have lots of advantages when it comes to health and wellness too.
 

Get outside in the fresh air – but stay warm

If you’re using your hot tub outside then you’re enjoying all the benefits of the fresh air without any of the head to toe chill. Warm bubbles are a great way to stay toasty in cold weather and can help you to make the most of your outside space. Especially if you’ve been spending a lot of time inside with the central heating on, or wrapped up in layers, getting outside and into the hot tub can be an invigorating experience.
 

Be more sociable this winter season

Winter is the season when we tend to feel the least sociable. Especially once all the festive cheer of Christmas and New Years Eve have passed it can be difficult to get motivated to go out and see friends and family when the weather is cold and the days are short. Having a hot tub at home can provide exactly the motivation that you need for the colder, darker months – it’s a great theme for a party and a warm, fun space in which to get together with family and friends. If you’re looking for a unique way to get sociable this season then your hot tub is the perfect place in which to do it.
 

Improve your health and wellness

Hot tubs have long formed part of wellness regimes, as they provide an essential hydrotherapy experience. Hydrotherapy basically employs water to help soothe and treat a range of conditions, from arthritis to muscle stiffness. If you’re starting a new fitness programme and experiencing stiff muscles after workout sessions then spending time in the hot tub will help to soothe aches and pains. It can also be an essential experience pre-workout too. At this time of year we are all prone to muscle strains and injuries because our bodies are colder. A hot tub can help warm up muscles, joints and ligaments to help ensure a safer workout.
 

Using your hot tub in the winter months

With a few small adjustments, any hot tub can be made winter-proof. For example, make sure that you have warm, dry clothes to wrap up in when you get out and a quick route from the hot tub back inside. Clean and maintain your hot tub regularly if you’re planning to use it during the winter and turn down the jets, as these can lower the temperature in the water.
 

To find your dream hot tub for all year round, contact a member of our team.

How can hot tubs alleviate muscle pain?

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Whether you’ve started a fresh exercise regime for the new year or you’re trying a different activity that works a whole new range of muscles, aches and pains as a result of exercise can be troublesome. However, if you have a hot tub then you don’t need to keep suffering, as the warm water and jets of the hot tub can have a thoroughly therapeutic effect on your recovery. This is how it works.

Massaging tight or overworked muscles

The jets in the hot tub work to help loosen muscles that have become tight, either as a result of overwork or just being cold. This can be beneficial, both before and after exercise. Hot tub jets have a massage effect, which can help muscles to relax and improve recovery time after a workout session. You’ll not only feel better as a result of time in a hot tub post-workout but you’ll also be ready for your next session more quickly too.

Dispersing lactic acid

It’s lactic acid that, more often than not, is responsible for the soreness that we experience after a workout. If the muscles don’t get enough oxygen when they’re being worked then lactic acid is created. This acid can be burned as energy but when it’s not the result is muscle pain and soreness. There are lots of different ways to tackle lactic acid if sore muscles are something that you regularly suffer from. One of the most effective ways is in the warm water of a hot tub. Research has found that a hot tub session after intense exercise can help to reduce lactic acid build up, which means that you’re going to get much less soreness.

Preparing your body to workout

The warm water of a hot tub helps to increase blood flow around the body and physically warms up muscles. Especially in the colder months of the year it’s easy to get injured simply as a result of starting a workout when the body is cold. Hot tubs can be used before exercise to help prepare the body to work out. The warm water not only improves the oxygen supply around the body by stimulating blood flow but also helps to ensure that muscles are warm enough to avoid injury as a result of activity.

Soothing away a hard day

Although hydrotherapy, such as hot tubs, is often recommended for those who are working out or exercising at professional athlete level, they also have a great deal of positive use for everyone else too. The impact of sitting at a desk all day has been found to be as tough for the body as professional sports – and can result in just as much debilitating stiffness and pain. Hot tubs not only enable stiff muscles to be eased out after a day at a desk but can also help to shake off the anxiety of the day by soothing the nervous system.

There are many wellness benefits to owning a hot tub, especially when it comes to alleviating muscle pain. If you’d like to find your dream hot tub today contact a member of our team.

Science in your sauna… how does it work?

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Sometimes the best way to test whether something is good for you is just to try it. If you’ve ever tried sinking into the warmth of a sauna after a hard day at work you’ll know just how wonderful and relaxing it feels. However, the effect of a sauna isn’t just that pure bliss feeling – it can also have an impact in a number of other ways that have more of a scientific basis.

Detoxifying and cleansing

You won’t feel this happening but the process of detoxifying and cleansing the body and system is something that saunas are very effective at. What you will feel is sweat – this is the body’s primary method for ridding itself of impurities and sweating is amplified significantly when you spend some time in a sauna. Not only will this help you to feel healthier and more energetic but it can also improve the appearance of your skin, for example clearing out blocked pores and removing surface layer dirt.

Bronchial relief

Whether you are a regular sufferer of bronchitis or you’re coming down with a seasonal cold, the science of a sauna can have a very positive impact on your respiratory system. Warm steam acts as a decongestant, reducing blockages and easing breathing. Spending time in a sauna on a regular basis can provide relief from the symptoms of bronchitis and other similar conditions. There’s also significant evidence to suggest that you can reduce your risk of catching a cold by half if you have at least two sauna sessions a week.

Lower blood pressure and better circulation

Heat has a very positive impact on the body, causing blood vessels to dilate and helping to improve circulation. An increase in blood flow around the body can help to deliver nutrients and remove metabolic waste. It also means that the body is more effectively using oxygen, which is distributed via the blood. This can help to steady the pulse and lower the heart rate, reducing stress and aiding relaxation. The overall impact on heart health is very positive, bringing down blood pressure and helping to relieve the discomfort – and reduce the risks – of conditions such as hypertension and congestive heart failure.

Reducing pain and inflammation

Heat is a natural form of pain relief and often applied to specific areas of injury by professional athletes. Spending time in a sauna can have the same beneficial effects, especially if you’re suffering from widespread pain and inflammation, for example as a result of conditions such as arthritis. The scientific impact of heat is twofold: firstly, it can help the body to release endorphins that feel good and secondly it can trigger the release of anti inflammatories, such as cortisol and growth hormones. The overall effect is that short-term pain, such as from injury, is reduced and regular sauna sessions can provide a natural way to manage the impact of chronic conditions.

Your sauna is so much more than just somewhere to kick back and relax. As the science shows, it has some real wellness, health and lifestyle benefits too. Get in touch with our expert team or take a look at our full range of saunas on our website today.

4 exercises to do in your swim spa to get fit for 2019

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The new year is upon us and for many people that means setting new personal goals for 2019. If getting fit is at the top of your agenda this year then your swim spa can help you to achieve that essential lifestyle change. Whether you’ve got existing injuries that need careful management, or you just need a more supported way to exercise, working out in your swim spa is a great way to get fit for 2019.

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Which best suits your requirements – a sauna or steam room?

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Both saunas and steam rooms have a number of health benefits and can provide a relaxing experience, whether you’ve just completed a workout or you’re looking to switch off after a hard day. In terms of installation, experience and positive lifestyle impact, there are advantages to either option so which one is the best for your individual requirements?

A steam room – wet heat

The primary difference between a steam room and a sauna is the type of heat involved. A steam room is wet heat and that can have a number of advantages, including when it comes to alleviating the symptoms of a range of conditions. This type of heat will open and thin the body’s mucous membranes. As a result, it can be used to relieve sinus congestion and is especially beneficial for those suffering from conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. Other benefits of a steam room include:

Weight loss

The average human body is made up of at least 60% water and sweating in a steam room means that some of that water is expelled. As a result, spending some time in a steam room can help to reduce weight and water related bloating.

Detoxifying benefits

Sweating is one of the most effective ways that the human body can eliminate toxins. Whether you’re looking to recover during the Christmas party season or keen to have a regular detox built into your beauty regime, spending time sweating in a steam room is a highly effective way to do it.

A sauna – dry heat

You will also sweat in a sauna but may initially feel less moisture on the skin because the heat inside is dry. The dry warmth of a sauna is known for being incredibly relaxing and soothes aching muscles and over stimulated nerve endings. If you often get migraines, headaches or arthritis (or other joint conditions) regular sauna sessions can help. Saunas can also be beneficial with respect to:

Problems sleeping and insomnia

The impact of sauna heat is to release feel-good endorphins, which also help to reduce stress in the body. When you step out of the sauna heat your body begins to release melatonin, which is a crucial ingredient for a good night’s sleep.

Lowering blood pressure

High blood pressure can be uncomfortable and, ultimately, fatal if not properly managed. Saunas are particularly well known for helping to bring blood pressure down and encourage a healthier heart.

The choice is yours

In addition to all of the above advantages, both steam rooms and saunas will:

  • Encourage better skin quality. Pores are opened and blood and lymphatic circulation increased.
  • Reduce skin issues. Both steam rooms and saunas can help to reduce the impact of conditions like acne and skin problems such as blackheads.
  • Help to manage chronic pain. Heat has a therapeutic effect on the body and both dry and wet heat can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Lengthen life expectancy. Studies have shown that regular time in a sauna or steam room can improve life expectancy in both women and men.

The choice of sauna or steam room is a matter of personal preference. Both have major benefits and offer lifestyle improvements. If you’d like to discuss your options we can help – contact us to find out more.

How can chromotherapy add to your sauna experience?

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Light becomes an important issue in the winter months. In the UK we dropped from an average of 6.6 daily sun hours in June 2017 to just 1.7 in December of the same year and these figures are fairly standard. 20% of us now suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a kind of depression that occurs only during the winter months. It’s thought that a lack of sunlight can contribute to this annual malaise – and that light therapy, such as chromotherapy, can help to fight it.

What is chromotherapy?

Chromotherapy uses colours to help create balance and harmony in the body, fighting conditions like SAD and helping to ensure we remain healthy throughout the year. It’s something that is easily integrated into your sauna to boost its positive impact and improve mental and physical health.

Chromotherapy is based on the idea that we need the sun’s light for our survival – and that the light from the sun can be broken down into a seven-colour spectrum. Chromotherapy looks to top up each of the seven colours that make up the light from the sun and which can cause mental and physical issues where one is lacking. Each of the seven colours has an impact on a different area of physical and/or mental health.

The colours of chromotherapy

Yellow

A body strengthener, especially the digestive and nervous systems. Is particularly useful where there are glandular conditions and in supporting a more effective metabolism.

Red

Improves circulation and supports nervous system.

Pink

Strengthens veins and arteries, detoxifies the blood.

Green

Green light works to improve harmony in the body, to stimulate regeneration and fight infection.

Purple

Calming and soothing, especially with respect to the digestive system and muscles. Purple light is thought to have strong meditative qualities.

Orange

A fat burner. Plus, this colour can help with conditions such as asthma.

Blue

Often associated with pain relief, for example from muscle cramps or migraines. Blue light has impressive tranquilising properties and can help with a wide range of pain relief.

Why use chromotherapy in your sauna?

It’s widely known that a sauna can have significant positive impact on the body during the winter months. From warming muscles to enable a safe workout, to increasing circulation and boosting the metabolism there are lots of ways in which spending time in a sauna in the winter can make the season more enjoyable.

Adding chromotherapy to your sauna is a great way to optimise the experience. It can help to alleviate symptoms of seasonal depression and may be a useful tool for dealing with medical conditions, as well as the aches and pains that tend to be exacerbated by the cold at this time of year. Chromotherapy will help to give every day a boost and enable you to address anything that might be lacking in your body.

If you’re looking for the perfect sauna – or to improve or upgrade an existing model – we can help. Contact us to find out more.

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