Whether you are new to an exercise routine or taking your fitness program to the next level, hot tubs can play a key role in post-workout recovery.

While you are staying on track with your New Year’s resolutions, why not help your muscles recover faster? It has been proven that soaking in a hot tub not only provides relaxation, but it can also reduce joint pain, aid in muscle recovery, and help regulate sleep.

Post-workout Hot Tub Use:

When soaking in a hot tub, your body will undergo changes in blood circulation, metabolic rate, and core body temperature. Studies have shown that there are many benefits of hydrotherapy. The warm water helps to increase blood flow from the extremities into the core and speeds up the processing of lactic acid and other metabolites produced by exercising. A study published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research reported that the use of a hot tub post-workout can prevent elastic tissue damage in the body.

A critical key in the effectiveness of post-workout hot tub sessions is timing. In order to get the most out of your experience and reduce muscle inflammation, it’s recommended to wait until your heart rate has dropped back down to normal and you have given your muscles the chance to cool off. One method in aiding muscle recovery is to ice your muscles (or soak in cold water) for 10 to 15 minutes, followed by a 10 to 20 minute hot tub session. In doing this, you will help reduce the muscle soreness felt the following day after exercising.

Pre-workout Hot Tub Use:

In addition to post-workout recovery, it can often be beneficial to incorporate a hot tub soak into your warm-up routine as well. In order to avoid injury, it’s particularly important for runners and athletes who perform full-body workouts to stretch and relax their muscles before they begin their exercise.

A hot tub session will dilate blood vessels to allow increased blood flow and warm muscles to reduce tension. That being said, a simple 10-minute hot tub soak combined with stretching can be a great way to prepare for strenuous weightlifting or repetitive body motion.

While there is no absolute cure for muscle soreness, soaking in your Nordic Hot Tub will definitely help to alleviate any aches, pains, and inflammation. In turn, this will help increase your exercise performance and aid you in achieving your fitness goals sooner.

If you have yet to purchase your Nordic Hot Tub, find a local dealer today.