How A Hot Tub Can Help You Lose Weight

How a Hot Tub Can Help You Lose Weight

There are many benefits to becoming a hot tub owner. Having a hot tub can act as a foundation for social events and spending time with family as well as provide many health benefits such as therapeutic massage and aiding in relaxation. Another interesting benefit many people don’t think of is how a hot tub can help you lose weight by reducing stress levels and burning calories by exercising in a low impact, relaxing environment. In fact, stress management combined with shedding a few additional calories each day, are two essential keys for effective weight loss.

Below, you will learn how using a hot tub can reduce stress and help you lose weight.

Stress and Weight Gain

High stress levels are known to lead to a wide range of health-related conditions, and obesity is among them. Not only does stress cause our bodies to release excessive cortisol, which causes our bodies to store more fat, but it also increases cravings for fatty, salty, comforting foods. When our stress levels are lower, we're more likely to eat more nutritious foods and exercise more often.

Improving Relaxation

Most people who invest in hot tubs do so at least in part out of a desire to reduce stress and increase relaxation. Sitting in a warm hot tub has been shown to cause specific physiological changes that can help us de-stress and, in turn, lose weight.

For one, increased temperatures cause our blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow to the heart and throughout our bodies. This improved circulation allows blood to be delivered to more parts of our bodies. During this process, our breathing slows down, which is known to induce feelings of calm and reduce the secretion of cortisol. With less cortisol, we are less likely to crave foods that cause weight gain.

Nature-Induced Relaxation

Outdoor hot tubs can be even more relaxing than indoor hot tubs because they are often located in a spot where we can pay attention to our natural environment. Studies have shown that spending time in nature calms our brains and decreases cortisol production.

Exercising in a Hot Tub

As mentioned above, sitting in the warm water of a hot tub helps increase your blood flow and heart rate which creates an ideal setting to perform low impact exercises that will not only strengthen muscles but burn calories as well. Low impact exercises are especially beneficial for individuals that suffer from conditions such as arthritis or carpal tunnel and can find it difficult to perform traditional land exercises. Water fitness is perfect for those that cannot bear much weight on their legs or joints.

Shoulder Rolls: Place yourself in the centre of your hot tub and submerge your body until your shoulders are covered in water. Roll your shoulders forward and backward in a continuous circular motion. The water resistance and heat will help improve joint flexibility, stretch your muscles and increase circulation in your upper body.

Heel Raise:Standing in the centre of your tub, place your feet flat on the floor. Slowly rise onto the balls of your feet and hold the position for 2-3 seconds. Then, slowly lower your heels down to your starting position. If you are having trouble balancing, you can place one arm on the wall for assistance.

Torso Twists:Stand in the centre of the hot tub, place your arms across your chest and engage your abdominal muscles. Start to slowly twist from side to side. Each time you twist, exhale and inhale as you return to your starting position. Remember to keep your shoulders relaxed throughout the movement and try to gradually increase your range of motion.

Core Crunches: Gently hold on to the wall of your hot tub with both hands and face towards the middle of the tub. Bring both knees toward your chest in a fluid, quick motion then extend them straight again while keeping your core muscles engaged.

Bicycles:Just like riding a bike! While seated in your hot tub, extend your legs to the centre of the tub. Lift your legs slightly off the floor, keep your core engaged and rotate your legs as if you were riding a bike.

Hand Claps:This movement is more challenging than it sounds. In a standing position, bend slightly and place your arms under the water. Extend your arms out to your sides and move them back together as if you are clapping slowly. The water resistance will work your shoulders, chest, biceps, and chest.

Now that you've learned more about the connection between using a hot tub and weight loss, download our buyer's guide to find out about our many models that can help you reduce stress and lose weight.