Losing weight usually means that you need to make some changes to your lifestyle. You’ll probably be advised to look at your diet and incorporate exercise into your daily routine. There’s no quick fix to getting healthy, but even small changes can help. Many people have heard that you can lose weight by using a hot tub and wonder if this is actually true. While sitting in a hot tub alone isn’t going to have you quickly shedding pounds, it can help improve your overall wellness and be an excellent spot to get a low-impact workout in.
Keep reading below to learn how soaking and exercising in a hot tub can help with your weight loss goals.
Soaking in A Hot Tub
Even the simple act of soaking in the hot tub can help improve your health. There’s scientific evidence that shows hydrotherapy can improve your wellbeing, supports your athletic performance, can increase your cardiovascular performance, and makes you feel better. It can also help relieve the pain and discomfort of chronic illnesses such as carpal tunnel, fibromyalgia, and insomnia.
Hot Tubs for Weight Loss
Your hot tub can help you relax your muscles and your mind. Using a hot tub can reduce your stress and the risk of some illnesses and conditions. You can also use your hot tub to ease your muscles and joints after working out. But it can do so much more than that. You can incorporate your hot tub as part of your work out.
Hot Tub Exercises
Exercising in a hot tub has a number of advantages. The warm water can help increase blood flow, loosen tension, and help your flexibility. The water can also support your body, help prevent injury, and help to rehabilitate past injuries.
Stretching
Before you begin, stretch your muscles out to warm up. This can help you avoid future injuries.
- Torso – Sit on the seat of your hot tub with your shoulders submerged. Hold your right knee with your left hand, and twist to the right. If you can, hold on to the hot tub with your right hand and look over your shoulder. Do the same on the other side.
- Legs – Hold onto your right foot under the water with both hands. Straighten out your leg, and alternate between flexing your foot, and pointing it. Do the same with your left foot.
- Shoulders – Hold on to the edge of the seat with both hands. Edge off the seat and dip your hips low. Slowly raise back up and repeat for five repetitions.
Exercises
Water can help you get a workout while supporting your joints, and muscles. Almost anyone can exercise in their own hot tub. If you want to add a little more difficulty to your workout, you can add some waterproof weights to your wrists and ankles.
- Core – Hold onto your seat with both hands and bring your knees up to your chest. Fully extend your legs at the same time. Remember to keep your shoulders down and keep your back straight. Repeat for 5 repetitions. Next, lift your bottom off the seat and keep your body floating to strengthen your arms as well.
- Legs – Keep your legs under the water and move them like you would pedal a bicycle. Do this for ten repetitions. You could bend your knees at a 90-degree angle and lift your knees up and down.
- Arms – Keep your arms under the water and straighten them from your sides. Clap your hands, and then flap your arms. The resistance of the water will work your chest, biceps, triceps, and shoulders.
Countless studies have shown that being less stressed and getting better sleep can also help improve the success of your weight loss goals. While a hot tub alone will not cause the pounds to automatically drop off your waist, the combination of benefits that hydrotherapy provides in addition to be a gym alternative can certainly help.
About the Author
Ann Kaknon has been in the fitness industry for over 10 years including work as a dietician, personal trainer, and athletic trainer. She now spends her time at home with her kids and writing about her fitness experiences on the side. If you want to contact her you can do so on her LinkedIn or blog.
