Thinking of Getting a Hot Tub? Here’s How to Get Started

Hot tubs are self-contained bodies of heated water designed to accommodate two or more people for relaxation, pain relief or exercise purposes. Most feature massage jets that offer therapeutic massage for optimal relaxation – but the benefits don’t end there.

Health Benefits

Hot tubs offer an effective way to relieve pain from sore muscles, tendons and joints while relieving stress and improving sleep quality. Regular hot tub use may also be beneficial in managing chronic conditions like arthritis and low back pain.

The buoyancy and massaging action of water jets can provide relief to tight muscles, increase range of motion for those suffering joint or muscle injuries and lower injury risks during exercise by helping you relax in warm water while simultaneously preparing your body for increased effort during your workouts. Regular spa use can also be an excellent addition to diet and exercise plans for weight loss (source: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/may/26/hot-tub-health-kick) – this is done by burning calories while simultaneously curbing appetite without diminishing their effectiveness.

Soaking in a hot tub may be beneficial for people living with high blood pressure and heart disease, though they should consult their physician first to ensure its use is safe for them; those with cardiovascular issues should speak to their healthcare provider first to make sure it’s appropriate – possibly by limiting time spent or even forgoing it altogether.

If you suffer from migraines or chronic headaches, taking a relaxing soak in a hot tub may provide immediate relief by increasing circulation and relaxing tense muscles. Its heat will open your blood vessels so more oxygen reaches your brain to ease headaches and eliminate them altogether.

Safety Concerns

Unsanitized hot tubs can become breeding grounds for harmful microorganisms that lead to infections. Cryptosporidium and Giardia thrive in hot tub water and may spread diarrheal illnesses when bathers transfer it among themselves, particularly concerning older adults, young children and pregnant women as their immune systems may be less robust.

Safety issues surrounding hot tub temperatures also pose a danger. Soaking in a tub with temperatures higher than your body temperature can result in hypothermia, which is potentially lethal. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), it is recommended that people only soak for no longer than 104 degrees Fahrenheit in hot tubs.

Maintaining proper water balance requires staying properly hydrated when using one, in order to minimize perspiration effects and keep fluid levels balanced. Caffeine-containing beverages should be avoided while in the hot tub as this may interfere with its ability to absorb and retain fluids; any medications which cause drowsiness should be discussed with your physician prior to soaking in one.

Buying a Hot Tub

As purchasing one is an investment both financially and time wise, as well as potentially being harmful to health, it should be handled carefully. There are various considerations when purchasing one; such as budgetary constraints as well as who will use the tub concurrently. Taking time to explore which features and benefits your new hot tub offers will allow you to find something you will be pleased to own now and in years to come.

Consider how much it will cost to maintain your new hot tub on an ongoing basis, too. According to Family Handyman, maintenance includes regularly cleaning it out and adding chemicals like chlorine as needed to balance its water balance – as well as professional electrical inspection if required.

When installing one, be mindful of how long the installation will take and plan accordingly. Installation processes may involve complex processes like installing electrical wiring and altering the foundation of your home – if any step seems beyond your ability, seek professional help by hiring general contractor services for guidance.

Location is another essential consideration when buying one. To reduce risk of electrocution, it should ideally be located 16 feet or further away from electrical lines; for convenient maintenance access and cover removal it should be near an entryway into your house or at least close by a doorway into it.

Once your hot tub area has been ready for its installation, the next step should be filling it with clean and fresh water. Be sure to follow the instructions in your owner’s manual for outdoor hot tubs or indoor leveling purposes as you add start-up chemicals and test and balance it – this will prevent cloudiness or discoloration issues as well as making sanitization simpler.

An effective concentration of sanitizer will keep the water clean and safe to use, with amounts depending on the size and type of spa. Chlorine is often the go-to sanitizer because of its affordability and effectiveness; for instance.

To further sanitize the water in your hot tub, consider investing in an ozonator. An ozonator works by emitting ozone gas directly into the spa water, helping remove harmful pollutants while decreasing how much sanitizer you need to add to it. Two types are available – corona discharge (CD) and ultraviolet (UV). CD models tend to last longer and be more cost effective.