Should I Use My Hot Tub After or Before My Workout

We all know that hot tubs help a lot in relaxing and healing our bodies. But the question is this: when should I use it, before or after a workout? You can actually dip in a hot tub both before and after a workout. The hot water will warm up your muscles while the hot tub benefits after workout will help your body heal from the strenuous training.
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The key here is knowing how to use the tub and how to perform your exercises properly. This way, your body won’t be overused.

​Soaking in a hot tub before a workout

Before you head to the gym or perform your home workout, you can take a 15-minute dip in your hot tub. It will increase the blood flow in your body to make your muscles are more relaxed and stretchy. This will help reduce the risk of injuries while making it easy for you to perform your routines.

Aside from that, the warm temperature complements your warm-up drills. This is very useful during winter when your joints and muscles are all tight due to the temperature.  Still, hot tubs are not a substitute for proper stretching. It’s only a complementary treat that you can enjoy before your exercise.
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You should always stay hydrated when using a hot tub before exercise. This will keep you in shape as you work out.

​Using a hot tub after a workout

After your workout drill, you can also take a dip in the hot tub. However, you should let your muscles and heart rate cool down first before you do so. For your safety, it’s best to let your body recover for at least 36 hours before taking a hot tub dip.
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This way, your body will not be overused by the high temperatures of workout you’ve done on the same day. A hot tub session will help ease your sore muscles by boosting the circulation in your body. A hot tub or sauna after workout is an excellent complementary treatment to help your body recover. Nothing beats relaxing on warm water after flexing your muscles on a tough workout.

​Additional reminders

As much as hot tubs are safe, you should keep in mind some tips when using it as a pre and post-workout ritual. First of all, you must stay hydrated. Dipping into the warm water will increase your perspiration, which means you’re losing fluids in your body even before you work out.
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Aside from that, never dive into the hot tub right after your workout ended. Let your body cool down for several hours first to prevent any adverse effects. If it’s a hard workout, you must wait for at least a day or more before taking a dip.

​Conclusion

​Hot tubs help condition your body before working out while it also aids your muscle recovery afterwards. As long as you know how to use the equipment, you will enjoy its benefits. Remember to stay hydrated and to perform necessary stretches to have a safe and rewarding workout drill.