When you are trying to lose weight or improve the tone of your skin, it can be helpful to have as many tools as possible to make your efforts more successful. Every method that you add can help with your overall progress. While soaking in a hot tub won’t do the work of weight loss for you, it can support your goals.
At Wind River Spas in Denver, CO, our chemical-free hot tubs can make a great addition to your health and weight loss routine. By boosting circulation and helping your body burn more calories, soaking in a hot tub can promote weight loss and improve the tone of your skin. It can give you that extra boost you have been looking for.
Weight Loss
Does a Hot Tub Help You Lose Weight?
While soaking in a hot tub can never replace nutritious food and plenty of exercise, using a hot tub regularly supports a healthy lifestyle. When you soak, the warmth of the tub increases circulation, relaxes your muscles, and raises your heart rate. It can help you recover from workouts, improve your digestion, and contribute to your overall wellness. Using your hot tub for weight loss is a great way to complement your other efforts.
How Hot Tubs Simulate Exercise
Soaking in your hot tub can mimic some of the effects of light exercise. The heat of the water causes your blood vessels to dilate which boosts circulation and gently raises your heart rate. This is similar to what happens in your body during physical activity. As your body works to cool itself down, you also burn a few extra calories. While using your hot tub should never replace other types of exercise, it is a relaxing way to support your fitness goals.
The Cardiovascular Benefits of Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy can also have heart health benefits. The improved blood flow can help reduce the pressure on your heart while improving circulation. Additionally, the pressure of the water on the body can have a therapeutic effect by relaxing blood vessels and decreasing blood pressure. This makes it easier for your heart to pump blood through your body.
Study Spotlight: Hot Tubs and Weight Loss
An article that appeared in the September 16, 1999 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine followed a group of subjects who were required to soak in a hot tub for thirty minutes a day, six days a week, for three weeks. Though this study was for diabetes research, the results were wide-reaching. The patients’ weight was reduced by an average of 3.75 pounds each! The subjects lost over one pound every week, just by soaking in a spa. More recent research further supports these findings. A 2017 study by Steve Faulkner PhD at Loughborough University found that soaking in warm water increased energy expenditure by around 79%.
Why Hot Tubs Help With Weight Loss
Increased Metabolic Rate During Soaking
Metabolism is the process your body uses to convert your food into the energy it needs. A higher metabolic rate means that your body burns more calories even when at rest. Soaking in a hot tub can naturally raise your heart rate and increase blood flow, which in turn stimulates your metabolism. Regular use of hot tubs for weight loss can help your body burn fat a little more effectively.
Passive Calorie Burning
Hot tubs provide passive calorie-burning which means that you can burn off calories without rigorous exercise. This can be especially helpful for days when you have already spent time doing cardio or weight lifting and you want to burn a few more calories without having to put more strain on your muscles.
Reduction of Stress and Cortisol Levels
High stress levels can trigger the release of cortisol which is a hormone that can lead to weight gain, especially around the midsection. Using your hot tub for weight loss can reduce everyday stress and lower your cortisol levels. Managing stress can help with weight loss and can help prevent the many other health problems that can come with high levels of stress.
Cellulite
What Is Cellulite and What Causes It?
Cellulite is the lumpy or dimpled skin often found on the thighs, hips, and buttocks. Although more commonly found in women, men can experience cellulite, too. Cellulite is caused by fat pushing against connective tissue which can create a textured surface on the skin. Factors like genetics, hormones, thickness of the skin, and more can contribute to the development of cellulite. It can affect people of all shapes and sizes, regardless of weight or health status.
Why Cellulite Is Difficult to Eliminate
Eliminating cellulite can be challenging because it’s not just about losing fat. The structure of the connective tissue and how fat is distributed can impact its appearance. Even with a healthy diet and exercise, cellulite can persist because of the way that the body stores fat in certain areas. While sometimes specific treatments are needed to release tight connective tissues or tighten the skin, improved circulation through hydrotherapy can help.
How Hot Tubs Can Help Reduce Cellulite
- Improving Circulation: Soaking in a hot tub increases blood flow, which improves circulation to areas affected by cellulite. Better circulation delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the skin and underlying tissues which can help smooth out the appearance of cellulite by reducing the buildup of fat deposits and toxins.
- Fluid Retention Reduction: Fluid retention often makes cellulite appear worse by causing swelling and puffiness in certain areas. The heat from a hot tub encourages your body to release excess fluids, which can reduce bloating and help the skin look smoother.
- Toning of Body Tissues: The warm water in a hot tub helps relax and tone your body tissues, including the skin and muscles. Regular use of a hot tub supports the overall health and elasticity of the skin.
How to Maximize the Benefits of Your Hot Tub
Frequency of Use
To get the most out of your hot tub, be consistent. Aim to soak several times a week to help with circulation and fluid retention. Many people incorporate it as a daily part of their routine, either soaking in the morning to prepare for the day, or several hours before bedtime to help with relaxation.
Duration of Soaking
You should be soaking for around 20 to 30 minutes per session. Staying in the hot tub for this long allows your body to get the full benefits without overdoing it. Prolonged soaking can lead to dehydration and lightheadedness, so make sure to find the right balance.
Complementing Hot Tub Use With a Healthy Lifestyle
Combining soaks in the hot tub with other healthy habits can allow you to maximize the benefits. Make sure to continue focusing on a balanced diet, plenty of exercise, and reducing your stress.
Start Soaking Today for a Healthier Weight and Skin
Relaxing in your hot tub can be a great way to support your health while helping you with your weight loss goals and the tone and texture of your skin. The benefits of improved circulation, passive calorie burning, muscle relaxation, and more can be a valuable tool that can be used alongside other lifestyle changes. If you don’t have a hot tub and are ready to find out for yourself how much it can add to your life, you can contact us today. At Wind River Spas in Denver, CO, we are committed to the quality of life of our customers and we can’t wait to give you more information about our chemical-free hot tubs designed for Colorado living. Call us at (303) 789-2656 or fill out an online form.