You’ve spent enough time fantasizing about a hot tub in your house. But before you finally make the purchasing journey, you have to ask an important question. “Can everyone use a hot tub?”
If that dream spa comes home with you, you want everyone in your household to enjoy it, right? This is where we at Goodall Pools & Spas have good news for you. By engaging in a few best practices, you and so many others in your life can enjoy a hot tub.
“Can everyone use a hot tub?” A healthy approach.
When it comes to hot tubbing, it’s often more helpful to ask, “When is it best for someone to use a hot tub?” The truth is, everyone in your household may be able to use a hot tub, just not all the time. Like all wellness practices, there are certain circumstances under which extra caution may be in order. Some circumstances are temporary. Others are not. The key is to be honest about where each individual is on the journey.
As a general rule, you should consult your healthcare provider before beginning a spa practice. This will help you confirm that you’re not in danger of any adverse effects from the high heat.
Once you have the green light from your doctor, begin your hot tubbing journey with baby steps. For the sake of the tub, don’t let the water temperature drop below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. We suggest trying a temperature in the low to mid-80-degree range to start and adjust it by a few degrees to suit your comfort level.
In the beginning, keep your soaks between 15-20 minutes. As your comfort level increases, you can adjust the temperature and/or duration of your soak. However, the water temperature should never exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit which is the maximum temperature recommended by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Also, know that as the temperature increases, you’ll have to reduce the soaking time accordingly to prevent dizzinesses, nausea, and overheating.
Who can use a hot tub?
Hot tubbing is a great fit for swimmers looking for more:
- Pain relief
- Stress reduction
- Quality time
Pain relief
The hydrotherapy provided by a hot tub has well-documented health benefits. Chief among them is reduced pain in muscles and joints. The warm water pulls double duty in reducing the gravitational pull on your bones and increasing your blood flow. This promotes the healing effects in areas of your body where you feel pain.
Stress reduction
Not only does hot tubbing take the edge off your physical pain, but it eases your mental noise as well. When you find yourself in the comforting environment of a spa, your brain releases serotonin and dopamine (i.e., the “feel good” chemicals). This starts a chain reaction in your body that translates to reduced stress and improved sleep.
Quality time
Hot tubs serve their highest purpose when they’re enjoyed by friends and family together. It’s a rare opportunity for people to put digital distractions aside and hit their physical and mental “Reset” buttons in the company of people they love.
Can kids use a hot tub?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under the age of 5 should not use a hot tub because of their greater risk of overheating. Children over 5 can use a hot tub provided they can safely stand on the tub’s bottom with their heads completely above the water. When children use the tub, have them sit in a seat where they aren’t totally submerged, and lower the temperature from your typical setting. To put this into perspective, a child in 104-degree water shouldn’t soak for longer than 5 minutes.
Can pregnant women use a hot tub?
Research on spa use during pregnancy is limited. However, there is evidence to suggest that the elevated temperatures can cause complications, especially early in the term. Since everybody is different, pregnant women should consult their doctor to determine if a limited soak is a fit for them.
Can people with medical conditions use a hot tub?
Again, no two bodies are the same. A spa soak may be a good intervention for one type and pose challenges for another, depending on the condition. Therefore, people with underlying medical conditions should, as always, ask their doctor if hot tubbing, at least in moderation, is suitable for them.
Where can I find a hot tub for my family?
At Goodall Pools & Spas, we carry multiple user-friendly hot tub brands. Our staff always welcomes questions you may have, including “Can everyone use a hot tub.” Contact us or visit one of our 5 central Pennsylvania locations today.
