Low-Impact Hot Tub Exercise
You bought your hot tub to soak up the soothing benefits of hydrotherapy. You’ve been using it regularly and you feel great each and every time you soak. The heat, the massage, the peace and solitude... Your aches and pains seem to melt away during each use. You feel more limber and energized in the morning. You find that soaking at night helps facilitate quality sleep. Your hot tub has improved your quality of life and it has motivated you to do more. We’d like to encourage you to incorporate some very low-impact exercise into some of your spa sessions. If you think you feel great now, you won’t believe how wonderful you’ll feel after incorporating these simple movements into some of your soaks. Begin by soaking in your hot tub a while as you normally do. The hot water and the jet massage action will warm you up, loosen you up, and prepare you for your light workout.Next, settle into the middle of the water and proceed with some stretching. Gently stretch your neck - don’t jerk, snap, pull, or pop. Afterwards, gently roll your shoulders forward and back for as long as feels good. Once you feel sufficiently warmed up, try the following exercises:
Sit Down/Stand Up
Choose a more flat seating area in your hot tub - a seat that has you in the neighborhood of a 90-degree knee bend if possible. Do 15-20 repetitions going from the sitting position to the standing position. Squeeze your core as you stand yourself up and lower yourself back down in a controlled manner. Doing so will support your back. Be sure to take hold of the hot tub so that you can balance yourself and keep from slipping. The buoyancy of the water will assist you in this exercise.
Water Resistance Arm Exercises
Depending on the size of your spa and the length of your arms, you may be able to perform the following exercise:Squat down in the center of your spa so that your shoulders are submerged. Extend your arms straight out to your sides. Perform 15-20 circles with your submerged arms first in a forward direction and then in the opposite direction. It’s okay if you splash a bit, but try to keep your arms submerged so that you benefit from the water resistance.After a brief rest, return to the starting position. Extend your arms to the sides as before and then bring your hands together in front of you, as if you were “hugging a barrel.” The resistance of the water will recreate a chest fly movement and work your chest and arms. It is always good practice to perform exercises with a solid, squeezed core. By performing these movements, you will have worked your legs, core, and upper body. As you do more, you’ll build enough strength to add additional sets and additional exercises to your routine. Aquatic workouts are wonderful for people recovering from injuries and for people with limited mobility. Do try these, carefully. Then, reward yourself with a long soak in one of the lounge seats!Don’t own a Master Spas Hot Tub? We’d be glad to answer any questions you may have about these products. When you’re ready, contact us to schedule your private test soak!