As the weather gets colder, your body probably gets stiffer. Maybe your joints start hurting more. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Scientific theories suggest that weather affects muscle stiffness and joint pain. So how can you get through the winter knowing this? Increase your range of motion with a hot tub.
How does a hot tub increase your range of motion?
The warmth of a hot tub works wonders on muscle stiffness and joint pain. The temperature of the water helps relax and loosen your muscles, while the buoyancy of the water takes pressure off of your joints and muscles. This combination is the perfect setting to help increase your range of motion so your muscles are less stiff and you have less joint pain.
But, a hot tub itself isn’t going to increase your range of motion. You have to use the hot tub, and use it properly. First, start by just relaxing your muscles in the hot tub. Turn on the jets and let the pressure massage your stress away.
After a few minutes, do some stretches. The hot tub itself is only going to relax your muscles and joints. It’s up to you to do the work to increase your range of motion. This means doing some simple stretches to get your muscles moving. After you stretch, you can either go do a workout, or just cool down for a few more minutes.
What stretches can I do?
Not all stretches are made to be done in a hot tub. While touching your toes is always a great stretching exercise, you should probably save that for another time. So, what can you do? Pretty much any other stretch you did back in gym class, such as:
- Lunges
- Quad stretches (with your hand, bring your heel to your bottom)
- Hamstring stretches (extend one leg out, reach over, and pull your toes towards you)
- This can be done sitting on the seat or by extending your leg on the side of the hot tub
- Cross arm stretches (in front of your body)
- Overhead arm stretches (the one where you bend your arm behind your head and grab your elbow with the other hand)
- Twists (rotate your body to look over your shoulder and hold)
Increasing your range of motion in your hot tub isn’t as complicated as it sounds. You’re pretty much just stretching, with the added benefit of the hot water. Just be sure to do stretching exercises that keep your head above water.
If you’re in physical therapy or under the care of a doctor for muscle and/or joint issues, be sure to follow the stretching plans they provide for you. These will be more beneficial than any we could recommend.
Get your hot tub today
Your doctor may be the expert on your health, but we’re the experts on your hot tub. Stop by Texas Hot Tub company today and we’ll help you pick out the perfect Jacuzzi® hot tub. You’ll be on your way to increasing your range of motion in no time.