There are tons of wonderful benefits to owning a hot tub. It can act as a backdrop to social events and family time as well as provide many health benefits like relaxation. An added benefit many people don’t think of is that having a hot tub can help you burn calories. Many people are surprised to learn that sitting in the warm water helps increase your blood flow and heart rate which creates the perfect setting to do low impact exercises to help you burn a few extra calories. Low impact exercises are ideal for older hot tub owners and those who cannot bear much weight on their legs or joints. Below are some examples of hot tub exercises you can do.
Core Strengthening
For this exercise, you’ll hold on to the wall of the hot tub with both hands and face inward toward the center of the tub. Crunch both knees toward your chest in a quick, fluid motion then extend them straight back out. Make sure you keep your back and shoulders straight as you do this exercise. Perform 3 sets of 30 reps.
Shoulder Rolls
Stand in the middle of your hot tub and submerge your body until your shoulders are covered. Roll your shoulders forward and backward. The water resistance and heat will help stretch your muscles, increase circulation in your upper body, and improve joint flexibility. Do 3 sets of 30 reps, switching direction halfway through.
Twisting Torso
Standing in the middle of the hot tub, cross your arms across your chest, tighten your abdominal muscles, and slowly twist side to side. Exhale each time you twist and inhale when you return to the starting position. Try your best to keep your shoulders relaxed and try to increase your range of motion each time you rotate. This exercise is excellent for your obliques. Do 3 sets of 20 reps on each side.
Bicycles
Sit down on one of the seats in your hot tub and extend your legs to the middle of the tub. Engage your core, lift your legs slightly off the ground, and rotate your legs as if you were riding a bicycle. Do 3 sets of 30 pedals.
Heel Raise
Stand in the middle of your tub, feet flat on the floor. Slowly rise up onto the balls of your feet, hold the position for 2-3 seconds, and slowly lower your heels down. If you need to stabilize yourself, hold onto the side of the tub. Perform 3 sets of 30 reps.
Hand Claps
Still in a standing position, bend over slightly and lower your arms under the water. Extend your arms out to your sides and move them back together as if you’re slowly clapping. The water resistance will work your shoulders, chest, biceps, and chest. Do 3 sets of 20 reps.
In addition to providing the ultimate place to relax, a hot tub is also a fantastic place to perform some low impact exercises. If you want to add hot tub exercises to your workout routine, learn more about hot tubs with our buyer’s guide, or visit us at our London hot tub store.