You know that feeling when you sink into a hot tub at the end of a long day? Sheer bliss when it’s a hot tub! And lets be honest, there is more than meets the eye here. Whether you have your own hot tub or thinking about getting one, these tidbits may surprise you.
We found some totally outrageous hot tub trivia – way beyond what most people know. Everything from early history of something to do with bases, and even some monkey business, we’re giving you eleven facts that will totally change your perspective of enjoying hot tubs!
Ancient luxury wasn’t not so different than what we do today.
Hot tubs aren’t a modern concept – they’ve been around for hundreds of years, and even ancient cultures were on to something good. The Romans had incredible bathing facilities called thermae, and these incredible bathing houses included elaborate mosaics, and multiple warmer pools of water. Think of it as your very first spa.
Here’s where it gets interesting. In Egypt, and Japan, people would bathe in and heated from cool springs due to volcanic activity, and not electricity at all, just geothermal – it’s happening all naturally! These early hot tub as we are still reaping the benefits from it too.
The transformation from heated pools by fire into our current heated electrical types demonstrates that the interest in warm water therapy is a biological substrate in reviews of nature. We attempted a visit to some of these old places in our research, and you can still see the remains of complex heating systems where modern engineers would surely nod in agreement.
You’re Probably Using Too Many Chemicals
Here’s something that could cause you to rethink your water maintenance. Most hot tub owners use too many chemicals, and it’s often because of biofilm. Biofilm is a pesky little bit of shenanigans that loves warm and dark spaces (sound familiar?).
Basically, biofilm is a gang of bacteria that can create a protective coating on surfaces in your tub. And guess what? Regular sanitizers, including chlorine and bromine, cannot penetrate these guys. So, if your water begins to look cloudy, you naturally add more chemicals.
The problem is that biofilm makes your sanitizers less effective, leading to a continuous attempt to add one more thing to your water. We figured this out the hard way, after battling with constant water issues that refused to clear up regardless of what we put in it.
The answer is so simple when you consider biofilm removal products designed for biofilm. You will use less of everything else, your water will be clearer, and your skin won’t feel like you just swam in a chemistry nerd’s lab.
Snow monkeys know what’s what
This sounds just so made up, but hang on. The snowy mountains of Nagano Prefecture, Japan are home to the Japanese macaques—or “snow monkeys”—and they figured out that hot springs are great in winter.
These monkeys have been photographed and filmed bath ing in their place of natural hot springs (known to the Japanese as “onsen”) and they look completely relaxed—almost like you may feel at the end of a tough day. They soak, they swim, and they also seem to enjoy having some kind of monkey social hour in the water.
This is a great example of animals instinctively knowing what feels good. After all, if monkeys can see the therapeutic value of the warm water, we have to be on to something here.
The science says it works
Talking about therapy, here’s a statistic that really got us excited: “15-30 minutes of hot tub use per day for six days reduces cortisol (stress hormone) levels by 11%.”
Hearing this number likely did not seem huge, but don’t forget that high cortisol is not good for sleep, immune function etc… so taking 11% is a big deal. Less cortisol = happy mood, less stress, or better sleep.
We recently used this stat during intense period of stress (you know, life) and progress did not happen instantaneously but definitely is a step in the right direction.
Your future self will thank you too.
Regular use of a hot tub may also help slow the aging process (and before you roll your eyes, keep reading). We don’t say hot tubs are the fountain of youth, but the science behind enhanced blood circulation, reduced stress and improved sleep quality does show you some bona-fide anti-aging benefits.
The enhanced circulation alone helps move nutrients more efficiently around your body while also moving out toxins. Better sleep (which hot tubs definitely encourage) is when the body does pretty much all of its repair work. Add in the natural stress reduction and it’s a pretty, darn, exciting trifecta of helping you stay healthy as the years go by.
Possible Benefits for Type 2 Diabetes
This one surprised us in our research. Hot tub therapy has had two impressive outcomes for folks living with type 2 diabetes. We are not saying hot tubs are a replacement for medical treatment, as that would be irresponsible, but the results seem to be thought-provoking.
The theory of heat therapy and improved circulation appears to help both blood sugar management in some patients. If you are living with diabetes, it may be worth a conversation with your medical provider about whether a hot tub is part of your treatment.
World Records and International Friendship
In 2012, a spa dealership in Alicante, Spain got 26 different countries people in one hot tub for 5 minutes. That’s 26 countries, y’all! That’s a lot of international friendship made in one squeeze jacuzzi. Ultimately, the whole purpose was to try to earn a Guinness World Record, but it certainly illustrates one of the primary purposes of hot tubs: Bringing people together! There is something about soaking in warm water with others that breaks down walls and lets people open up.
Technology Keeps Getting Better
Hot tub technology definitely isn’t slowing down! Hot tub manufacturers are constantly pushing the envelope when it comes to energy and water filtration efficiency, and ease of automations you will envy on your phone!
Robust hydrotherapy jet systems, controls that allow for remote management of your hot tub, designs that enhance your backyard rather than overwhelm it. The focus changed from just simply “heating water” to a complete wellness experience.
Millions of People Can’t be Wrong
There are approximately 26 million hot tubs in use around the world today, which isn’t exactly a small number. That equals millions of people who have made the decision that having warm water therapy readily available is valuable enough to invest in.
This type of overwhelming participation indicates that hot tubs have transitioned from the luxury market to being wellness devices integrated into the daily activities of people. The trend will only continue upward as stress relief and home wellness becomes more common place.
Your Weight Loss Companion (with some realistic outlooks.)
Hot Tubbing can help with weight loss (not break even with the gym). It will slightly increase your metabolic rate, which results in you burning off a few extra calories during your soak.
If you combine that with a healthy lifestyle, along with exercise, that adds up quickly. Not a lot, but it all contributes to your fitness goals.
The Jacuzzi Family History
The hot tub industry owes a great debt of gratitude to the Jacuzzi brothers, who hailed from Italy. These were irrigation and aviation engineers that switched over to hydrotherapy, after one brother, Candido began suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
The brothers invented the J-300 hydrotherapy pump in the 1940’s (designed specifically to help with pain relief through air and water massage). The design of the J-300 became the basis for today’s hot tub jets. Often the best inventions stem from the necessity of being personally involved in the technology.
Are You Ready to Take the Plunge
Hot tubs are worth far more than just a place to relax after a long day. Supported by science, its rich history, technology, and fully committed to fulfilling modern wellness wants and needs.
