Think of a summer scene: 35∘C, blazing sun, and someone suggests a hot tub! Your mind says, “are you crazy?”
But here’s the thing. And I would know if you trust me! After all those summers when my hot tub sat unused, I realized hot tubs are not just for winter anymore. You can actually make your hot tub, your steaming cauldron of relaxation, your very own ‘coolest’ (pun intended) haven in your backyard.
Hot tubs seem counterintuitive for summertime, but there are methods, techniques, and benefits to relax in them when you don’t know yet. Just lower the water temperature, and you now have a ‘cool’ retreat, where you can enjoy a nice dip without the sauna-like heat you’d get from a traditional-style hot tub.
I think once you learn how to utilize your hot tub properly in the warmer seasons, you may wonder why you ever considered it as a winter-only hot tub party.
You can even use your hot tub in the summer season in a different manner using aromatherapy. You can incorporate essential oils like lavender and/or eucalyptus oils to enhance your relaxation and elevate your backyard into a spa-like experience. Aromatherapy and the gentle water currents mix for a truly unique rejuvenation that’s better than a spa day!
If you like socializing—and we all do—your hot tub can be the epicenter of the evening when you gather for summer get-togethers. Hosting a hot tub party in the evening can be a great way to bring people together. Set up some ambiance lighting and some outdoor music to create an unforgettable summer night—we have done this in our backyard, and to be honest, it doesn’t get old.
Benefits of a Hot Tub in Summer
Taking advantage of a hot tub in summer can be very rewarding.
Relaxation: A hot tub is perfect for unwinding after a long day. The warm water helps to relax the muscles and soothe the mind.
Health Benefits: Using a hot tub provides many health benefits, like improved blood circulation and lower blood pressure.
Hydrotherapy: The therapeutic effects of hydrotherapy from a hot tub can alleviate joint pain and muscle soreness.
In the warm summer months, a hot tub can still be refreshing if the temperature is adjusted properly.
Socializing: It can serve as a great spot for family gatherings or parties, creating a communal space for relaxation.
Improved Sleep: Spending time in a hot tub before bedtime can promote better sleep patterns, making it easier to fall and stay asleep.
Stress Relief: The gentle massaging action of the jets helps to reduce stress and tension.
A hot tub in the summer offers a unique blend of enjoyment and wellness, making it a valuable addition to any home.
Why Your Hot Tub Should Never Hibernate For the Summer
Enjoying a hot tub in the summer can be very rewarding once you overcome the initial “but it’s so hot outside” mental hurdle.
| Benefit | Description |
| Relaxation | A hot tub is perfect for relaxing after a long day, even if that day was spent sweating through your shirt (we forget it’s hot outside). The warm water will relax muscles and soothe the mind—we could all use more of that, especially during the busy & hectic summer months. |
| Health Benefits | Hot tubs provide health benefits such as better blood flow and lower blood pressure. Some studies have shown that repeated hydrotherapy sessions can decrease stress hormones by approximately 30%—pretty impressive, when you think about it. |
| Hydrotherapy | The therapeutic effects of hydrotherapy from the hot tub can relieve joint and muscle soreness. That is especially beneficial if you tend to spend more time active in the outdoors during the warmer months—many weekend hikes and beach volleyball can really take its toll on your body. It can still be refreshing during warm weather, even if you change the temperature accordingly. (And no, you do not need a rocket scientist to do this.) |
| Socializing | It can be a great place for family gatherings or parties, as it provides a communal space for everyone to enjoy. We’ve discovered conversations just happen differently when everyone’s more relaxed in warm water. |
| More Sleep | Enjoying the hot tub right before you go to bed can help with a better night’s sleep and help with falling and staying asleep. This is particularly useful in summer when sunshine can increase daylight hours longer than you are used to which affect your natural sleep schedule. |
| Less Stress | The soothing massage of the jets can relieve stress and tension. (And let’s be real, summer can be as stressful as any other season with planning vacations, kids home from school, and keeping up with that yard work.) |
A hot tub in the summer gives you the best of both enjoyment and well-being, which is what makes adding a hot tub to your home desirable. In addition, it’s already invested in the thing, so you might as well enjoy it year-round.
Getting the Temperature Right
Choosing the right temperature for your hot tub in the summer can enhance your experience; whether you want to invigorate yourself with a cool dip during the day or a warm and cozy soak at night. This is where most people miss the boat and go completely off track and never use the spa in the summer.
Cooling Off
On hot, sunny days, keeping it at a lower temperature, making it an escape from the heat. I abide by a setting around 26∘C−29∘C (78∘F−84∘F) to get cool, but still use the hot tub with its jets and features.
At all times when not bathing, keep the cover on the hot tub to maintain cooler water. This keeps the water from getting too hot in the sun, a lesson learned during one particularly hot July heat wave. If you want to take it a step further, you can add ice or cold water for a moment before you get in. This will cool the water down even cooler while sharing the workload with the tub on cooling down the water. Ice to your heart’s content (or not, we tried it that way and that’s not exactly the intended use).
Evening Relaxation
As the evening air cools down, a heated soak is much more enticing. By setting your water to 35∘C−37∘C (95∘F−98∘F), you can achieve a relaxing and soothing environment. It is warm enough to relax muscles, but not too hot to overheat.
Get the hot tub heating up a couple of hours before you want to soak. This will keep the tub on schedule so the water gets to the temperature you want; you can pre-program a timer for most modern systems.
Aromatic oils or bath salts make your hot tub experience even more delightful and relaxing. Eucalyptus oil is invigorating on humid summer nights.
Turn Your Spa into a Party
You can turn the hot tub into an experience that has guests over to enjoy and socialize with you. Add an entertainment system, along with some planning, to create events senior guests want to come to (not just fidgeted through).
Hot Tub Party Planning 101
A hot tub party is a great way to enjoy summer evenings, which does require planning. Set up seating near the hot tub for those who are not in the water, including comfortable chairs and cushions. Make sure there are plenty of towels and robes available for guests, because trust us—nothing is more awkward than a guest shivering while hunting for a dry towel.
Provide snacks, a fruit plate, and some beverages. You could arrange a little table for this nearby. Lighting is incredibly important! Use some outdoor lanterns or fairy lights to make a lovely ambiance. The lighting can differentiate between a fun evening and a backyard interrogation scene.
Encourage guests to wear swimsuits & come prepared with games or activities related to the hot tub. Floating accessories, like drink holders, are fun and functional and keep you from wondering “where did I put my drink?”.
Music and Entertainment That Can Actually Work
Music helps set the mood for your hot tub get-togethers, but not all sound systems are built the same. You can spend the extra money on waterproof speakers or a sound system that can handle being outside. Create a playlist to suit your guests and ensure you don’t get too angry at your son when he skips your songs.
Consider visual entertainment with a portable projector to screen a movie or show in the vicinity of the hot tub. You can also plan some engaging games or activities that are meant for outside. We had a great time with some waterproof trivia cards and floating LED lights that change color.
Outdoor furniture is arranged nicely to make conversation and cozy up to each other. Ensuring your entertainment systems are easy to operate and weatherproof is key to a no-worry event. Nothing dampens the fun vibe of a gathering like trying to mess around with confusing technology while your guests are waiting around.
Family-Friendly Events
For smaller gatherings, plan activities for kids and adults, because let’s face it, kids are around more in the summer anyway. Have a few easily accessible board games or card games in the hot tub area.
Bring various seating, from loungers to bean bags. Safety precautions remain paramount, particularly because children will be around a hot tub! Adult supervision, adult control rules, preventative devices, and established and communicated floors are required. Nonnegotiables here.
Make refreshments family-friendly, including non-alcoholic drinks and kids’ snacks. Aim for a low-stress vibe so every guest can partake in the social season. Maybe even “hide” the good snacks until after the kids fall asleep (we are all parents and have needed to do that).
The Healing Features of Summer Spa Time
Utilizing your hot tub in summer can enhance healing and promote relaxation. When engaging with hydrotherapy sessions, alleviating sore muscles and relaxing after a work day, you can get the benefits without paying spa treatment prices.
Hydrotherapy Treatments That Work
Hydrotherapy uses water in differing forms to minimize discomfort and promote physical wellness.
| Hydrotherapy & Hot Tub Benefits | Details |
| Stress & Pain Relief | Regular hydrotherapy in a hot tub can reduce stress, improve circulation, and relieve pain. Warm water helps relax muscle and joints and makes it easier for blood to flow through your body. |
| Joint Relief | Buoyancy lessens the weight placed on joints—relieving symptoms of joint issues, such as arthritis. Research shows, when using hydrotherapy tools regularly, decreases joint pain up to 40%, in those who suffer from arthritis. Incorporating a routine of short sessions every day or every other day can really help with the healing process and mental health. |
For first-time users, we suggest starting with 15−20 minutes of hot tub time. Thereafter, find a time that feels comfortable and make adjustments. Don’t overdo it; more isn’t always better when it comes to heat therapy!
Post Workout Recovery
After workouts, soaking in a hot tub can be very soothing for the muscles. Warm water encourages blood flow to the muscles, providing extra oxygen and nutrients to promote faster recovery. Jet stream can be used to focus on select parts of the body (muscles) to be massaged and relieve muscle stress.
Adding Epsom salts to a soak can assist relaxation of muscle after workouts by adding more magnesium. Magnesium is a natural substance needed to function our muscles. This technique is particularly useful after your workouts or long days of physical work (i.e., just like that weekend you decided to resurface your whole deck).
Soak at the right time: Try to soak in the hot tub within 2−6 hours after physical activity, so your body recovers faster.
End of Day Calming Down
A nice soak in a hot tub can be a great way to calm down at the end of the day in the summer, especially on those long summer nights that seem too long. The warm water and buoyancy creatively provide an atmosphere for both body and mind to calm down.
Essential oil aromatherapy such as lavender or eucalyptus, can elevate the experience as relaxation remedies to de-stress. Creating dedicated time for hot tub time each night will help create a ritual routine of relaxation.
Reducing your screen time and adding muted, meditative activities while soaking will further effect relaxation. Yes, we mean, put your phone in the house—I know, what an unusual idea.
Hot Tub Care in the Summer Heat
Taking care of your hot tub in the summertime keeps it in good working order and is paramount to making sure it is safe and enjoyable to use. You’ll want to take special consideration to circulation, weather effects, and adjustments for humidity—ignore these items, and you’ll be in chemical trouble.
Water Circulation Is Everything
Water circulation in a hot tub is necessary year-round, but it is even more crucial during the summer because it prevents bacteria and algae from proliferating. You will want to program the pump to run multiple times daily if you have heavy use in the tub. Using timers or an automated system to turn the pump on and off will work wonders for making sure the tub is ready to go, and your future self will thank you for the automation.
You are responsible for keeping the filter clean—that is a non-negotiable. Clean filters weekly, or more often if you have heavy use. Frequency ultimately depends on several factors, including the volume of water being filtered, the amount of other things in the hot tub (people, insects, debris), and other factors. Replace the filter every six months or if it looks like it belongs in a B-rated horror film.
Water testing equals chemical balance. Most hot tub owners will use strips (Quick Test Strips) or digital testers to check water chemistry at least a couple of times per week. Adequate chemical adjustments will go a long way in keeping the water clear and safe. Generally, in the industry, the pH should be between 7.2−7.8 and alkalinity between 80−120 ppm.
Weather-Proofing Your Investment
While the weather may not seem to affect your hot tub as much as you may think, rain and sun can influence the state of your hot tub greatly. A reputable cover will provide protection from direct sunlight and monsoonal rain. A good cover can help stave off treatment for a long time and can preserve your investment for years to come.
- UV protection: UV rays degrade the shell and components of your hot tub. Apply UV protectant on the outside surfaces so the finish doesn’t fade and crack. Chemical water readings should occur frequently, so they don’t have any chemical reaction with the sunlight—UV and chemistry doesn’t blend well in some cases.
- Rainwater effect: After summer rains, check the chemistry. Rainwater is going to dilute the chemical levels (and you want balanced water chemistry to ensure things add pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer when needed). If the water level is high enough from the rainwater, you may want to drain excess water, or it might overflow—you learn this when after a very rainy summer when your yard turns into a pond.
Evaporation
Low humidity can cause fast evaporation of water to cause a dramatic reduction of pool water and the chemical balance. Check hot tub and water levels from time to time, so that you will have your hot tub working at the best level. You don’t believe how much can evaporate when hot and dry.
| Preventing Evaporation | Details |
| Use the Cover | You can save a lot of water just by using the cover while the spa/hot tub is not being used, so it can save energy, keep the spa/hot tub water temperature level—better rates for lower heat. |
| Chemical Levels Check | Remember just to test and balance for evaporation (i.e., looking for each water tests and actually treating the water as you would if it had stable water and not disturbed). Regular checking of chemical levels check and using chemical stabilizing agents (acid or powder) so the chemical levels are balanced. |
Your Backyard Oasis
Thoughtful deliberation around shade, light, and privacy, formed in your desired style, is the next process in creative enjoyment. Enhancing the process of shade, light, and privacy with surrounding landscape cohesively, is the recommended outlook and ambiance of the entire backyard—a little jealous from neighbours.
Shade and Light
Shade provides the first line of attack in hot sunny environments. Building a gazebo, large patio umbrellas, or a pergola with climbing plants are examples of options. We found as interesting as pergolas were, retractable cover pergolas provided the most versatility.
The layers of lighting create ambiance and usability. Solar lights for grounds lights or pathways, strung lights for parties, or LED strips around hot tubs—to see where you are stepping, will all work. Good lighting can allow you to use your hot tub from sunup to sundown.
- Important to note: LED strips should be rated by the respective company for wet areas and don’t skimp here.
Privacy Things that Work
Having privacy is important for relaxation, unless you entertain the whole neighborhood. Tall fencing or corrugated panels for privacy screens help break the sight into your yard. Shrubs or bamboo can provide natural privacy screens that fit nicely into the landscape.
A pergola could have the ability to hang curtains from it to adjust your privacy level. Water features such as a fountain can also provide a nice buffer by eliminating outside noise. These features will allow you to make a more private and intimate backyard space so you can actually relax.
Use evergreen or other bush plantings for landscapes with year-round privacy, and it looks way better than a simple fence.
Bringing It All Together
Now the spa area can seamlessly integrate into the rest of the backyard space without that “random hot tub plopped down in the corner” feel. For instance, positioning the hot tub next to an outdoor kitchen, or next to additional seating area makes it easily accessible between the areas.
The hot tub or spa may also feel more connected if you added decorative elements such as similar color themes in planters, or furniture that fit the overall design. If you have other outdoor furniture from Canadian Home Leisure, consider using the same materials and colours to create cohesion in the design.
Using natural materials like wood or stone as a surround for the hot tub maintains a cohesive look. Together, these thoughtful elements create a beautiful backyard oasis that will add real value to your home.
Creative Summer Use You Did Not Think Of
Hot tubbing in summer can be incredibly rewarding if you think of some creative uses. This includes ideal timing of soaks, use of the hot tub as a mini pool, and use of the hot tub as a cooling off dip—which is probably geared towards things you never considered when you purchased the hot tub.
Ideal Timing for Maximization Enjoyment
Beginning or wrapping up your day with a soak in your hot tub can set a relaxing mood for your day. Morning soaks can help to ease you into the day by loosening tight muscles and preconditioning your body for activity. A morning soak is especially pleasant during those cool mornings when the summer air is crisp!
Wrapping up your day with a soak, and a cool surface air temperature is again combined nicely with hot water producing relaxation, and improved sleep. Set the surrounding light levels to be soft, and that can add to a restful atmosphere.
Your best timing for an evening soak for optimal sleep benefit is to soak 2 hours prior to going to bed.
Your Hot Tub as a Mini Pool
In the summer, you can convert the hot tub temporarily to a mini pool temperature; you can decrease the hot tub to a refreshing temperature! This is especially good for small backyards when you can’t have a full-sized pool—or if you don’t want the commitment that comes with maintaining a pool.
Many kids love a mini pool, and a small area is safer for parents to watch them at play. Adding water toys and games can add more fun without the craziness of a full pool.
Keep in mind that safety supervision with children is still a must while they are in the “mini pool” version!
The Cool Dip Approach
Using your hot tub for a cool dip when temperatures are extremely hot in the summer months is the most common way people overlook it. Turn your hot tub temperature to the lowest setting or turn the heater off entirely, and the water can absorb the surrounding cooling effect. It will provide a dog days escape from the heat.
The best way to dip with friends and family is when you are enjoying an outdoor gathering. Many have the opportunity to take turns to cool off and spend a few minutes away from all of the sun exposure. Adding ice cubes for extra coolness may help…but not too many, don’t go overboard.
This is a cooling experience that can surprise you as well as a combo of hot air and cool water is an invigorating experience that is much better than a cold shower.
Hot Tub Maintenance and Accessories
Hot tub maintenance and accessories are extremely worth it when optimizing your enjoyment. Proper care, selecting the right product, and protecting your hot tub are important maintenance components to avoid costly repairs and replacement.
Products That Do Matter
Using the right chemicals and cleansers will help keep your tub around for the long haul. For sanitation, I recommend using bromine, or chlorine tablets—bromine does tend to be gentler for skin and lasts longer in hot water. Use non-abrasive cleaners for the shell, and do not use anything with harsh chemicals that could damage your surfaces or upset your water balance.
Water testing kits are necessary for managing balanced water pH levels. Use strips or liquid ones to test, and then reduce or raise pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness accordingly. Digital testers are the most precise, however they are a little more expensive up front, and that is valuable if you care about your water quality.
Enzyme products can also help with biofilm and oil build-up, which helps keep water clear and helps with that “scummy” feeling that sometimes happens.
Cover & Protect
A quality hot tub cover is imperative for insulation & protection, please don’t be cheap here! High quality means marine-grade vinyl and includes a foam core for insulation. Make sure it fits easily to save debris from contaminating the water and not needing to work that heat again.
A cover lifter is also helpful for making it easier to put on and take off, instead of pulling it off, only to force it back on the cover. It makes cover removal so much easier that you may actually use it.
I also recommend cover conditioner and cover clean that extends the life of it and its appearance. Regularly inspect the cover for any wear and tear; if the cover is damaged, it may cost you hundreds in additional heating.
Professional Service When You Need It
Regular service is important to keep your hot tub running well and avoid major repair break downs. Professional maintenance check-ups should be done at least twice a year, and prior to times of heavy use is preferred. Check-ups are when the technician will inspect and clean the filters, pumps, and heaters.
Monitor the filter monthly and clean to reduce clogs; this is basically maintenance that will help to avoid bigger problems. Filters should be changed out at least twice a year, or when suggested by the filter manufacturer.
You should drain and re-fill your hot tub every 3 to 4 months to ensure the water quality is satisfactory. It’s easier to balance fresh water and the overall soaking experience is generally better.
Focusing on these few items will maintain a clean, enjoyable, and well-maintained hot tub without spending a fortune.
Health & Wellness Activities
Incorporating a hot tub into your summer routine also comes with many health benefits in the form of exercises along with recreational satisfaction of a way to simply relax, beyond just soaking.
Exercise in The Water
Exercising in a hot tub can give you all the benefits of fitness, along with relaxation, all experienced in the spa in a way that is easier on your joints compared to regular forms of exercise. You can exert yourself and exercise in a hot tub to improve heart and muscle strength and get all the benefits of hydration and water resistance. Water is way more effective than executing land base exercise, where you can feel the extra effort in movements like leg lifts, arm circles, or light jogging in a hot tub environment.
Another great added benefit for flexibility and being sore: the warm water helps to loosen sore tight muscles and increases blood flow and circulation, so for injuries, exercising helps to heal while maintaining less pain for arthritis.
Creating a well-rounded exercise pattern that is split between aerobics and anaerobics will help to keep optimal physical health. You can start slow with basic movements and build your strength or endurance from there.
Stargaze and Relax
Hot tubs offer a unique space for stargazing, or make stargazing part of your routine, which offers relaxation and mental health benefits that indoor relaxation simply can’t provide. The warm water along with relaxing jets help to decrease stress and anxiety, and makes an ideal way to unwind after a long day.
Stargazing from a hot tub also provides a calming experience that is so special. In many backyards, it’s completely away from light pollution where you can fully experience the night sky. You can have an entire decompression space away from your home where you can be one with your surrounds.
Combining the benefits of hydrotherapy with the relaxation of stargazing becomes a wholistic form of wellness that doesn’t requires or the expense of going to a spa or locking into a meditation app.
Transforming Your Hot Tub Into the Heart of Your Outdoor Space
Proper use of a hot tub can take your outdoor space from simple to stunning, with well-being benefits while you develop an entire social circle that will make your hot tub the focal point for relaxation and relationship building—and not just an expensive piece of lawn furniture.
Creating a Repeatable Spa Ritual
Having a repeatable spa ritual will add to the health benefits of soaking in a hot tub as well as create a more spa-like experience. Start by establishing regular days and times of the week for soaking, then use that as a way of setting up a spa ritual. Here’s the thing about consistency; it starts the process of reducing stress, regulating your sleep, etc. Hot tubs work well for relaxing muscles, but you can enhance that benefit by doing simple light exercises or stretching to relax your muscles while soaking. You can also use aromatherapy oils when you soak in the hot tub for the extra benefit and enhance the experience without adding significant extra expense. Use the hot tub before going to sleep with a hot bath or shower as the transition to sleep. The heat and buoyancy of water will relax the body, causing more ease for you to fall asleep. Also, keeping a journal of your experiences can help refine your spa ritual to improve your benefit over time.
Making Connections
When you use a hot tub intentionally, it can become a social hub. Invite friends and family regularly to get together – a hot tub offers an informal setting for chatting and connecting in a way that dinner at a table never can. Your hot tub becomes the gathering space. Plan quincentennials or mini events around your hot tub. Have a weekly “spa night” or just informal gatherings over the hot tub. Sharing this terrific space can bolster relationships and create memories that guests desire to be a part of. Take into account the overall seating arrangements around the hot tub. A couple of comfortable chairs and a small table nearby will help make guests feel invited and welcome. Creating a space that is a zone to both chill and engage in socialization.
Adapting to Weather
In the summertime, the hot tub can be an enjoyable, invigorating experience whether it is raining, too hot, or too humid. There are a couple of main strategies to maximize our hot tub use in variations of weather—flexibility is key.
- Rainy Day Experiences: Using our hot tub during a rainstorm can be a wonderfully easy experience that most don’t ever get to experience. The rain falling onto the water, and the cooler air can create a very relaxing experience that is, to be honest, somewhat magical. Be sure that the hot tub is protected from direct rain or lightning (your safety first, the relaxation second). A gazebo or umbrella can give you added comfort keeping it cool, while still utilizing the rain’s cooling effects. Have a dry towel accessible to dry you off as you exit the tub. If you stay dry while utilizing the hot tub, this could be a refreshing contrasting break from the summertime heat, and worth not staying inside all summer long.
Managing Heat and Humidity: When the intensity of summer heat is at its zenith, it won’t suit your amenity if hot tubing and staying comfortable, so you don’t close it up. To keep things more comfortable without burning up, the water temperature can easily be turned down to a more tepid temperature. That’s usually around 30∘ Celsius. The safest way to use hot tubs without adding humidity is to use the hot tub in the early morning, or late evening. These two parts of the day are typically cooler, with less sun exposure. Additionally, the addition of a few drops of essential peppermint oil, or eucalyptus oil to the hot tub, can bring a nice, refreshing cooling effect. Ensuring proper hydration is another good idea. Remember to drink plenty of water before, during, and after a soak. Dehydration during heat can happen faster than you think.
Maximizing the Therapeutic Effects
Another plus to using a hot tub is the therapeutic benefits from the proper use of the hot tub. Hot tub use can have therapeutic benefits instead of simply relaxing. We want to utilize your hot tub for real therapeutic effects for real conditions each person has to deal with – arthritis discomfort and back pain.
- Decreasing Arthritis Discomfort: Hot tubs will help alleviate arthritis discomfort through the use of hydrotherapy. Medical science and research support the hot tub use for therapeutic relief. Heat and water jets combinations and use of water as a medium in hot tubs improve blood flow and reduce the stiffness of joints. There are times, using the oral medications, the hot tubs can be more effective at alleviating discomfort, especially when you don’t want to take medications. A hot tub provides regular control to increase blood flow. Often, the added circulation will help alleviate sore muscles and relief of arthritic (joint) discomfort. Specific jets can be adjusted while in the hot tub for multiple areas of pain in the body. Hot tub jets provide localized relief and assist in determining where the discomfort is coming from. Where to find a hot tub to purchase?
- Control water temperature between 37∘ Celsius – 40∘ Celsius. This temperature range will be accepted for the muscles to warm enough and relax and also not to exceed a chance at overheating. Gentle stretching while in the hot tub can also improve your flexibility and range of motion—don’t overdo it, however.
- Reducing Back Pain: Reducing back pain is yet another great benefit of using a hot tub that many people do not fully take advantage of. Warm water therapy can decrease muscle tension and improve blood circulation in the lower back area, providing pain relief that continues after you leave the tub. Placing your body in a position that the jets are targeting your back can mimic a relaxing micro-massage. This relieves muscle tension and soreness, certainly at a better price than committing to regular massage therapy appointments. Using your hot tub regularly, preferably after you have exercised or been very active, assists with preventing back pain and maintaining muscle health. As well, if you perform some gentle stretching exercises, it also enhances the therapeutic effect while improving your posture and relieving chronic pain, over time.
Entertainment and Fun That Actually Works
Bringing entertainment and fun to your hot tub experience can take your relaxation to another level and create lasting memories. Try adding some water games and activities to the mix. Hot tub-friendly snacks can elevate a hot tub barbecue to another level.
Water Games and Activities
Water games can truly make your hot tub a party and not merely a nice sitting quiet area to sit. Water games don’t even have to come with a price or need any fancy equipment if you don’t want to spend any money. Floating ping-pong and playing cards that are waterproof are easy options for any age.
For someone who wants a little competitive spirit, water basketball or volleyball can add an active component. Just make sure your hot tub is big enough for these activities. Using waterproof items to have a scavenger hunt is another way to entertain your guests and it’s also fun if you have kids!
With some LED floating lights and a built-in entertainment system with music or karaoke tracks, you can keep the fun going by using a hot tub atmosphere. Keep it simple and age-appropriate for your group.
Hot Tub Approved Snacks
Snacks that can be easily consumed in the hot tub environment enhance the BBQ experience without the mess. A skewered style, such as skewered fruit or grilled vegetables, are easy to manage and are always a hit party pleaser, and they don’t create crunchy crumbs to sink to the bottom.
Mini sandwiches or wraps can be consumed without the mess and passed around easily. Cold pasta salads keep well in small, reusable containers and can easily be passed around worrying about spillage.
Having some drinks available will keep your guests hydrated. Offer both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Keep the snacks in containers that float so that you do not spill and it cleans up quickly—don’t ask how we know!
Frequently Asked Questions
Using a hot tub in summer really gives rise to some unique experiences to enjoy the hot summer days, but people do have reasonable questions on how to enjoy it properly. Here are some answers to the common questions that are surfaced when people are thinking about a hot tub, not just in the winter months!
How to cool down a hot tub during warm weather?
If you want to quickly cool the water, some modern hot tubs come with a built-in “summer mode” that can help. Otherwise, adding cool water will give temperature relief immediately. You can also just turn off the heater and let the jets run to provide some cool-down to the water.
Can I run my hot tub without the heater, and what would that be like?
You can run a hot tub without the heater, and even with the jets going, it can be quite refreshing in the summer. You can also run it without the heater, and just put the water much closer to room temperature. Of course, you don’t get the benefit of heated water on sore muscles, but it can be quite refreshing having cooler water in the hot tub during a hot summer day.
What are a few creative things to do in my hot tub on hot summer days?
You can buy floating drink holders, use a waterproof speaker or lights for a musical movie night, or create special lighting to enhance the experience. You can also use fragrance with aromatherapy or scented oils, plan themed parties, or a family fun hot tub/pool day. The secret is not to create just a soaking event.
What kind of maintenance should I do if I am going to let my hot tub sit empty over the summer?
Completely drain and clean your hot tub to prevent mold and mildew—this is mandatory. Ensure that everything is dry before putting a tarp on the hot tub so it will be protected from leaves and debris. Disconnecting power and draining all the plumbing lines is also required to avoid damage.
What temperature should I set my hot tub during the summer for comfort?
The hot tub should be set somewhere between 29∘C−32∘C to provide a cooler, refreshing experience opposing the outdoor heat. If soaking in the evening, you could go a little hotter, around 35∘C−37∘C. Find what feels best for you.
Can I use my hot tub with cold water? What does that do in the summer?
Sure, you can fill up the hot tub with cold water to take a cooling dip. Reduced temperature will also minimize energy use and gives a refreshing effect similar to a small swimming pool. You’ll reduce your heating costs and have a very unique summer experience that most hot tub owners never know about.
