Hot Tubs and Exercise Part 3: Stretch it Out

Be sure to read part one and part two of this series on hot tubs and exercise. This article will explore the importance of incorporating stretching into your workouts.

Stretching and Hot Tub Use

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Hot tubs are a good way to round out a workout, but what about stretching?  Stretching is very important type of exercise.   Not only does it improve your flexibility, it also  helps you to develop great muscle tone, as well as helping to minimize or eliminate cramps.  Most people stretch all the time and don't even know it.

When you wake up in the morning, like most people, you probably stretch instinctively and yawn. What do you do when you're on a long road trip and you get out of the car? You stretch your legs while you're getting gas.   Yoga isn't just a form of meditation, it's also stretching.  Stretching is part of any fitness regimen. To reduce the risks of injury, athletes stretch before and after exercise.  Like using a hot tub, stretching can be dangerous if you're not doing it right.   You run the risk of spraining a muscle or even tearing a ligament if you don't stretch right. However, the health benefits from stretching far outweigh it's potential dangers.

Hot Tubs and Stretching: Perfect Partners

As if flexibility weren't enough, did you know that stretching also improves your  balanceand improves stamina?  It does. Also, like using a hot tub, it helps with blood circulation.  In addition,  lot of people don't know that stretching also helps to improve overall well-being.  There are four different types of stretching: static, ballistic, propioceptive  neuromuscular facilitation, and dynamic stretching. Ballistic stretching is a rapid stretch that involves bouncing. Static stretching is a type of stretch involved holding the stretch for thirty seconds without any movement. Propioceptive  neuromuscular facilitation is a stretching method that targets specific muscle groups. As to when to stretch, that' s also important.

First off, it's never good to stretch without warming up first.  Without a properly warmed up muscle, stretching can cause more harm than good.  A good rule of thumb is to do some sort of brisk exercise for about 3-4 minutes, stretch out, and then exercise.  At the end of your workout, stretch again.  And how do you wrap it all up?  Soak in a hot tub for about 30 minutes.

Sunset Spas of Arizona
7410 W. Bell Rd. Suite 300
Glendale AZ 85308
623-776-7727
http://www.sunsetspasaz.com