Comparing The Various Benefits Of Saunas And Hot Tubs

Whenever someone is looking for some way to destress and relax, they are bound to come across two practices: saunas and hot tubs. While both provide a similar function, allowing the body to heat up to higher temperatures to relax the muscles – there are some significant differences between them. This article will focus on the different benefits of both for comparison.

Exclusive To Hot Tubs: Massage

Whether you hop into a sauna or hot tub, the heat will help alleviate any muscle pain or stress knots you have. However, the best inflatable hot tub options or even normal fixed hot tubs like a Jacuzzi; will provide a massaging sensation from the built in water jets. This is a feature that you will not find in any sauna. In our books, that counts as a win for hot tubs.

Exclusive To Saunas: Higher Temperatures

No matter which model of hot tub you get, their maximum temperature will always be lower than that which a sauna can reach. Even if you are strictly going to use the sauna within the safety guidelines – it can reach up to 195°F, which is significantly higher than the maximum recommended temperature for hot tubs (104°F). While this is an advantage for saunas, bringing many health benefits such as toxin release (through sweating) and more pain alleviation – this still makes it dangerous or uncomfortable for many people.

Comparing Social Activity In Saunas And Hot Tubs 

Hot tubs are well known for bringing people together to socialize. Many people like to hold hot tub parties where they enjoy their time soaking in the hot water together. One the other hand, saunas can accommodate large groups together at once, but they are generally not socializing much. In other words, a group sitting in a hot tub are having fun together, while a group in a sauna are just sitting quietly side by side. Also, because of the higher temperatures of saunas, kids generally can’t take part in the activity, while many can sit in a jacuzzi with a slightly lowered temperature with no issues. 

Aesthetics And Other Factors

By design, saunas are closed off rooms that no one on the outside can interact with. A hot tub adds to the aesthetics of the area it is installed in, even when not in use. Additionally, many hot tubs are installed next to a larger swimming pool, so people can choose which activity to participate in – hot tubbing or swimming in a relatively cooler pool. Some people may relax in the tub, leaving the kids to have fun in the swimming pool. This makes hot tubs far more versatile, and also aesthetically pleasing.

Conclusion

The health benefits of using a sauna or hot tubbing are very similar, but there are substantial differences between the two options. In the end, everyone has their own preference, but it is clear that hot tubs offer more versatility in terms of social activity, aesthetics, and comfort. Whether you get into a sauna or a hot tub, you’ll end up with relaxed muscles nonetheless.