What’s the Difference Between a Hot Tub, Spa and a Jacuzzi?
Everybody loves to sit back and relax in
hot swirling water after having a tough day. While all three of these products
offer a nice therapeutic session, they are not the same. In fact, the vast
majority of people who decide to invest in a new tub stumble upon the same
question – What’s the difference between these three types of tubs?
Even though some differences are pretty
subtle, they still exist. It might not be easy to break these three types down
to a comprehensible level, but it’s also not that hard to get the hang of the
most important elements and aspects of these tubs. Either way, in case you’re
planning on investing in a new tub, it would probably be a good idea to get
familiar with the most important differences so that you can choose the suiting
one for your needs. Once we break it down, you will be able to comprehend
better the pros and cons of each type.
Hot tubs
A hot tub can be a large tub or a small
pool filled with heated water and mostly used for therapy or pleasure. Some hot
tubs feature integrated jets that are usually
used for massage purposes. Unlike a typical bathtub, a hot tub is designed for more than one person. In fact,
the vast majority of modern models were designed to accommodate four people.
When it comes to ideal location, these tubs can be
installed both indoors and outdoors. Furthermore, the water in these is
not changed after every use but is kept clean and sanitary by using similar
methods to those used in typical swimming pools. One of the main differences
between this and other types is that most people don’t use shampoos and soaps
in wet-jetted tubs. However, they can be used in air-jetted tubs, even though
it’s usually frowned upon.
There are several types of hot tubs, but
the most popular ones are portable and regular. As
one can assume, portable tubs are great for people who don’t want to install it
once and for all but instead want some mobility and versatility. These
tend to be a bit cheaper in comparison to regular ones, but it’s not always the
case. In fact, there are some models that cost
up into the tens of thousands of dollars and come with all sorts of additional
features and auxiliary modes.
Regular tubs are quite similar to portable
ones with a few differences. The most important one is the fact that they can’t
be moved once installed. Maintenance can be a tedious nuisance and you’ll more than likely pay a higher price
for a regular model in comparison to a portable one. Make sure you know all the
pros and cons of these two types because the portable vs. regular
hot tubs thing is a never-ending battle.
Spa
Contrary to popular belief, the term “Spa” is associated with water treatment which is
also known as balneotherapy. Similarly, spa resorts are places that typically
offer different forms of hydrotherapy. Now, hydrotherapy and the importance of
mineral water have been discovered many centuries ago and used by some ancient
civilizations during prehistoric times. There are plenty of ways
to become healthier, and Spa treatment is definitely
one of them.
On the other hand, “Spa” is often used as a
term for the American type of hot tubs. The main difference between an American
hot tub and any other is that these are equipped
with particularly strong jets that mix air and water violently thus creating a
swirling effect which can be used for
therapeutic purposes. When it comes to placement, these can be installed above ground as well as in-ground,
depending on the location. Furthermore, these are
also used as a part of a larger swimming pool which is known as a “pool
and spa” combo.
Jacuzzi
This category is probably the most
confusing one for many people. You can often hear other people refer to hot
tubs as Jacuzzis, which is not far from the truth, but it’s definitely not entirely correct. Jacuzzi is a
well-known brand in the industry and they
mostly make portable tubs. Jacuzzi is in the same situation as Velcro as both
of these brands are used to refer to the entire category of products even
though they are only brands.
The importance of hydrotherapy
Now that we’ve solved the confusion between
these types and brands, it’s time to see which one does what when it comes to
therapeutic properties. As mentioned, hydrotherapy is great for alleviating the
issues with injuries, arthritis, diseases, and etcetera. Most people use
hydrotherapy to soothe the pain, but some also enjoy relaxing in a hot tub
after a rough day because it’s one of the
proven ways to feel less stressed fast.
The benefits of hydrotherapy include an
increase in the metabolic rate and digestion activity, hydration of cells,
boosting the immune system, and improving the function of internal organs. The
best thing about it is that anyone can use the perks of hydrotherapy whether
it’s a child, adult, or an elderly person.
The overall concepts of
hydrotherapy may seem complex, but it
doesn’t take much to get familiar with the basics.
Other benefits include –
Calming
effects and sleep improvement are two popular
reasons why people end up investing in one of these products. The water jets
usually serve as a trigger for cells to open up, but they also have massage
purposes. It’s widely known that massage can help with a lot of things
including pain in the bones and muscles and instead of paying for sessions with
a professional masseuse many people decide to deal with it themselves by
spending time in a hot tub.
Respiratory
infections can also be
prevented or minimized thanks to the therapeutic properties of hot water
and steam. By using hot water and steam,
you are making your body produce mucus which is a mechanism your body uses to
get rid of the infection as quickly as possible. Some people even use compounds
such as menthol in order to speed up the
process.
Blood
pressure problems can be regulated with cold water hydrotherapy. Since cold water closes
the capillaries on the skin, the blood is then
diverted towards the internal organs such as the heart, liver, and
lungs. This effect causes an increase in blood flow to essential internal
organs which consequently results in better performance.
Precautionary measures
Even though hydrotherapy has many
beneficial aspects, it’s definitely not a harmless endeavor. In fact, too much cold or
heat can have a negative effect on your
body. The reason behind this is pretty simple – not all people react the same
to different types of therapy.
It is
strongly recommended that you consult a physician before opting for
water therapy. For example, people with severe heart issues should avoid
exposing themselves to sudden changes in temperature as it can cause heart
failure and consequently end up with a fatal outcome.
Also, if you enter the world of
hydrotherapy, make sure to monitor your progress throughout the sessions and
fine-tune your needs accordingly. It all comes down to how you feel instead of
what effect it has on your body. In case you don’t feel comfortable, there is
no reason to push it. There are plenty of other methods that can be used to
alleviate the pain or simply relax after
a stressful week.