Sauna vs Hot Tub: Which one is right for you?

Sauna health benefits and and hot tub health benefits are actually very similar, and both have been shown to improve cardiovascular health, detoxification and weight loss. 

Hot tubs are, however, a newer invention and may not offer all of the same benefits as saunas do. 

So which is better, a hot tub or sauna?

Infrared Sauna Vs a Hot Tub: What are the Benefits?

The hot tub was invented in the early 1900s by a man named David Herriott.

He was looking for a way to improve the health and well-being of his patients and came up with the idea of filling a bathtub with hot water and adding Epsom salts to it.

This became known as a "hot salt bath" and was found to have many health benefits that were provided from the heat. The hot tub evolved over the years and is now a popular way to relax and enjoy time with friends or family.

The hot tub has many health benefits such as improved circulation and blood flow, stress relief and relief of body pains, and can also help to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve sleep, and relieve tension headaches.

A well-designed hot tub, with a proper chemical balance, should alleviate muscle tension, muscle soreness and even sore joints with its warm water.

Some people will even find the hot tub water jets to provide a soothing and relaxing white noise.  

While hot tubs offer completely different experiences from both saunas and steam rooms, sauna use has no rivalled comparison when it comes to the many health and wellness benefits they provide.

Infrared saunas offer many additional health benefits that hot tubs and even traditional saunas do not.

This is because the infrared radiation (light) bypasses your skin to provide heat straight to your core body temperature.

Not only do the high temperatures of a dry sauna widen the blood vessels to improve both the skin and circulatory system, but the heat exposure also helps alleviate muscle soreness, lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, increase blood circulation and lower blood pressure and also has been proven to help lose weight.

While you may get more wellness out of your sauna session than your hot tub, both hot tubs and saunas can be that luxurious excuse to spend quality family time together while being an architectural focal point for your home.

Sauna Vs Hot Tub: What's Better?

There is no debate that hot tubs and saunas provide many benefits, but which one is better?

Saunas and hot tubs are both luxury goods that come with a luxury price tag.

For pricing, an outdoor sauna generally is more expensive than an indoor sauna, yet cheaper than installing a steam room.

While a hot tub will most certainly be cheaper than a swimming pool, they are similar in price to both saunas.

Hot tubs usually have higher installation costs and can be expensive to maintain, depending on the type you choose.

They require regular cleaning of the dirt trapped in the jets and disinfecting in order to prevent the growth of bacteria.

You will also need to regularly change the water and add chemicals to keep it clean and sanitary.

This can be a costly undertaking, especially if you use your hot tub often.

Infrared saunas are simple to use and require little upkeep as they don't require you to be pouring water over surfaces and causing moisture. 

They also have a very high energy efficiency when in use and a lower warm-up time than a hot tub.

With proper ventilation, you can use the extreme heat to help purge the interior space, so the sauna cleans itself of moisture and potential bacterial growth.

While both saunas and hot tubs are expensive to purchase, you'll find yourself spending more energy and time cleaning the dirt trapped in your hot tub than you would a sauna. 

Here are some resources that can help you make the right buying decision when looking at the ultimate home wellness tool:

• Sauna Suit Vs Saunas
• Infrared Saunas Vs Traditional Saunas
• Sauna Vs Ice Bath
• Cheap Saunas Vs Expensive Saunas
• Indoor Saunas Vs Outdoor Saunas
• Infrared Saunas Vs Red Light Therapy
• Infrared Saunas electricity costs

How do Saunas and Hot Tubs Work?

Saunas and hot tubs work to provide recreational wellness through heat.

Such high temperatures raise the core body temperature for physiological responses similar to moderate-intensity aerobic exercises, such as better cardiovascular health, improved brain functions, and skin cleansing.

You can learn more about the other health benefits of infrared saunas here.

Hot tubs and saunas both use heat therapy to relieve stress and sore muscles, and require you to drink plenty of water to lower the health risks in use. Don't forget a hot tub will require a hot tub cover to retain its heat when not in use.

Both are best when you sauna or hot tub naked to raise your core body temperature more efficiently, and both benefit from a cold shower post-therapy.

Sauna vs Hot Tub: Which One is Right for You?

So, how do you decide which is the right option for you?

Well, it depends on your modern life.

Sauna or hot tub, both will surely provide you with luxurious relaxation. 

For an improved function of heat therapy, however, an infrared sauna will provide you with so many more pros - both for your health and for your bank account.

However, if you’re looking for hydrotherapy and muscle relaxation, a hot tub is probably a better option.

We hope this article has helped clear up some of the confusion about saunas vs hot tubs – but if you still have questions or need more help deciding which one is right for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. 

If you're interested in an infrared sauna for home, view our range of full-spectrum saunas, far-infrared saunas, and outdoor saunas.