Unlock The Power Of Contrast Therapy

Friday, January 17th, 2025

Hot Tubs & Cold Plunges For Ultimate Wellness

If you’re looking to enhance your health and wellness routine, you’ve come to the right place! The combination of hot tubs and cold plunges — known as contrast therapy — offers a range of impressive benefits that can transform your physical and mental well-being. Let’s dive into how these therapies work and how to incorporate them into your life.

Why Hot Tubs Are More Than Just A Soak

Hot tubs have been a favorite for relaxation, but did you know they come with a whole host of health benefits? Whether you’re using a traditional hot tub or a saltwater one, you’re in for some serious perks.

The Scoop On Salt Water Hot Tubs

Salt water hot tubs are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason! Here’s what makes them special:

Gentler on Your Body: The salt increases the water density, giving you better buoyancy. This means less pressure on your joints and muscles — perfect for anyone with aches and pains.
Skin Benefits: Salt water feels silky smooth on your skin and can help with hydration. Plus, it may reduce inflammation, making it a great choice for those with skin sensitivities.
Fewer Chemicals: Saltwater systems generate chlorine from salt, which means lower levels of harsh chemicals in the water. Your skin will thank you!
Muscle Relaxation: The magnesium in salt water can help relax your muscles and improve nerve function, making it easier to unwind after a long day.

Traditional Hot Tub Benefits

Don’t count out traditional hot tubs! They also offer fantastic health benefits:

Heart Health: Regular use can improve blood flow and support overall cardiovascular health.
Stress Relief: The warm water is incredibly soothing, helping to melt away stress and tension.
Better Sleep: Enjoying a soak before bedtime can lead to improved sleep quality — who doesn’t want that?
Pain Relief: If you suffer from joint or muscle pain, the heat and buoyancy of hot tubs can provide much-needed relief.

The Chill Factor: Cold Plunges

Now let’s talk about cold plunges! These may sound daunting, but they come with some impressive health benefits:

Speedy Recovery: Cold water immersion can help reduce muscle soreness and inflammation, making it a favorite among athletes and weekend warriors.
Boost Your Immune System: Regular cold plunges may help strengthen your immune system, keeping those pesky colds at bay.
Mood Booster: Cold exposure has been linked to reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, plus it can give you an energy boost!
Metabolism Kick: Cold plunges activate brown fat cells, which can help increase calorie burning — great news if you’re looking to manage your weight!

The Magic of Combining Hot & Cold Therapy

Using hot tubs and cold plunges together can amplify the benefits of both:

Better Circulation: Switching between hot and cold stimulates blood flow, which is great for overall health.
Faster Recovery: Alternating temperatures can reduce inflammation more effectively than either method alone.
Detox Support: This approach helps stimulate your lymphatic system, aiding in detoxification and immune function.
Mental Toughness: Practicing contrast therapy can also build mental resilience, helping you handle stress better.

How To Get Started With Contrast Therapy

For Regular Exercisers

Start with a 10-15 minute soak in the hot tub after workouts.
Follow it up with a brisk 1-2 minute cold plunge.
Repeat this cycle 2-3 times.
Aim for 2-3 sessions per week to see improvements!

For Serious Fitness Buffs

Begin with a longer 15-20 minute soak in the hot tub.
Transition to a 2-3 minute cold plunge.
Repeat this cycle 3-4 times.
Consider doing cold plunges alone after strength training sessions to aid recovery without hindering muscle growth.

Always listen to your body. If you’re unsure about starting any new wellness routine, especially if you have existing health issues, consult with a healthcare professional first.

Ready To Transform Your Health?

If you’re excited about experiencing the incredible benefits of contrast therapy for yourself, Hot Spring Spas of Iowa and the Twin Cities is here to help. Don’t miss out on this chance to invest in your well-being! Visit our showrooms today — your journey toward optimal health starts now!

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Starting the Year off With a Splash

Friday, December 27th, 2024

Starting the Year off With a Splash

Nicole Cartier Lg1

"Swimuary" Challenges Endless Pools^® Owners to Take the Plunge

You may have seen a new term, “Swimuary” flooding your Facebook feed this January. What was all the excitement about? It all started when Nicole, an avid swimmer and triathlete, shared a video of her winter swim routine. Nicole lives in Illinois, where the temps can drop to the single digits, but plunging temperatures don’t stop the triathlete from using her pool nearly every day, regardless of cold, rain, or snow.

Nicole Cartier 1b1

Nicole was enjoying her winter swim sessions in her E550 swim spa so much that she decided to share her experience on the Endless Pools Facebook owners’ page. After posting several videos of her workouts, people started noticing. That’s when Nicole got the idea for her “Swimuary” challenge.

She explained, “People were commenting on my posts and videos, so I decided to invite everyone to join in and share their January workouts. Swimuary really took off! People loved posting pictures of themselves swimming in the cold. It’s been really fun. I’ve made some new friends and I feel like this challenge actually changed the vibe of the page.

You don’t have to be a polar bear to enjoy a winter swim in Endless Pools.

Swimming in January doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. As a versatile pool that can be used year round, Endless Pools are temperature controlled and energy efficient so swimmers like Nicole can enjoy an outdoor swim even when there’s snow on the ground. For those people who want even more options, Original Series, WaterWell^®, and Streamline^® pools have the flexibility to be assembled indoors or outdoors.

Nicole put a lot of thought into making her aquatic workouts as comfortable as possible. No matter what the temperature is outside, the water in her E550 swim spa is always kept at a comfortable 88 degrees. Thanks to its compact size and insulated cabinet, her pool can be kept warm all year - even during the coldest days - without incurring high energy bills.

Braving the cold on the way to the pool is no problem for Nicole. Her heated pool is located close to her sun porch, and she’s positioned an outdoor heater outside the porch to keep the stairs warm. She even keeps her towel on a heated rack during her swim, and enjoys its luxurious warmth when she’s done with her workout.

Falling in love with Endless Pools

It was 2015 when Nicole first discovered Endless Pools. That was the beginning of her love affair with the product. Whenever there was a home show or pool expo, Nicole would show up in her bathing suit and goggles and ask to take a test swim. The dealers were delighted to have her show off her stroke in their pools. She tried all the different brands and models. A friend got another brand, but from the beginning Nicole knew the Endless Pools brand was for her. “Some of the other pools didn’t flow fast enough, some were too bubbly or the currents stopped and started. Endless Pools was the best!”

Finally, in May of 2021, Nicole ordered her Endless Pools E550 swim spa. She experienced what she calls “endless anticipation,” because her pool wasn’t due to be delivered until August of the following year. That didn’t stop Nicole. “I would go into American Sale in Orland Park about twice a week and swim in the pools on the showroom floor. They didn’t mind. Sometimes I’d help the sales team. I’d hear a customer ask a question, and I’d answer while I was swimming! I sold at least two pools while I was at the dealership.”

Nicole Cartier 31

Dedication and Practice Pays off

Growing up, Nicole swam competitively, and was also active in gymnastics and dance. She completed her first triathlon over twenty years ago on a dare, but went back to the dance studio.

Years later, her grade school swim coach was pulling together a triathlon team and she started training with him. She went on to complete multiple triathlons, including seven grueling IRONMAN^® competitions.

This past November Nicole achieved her fastest finish ever at the IRONMAN Cozumel, she was 6th person out of the water in a race she trained for primarily in her new swim spa! Nicole practiced her stroke in the pool, and also trained for the running portion using her underwater treadmill for extra resistance without the impact.

Nicole Cartier 41

It’s not work if you’re doing something you love

For Nicole owning an E550 swim spa was worth the wait, “My favorite thing is swimming in bad weather. A lot of times I get out of the pool and jump in my hot tub. Especially at night, because after that, I sleep so well! I could talk about my E550 swim spa all day long. It’s my best purchase ever!”