For most people living in St. Louis, being able to relax with a warm soak in their hot tubs is one of the pleasures of life. However, having a sauna and enjoying the heat can be the perfect way to relax and relieve your body of stress sometimes. This is why people with the funds and space go all out to install both in their homes.
However, for most people, this is a luxury they can’t afford as they can only get one out of the two. The truth is both home features have certain similarities such that one can be substituted for the other. But at the same time, they have so many differences.
Sure, both involve heat and will make you sweat thereby providing certain health benefits. You can read this article to find out more about the health benefits of sweating. But the differences between these features are such that you can’t just substitute one for the other without considering certain factors and these differences. This is why we have written this article to compare both and help you make the best choice suitable for you.
Differences Between Hot Tubs and Saunas
The biggest difference between hot tubs and saunas is that the former uses water, humidity, and steam, while the latter uses just dry air and heat. Another difference is that with a tub, you get different features like hydro massage. You can also carry out low-impact exercises in the tub as it allows it. However, all a sauna offers is heat.
This is why hot tubs are seen as a fun option while saunas aren’t. You can invite people for a party in your hot tub, but you certainly can’t invite people for a party in your sauna. Apart from these, tubs can be paired with different accessories like sounds and lighting options to make it more fun.
Pros and Cons of a Hot Tub
A hot tub comes with several benefits such as stress relief, cardiovascular improvement, relaxation, and improved sleep. Some people who install hot tubs in St. Louis MO do so because it was recommended as a post-op therapy for their rehabilitation program. This is all thanks to its hydrotherapy feature which saunas do not offer.
A tub is also relatively easy to install depending on the type. It is also a great hangout spot that can aid family, romantic, and friendship bonding. Unfortunately, this wonderful home feature also has certain cons. However, the major disadvantage of a hot tub is that it requires a lot of maintenance; you need to always keep it clean and ensure the chemical level is always balanced.
Pros and Cons of a Sauna
A sauna also offers similar benefits including stress relief, cardiovascular improvement, improved sleep, and muscle relaxation. But unlike a tub, a sauna does not have hydrotherapy features. The good thing though is, unlike spas, they are low maintenance, and you don’t have to consistently test and treat them.
However, saunas come with different possible risks including dehydration and overheating. It can even lead to blood pressure problems in certain cases. You also need to make sure it is properly ventilated as poor ventilation can lead to poisoningfrom carbon monoxide.
Which Should You Go For?
At the end of the day, the choice of whether to go for a hot tub or sauna depends on your preferences and needs. Because both options come in different sizes and varieties, you can find one that suits your budget. This is why budget or cost is not one of the factors to consider when making your choice.
But an important factor to consider is your need or purpose for the home feature. If you want the feature to serve as an entertainment spot where you can hang out with your friends, spouse, and family, then a hot tub will be a better option. But if you want it just to sit back and relax and de-stress, then you can opt for a sauna.
Also, consider if you’d mind spending a lot of time on maintenance. If you mind, then going for the option with the least maintenance requirement (sauna) will be the best move. Installation is yet another factor to consider. If you want a simple installation process, a hot tub would be the best choice. This is because saunas are relatively harder to install.
Finally, consider the space you have for the feature. Tubs are meant to be close to a safe drainage, whereas a sauna needs to be in a place with proper ventilation.
However, regardless of what you choose, make sure you talk to your health provider before you proceed. This is because both saunas and tubs aren’t suitable for all health conditions; for instance, they are bad for pregnant women. You can visit https://www.acog.org/ to find out why they aren’t good for pregnancy. Therefore, unless your health provider gives a go-ahead (if you have a health condition) do not use any of these features.
Conclusion
Both saunas and hot tubs offer a wide range of health and mental benefits. If you can afford both, you can get both and enjoy the benefits they offer. But if you can only pick one, then this article will help you make the right choice.
