Why the Hot Tub Might Be Your Secret Wellness Weapon
When you think about healing through heat, saunas probably come to mind first. But new research suggests it might be time to show some love to the hot tub.
A peer-reviewed study published in the American Journal of Physiology has found that hot water immersion, specifically in a hot tub, triggered the strongest physiological response of any heat therapy tested. In other words? That soak isn’t just relaxing. It’s actively making your body stronger.
What the Science Says About Hot Tubs and Health
The study, led by researchers at the University of Oregon, compared three different forms of passive heat therapy: sauna, hot water immersion (i.e. hot tub), and heated exercise. The goal was to see which approach most effectively increased core body temperature - a key trigger for improved circulation, cardiovascular support, and even immune system activation.
“We saw that hot water immersion was the most impactful,” says lead researcher Jessica Atencio. “Increasing core temperature boosts blood flow, and just the force of blood moving through your vessels improves vascular health.”
The most surprising finding?
Only the hot tub group experienced a measurable immune response. While all methods raised heart rate and body temp to some degree, only hot water immersion triggered an uptick in immune cell circulation.
Hot Plunge vs. Sauna: What’s the Difference?
At first glance, both hot tubs and infrared saunas offer similar benefits - heat, relaxation, recovery - but the way they deliver that heat and how your body responds is very different.
Infrared saunas use light to heat your body from the inside out, which promotes deep relaxation and detoxification without raising the air temperature as high as traditional saunas. This makes the experience gentler, especially for people sensitive to intense heat. However, infrared doesn’t raise your core body temperature as quickly or intensely as hot water immersion does.
Hot tubs, on the other hand, heat your entire body through direct water contact. This results in a faster increase in core temperature, which the recent study linked to greater blood flow and immune activation. In fact, only the hot tub triggered a measurable immune response - something that even heated exercise and infrared sauna did not replicate.
So while both have value, the hot tub may offer a more immediate, physiologically powerful boost to your circulation and immune system - especially when used in conjunction with sauna and cold plunge.
How Löyly Uses Hot Tubs for Maximum Impact
At Löyly Sauna Lounge in Houston, we’re proud to be one of the only wellness spaces in the state to offer cold plunge, hot tub, and sauna access all in one place. This contrast therapy circuit isn’t just about comfort. We intentionally designed it for full-body reset.
Here’s how we structure a session for maximum benefit:
Start with cold plunge: Wake up the nervous system and begin the contrast cycle with immediate clarity and vasoconstriction.
Transition into the hot tub: This raises your core temperature more effectively than a sauna, supporting circulation and immune activation.
Finish in the sauna: Deepen the heat, allow your body to sweat, and integrate the physiological changes.
At Löyly, we believe in a rhythm of healing that matches your body’s needs. This cold → wet heat → dry heat order gives your system a reset that’s both scientifically backed and deeply restorative.
The Real Benefits of Hot Water Immersion
According to the research, regular hot tub use can:
Improve immune resilience by increasing immune cell circulation
Support cardiovascular health through enhanced blood flow
Reduce stress and lower cortisol levels
Accelerate recovery post-exercise by flushing inflammation
Improve sleep by shifting your nervous system into rest mode
And unlike intense workouts, this healing tool is gentle, accessible, and feels like a luxury.
Ready to Feel It for Yourself?
Whether you’re easing into contrast therapy or a longtime practitioner, the hot tub deserves a spot in your reset ritual. At Löyly Sauna Lounge, we make it easy to layer heat and cold in a way that meets you where you are, and moves you toward where you want to be.
Book your session now and experience the benefits of hot water immersion for yourself.
