Hot water

Hot Tub

A Hot Tub is a large tub or small pool filled with water used for hydrotherapy, relaxation or pleasure. Some hot tubs have powerful jets for massage purposes. Hot tubs are sometimes also known as spas or by the trade name Jacuzzi.

History

The concept of a hot tub has been known since ancient times. The Ancient Romans, for example, had a version of a hot tub in their public bathhouses. They called it a caldarium, which was a hot bath used for health and relaxation. The modern hot tub trend started in the 1960s in California, with people modifying large oak wine barrels into private hot tubs.

Design and Construction

Modern hot tubs are designed with ergonomics in mind, using materials like fiberglass or acrylic. Some are built into deck or ground installations. A typical hot tub has a circular or rectangular shape, with enough space for several people to sit comfortably. The interior is often lined with a series of jets that provide a massaging effect when the tub is filled with water.

Health Benefits and Risks

Hot tubs are known for their therapeutic benefits, which include relaxation, easing muscle pain, and improving sleep. However, they also pose some health risks such as Legionnaires' disease, which is a type of pneumonia caused by inhaling mist from water that contains Legionella bacteria, and hot tub folliculitis, a skin infection caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Maintenance

Maintaining a hot tub involves regular cleaning and balancing the water chemistry to keep the water safe and clean. This includes checking and adjusting the levels of sanitizer, pH, alkalinity, and hardness.

See Also

• Swimming pool
• Sauna
• Steam room
• Hydrotherapy