How Long Can I Stay Inside a Hot Tub? Check These 5 Factors (2024)

Make the most of all your hot tub sessions by soaking for the perfect amount of time. The time that you spend enjoying a hydrotherapy session can depend on a number of factors.

While it’s often suggested that you can stay inside a hot tub for anywhere from 15-45 minutes, this amount truly depends on your health, age, preference, and tolerance.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look and help you determine the right time for you.

1. TEMPERATURE

If you prefer to soak at the maximum recommended setting — 104°F — the duration of your dip needs to be scheduled accordingly.

While this temperature is safe for healthy adults, you should remain immersed for no more than 20 minutes at a time.

If you prefer a longer spa experience, you’ll need to lower the water temperature accordingly.

2. YOUR AGE

If you’re a healthy adult, it’s safe to use your spa at 102°F for as long as you wish. If you’re over 65, even if you’re in good health, you should consult your doctor to determine what’s right for you.

In many cases, you’ll get the green light to stay in the spa as long as you’re comfortable and feeling well.

As a general rule of thumb, most hot tub sessions last between 15 and 45 minutes. If after 45 minutes you want to keep soaking, we recommend stepping out for a bit to give your body a break. Hydrate, rest and then enter the spa again.

Children, however, aren’t so lucky. While teens can soak just like adults, children 12 and under can’t. They simply don’t sweat enough to be able to cool their bodies down.

Kids aged five to 12 should only be permitted in the hot tub if the water is set at 98°F or cooler. If you don’t like the water that cool, have your kids do partial immersion on your hot tub’s bench or jump seat.

3. PREGNANCY SAFETY

Children aren’t the only demographic that need to exercise caution with hot tubs. Pregnant women should too.

No matter how good it feels to ease your aches and pains in the spa, if you’re pregnant, you should keep the water set at 101°F or below.

Medical experts also urge pregnant women to soak for no more than 10 minutes at a time.

4. HYDRATION

The hotter you like your spa, the more at risk you are of dehydration. That’s why it’s so imperative that you take a cool drink with you when you head out to the hot tub.

By sipping at it throughout your spa time, you can replenish all the fluids you lost sweating.

Just remember, you should never drink alcohol while in your spa. Alcohol is dehydrating, making it and your hot tub a bad combination.

5. YOUR HEALTH

Anyone with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or circulatory problems should not use their hot tub until they’ve spoken with their doctor. The same goes for those taking anticoagulant medication or pills that make them drowsy.

Once you receive your doctor’s advice for your safety, you should follow it to a T.

If you are of good health and your doctor has approved the use of a hot tub, you should still monitor how you are feeling when staying in for a longer soak or using the spa at a higher temperature.

If you start to feel dizzy, nauseous, or lightheaded, carefully exit the spa and find a seat to rest in.

USING YOUR HOT TUB SAFELY

Once you know how long to stay inside a hot tub and use it safely, you can really start to enjoy the benefits of hydrotherapy.

SWIM WORLD

If you need more hot tub tips, our experts can help. As the top hot tub supply store in Washington,Swim World can help you with all of your hot tub needs.

Whether you need a high-quality spa or top-notch hot tub service, chemical service or routine maintenance, we are up to the task.

Drop by for a visitat our Woodin Avenue showroom or give us a call at 509-682-3431. We would be happy to assist you.

HOT TUB INFORMATION & MORE!

Did you find the information in this article helpful? Take a look at the others in our blog, or visit our FAQ or owner resources sections for more.

How Long Can I Stay Inside a Hot Tub? Check These 5 Factors (2024)

FAQs

How Long Can I Stay Inside a Hot Tub? Check These 5 Factors? ›

As a general rule of thumb, most hot tub sessions last between 15 and 45 minutes. If after 45 minutes you want to keep soaking, we recommend stepping out for a bit to give your body a break. Hydrate, rest and then enter the spa again.

How long can you safely be in a hot tub? ›

It's generally recommended that you spend no more than three-quarters of an hour to an hour in hot tubs. However, realistically, a limit of between 15 and 30 minutes is what you should stick to if you want to be safe. Also, consider how you feel and adapt how long you spend in a hot tub accordingly.

Is it possible to stay in a hot tub too long? ›

Staying in your hot tub too long can result in dizziness, light-headedness, overheating and dehydration, especially if you're soaking at a higher temperature. It can also cause burns, decrease in blood pressure, increased heart rate, nausea and vomiting.

How long can you stay in a hot tub at 102 degrees? ›

How long can you stay in a hot tub at the normal temperature? Ideally, you should keep the temperature between 100 and 102 degrees. If you do, and if you keep a bottle of water handy, it's okay to soak for a good 15 to 30 minutes, or for as long as you feel comfortable.

Why should you only stay in hot tub for 15 minutes? ›

As much as it's tempting to spend hours soaking in your hot tub you could cause your body to overheat. There's also a chance you could become dizzy, lightheaded or feel nauseous. We advise that you limit your soak time between 15-30 minutes to avoid potential heat-related health risks.

Is 2 hours too long in a hot tub? ›

Ideally, you should aim to time your hot tub sessions to last between 15 and 30 minutes. Depending on the factors at play (i.e., water temperature), you might be able to extend your soak to 45 minutes. Keep in mind that you can always re-enter your hot tub later on!

Is it OK to sit in a hot tub for an hour? ›

As a general rule of thumb, you should aim to stay inside a hot tub for 30 to 60 minutes. How long you stay inside your hot tub will depend on a few factors, including your health, tolerance, and personal preference.

What is hot tub lung? ›

Hot Tub Lung is a specific form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by the lung's inflammatory (swelling) reaction to liquid or solid droplets in the air contaminated by bacteria or other infectious agents. Even though it is caused by infectious agents, Hot Tub Lung is not an infection.

Do hot tubs dehydrate you? ›

The water in hot tubs is typically kept at around 100 degrees, although they can reach up to 104 degrees. Because of the high heat, your body sweats, which can in fact eventually dehydrate you.

Can you get Legionnaires from a hot tub? ›

Hot tub displays at places like fairs, conventions, home and garden shows, and stores may pose a risk for Legionnaires' disease, a type of severe pneumonia caused by inhaling mist containing Legionella bacteria. Minimize the risk for Legionella exposure from hot tub displays.

What is the healthiest temperature for a hot tub? ›

Set temperature at or below 104 °F degrees for adults.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has determined that temperatures above 104 °F (40 °C) are dangerous for adults because they can lead to heatstroke. For a comfortable soak, most people set their hot tub between 100 °F and 102 °f (37.5 °C - 39 °C).

What is the lowest safe hot tub temperature? ›

Spa pools shouldn't have a temperature of below 37°C (98°F), so yes, 32°C (90°F) is definitely too low. At 35-36°C (95-98°F) you still have refreshing warm water bubbling in your hot tub. Depending on the ambient temperature, you can switch off the heater, turn on the water jets, and wait for the water to cool off.

What temperature is too hot for a hot tub? ›

Hot tub water temperatures should never exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit. A temperature of 100 degrees is considered safe for a healthy adult. Special caution is suggested for young children. Excessive drinking during hot tub use can cause drowsiness which could lead to unconsciousness and subsequently result in drowning.

Why do hot tubs make you tired? ›

If you enjoy your hot tub in the evening your body temperature will rise, when you get out, you will start to cool down again. This mimics what your body does naturally and makes you sleepy. This can make soaking in a hot tub a good strategy for trying to get to bed earlier!

Are hot tubs bad for high blood pressure? ›

Immersion in a hot tub for 10 minutes lowers blood pressure in subjects with treated hypertension, but no more than in normotensive control subjects. Spending 10 minutes in a hot tub should be safe for most treated hypertensive patients.

Why do I feel sick after hot tub? ›

Some people get headaches, vomiting, and dehydration after using a hot tub. The heat and the temperature difference between the outside air and the hot tub water is the cause. It is recommended that you keep the hot tub temperature low, stay in the shade and drink plenty of water.

How often is it safe to go in a hot tub? ›

There is clear evidence that using a hot tub every day or regularly is the best way to get the most wellness benefits from your purchase. When your hot tub sessions are part of your daily routine, apart from that recommendation, it's all down to personal preference.

Can I leave my hot tub for a week? ›

The length of time you can leave water in a switched-off hot tub varies, depending on the temperature, water quality, and the tub's specific design. Generally, it is recommended not to leave water in a hot tub for more than two to four weeks, as stagnant water can become a breeding ground for bacteria and algae.

Why can you only stay in a hot tub for 20 minutes? ›

Your skin may also become red and itchy due to the heat and chemicals in the water. Furthermore, staying in a hot tub for an extended period can increase your risk of dehydration, as the warm water can cause you to sweat excessively. Normal core body temp is 98.6 degrees. A hot tub can range from 100–104 degrees.

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