When most Canadians think about their health and wellness budget, they think in terms of a month. They have this much money set aside for their gym membership, that much for a massage once or twice a month, and a little extra for a visit to a physiotherapist or chiropractor. This leads to them feeling that many wellness tools, like hot tubs, are far out of their budget. But is that actually true?

Gym memberships work really well for some people. In particular, those of us who have a gym buddy and can go directly from work to the gym seem to benefit the most. But for lots of others, the gym membership is a monthly fee for guilt. Guilt for paying for a membership they aren’t using and guilt for not using it in the first place. This isn’t helpful for anyone, but it’s also not surprising that many Canadians just don’t feel like the gym is the right fit for them. Gyms have a particular culture that isn’t always welcoming to newcomers. Plus many of us are busy with families. During the winter months, the commute can be terrible as well. All these things pile up, and many gym passes just collect dust and cost you money each month.

To make matters worse, chronic pain and repetitive stress injuries are becoming more common as Canadians move towards a sedentary lifestyle. In an attempt to feel better, many of us head to the physiotherapist, chiropractor, or a massage therapist to work out the sore spots. Unfortunately, most of these therapies are fairly temporary. You have to keep going month after month, and in some cases you’re assigned many exercises that you have to fit into your day. This can be challenging when you’re spending all day at work.

An option you may not have considered is investing in a hot tub instead of an unused gym pass and therapies that only offer a band aid solution to stiff muscles. Usually, Calgarians don’t consider buying a hot tub because it seems like too much money upfront. But if you look at all the money you’re spending on your wellness budget over the year, you may be surprised by how comfortably a hot tub actually fits into your finances.

A hot tub is more than just a place to relax; the right spa gives you a place to exercise. Aqua yoga is particularly popular, and many of our customers appreciate being able to just exercise in the privacy of their own home. Your hot tub can also take the role of your massage therapist.

As you soak in the hot water, your muscles will relax, and tension will ease away. Your spa will then use water, air, or a combination of the two to provide a relaxing massage exactly where you need it. Air jets offer a gentle touch that feels wonderfully relaxing, while water jets have a bit more force behind them. Whichever you prefer, you’ll enjoy benefiting from your favourite massage whenever you want from the comfort of home. Light some candles and play instrumental-rainforest music to get the full spa experience.

We’re still at the beginning of 2018. This is the perfect time to run your budget and see how much you’ve spent on wellness so far in January and February. Use those numbers to calculate how much you’ll spend by the end of the year. Once you have your annual budget, it’s time to decide whether a hot tub might be a better use of that money in the long run. Remember as you tabulate your budget that your hot tub will help you get the exercise and relaxation you need for the next 15 years.

A home spa isn’t just a luxury item. It can become the core of your home oasis. The place where you can retreat from the stress of life to exercise or relax as necessary. The experts at RnR Hot Tubs and Spas can help you find the right tub for your unique needs. We also offer refurbished spas to help you stretch your budget a little further. Come by RnR today, and schedule a wet test for your favourite spas!