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It sounds so sexy and seductive…easing your aching body into a frothy, swirling vat of soothing hot water after a hard day on the slopes. Complete the picture with the presence of your latest (or lifetime) romantic interest and the knowledge that a gourmet meal and a bottle of chilled bubbly await you back inside. What more could you ask for? How about some expert confirmation that your time spent in the hot tub does more than just put you “in the mood”?

Sue Torrence, MS, PT, ATC, of Boulder Center for Sports Medicine says that she often recommends that her athlete-clients use a hot tub if they have access to one.

“(Using a hot tub) is good especially after exercising,” she said. “It helps increase blood flow to the tissue, promotes healing and (the transport of) nutrients, and decreases muscle tension and stiffness while increasing general mobility.”

Michael Gummerson, MS, PT of PRO Physical Therapy in Boulder agreed with this assessment. In addition, he said, hot tubs can help decrease muscle spasms and soothe aching muscles.

“There is no question that when it comes to sore muscles, the hot tub is the best,” avowed local Ironman triathlete Brad Fawcett. “At the peak of my racing, I use it three days a week (post-workout). But I’d turn to Jell-O if I sat in the hot tub before working out!”

Fawcett has the hot-tub routine down right, according to the experts. He uses the hot tub preventatively and post-workout to treat his workout-induced muscular aches and pains. Torrence stressed that athletes should not sit in the tub immediately before a strenuous workout, nor should they transition directly from workouts or competitions to the whirlpool. Instead, athletes should allow their bodies time to cool down, stretching out their muscles before they hit the tub.

In addition to the possible negative effects of overheating, dehydration and increased fatigue to be aware of when you go for a soak in the whirlpool, both Gummerson and Torrence warned of the potential harm that can come from sitting in the hot tub following an acute injury.

“If you have an acute injury I wouldn’t recommend (the hot tub) – it can increase inflammation,” said Gummerson. “If you have a specific injury during practice or competition, I would get ice on it first.”

For chronic injuries, Torrence often recommends that athletes ice the painful area immediately after finishing an activity that places stress on it. They can then follow the icing with heat – including a session in the hot tub – later.

As for tub do’s and do not’s, they’re pretty simple. A general rule is not more than 10-15 minutes per soak. The water temperature should fall between 98 and 104 degrees, and alcoholic beverages should not be part of the picture (they can increase dehydration and impair judgment in more ways than one). People with heart or lung conditions, or any serious illness or medical conditions should consult with a physician before using a hot tub (as should pregnant women). For more specific safety guidelines, please visit the Web site www.arthritis.org/answers/water_exercise.asp.

One last caveat: while they seem sexy, hot tubs have actually been fingered as culprits in cases of male infertility – it seems that the little guys like it cool. So if your honey’s trying to conceive, it’s probably best to forgo this particular luxury for a time.

Otherwise, after your next hard day, as you sink back, relax, and treat yourself to a nice big tub of bubbly, remember that you’re following the advice of experts!