Exercising in a hot room is said to challenge the body, challenge the mind, and increase the benefits of activity. There’s all sorts of fitness crazes based in working out in heat, including sauna pilates, burning-barre, hot sculpting, spin sessions, and more. Added heat is actually not a bad thing, according to some experts.
Infrared saunas on their own create some tremendous health benefits – improving circulation, strengthening the immune system, increasing metabolism, strengthening the heart, and more. Infrared heat on its own has been show to also heal wounds, reduce stress, improve flexibility, increase energy and focus, balance, our internal systems, and to detoxify.
Now, add exercise to that. Normally, in an infrared sauna, you’re just sitting there and already, your heart rate is high and your body’s cardiovascular response is similar to what it would be if you were jogging. As you exercise, you increase the impact of these effects. This is an absolutely excellent thing for most people. For others though, it’s important to be careful at the same time. Here’s why.
Exercising in heat increases the load on the body’s cardiovascular system. That’s because the body’s not sending as much blood flow to the exercising muscles. A lot of the energy is being used to regulate the heat. To this point, take any activity and put it in a heated environment, and immediately your heart rate will be higher. For people who can’t exercise because of joint issues, arthritis, or injuries, this is great news as it means they can do little and still get the benefits of activity.
A higher cardio is a positive and a negative, however. There is a point at which past it, the cardiovascular response is no longer healthy. Children, people with heart conditions, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, neurological impairments, or conditions inhibiting normal sweating are individuals who should not be engaging in sauna workouts. These people can still use saunas and heated environments but to exercise in them is a risk. Pregnant women as well should not, as maternal hyperthermia and the development of neural tube defects is increased in risk.
Another thing to keep in mind is sweating which can present at a risk when there’s too much of it. Sweating sheds not only water but also electrolytes. When you’re sweating, you’re losing many different things. It doesn’t hurt to have a sports drink after or something similar to replenish electrolytes, hydrate, and ensure you’re not losing too much. At the end of the day, initiating sweating through exercising in a sauna is about improving your systems’ efficiencies. It’s incredibly important to remain hydrated throughout this.
Ultimately, it comes down to listening to your body, taking it slow, and being aware of the risks. Exercising in a steam room or sauna can have a place in your daily or weekly regimen. A lot of people are loving working out in a heated environment. Just remember to hydrate and go slow as you increase intensity.
Install your own infrared sauna in your home with Steam Sauna today. It’s easier than ever to have privacy, do tai chi or yoga in a heated environment, and see those benefits. For anyone without pre-existing conditions, here’s an opportunity. Visit Steam Sauna for your sauna.