As we’ve heard in the last few Olympics from several participants, Olympic athletes from all backgrounds are using saunas as a sort of respite from the competitive training and intense competition. As punishing as an athlete’s training regimen can be, infrared saunas and steam rooms are tremendously important to injury prevention and treatment program. Ask any sports medicine practitioner and they will tell you infrared saunas have a place in any athlete’s program. The healing properties of infrared saunas are well-understood. They can be used among pre-workout and post-workout routines, to prevent injury, as well as to speed up recovery. There are eight primary benefits to infrared saunas that Olympic athletes love.
Muscles and joints
Infrared saunas heat the body from the inside out. This type of directional heat helps to loosen muscles and joints prior to a workout, which is why it’s popular among pre-workout enthusiasts. Sauna use can also increase flexibility which helps in gym performance.
Tolerance
When an athlete jumps into a sauna, they are increasing their tolerance for anaerobic activity. Anyone who is working on endurance, either from a muscular standpoint or from a mental perspective, a sauna can both challenge and expand an athlete’s tolerance levels.
Harmful toxin elimination
Harmful toxins surround us in our environment every day. As these toxins get into our bodies, this toxicity can clog up our natural systems and processes. Through the intense sweating initiated in a sauna, harmful toxins that might be hindering your performance can be eliminated.
Lactic acid build-up
Lactic acid build-up happens in any athlete pushing themselves with their weight training. Sauna use reduces lactic acid build-up in our muscles, allowing them to loosen and relax. Over time, muscles that are more loosened and relaxed are those that repair themselves most quickly.
Blood circulation
A huge benefit to saunas are how they boost blood circulation. This is akin to performing cardiovascular work except without any of the work we have to put our bodies through. As an athlete, boosted blood circulation helps to promote muscle repair.
Easing pain
If an athlete has muscle or joint pain originating from overuse, strain, or repetitive motion, regular sauna use is a great way to help ease the discomfort. Although this pain-numbing effect is somewhat temporary, it can provide some mental relaxation.
Reinvigoration
Athletes coming out of a sauna report feeling refreshed and reinvigorated. After a particularly tough workout, jumping into a sauna is a great way to come down while also mentally preparing yourself to face the world again in non-competition mode.
Burns extra calories
The last reason why Olympic athletes and competitive fitness enthusiasts love saunas is because of the extra calories they burn. Some studies have reported using a sauna stimulates the body similar to what jogging does. Thereby, you get cardiovascular fitness benefits while simply sitting there. This is perfect for athletes wanting to get some extra weight off and/or who are struggling with injuries inhibiting full workouts.
You don’t need to be some elite Olympic athlete to enjoy an infrared sauna. Yogis, weightlifters, mixed martial artists, runners, and amateur and professional athletes from all backgrounds use saunas on the regular. Minimize time lost because of an injury, accelerate your workout recovery, and improve your athletic performance. Get your very own steam room or sauna for at-home or in your place of business from Steam Sauna. We are North America’s top seller of infrared saunas!