Saunas have been used for centuries for their numerous health benefits and as a social gathering place in Scandinavia. Saunas are great for relaxation and regeneration and offer several health advantages. However, do saunas help you lose weight?
To put it simply, the answer is Yes! However, to guarantee safe weight reduction, there are a few things you should be aware of since understanding how saunas work is much more complex. If you are someone who is struggling to lose weight and are trying to find out if saunas can help you on your weight loss journey, then continue reading this article!
Do Saunas Help you Lose Weight?
Although it shouldn’t be your primary weight loss strategy, saunas may support a healthy way of living. It does help with weight reduction to some extent, but it works best when combined with other factors like a regular exercise schedule and a nutritious diet. Do saunas help you lose weight, then? Let’s find out.
Loss of Water Weight
Saunas are very hot, which causes you to perspire a lot. After a successful sauna session, you’re likely to see a decrease in weight since losing this extra water may lead to weight loss. But reducing water weight isn’t permanent; you’ll gain most, if not all, of it back once you drink enough water to stay hydrated.
Having said that, you might take advantage of this. Saunas may assist if you’re trying to reach a short-term weight loss target. Maybe you have something to wear to a function this afternoon, or you have a weigh-in for sports where you need to achieve a specific weight.
Enhanced Fat Production
When exposed to extreme heat or cold, your body has to work much harder to function. This may cause your heart rate to rise by as much as 30%, which can speed up your metabolism and help you burn more calories.
Does the sauna burn calories? Yes! Even before entering the sauna, you are welcome to sip on some cool water. Your body will have to work a bit more as a result to control your body temperature, which will increase calorie burning. This works because burning calories requires your body to emit heat. In a sauna, exerting yourself to chill down causes your body to emit more heat, which burns calories.
Less Stress
Stress may be beneficial since it can spur you on to accomplish deadlines and objectives. However, excessive stress may keep your body in the fight-or-flight phase. This reaction is only supposed to last a few minutes, rescuing you from any threat your body detects and then helping you regain your composure.
But since we live in such a stressful society, we are always in this condition, which implies that we are also continuously exposed to stress chemicals like cortisol. Weight gain is associated with these hormones. To put it another way, your body stores fat as a kind of defense when it senses stress. Furthermore, persistent stress might set off an inflammatory reaction.
Saunas provide a time for rest and relaxation. They may assist you in escaping the fight-or-flight response by making you take deep breaths and let go of stress. Your cortisol production decreases as you get more relaxed. Each of these elements may help with weight reduction.
Traditional Steam Sauna or Infrared Sauna: Which One is Right for You?
Since ancient times, saunas have been loved for their health, relaxing, and detoxifying properties. But because of technological developments, we have more alternatives than ever before, which brings up the age-old question: Is an infrared sauna better than a typical steam sauna? Let’s examine the distinctions between them so you can choose which one best meets your needs. Both provide distinctive experiences and advantages.
Major Difference Between Traditional Steam Sauna and Infrared Sauna
Your personal tastes, health objectives, and intended usage of the sauna should all be taken into account when choosing between an infrared sauna and a typical steam sauna.
- A classic steam sauna can be the perfect option for you if you like intense heat and humidity, prefer the social component of sauna sessions, and are looking for quick relaxation and cleansing effects.
- An infrared sauna could be more appropriate for you if you’re looking for deeper tissue penetration for pain treatment and detoxification, like a softer heat, or are sensitive to high temperatures.
In the end, both kinds of saunas have many health advantages and may be a great complement to your daily wellness routine. Regular sauna use may enhance health, relaxation, and general well-being, whether you choose the classic steam sauna experience or the convenience of an infrared sauna.
Do Saunas Help You Lose Weight – Wrap Up!
By metabolizing fat and significantly lowering water weight, sauna use may aid in weight reduction. It also provides numerous additional health advantages, including a lower chance of cardiovascular illnesses, enhanced lung function, and less weariness.
However, since utilizing a sauna might induce dehydration, consumers should exercise particular care. Healthy eating practices and continued exercise are also important for those who want to reduce weight. The best course of action is to consult a physician before incorporating new health routines.
We hope this article answers the question, do saunas help you lose weight? Let us know in the comments section below!
Do Saunas Help You Lose Weight – FAQ
How much weight can you lose in a sauna in 30 minutes?
In a sauna, you can lose approximately 1-2 pounds of water weight through sweating in 30 minutes.
How long to see the benefits of an infrared sauna?
The benefits of infrared sauna sessions can vary from person to person, but many individuals report experiencing positive effects such as improved relaxation, muscle recovery, and skin health after just a few sessions.
Do you burn calories in a sauna?
Yes, sauna use may result in calorie burns of up to 600.
How many calories do you burn in a sauna?
Studies estimate that a 30-minute sauna session may burn around 300-600 calories at most, which is comparable to a moderate walk. The increased heart rate in the heat accounts for this modest calorie burn.
Is it better to go to the sauna before or after a workout for weight loss?
Going to the sauna after a workout may be slightly more beneficial for weight loss, as your body is already heated up and may promote more sweating. However, the weight loss effects of saunas are still minimal compared to the workout itself.