A sauna is a refreshing activity for the body, especially after a workout. For thousands of years, people have used saunas for relaxation and fun. But these days it is more than a nice body treat. Instead, people implement sauna bathing after their workout sessions and get better results from their training. If you’re actively working out but doubting whether the after-workout sauna is the right idea then this article is your answer. Here we’re going to disclose the top 5 excellent benefits of sauna after workout and possible pitfalls (spoiler alert, there are a few). Please note, that sauna bathing is not an option for people with heart issues or low blood pressure. That’s why it’s best to consult a specialist before immersing in the relaxing sauna experience.
Sauna is a room heated at a high temperature of between 70° to 100° Celsius or 158° to 212° Fahrenheit. Finnish saunas are considered to be the most common and popular. They use dry heat with a medium humidity between 10 to 20 percent.
Other types of saunas include a higher level of moisture. For instance, Turkish-style saunas provide clients with a more humid experience.
When using a sauna, a person’s skin temperature rises to 40° Celsius or 104° Fahrenheit. Thus,you sweat heavily and your heart rate rises as your body tries to keep cool. That’s why people lose a lot of sweat in saunas and need to replenish before and after sauna bathing.
There are four types of saunas:
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Using a sauna in your workout routine is an excellent idea only after checking with your healthcare provider. Health benefits of sauna after a workout help you unwind and reboot your muscle strength.
Let’s dive into the top 5 essential benefits of sitting in a sauna after a workout:
Studies have connected sauna use to reduced blood pressure and lowered risks of high blood pressure. However, it’s still unclear whether saunas benefit blood pressure in the long term or just temporarily (5).
Sauna bathing is linked to reducing stress which lowers the risk of cardiovascular events.
One study in Finland followed 2,315 men ages 42 to 60 over the course of 20 years. The results suggested that people who use a sauna may have a reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease (1).
Therefore, people who increased their use of sauna bathing lowered their risks of fatal cardiovascular-related diseases.
Participants who used the sauna two to three times a week were 22 percent less exposed to sudden cardiac death compared to those who only used it once a week.
There are positive effects of sauna bathing on people with pulmonary disease (lung disease). The study found that saunas help to ease or prevent colds, pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, and asthma.
There is also evidence that saunas might help with
This is one of the best effects of a sauna after workout. Imagine you finished a 1-hour intensive training. You’re exhausted, barely breathe and feel like your body needs some rejuvenation.
Using a sauna is an effective way to unwind before heading to your home. The sauna heat promotes circulation which improves relaxation. Plus, sitting in the sauna gives you the opportunity to practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing. The right breathing can help you reap the benefits of your exercises.
The biggest boon of hitting a sauna after the workout is your muscle recovery. Here Infrared saunas play the leading part. They are linked to post-workout muscle soreness and may ease the pain in the whole body. The heat evoked from the sauna enhances the circulation of nutrient-rich and oxygen blood throughout your body. Thus, it helps damaged muscles to repair, so you can get back on the saddle faster.
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The aforementioned benefits of sitting in a sauna after a workout demonstrate certain positive effects of the sauna on your body:
Yes, the sauna is a must-choice after the workout training only under the recommendation of your healthcare provider. In this case, you’ll get a bunch of essential health benefits, such as promoting heart health, muscle recovery, lowered blood pressure, reduced stress, and more regulated breathing.
Still, you should be well-prepared for the sauna bathing by:
It’s up to you to decide whether you should use a sauna after a workout or not. Yes, mixing the sauna with your workout sessions can speed up your body’s transformation due to its effective benefits.
Your body will relax, your breathing will regulate, and your stress after the workout will reduce. Nonetheless, consulting a specialist would be a great idea. Moreover, due to dehydration and extreme heat there are types of people who should use the sauna with extreme care or avoid it:
With that in mind, you can use the sauna after the workout if your doctor gives you that permission. People who neglect to contact a healthcare specialist usually face negative consequences from the sauna treatment.
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You’ve learned the possible sauna benefits after working out but as was mentioned at the beginning of this article there are certain pitfalls you should be aware of.
The first risk lies in dehydration. It results from fluid loss while sweating. People with kidney disease are more susceptible to dehydration. Moreover, dehydration may lead to nausea and dizziness. Having water before, during, and after sauna bathing can reduce this problem.
The second risk lies in blood pressure. This is especially applicable to people with low blood pressure or those who’ve had a heart attack. The point is that switching the heat in the sauna can raise blood pressure. You stay in the heat and then jump into the cold pool. Your body temperature goes through drastic changes which is okay for healthy people. But those who have consistent heart disease or even mild heart failure may have more stress from the temperature variations.
The third risk is connected to men. The high temperatures in saunas can cause a temporary reduction in sperm count (2). The reason is that testicles are sensitive to heat and the extended high temperature can lower sperm function and motility.
No matter whether you’re healthy or suffer from health conditions, you need to consult a doctor before trying the sauna treatment.
Starting the workout with the warm-up activity is the essential procedure. But some people may find the sauna a great substitution for the warm-up. However, the benefits of a sauna before working out are still questionable.
Even though a light sauna helps you warm up your body and loosen up your muscles, it doesn’t replace stretching.
Besides, you’ll get overheated and therefore tired from the sauna. Consequently, you may be exhausted before your workout session and won’t be able to push your muscles to the fullest. You should be invigorated before the workout and the sauna will make you relaxed instead.
Switch to a typical warm-up activity and hit the sauna after working out. It will make you energetic enough and prepare your body for the workout session.
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There are proven benefits of sauna but there are those who talk of more benefits to spice things up. Here two major myths about the sauna procedure:
In this article, you’ve learned about the top 5 excellent benefits of sauna after workout. Sauna promotes muscle recovery, reduces stress levels, enhances lung functioning, lowers blood pressure, and improves heart health.
There are four types of saunas: wood burning, electrically heated, steam room, and infrared room.
There are also drawbacks to using a sauna, such as dehydration, high blood pressure (in people with blood pressure and heart conditions), and reduced sperm count.
Replacing the warm-up activity with a sauna before the workout is not a good idea because your body will get overheated and too relaxed.
People are advised to contact a healthcare provider before sauna bathing.
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