What Is a Sauna Exercise?

What Is a Sauna Exercise?
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The word "sauna" means sweat bathing. Exercise that causes you to break a sweat can lean to increased caloric expenditure and, as a result, increased weight loss. Saunas are not just for relaxation after a tough workout; the simple act of sitting in a sauna can be a form of exercise in its own way. In addition, you can also use a sauna suit in order to increase the intensity of your regular workout. Speak to your doctor before trying a sauna exercise.

Sauna Types

There are three common types of saunas. There is a traditional sauna, which has a bench and uses a heat source of gas, wood, electric or hot rocks in order to be effective. There is also a far infrared sauna. This type of sauna users metallic or ceramic elements, which can emit heat in a far infrared range. The final kind of sauna is an infrared lamp sauna, which uses an incandescent infrared heat lamp.

Sauna Suits

Sauna suits are suits of one or two pieces specially designed in order to trap in heat and moisture. These suits are designed to encourage sweating. Unlike sitting in a sauna for an extended period of time, you can use a sauna suit while you participate in any form of workout.

Sauna suits help you to drop pounds by decreasing water weight. As a result, it is important to remember that sauna suits are not an effective tool for consistent weight loss and can be dangerous if overused. Sauna suits can help you quickly drop a few pounds for a special occasion.

Benefits of Saunas

Saunas can help increase your blood flow, eliminate toxins from your body, reduce chronic pain in your muscles and joints, alleviate symptoms of respiratory conditions, treat cardiovascular disease and enable you to relax. The steam of a sauna helps to rejuvenate your skin. Increased blood flow caused by sauna use can help to lower your blood pressure and improve the condition of your arteries. Saunas are also beneficial in those with chronic pain conditions including arthritis. The heat of saunas can help reduce pain and stiffness.

Sauna Usage

Using a sauna can cause you to sweat excessively and produce an increase in your pulse, so it is important to limit your sessions. If you have a medical condition, you should always have someone around while you are using a sauna.

Begin with 20 minutes of sauna time and slowly work your way up to a session that is 30- to 40-minutes-long. When using a sauna suit, you should stick with the recommended amount of daily exercise, which is 30 minutes. Exercising beyond 30 minutes can be dangerous to your health -- you may become faint, dizzy or even dehydrated.

References

Article reviewed by Lauren Fritsky Last updated on: Mar 1, 2011

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