Sauna suits are made of rubber, nylon or plastic and designed to increase the amount you sweat when exercising. Many athletes who compete by weight, such as boxers and wrestlers, use them to achieve rapid weight loss. The loss is only temporary, however, because it's a loss of water weight, not fat. In addition, the rapid loss of water and intense heat that occur when using a sauna suit can lead to dehydration and heat stroke. Because there are risks involved, especially if you have heart or kidney problems, consult a doctor before using a sauna suit.
How They Work
When the core temperature of the body gets hot enough, sweat glands release fluids on the surface of the skin to cool the body down. In a normal situation, the sweat evaporates and cools the body, but sauna suits keep the body heat and sweat trapped, which keeps you hot and makes you sweat even more. The idea is to keep the body temperature raised so you keep sweating the whole time you are working out
Risks
When you are sweating in a sauna suit, you lose a lot of body fluids very quickly. Your core temperature also continues to rise because your body is not being cooled. In this situation, dehydration can rapidly occur, especially if you are not drinking any fluids to replace the ones you are losing. Continual fluid loss can lead to weakness, dizziness and mental confusion, which can make you falter or fall when exercising. If you get severely dehydrated, your kidney and heart can malfunction leading to coma and possibly death. The National Collegiate Athletic Association banned rubber suits in 1998 because two collegiate wrestlers died in 1997 while training with them on.
Expert Opinions
Physicians agree that excessive dehydration as a means to lose weight can harm bodily functions, possibly leading to kidney failure, heat stroke or heart attack, according to Matt Viscardi of Vanderbilt University. Dr. Douglas Casa, of the University of Connecticut, told "The New York Times" that people would be better off avoiding the suit altogether. He recommends staying hydrated while exercising, so you don't get exhausted and can continue exercising, getting the most out of your workout. Ralph Reiff, director of the St. Vincent Sports Performance Center in Indianapolis summed up the situation clearly when he told "The New York Times" regarding sauna suits, "The bottom line is, they're a bad idea, they have always been a bad idea, and they will forever be a bad idea."
Considerations
Weight loss that results from using a sauna suit is only temporary because it is loss of water weight, not fat. As soon as you start drinking and eating again, you will gain back the weight. If you are looking to lose weight permanently, sauna suits won't offer any benefit, and they carry significant risks when used for any length of time and in hot conditions. If you still want to use a sauna suit, consult with your doctor. Stay hydrated before, during and after exercise while using a sauna suit.
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