Warm sauna before a workout
While some people may argue there is no reason to add a sauna session before a workout, there are a few benefits to doing so.
They are right in a way because you might feel exhausted after the sauna.
However, when our body temperature gets high our muscles start to loosen up. This can lead to a better range of motion and less risk of injury during your workout.
The warmth of the sauna also gets our heart pumping which can lead to improved circulation.
A few minutes of sauna bathing session before a workout can help you get some extra cardio in and prepare your muscles for the upcoming physical activity.
However, you should not avoid traditional warm-up exercises just because you took a sauna.
It is still important to prepare your body for the workout with some light stretching and joint mobility exercises.
Sauna after a workout
After an intense workout, our muscles get tight, inflamed, and in need of some serious recovery. Spending a couple of minutes in the sauna after a training session can help with that.
The high heat of the sauna can help to improve blood circulation and increase the flow of oxygen to your muscles. This can speed up the muscle recovery process and help you to feel better faster.
In addition, saunas can help you lose weight and improve your cardiovascular health.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that using a sauna four times a week can lead to significant weight loss over three months.
Another study found that sauna use can help improve cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure and improving heart function. Our blood vessels get dilated in the heat which can lead to a decrease in blood pressure.
The heart also doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood around the body when we are in the sauna.
Sauna post-workout sessions are great for your mental health as well. You can relax for a while after a tiring day and let all your stress melt away in the heat.
Other health benefits of saunas
Saunas are not only good for muscle recovery and improving cardiovascular health.
There are many other health benefits associated with sauna use. Let’s find out how saunas can help you think-longer, faster, stronger.
- Improving high blood pressure
- Lactic acid removal
- Reducing stress
- Aiding in respiratory health
- Detoxification
- Skin purification
- Increasing blood circulation
- And more
These are some other sauna benefits that you might not have known about.
Conclusion
So there you have it! Whether it’s a traditional sauna or infrared, you can reap the benefits of using one before or after your workout. If you have never tried it before, we suggest giving it a go. And remember, always drink plenty of water to stay hydrated!