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A sauna is known to be one of the finest ways for individuals to relax and receive numerous incredible health benefits. And, if you are someone who workout regularly, saunas can play a crucial role in enhancing your recovery and building muscles. Not only that, but there are also many other health benefits of sauna after workout that you can get, but only if you use it in the right way.
If you are considering using a sauna after a workout, then read this article. Here, we will discuss everything that you need to know.
What Are Some Different Types Of Sauna?
Before we discuss the benefits of sauna after workout, let’s discuss some of its different types.
Generally, there are many types of saunas that you can find nowadays. However, here are some of the main ones that you should know about:
- Wood Burning Sauna – Wood-burning saunas are considered to be less common but are the best option if you are looking for an authentic experience. You may find it quite similar to the electric sauna, but it is more likely to have a traditional setup. It consists of a metal stove with sauna stones on it, which is used to burn wood and heat up the stones, spreading heat in the overall room.
- Smoke Sauna – Smoke saunas are one of the oldest types of saunas but have now become uncommon. You may find it slightly similar to a wood-burning sauna, but it will have no chimney.
- Electric Sauna – This is known to be one of the most common types of saunas that is used widely. You can literally find them anywhere, including spas, gyms, etc. What’s more? You can also install an electric sauna easily at your home. One of the best things about them is that they are easy to use, as you can turn them on easily by pressing a button. An electric sauna uses rocks or stones in order to retain the heat. If you want to create steam for more heat, splash some water on the rocks.
- Infrared Sauna – Infrared saunas don’t aim to heat the complete room but target only your body. This type of sauna has emerged quite recently and uses infrared waves to heat your body. Also, it is important to know that the temperature of this sauna will be lower in comparison to the traditional saunas.
- Portable Home Sauna – This type of sauna is a perfect choice for people who can’t install a sauna in their home and have a tight budget. You can buy this sauna for only around $200 and avail the benefits that the sauna has to offer. You will simply have to place yourself inside the sauna and turn on the steamer. You may find it slightly weird at first, but it is the best option when it comes to flexibility and affordability.
What Are The Benefits Of Sauna After Workout?
So, here are some of the best benefits that you will get if you use a sauna after your workout session.
1. Enhanced Muscle Recovery
For anyone who wants to build muscles, the recovery part is a must, and saunas can help you very well with that. According to the sources, when you expose your body to heat, the blood vessels get open and relax the muscles. It flows the blood and essential nutrients to the muscles, which ultimately boosts the recovery and growth of your muscles.
2. Improved Cardiovascular Function
Even though a sauna is not recommended to people who are already suffering from bad heart health. But still, there are some studies stating that saunas can help in improving your heart health.
Simply spending 15-20 minutes in the sauna brings along numerous health benefits that prevent many vascular diseases like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and also neurocognitive diseases.
There was also one study, done on 2,000 men, that found people who use saunas had a lower risk of dying from heart disease. However, know that it is not only limited to men; the same effect is on women and is proven in many studies.
3. Improved The Quality Of Your Skin
Another one of the best benefits of sauna after workout is that it will help improve your skin.
Yes, spending 15-20 minutes in the sauna will provide you with glowing skin. Sweating caused by sauna helps remove excessive oil from the skin, clears up the pores, and eliminates any impurities, which leaves you with glowing and vibrant skin.
Hence, if you always desire glowing skin, then using a sauna after the workout can definitely help you.
4. Increased Immunity
Due to the exposure to the heat, your body begins to feel mild stress, which results in increased production of white blood cells, which are considered to be one of the main components that help the body fight infection and bacteria. Not only that, but being in a sauna also improves blood circulation and sends the immune cells to the tissues, which ultimately boosts your immune system.
5. Reduced Stress
Another one of the best benefits of sauna after a workout is that it will help reduce your overall stress. As soon as the heat touches your skin, you will feel the ultimate relaxation. Tension from your muscles will be released, which will put you in a relaxed, meditative, and enjoyable state.
Thus, if you generally find yourself stressed throughout your day, it is advised to indulge in activities like working out and spending some time in a sauna to take care of your mental well-being.
Are There Any Risks Involved Too?
Keeping the sauna’s benefits aside, it is important to know that there are also some risks involved that you must take into account, which include:
May Make You Feel Uncomfortable
Even though saunas are considered for relaxation, still, some people may still find it uncomfortable as their body doesn’t respond well to the exposure to the heat.
If you are also one of them but still want to take the benefits of this heat therapy, then we recommend you start with a smaller session. Stay in a sauna for around 5-10 minutes. As you start to develop a tolerance to the heat, you can increase the time easily. Chances are you will begin to feel comfortable in the sauna.
Not Optimal For The People With Heart Condition
Not only heart related problems, you should consult with your doctor if you are suffering from any underlying health condition before entering the sauna. It will help you avoid any risks that may make your health worse.
Promotes Dehydration
When using the sauna, it is normal for you to get dehydrated due to the heavy sweating it causes, which eventually results in a decent amount of fluid loss in an individual’s body. It may also cause temporary loss of some essential nutrients like magnesium, iron, etc.
What Are Some Tips To Maximize The Benefits Of Sauna?
Here are some tips that you must utilize if you want to take the benefits of sauna to the next level.
- Keep Yourself Hydrated – As mentioned above, sauna can cause dehydration due to the heavy sweating that it causes. Hence, in order to avoid that, ensure to drink a significant amount of water before, in between and after your sauna session.
- Maintain Silence – According to some sources, it is best for you to maintain silence in a sauna to preserve your precious energy and allow yourself to relax and rejuvenate fully.
- Wear the Right Type Of Cloth – To maximize the benefits of a sauna, it is recommended to wear as little clothes as you can; for instance, a towel swimsuit will work perfectly fine. Keep in mind to avoid excessive clothing as it will not let the air flow properly, which will ultimately prevent you from experiencing the full benefits that the sauna has to offer.
- Avoid Wearing Any Accessories – It is also important for you to remove any accessories in the sauna to get their full benefits because there is a risk of these items getting hot, which will ultimately cause you discomfort.
- Do Not Enter Sauna Straight After The Workout – It is recommended not to enter the sauna just after your workout as it may cancel out all the benefits that you could have gotten from the post-workout sauna. Hence, make sure to always let yourself cool down naturally after the workout and then use the sauna.
Conclusion
So, these were some of the best benefits of sauna after workout. If you want to recover and build your muscles more effectively and gain many other benefits, then you should definitely hit the sauna. Remember to utilize the tips we mentioned above in order to get the most out of the sauna.
However, please keep in mind that there are also some risks involved, and it is a must for you to consider to avoid complications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long should you sit in a sauna?
It depends. If you are starting to take a sauna, sit only for around 5-10 minutes. However, for others, the recommended length is 15-20 minutes in order to get the optimal benefits of a sauna.
2. Is it OK to go to the sauna every day?
Yes, it is known that taking a sauna every day is completely OK. However, make sure that you stay hydrated and always maintain mindfulness during your sessions.
3. Does the sauna help build muscle?
Yes, there are some studies showing that saunas can increase muscle regrowth by 30 percent.
4. Can I bring my phone to a sauna?
It is not recommended to bring your phone to the sauna because there are some chances that the heat may damage the internal components of the phone.
5. Does sauna heat damage hair?
Yes, the heat of the sauna can cause your hair to become brittle and dry. Therefore, in order to protect them, try wearing a cap or wrapping your hair with a towel during your sauna session.
