What is healthy about using a Sauna? If anything. . .

[Scrapster]

I work out at a local gym and I always pass by the sauna room. I've never had the impulse to give it a try, but I'm curious. I heard it's just a room with a lot of hot steam where you can sit down and take a load off your feet. My question is, what is so healthy about them? Do they decrease body fat or add muscle? What purpose do they serve, healthwise.

 

[wyvrn]

Well they make you sweat a lot, so I guess you are losing water weight.

 

[Electric Amish]

The sweating cleans out pores.

The steam re-hydrates skin.

amish

 

[GasX]

a sauna and a steam room are two different things.

A sauna is a hot dry room and a steam room is, well, steamy.

As long as you don't spend too much time in either they can be wonderful.

After a workout, spend a couple of minutes in the sauna and then a couple in the steam room. Then take a cool shower. You will feel very invigorated. Be sure to hydrate, as you will be sweating.

they are also a great way to fight hangovers.

 

[ratkil]

I find them really relaxing after a workout, and also to loosen up before working out if I just came in from the cold. As far as health value I have no idea.

 

[TripleJ]

Maybe there's a bit of a placebo affect.

 

[GasX]

The heat relaxes your muscles - good
The heat causes you to sweat - good

Why is sweat good? Sweat basically has the same makeup as urine. It is good to purge the sweat glands now and again. Your body also uses sweat to get rid of things. Ever smell like alcohol or garlic? a good healthy sweat cleans you out. As long as you hydrate after, it is very healthy.

 

[Farmall]

Sauna is a generic term. There are a number of sauna's - dry, wet(steam), infrared and tylarium. Tylarium is a combination of dry and steam, either dry, wet or both.

Generally you should'nt stay for more than 1/2 hr. per time.
As several have posted earlier the sauna cleanses your pores and skin. Very relaxing.
Wet saunas can be quite hot - 200 plus degrees.

 

[highland145]

I was told by my doctor that the light from portable saunas doesn't penetrate the body unless you are within six inches or so of the actual bulb….he's not always a fountain of truth, but I thought I would ask how the saunas are set up. It would seem that the bigger one's may be less effective if this is true.

Truth.

Please don't quote the spam.

AT Moderator ElFenix

 

[steppinthrax]

I'm a gym rat. I visit my gym daily. Hell I was in there this morning at around 5:00 and I will be there again tonight.

I've read two studies that looked at the lifespans of people who use saunas and those who don't. It was statistically shown that those who use saunas on a regular basis live longer. They have a lower incident of cardiovascular issues as well as neurological issues etc... It could simply be that those who use saunas are exercise before, but I doubt it. They looked at those who used it v.s. those who didn't and it was a long term scientific study. So things such as this were "corrected out".... I also read it helps with the immune system. Apparently an elevated body temp is similar to a fever, so it gives that body an "assist" with dealing with the daily invaders etc.

In terms of "detox" and "losing weight", that's bullshit, I'd doubt that it does much to help that.

 

[highland145]

I've read two studies that looked at the lifespans of people who use saunas and those who don't. It was statistically shown that those who use saunas on a regular basis live longer. They have a lower incident of cardiovascular issues as well as neurological issues etc... It could simply be that those who use saunas are exercise before, but I doubt it. They looked at those who used it v.s. those who didn't and it was a long term scientific study. So things such as this were "corrected out".... I also read it helps with the immune system. Apparently an elevated body temp is similar to a fever, so it gives that body an "assist" with dealing with the daily invaders etc.

So if I get 6 days a week of cardio and sweat my ass off (removing toxins) and raised body temp, I "should" have a similar effect, right?

 

[steppinthrax]

So if I get 6 days a week of cardio and sweat my ass off (removing toxins) and raised body temp, I "should" have a similar effect, right?

IDK, but that's a good point, because any kinda cardio is going to increase body temp. I know most people can't stand to be in a sauna for only 10 mins etc. Whereas you can do a whole hour of cardio.

 

[SKORPI0]

New record, 17 year necro.