Here’s Why You Should Hit The Sauna After A Workout

The Finnish word ‘sauna’ refers to a room heated by a stove, and with steam created by throwing water on hot stones. The idea is to spend some time in a much hotter environment than normal, to encourage sweating and to relax both body and mind. Almost every gym and fitness studio these days has a sauna and members are invited to relax there after a workout. You must be wondering, however, why anyone would need or want to sweat any more than they already have. There are evidences that indicate that a sauna has health benefits but, of course, it is not recommended for people with medical conditions to use one without prior discussion with a doctor. 

Benefits of sauna

According to Harvard Medical School, the dry heat of a sauna, which can get as high as 85°C, causes skin temperature to soar to about 40°C within minutes. The heat relieves muscle and joint pain by relaxing the muscles, which in turn speeds up recovery. It also clears metabolic waste from the body as you work up a nice sweat. An average person will pour out a pint of sweat during a short stay in a sauna. Your pulse rate jumps by 30% or more, allowing the heart to nearly double the amount of blood it pumps each minute. The increased blood flow is thought to improve the amount of oxygen and nutrients delivered to the skin. Saunas are also often used to alleviate arthritis, asthma, and chronic fatigue. An Austrian study even found that sauna use may help to reduce the frequency of colds. Some studies show that men suffering from hypertension who use the sauna twice each week actually experience a decrease in blood pressure.

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Precautions

• The sauna is fine for most people in normal health. However, it diverts blood flow to the skin and away from the vital organs. So take care when standing up, and should you feel faint or uncomfortable in any way, it is time to leave. For first timers, it is recommended that the sauna visit be short – just a few minutes. Gradually build up time as your body becomes accustomed to the environment. 20 minutes should be more than enough to work up a good sweat, depending on the temperature and humidity levels. Keep in mind that strenuous exercise and sauna use may cause adverse effects.
• During strenuous exercise, fluid loss is likely. Drink plenty of water during and after exercise before you use the sauna. Without adequate fluid intake, you put yourself at risk for dehydration and heat-related illnesses, such as heatstroke and heat exhaustion. Drink at least 2 to 4 glasses after a sauna as well.
• There is some evidence that saunas should be avoided in early pregnancy. As pregnant women often feel hotter all the time, a sauna may not be comfortable until after the baby arrives.
• Alcohol consumption is ill-advised before and during a sauna session as it works as a depressant, where the blood is moving slowly and the nerve endings shutting down, and counteracts the benefits of the sauna.
• Save the sauna for after your workout. A pre-workout sauna session can leave you dehydrated and overheated before you even start exercising.

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So, fancy trying it out? Find a gym or fitness studio near you that has a sauna and get steaming! If you like this article then don’t forget to hit the like and share button. Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.