Exercising in a steamy room or sauna is the new trend in exercise. The idea here is that sweating would enhance the effects of your workout so you get more out of it. Is it safe, however, to exercise in a hot and humid setting?
In this article, we’re going to examine the advantages and disadvantages of working out in a hot room and what you need to think about if you do decide to give it a go.
The Allure of Working Out in the Heat
There are several exercise trends that include the addition of heat to an exercise session, including infrared sauna therapy, hot yoga, and heated spin. The allure of sweating in a warm environment is strong, and it leaves many individuals feeling invigorated after exercise. But what happens to your body when you exercise in the heat?
Benefits of Working Out in a Steamy Environment
Here are the benefits of exercising in a steamy environment:
1. Racing Heartbeat
Working out in the heat increases the body’s regular heart rate. This is likely a copycat effect replicating the conditions of a more difficult workout session, making your heart rate challenging enough, despite you probably working out less.
2. Enhanced Circulation
Heat stimulates blood flow, and that keeps your cardiovascular system as well as your muscles in top shape. Enhanced circulation increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
3. Better Detoxification
Sweating removes toxins from your body. Working out in a hot atmosphere causes sweating, which can detox your body.
4. Better Flexibility
Heat loosens muscles and joints, allowing stretching and increased flexibility. This is particularly beneficial for exercises like yoga and Pilates.
5. Stress Relief
Heat and exercise together are an excellent source of stress relief. Many people comment that exercising in a warm climate relaxes them and leaves them feeling peaceful.
Infrared Saunas: A Unique Benefit
Infrared saunas are becoming increasingly popular due to their health benefits. While traditional saunas warm the surrounding air, infrared saunas employ infrared light to warm your body directly. This causes deeper tissue penetration and many health benefits, including:
• Boosting the immune system
• Boosting metabolism
• Healing wounds
• Relaxing stress and improving concentration
A Natural Cardiovascular Response
When you are in an infrared sauna, your heart rate goes up, just like it does when you exercise. Placing exercise here generates the perfect degree of these effects, possibly bringing amazing health benefits to many people.
Risks of Exercising Under the Heat
Despite the many advantages of exercising in heat, determining the dangers of exercising in heat is of significant importance. Some of them include:
Increased Cardiovascular Load
Working out in the heat is another strain on your cardiovascular system. As your body heats up, it redirects blood away from your muscles so that it can cool. This causes your heart to pump harder to get the blood moving, which isn’t always beneficial for you, particularly for some people.
Who Should Not Do Sauna Workouts?
People with Pre-existing Conditions
If you have neurological disabilities, heart disease, or conditions that make you unable to sweat, it’s recommended that you exercise in a warm room. This includes individuals with:
• Spinal cord injuries
• Multiple sclerosis
• Other conditions that interfere with normal sweating
Pregnant Women
Exercise in a warm room is risky for pregnant women because excessive heat can lead to maternal hyperthermia and an increased risk of neural tube defects in the infant.
Children
Children are less good at maintaining body heat than adults and will, as a result, be more prone to overheating.
The Risk of Dehydration
Sweating is an automatic response to heat, but excessive sweating will lead to dehydration. Sweating not only results in the loss of water, but you also lose important electrolytes. Dehydration will lead to dizziness, tiredness, and headaches.
Safety Measures for Exercising in the Heat
If you’re determined to try working out in a heat room, the following safety measures must be taken:
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water prior to, during, and after exercise. Some people believe that sports drinks will replace lost electrolytes.
Listen to Your Body
Observe your body’s cues. If you start to feel dizzy, nauseous, or extremely fatigued, stop exercising immediately.
Gradually Progress to Increased Intensity
If you are new to exercising in the heat, start with light exercise and let your body adjust through progressively increasing intensity.
Take Breaks
You don’t have to think twice about taking breaks during exercise to cool down and rehydrate.
Cool Down Afterwards
At the end of the exercise, let your body cool down before exiting the hot setting. This avoids sudden changes in body temperature.
Consult a Professional
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns, it’s best to refer to the advice of a medical professional before undertaking any new fitness regimen, especially in warm weather.
Incorporating Working Heat into Your Routine
If you do decide to incorporate exercising in a hot room into your routine, there are several practical considerations:
• Select the Right Environment: Locate gyms or spas with infrared saunas or steam rooms. Increasingly, gyms and clubs are providing them these days, so you can exercise in the heat safely.
• Use with Low-Level Exercise: Combine steam exercise with low-level exercise, such as yoga, tai chi, or stretching. They can enhance the effects of heat without turning you into a candidate for overexertion.
• Check Your Progress: Watch the way your body is reacting to exercising in the heat. If you begin to feel exhausted or sick, it is time to alter your approach.
Final Thoughts
Sweating in a warm room is safe and healthy for most, provided you are knowledgeable about what to watch for. While the warmth of the room will surely make your workout more stimulating and more beneficial for your health, you should also pay attention to your body and watch out for the dangers as well.
Drink plenty of water, warm up slowly, and monitor your body during exercise periods. With the proper measures, you will gain benefits by exercising under warm weather conditions at no risk whatsoever. If it’s to become part of the daily routine for you, a home infrared sauna for convenience as well as seclusion would not be a bad idea.
For those who don’t have pre-conditions, taking advantage of the heat to boost your workouts is a thrilling and great way to improve your well-being and physical health. Enjoy the heat, but safety and well-being first always!
