Can saunas help you lose weight?
Yes, saunas can help you lose weight.
While sauna use should not be a substitute for dieting or exercise, it can contribute to weight and calorie loss. Saunas are famous for helping shed water weight and repairing muscles after a workout.
Knowing how using a sauna could assist in weight loss can help you get the most out of your sauna experience.
If you are looking to begin using saunas regularly, you can start by shopping for an at-home sauna today.
Water weight explained
Water weight is fluid your body holds onto in your blood vessels, tissues and cells. The average human body is made up of 60% to 80% water weight, meaning the slightest loss of water weight can lower your overall weight.
Saunas can help temporarily reduce water weight through sweating. Most sauna users can lose 0.5 pounds to 2 pounds of water weight per session. Depending on the length and temperature of the session, some users claim a loss of 3 pounds to 5 pounds of water weight.
Water weight loss due to sauna use is considered temporary as any weight can return when rehydrating after sauna use.
The science behind saunas and metabolic rate
Understanding the science behind saunas and their effect on metabolic rate can help you get the most out of your sauna use.
Schedule a consultation with an expert to learn more about the science and benefits behind saunas.
How intense heat elevates your heart rate
Intense heat, like the heat you could experience in a sauna, can cause your heart rate to elevate as your body works to cool itself and maintain circulation.
Using a sauna can cause your blood vessels to dilate. This increases blood flow, prompting your heart to beat faster to maintain circulation and regulate your body’s temperature. This is the same effect as moderate exercise.
Do you actually burn calories while sitting in a sauna?
Yes, sitting in a sauna can help you burn calories.
While you are in a sauna, your body cools itself through sweating and increased circulation. This will cause you to burn the same amount of calories as light or moderate exercise, even though you are sitting still. On average, a 30-minute sauna session at 170-180°F can typically burn between 210 and 300 calories depending on your experience with saunas and body type.
How regular sauna use supports a long-term fitness routine
Regular sauna use can help support a long-term fitness routine through muscle recovery after your workout as well as increase endurance for future exercise.
Improving muscle recovery to help you work out harder
Using a sauna after working out can help you accelerate muscle recovery and repair.
Sitting in a sauna increases blood flow, which can deliver more oxygen, nutrients and growth factors to worn muscles. The heat can also work to repair damaged proteins in your muscles and protect your muscles from stress.
Enhancing cardiovascular endurance for better exercise performance
Sauna use can mimic light to moderate exercise, which can increase endurance. Regular sauna use can improve or increase blood plasma, circulation, oxygen delivery and cardiac output. All of these are beneficial and enhance exercise performance and endurance.
Saunas and weight loss: the bottom line
Sauna use can contribute to weight loss if used properly and paired with other beneficial practices. While sauna use can enhance weight loss and support further fitness goals, these are only two of the many benefits sauna users can take advantage of.
Looking to use saunas to help assist weight loss? Start by shopping for a home sauna today.
