Typically, after a long workout session, we gladly head to the showers in hopes of rinsing off that nasty sweat that has our hair frazzled and our clothes completely drenched. We would like more than anything to peel off that shirt that is practically sticking to our back side and go back to our normal body temperature. However, could you be one of those people who actually prefer this feeling of ickiness? Is sweating profusely one of your goals of the day? If your an avid sauna sitter, than the answer is yes. What might be a sauna sitter? Let’s first define the word sauna. A sauna is a Finnish steam bath in which the steam is produced by pouring water over heated rocks. In other words, if you are a sauna sitter, you are one who goes into a room and sits or lays while taking in a dry heat bath.
But what is the purpose of a sauna? Is sweating for 30 minutes straight beneficial for health? Is sitting in a sauna a source of meditation? Or is a sauna just a fad that only rich people enjoy? You will be surprised to know that the extra sweat you’re pouring from a sauna session is well worth taking. And while you may not have access to a sauna, listen up, because if using a sauna promotes sweating, then this applies to all you who sweat during a hard workout.
Benefits of using a sauna:
*During a 10-20 minute sauna session, your heart rate increases by 50-75%. This provides the same metabolic result as physical exercise. The increased cardiac load is the equivalent to a brisk walk. There is a nominal effect on blood pressure because the heat also causes blood vessels in skin to expand to accommodate increased blood flow.
*Blood vessels become more flexible and there is increased circulation to the extremities. During a sauna, blood flow to the skin increases to as high as 50-70% of cardiac output (compared to the standard 5-10%). This brings nutrients to subcutaneous and surface tissue resulting in glowing healthy skin.
*Steambaths and saunas induce sweating to provide a comprehensive cleansing of the skin and sweat glands. Skin is the largest organ in the body. 30% of body wastes are passed through the skin. Profuse sweating enhances the detoxifying capacity of the skin by opening pores and flushing impurities from the body.
*When taking a sauna, skin temperature rises to 40°C (104°F) and internal body temperature rises to about 38°C (100.4°F). Exposure to the high heat creates an artificial fever state. Fever is part of the body’s natural healing process. Fever stimulates the immune system resulting in increased production of disease fighting white blood cells, antibodies and interferon (an anti viral protein with cancer fighting capability).
*Spas and other such therapeutic facilities utilize saunas and steambaths in conjunction with massage to loosen fatty tissue and assist in the battle against cellulite.
*Many regular steam and sauna users claim that a “good sweat” at the onset helps relieve and ward off the most severe symptoms of cold or flu.
Wow, who knew of all the benefits by just having a good sweat session. It seems that cleansing the skin and fighting off diseases is some of the biggest benefits of using a sauna. But what is great to know is that this is brought about by sweating. That is something we can all do matter where we are. Sitting in a sauna for 20 minutes may not be on your do list for fun, but finding other options for high amounts of sweat may be right up your ally.
Want to work up a sweat but don’t have access to a sauna? Hot Yoga has become one of the biggest workout craze.
Bikram’s Yoga, also known as hot yoga, is a style of yoga developed by Bikram Choudhury. Bikram Yoga is ideally practiced in a room heated to 105 .
By looking at the benefits of using a sauna, whether you have access to one or not, it is made clear that sweating can be beneficial to our bodies. To gain these benefits, you can choose to begin using a sauna, take a hot yoga class, or just in general exercise more. But it is important that while trying these options, we must also remember to stay hydrated. In any case, the results of using a sauna or sweating can be different for each person. But one thing is for certain, don’t say ew to your sweat, embrace it, because it just might be beneficial to your health in the long run.
Questions for you:
Do you or have you ever used a sauna?
I have a sauna in my gym and I find it very relaxing. I tend to use it for 10 minutes before a workout because I feel like it gets me past the warm-up stage and I can jump right into the the exercise that I have planned.
Have you ever tried hot yoga?
I have never tried hot yoga but would absolutely love to!
What type of exercise gets you sweating the most?
I seem to sweat the most during my circuit training class. It pushes me to my limit because it involves every type of exercise from running to squats to weights to running again. I will be posting about this type of workout very soon.
But what is the purpose of a sauna? Is sweating for 30 minutes straight beneficial for health? Is sitting in a sauna a source of meditation? Or is a sauna just a fad that only rich people enjoy? You will be surprised to know that the extra sweat you’re pouring from a sauna session is well worth taking. And while you may not have access to a sauna, listen up, because if using a sauna promotes sweating, then this applies to all you who sweat during a hard workout.
Benefits of using a sauna:
*During a 10-20 minute sauna session, your heart rate increases by 50-75%. This provides the same metabolic result as physical exercise. The increased cardiac load is the equivalent to a brisk walk. There is a nominal effect on blood pressure because the heat also causes blood vessels in skin to expand to accommodate increased blood flow.
*Blood vessels become more flexible and there is increased circulation to the extremities. During a sauna, blood flow to the skin increases to as high as 50-70% of cardiac output (compared to the standard 5-10%). This brings nutrients to subcutaneous and surface tissue resulting in glowing healthy skin.
*Steambaths and saunas induce sweating to provide a comprehensive cleansing of the skin and sweat glands. Skin is the largest organ in the body. 30% of body wastes are passed through the skin. Profuse sweating enhances the detoxifying capacity of the skin by opening pores and flushing impurities from the body.
*When taking a sauna, skin temperature rises to 40°C (104°F) and internal body temperature rises to about 38°C (100.4°F). Exposure to the high heat creates an artificial fever state. Fever is part of the body’s natural healing process. Fever stimulates the immune system resulting in increased production of disease fighting white blood cells, antibodies and interferon (an anti viral protein with cancer fighting capability).
*Spas and other such therapeutic facilities utilize saunas and steambaths in conjunction with massage to loosen fatty tissue and assist in the battle against cellulite.
*Many regular steam and sauna users claim that a “good sweat” at the onset helps relieve and ward off the most severe symptoms of cold or flu.
Wow, who knew of all the benefits by just having a good sweat session. It seems that cleansing the skin and fighting off diseases is some of the biggest benefits of using a sauna. But what is great to know is that this is brought about by sweating. That is something we can all do matter where we are. Sitting in a sauna for 20 minutes may not be on your do list for fun, but finding other options for high amounts of sweat may be right up your ally.
Want to work up a sweat but don’t have access to a sauna? Hot Yoga has become one of the biggest workout craze.
Bikram’s Yoga, also known as hot yoga, is a style of yoga developed by Bikram Choudhury. Bikram Yoga is ideally practiced in a room heated to 105 .
By looking at the benefits of using a sauna, whether you have access to one or not, it is made clear that sweating can be beneficial to our bodies. To gain these benefits, you can choose to begin using a sauna, take a hot yoga class, or just in general exercise more. But it is important that while trying these options, we must also remember to stay hydrated. In any case, the results of using a sauna or sweating can be different for each person. But one thing is for certain, don’t say ew to your sweat, embrace it, because it just might be beneficial to your health in the long run.
Questions for you:
Do you or have you ever used a sauna?
I have a sauna in my gym and I find it very relaxing. I tend to use it for 10 minutes before a workout because I feel like it gets me past the warm-up stage and I can jump right into the the exercise that I have planned.
Have you ever tried hot yoga?
I have never tried hot yoga but would absolutely love to!
What type of exercise gets you sweating the most?
I seem to sweat the most during my circuit training class. It pushes me to my limit because it involves every type of exercise from running to squats to weights to running again. I will be posting about this type of workout very soon.