Most of the people consider sauna an oversized oven where you can bake yourself for a while until you are tired of sweating and then you are on the verge of a panic attack. Kidding aside, this is what most people think of a home infrared sauna.
New scientific research is helping us better understand its benefits, and humans have a vast history of bathing in hot springs for a variety of reasons.
Athletes can experience maximum performance or enhanced health. Today, I will share more about the best infrared sauna benefits and show you exactly how to get started.
The unexpected health benefits of a home infrared sauna
Medical literature on this subject shows that men who use a sauna twice a week are 31% less likely to die due to cardiovascular problems than men who do not use a sauna.
Other general benefits of using a sauna are numerous, including lower cholesterol, increased mental focus, lower blood pressure, improved endothelial function, decreased inflammation, decreased congestive heart failure, improved attention span, and detoxification of heavy metals and other industrial pollutants.
That’s why regular use of the home infrared sauna can also benefit your sports training.
Is sauna a secret weapon for athletes?
Maybe sitting in a hot room doesn’t sound so sporty, but the title caught your attention, didn’t it? So let’s get started.
High-temperature regulation in the sauna can improve athletes’ performance in three main ways.
Increase endurance
Who doesn’t want to gain an edge over competitors? That’s all we train for, at least for runners, cyclists, etc.
A new study of Sports Science and Medicine found that after exercise, repeated use of saunas by male runners decreased their exhaustion time by 32%.
It will also increase their plasma volume (the liquid portion of the blood) by 7.1% and red blood cell count (RBC) by 3.5%. Guys, more plasma and RBC means more endurance!
Thermal adaptation
Another study of Sports Science and Medicine found that, compared with the control group, having female athletes sit in a sauna suit 20 minutes a day, five days a week can improve their temperature regulation, cardiovascular health, and decrease their stress.
This means that heat triggers their physical adaptation, which makes them more efficient during exercise in hot conditions, which has the psychological benefit of making them feel better.
Increase muscle mass
Yes, you are not mistaken. It turns out that when we suffer from heat stress, our bodies increase the production of growth hormone (GH) in a significant way. Remember that GH is an integral part of muscle hypertrophy
How to start a sauna exercise
These infrared sauna benefits sound good. But the question of how to start next … as with anything else in life, hesitations about trying new things often keep us from growing. Therefore, I want to remove all obstacles and list the things you need to know.
The following is a list of best practices and answers to many common novice questions.
How to find a sauna
Call JNH Lifestyles if you wabt to own a home infrared sauna.
What to bring
In your first session, jump into the shower to rinse off your skin and hair (this makes the heat more tolerable).
Put on a bathing suit and sandals.
Once you are in the sauna
The ideal temperature range you want is 176 to 194 degrees Fahrenheit. You can control the temperature of some saunas, but most saunas are set within the mentioned range.
Important notes and considerations
Using the home infrared sauna safely requires some critical thinking. Here are some essential precautions to keep a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone:
1. The use of a sauna during pregnancy may pose some health risks to a developing fetus. Data on sauna use and pregnancy vary, but you should always use it with caution. If you are pregnant and want a sauna, consult your healthcare provider first.
2. Children cannot adjust the internal temperature like adults, which makes them unsuitable for very hot, dry saunas. If your children insist, you must supervise them, and they should be very short.
3. Anyone diagnosed with a chronic or acute illness and anyone using prescription drugs should consult their healthcare provider before using a home infrared sauna.
4. Don’t drink alcoholic drinks before or during the sauna session.
5. Make sure to eat mineral-rich foods after each sauna, especially if you fast or exercise regularly in addition to the sauna.
I hope this guide will help dispel your misunderstandings and doubts about the home infrared sauna, and who knows … maybe you will be convinced to buy one soon and experience the benefits for yourself.
