It sounds like a fantasy doesn’t it? Shedding those unwanted pounds with infrared sauna weight loss as you relax just sounds too good to be true, yet it is! The Finnish have been using conventional saunas for centuries for many different purposes such as relaxing, achieving health benefits, socializing and giving birth in an almost sterile environment! Although they aren’t as popular in the United States, they are available in most gyms, wellness centers and are gradually making their way into people’s homes.

Is Infrared Sauna Weight Loss Really Possible?

Obviously, saunas are an ideal way to relax and get a good sweat going on, but do saunas help you lose weight? Yes, if you do it right. Many people don’t like a sauna because their first experience was probably in a traditional sauna that is a whopping 200-degree heat. That is very uncomfortable, and most individuals can’t tolerant that heat for more than 10 minutes. An infrared sauna heats up to 110 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is way more easy to endure.

Experts on infrared saunas say that the health benefits include detoxification from heavy metals and toxins, clearer and brighter skin, quicker muscle recovery, and of course, weight loss. Not only do you burn calories in a sauna, but you eliminate water weight as well. Infrared saunas are effective for shedding the stubborn extra pounds you are carrying because the infrared light waves penetrate the skin, eliminating body fat and blood floating fats--such as cholesterol--from your body’s system. After a good sweat during a sauna session, you may notice significant weight loss on the scales right away. Admittedly, most of the weight will be water weight and will come back as soon as you re-hydrate. Nonetheless, there is proof that because infrared saunas are capable of penetrating the skin deeper and raising the metabolic rate, it can aid the body in burning off about 200 - 600 calories per 30-minute session.

How Does Sauna Help Lose Weight?

Infrared sauna weight loss happens because of the amazing effectiveness of infrared technology. Numerous studies have shown that infrared saunas can aid in the reduction of weight and waist circumference when using saunas on a regular basis for three months. Further research reveals that far infrared sauna use is just like moderate exercise, yet more relaxing and likely to be appealing for individuals to do on a regular basis. Therefore, infrared sauna use can improve a person’s lifestyle for those who can’t or don’t want to participate in a conventional exercise program, in example, due to medical conditions. As long as they keep to a healthy diet and use a sauna on a regular basis, they will notice a loss in weight.

Does Sauna Burn Calories?

An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association claims that a session in an infrared sauna burns up to 600 calories. How does it burn the calories? As you sit in a sauna your body’s core temperature increases, so the body has to work hard to cool itself down, which produces that healthy, deep sweat. So how does sauna burn fat? Sauna usage increases the heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate, which helps to burn more calories and leads to weight loss. Some studies have even suggested that consistent use can provide the same benefits that regular exercise does. For example, an improved cardiovascular system. In other words, infrared sauna sessions are giving you a passive cardio workout that is way more relaxing and enjoyable!

How Can Infrared Saunas Make You Look Younger?

Besides achieving fantastic weight loss results, an infrared sauna can turn back the hands of time. This miraculous invention makes you look tenderfoot and juvenile again with its ability to improve skin tone and reduce the signs of aging by encouraging better circulation, blood flow and increased collagen production. Believe it or not, all these simple factors improve the look of your skin enormously. The boost in circulation, flushing of toxins and cellular debris promotes better skin health and offers a radiant appearance.

Are There Mind Benefits?

Besides losing weight and feeling good about yourself, continuous infrared sauna use can help you mentally. Expect to have better mental focus and improved state of mind. The wavelengths in an infrared sauna increase the brain’s serotonin levels and endorphins. When you dedicate at least 30 minutes a day in an infrared sauna, you can elevate and relax your mood. It can also be said that when you feel better about yourself mentally, it can result in more weight loss. Ultimately, infrared sauna use helps individuals feel more relaxed and less stressed.

Which Boosts Metabolism More? - Steam Room Vs Sauna

This is a question that gets asks a lot. What’s better? A steam room or a sauna? They are both good ways to increase metabolism, blood flow and increase tissue repair, but which one is best to use? Which one is going to give us more health benefits, make us feel better and get us through our day more than the other?

First of all, what are the differences between a steam room and a sauna? Besides the obvious where a steam room is going to be more humid and a sauna is going to be dry. Steam rooms and saunas are going to have a lot of metabolic effects. Both saunas and steam rooms originated from Finland and this is what the Finns claim attributes to their longevity, slim deposition and overall good health. In both options they provide the following health benefits:

Increase In Blood Flow

When your body has an increase in blood flow, more nutrients go to the muscles. Also, there’s more oxygen to the muscles which means they can recover faster especially after strenuous exercise.

Increased Metabolism

This is due to the thermic effect. As mentioned before, when you have an increase in your core body temperature, your metabolism increases at least for the time being that you are in the sauna or steam room, as well as another 30 or 60 minutes afterward as your body is trying to regulate its temperature again. Generally, your heart rate will increase, you start sweating, you feel more exhausted even though you are just sitting there.

Reduces Inflammation

This happens through a hormonal point of view. When you put your body through extreme heats, your body temporarily releases noradrenaline, adrenaline and cortisol. These little bursts of noradrenaline, adrenaline, and cortisol reduce muscular inflammation as well as cellular inflammation. Therefore, when you are in the sauna and for a short time afterward, your body is able to recover better not only at a muscular level but at a cellular level for your organs too.

At the end of the day, it all depends on what your goal is. However, sitting in a sauna, especially an infrared sauna, is better for you. This is because the infrared wavelengths can get deep into the fatty and subcutaneous tissues in the skin to provide a deeper sweat for more positive effects. A steam room will make you sweat as much as an infrared sauna, which is great for detoxing. On the other hand, if you want to elevate your mood, reduce muscle stiffness and inflammation while detoxing at the same time an infrared sauna is the way to go.