There's been some speculation lately regarding weight loss and its possible connection to infrared sauna use. Since weight loss is something that  so many people take an interest, it’s not uncommon to hear questions like “do saunas help you lose weight?” or “do you burn calories in a sauna?” when you’re in a gym or a doctor’s office. In this article, we will endeavor to separate fiction from fact regarding infrared sauna weight loss.

Does Sauna Use Help You Lose Weight?

The answer is that yes, you can lose weight  using an infrared sauna. It happens because when you sit in an infrared sauna for a 30 or 40-minute period, your heart rate is elevated as a response to the heat, similar to  a light cardio workout, like walking briskly or doing  jumping jacks.

Does a Sauna Burn Calories?

Indeed it does, though you’re not going to drop thousands of calories through the use of a far infrared sauna. The general estimate is that you lose between 500 and 800 calories during a 40-minute infrared sauna session. If you’re consuming 2,000 calories a day, then that is not an insignificant amount, but if weight loss is your goal, the likelihood that you’re going to suddenly see a svelte physique from sauna use alone is slight.

The reality is that infrared sauna weight loss alone is not an idea that you should have in your mind, or you’re bound to be disappointed. The infrared sauna can help you in many areas, but diet and exercise combined with its use are going to be much more effective than using the sauna exclusively and thinking you’ll start to drop serious weight. A sauna of any kind does not “burn fat” regardless of what you might have heard.

The Best Use of an Infrared Sauna for Weight Loss

The best way to try and lose weight with an infrared sauna is to use it before or after workouts, or else you can fit a session in on days when you cannot make it to the gym or take a jog around the neighborhood. That way you’re using it as one of several tools in your weight loss arsenal, and your expectations will make a lot more sense.

There is no doubt that a far infrared sauna can be a part of your weight loss plan, but don’t expect an immediate change just because you have started home sauna sessions. Try to make wholesale changes in your life if you want to see some significant weight loss, and let increased sauna use be just one of them.

You should also take steps like eating less fast food, trying to increase your intake of nuts, raw vegetables, or fruits as snacks, and eating meals that are loaded with fiber and less processed foods. You should also drink more water and eliminate or reduce your consumption of sugary sodas or even the so-called diet varieties.