Sauna sessions can have many health benefits for your body. Sitting in a sauna increases your heart rate, and the blood vessels widen. This improves circulation, bringing nutrients and oxygen to the skin. As a result, the overall appearance and health of the skin are improved. Also, the sauna’s moisture and heat can help hydrate your skin, leaving it feeling soft and supple. 

Other health benefits of a sauna are detoxification, pore cleansing, weight loss, stimulation of the immune system, and cell rejuvenation. In addition, the relaxing atmosphere of the sauna can reduce stress and benefit the skin by reducing stress-related conditions like acne. 

In addition to sitting and relaxing in the sauna to detox your body, there are other ways you can improve the benefits you get from your sauna sessions. Exercising is one of the best ways to do so.. While spending time in the sauna increases the heart rate, which can help your body burn calories, adding exercise into the mix can allow you to burn even more calories. However, it is important that you understand the kinds of exercises that are safe to do in a sauna.

If you plan to incorporate exercises in your sauna sessions, you have come to the right place. This article will discuss the kinds of exercises that are safe to do in your sauna. We will also discuss the risks of exercising in a sauna and how you can stay safe while exercising in the sauna. Keep reading to learn more.

What Are The Risks of Exercising in a Sauna?

While working out in a sauna may help you burn more calories and intensify the effects of your sauna sessions, it can negatively affect your body in various ways. Here are some of the risks of exercising in a sauna.

Dehydration

Dehydration is the most common problem encountered by people who use saunas. It happens when more fluids leave the body than enter it and is influenced by various factors, such as the temperature of the sauna, the length of the session, and individual physical characteristics- some people tend to sweat more than others. Exercising in the sauna can also cause dehydration as you are going to sweat more.

Dehydration can cause serious side effects, such as loss of consciousness and low blood pressure. People with certain health conditions like kidney disease may be at a higher risk. If you are feeling weak after exercising in your sauna, chances are you are dehydrated. Therefore, you should end your sauna sessions if you feel dizziness, weakness, or any other form of discomfort. You should also drink plenty of water before, during, and after your sauna session.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses excessive amounts of water and salt through, usually through excessive sweating. The common symptoms of the condition are dizziness, nausea, headache, thirst, irritability, and weakness. Also, you may experience heavy sweating, decreased urine output, and high body temperature.

Exercising in the sauna for too long can lead to heat exhaustion as you will lose a lot of body water and salts through sweating. If you suspect any signs of heat exhaustion, you should leave the sauna immediately and move to a cooler, air-conditioned place. You will also want to take a cool shower and hydrate with water or sports drinks. Be sure to act promptly because heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a serious heat-related illness. The condition occurs when your body is unable to control its internal temperature, causing the temperature to rise rapidly. The common symptoms are headache, confusion, unconsciousness, high body temperature (above 106°F), and no sweating. It can be fatal if not treated on time.

If you have your sauna at too high a temperature or exercise strenuously in the sauna for too long, your body may have difficulty producing enough sweat to cool your body. If you are experiencing any heat stroke symptoms, leave the sauna as soon as possible and try to cool your body. Also, you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

Tips for Safe Sauna Exercises

Sauna exercises can benefit you in many ways. They can deepen your relaxation, improve your blood flow, and help you leave the sauna feeling rejuvenated. Some exercises you can do in your sauna include light stretching, breathing exercises, and light yoga exercises.

Stretching in a sauna is a great way to improve mobility and flexibility. The heat in the sauna improves flexibility by relaxing ligaments and muscles so they can stretch more easily. However, light stretching in a sauna is recommended. If your muscles are overstretched and overrelaxed, they will be less able to support the joints.

You can also do some light yoga exercises in the sauna. The hot sauna environment can boost the health benefits of your yoga in several ways. The heat will reduce joint stiffness and muscle tension, thus reducing the chances of injuries when doing your yoga practice. In addition, heat combined with yoga is good for boosting your mood, detoxing the skin, and soothing aches and pain.

Sauna exposure is also an exercise for the lungs. To breathe efficiently in the sauna, you can use the Box Breathing Method, Wim Hof Method, and any other meditation technique. You will need to ensure that you are sitting up straight with good posture to avoid lung constriction. Also, you should breathe only through your nose as it cools the air more efficiently before it enters the body.

If you have a chronic or acute respiratory health condition, you should not use the sauna until approved by your physician. Also, you should avoid doing any vigorous or strenuous exercise in the sauna. For effective stretching exercises and yoga, you will need to get a sauna that is big enough, like a 4-person or 6-person model.

How to Stay Safe While Exercising in a Sauna

As mentioned, exercising in a sauna can be risky for your body if it is not done correctly. It can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Therefore, it is important to stay safe when working out in a sauna.

Here are a few tips for staying safe while exercising in your sauna.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

Being naked in the sauna can be the best way to get the full benefits from the experience, but it may not be possible if you have guests. When choosing clothes for your session, you should go for something loose-fitting, breathable, and comfortable.

Since exercising in the sauna will make you sweat profusely, you will need to bring at least two towels with you. One towel should be rolled over the mat to prevent you from slipping or sliding. You can keep the second one to wipe yourself down. 

Drink Plenty of Water

Because you are going to sweat more while exercising in the sauna, you should drink plenty of water before, during, and after your sauna sessions. This will help your body generate sweat and prevent dehydration, the most common problem encountered by people who use saunas. Also, you should not exercise in a sauna on a completely empty stomach or immediately after a heavy meal. Light snacks are recommended.

Monitor Your Body Temperature

A typical sauna session should be set at a temperature maximum of 190-195°F. If you are exercising inside your sauna, the recommended temperature is much lower (about 105°F). Also, it is important to monitor your body temperature while inside the sauna. High body temperatures can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke.

Good Post-care

Once you have finished exercising in your sauna, you will need to take a cool shower to clean off your sweat. A cool shower will also help to lower the body temperature. You will also want to drink plenty of water to replace the liquids lost during your sessions. In addition, you should eat foods rich in calcium, potassium, and magnesium to replace lost minerals.

Boost Your Sauna Experience with Safe Sauna Exercises

Remember to stay safe while exercising in a sauna to avoid any health issues. You should drink plenty of water, wear appropriate clothing, and monitor your body temperature. Also, proper post-care will help you lower your body temperature and replace lost minerals and fluid.

If you want to boost your yoga sessions with your very own home sauna, shop the collection of Forever Saunas now to find a beautiful outdoor sauna that is spacious and will last you for years. For any questions, don’t forget to contact our team.