We all have a post-workout routine. Some people just get in the shower and head home, while others drop by their favorite fast-food joint to eat something. However, one thing you should consider right now is the idea of spending some time in the sauna after a workout session.
You might be surprised to find that saunas offer a number of health benefits. A study from Harvard Health showed that 49% of people that went to a sauna once a week died during the course of the study, compared to 31% of people that used a sauna four to seven times a week.
The benefits are outstanding. Besides, you don’t even have to stay in there for long. Even a 30-minute session in the sauna will unlock most some of these benefits.
Here is what you get by using the sauna shortly after working out:
1. Protects Your Muscle Mass
Heading to the sauna can play a key role in helping you keep muscle mass. Different people hit the gym for different reasons.
While there is a huge percentage of people who just want to lose weight, others simply want to gain and keep muscle.
This is perhaps the hardest part of training. Building muscle is all about building strength, and it takes time to see results. The last thing you want is to lose that appearance. Using a sauna can actually play a role in this.
In fact, some studies have shown that one person saunas can help preserve your muscle mass for a very long time. Besides, saunas will also help protect against muscle inflammation.
This will help reduce pain and accelerate recovery time so that you are ready for another session the next day.
2. Saunas Are Good for the Heart
A study in Mayo Clinic Proceedings shows that saunas can be great for heart health. If you are at risk of cardiovascular problems, then you should seriously consider these benefits.
Spending as little as 30 minutes in a sauna at Newcastle Gym near you can also help with heart health. It will lower your resting heart rate in the long term, something that will enhance overall cardiovascular endurance.
This will help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. It will also play a role in enhancing exercise endurance so you can work out for more.
Now, keep in mind that other factors may come into play as far as exercise endurance goes. It’s not like you can hop into the sauna every day, and all of a sudden, you are superman lifting all the weight in the gym.
The idea of spending time in the sauna should be seen as a small part of a broader strategy. You must combine it with other things such as regular exercise, stretching, and other activities for the best results.
3. You Will Have an Amazing Skin
People who spend time in the sauna tend to have amazing skin. Now, these benefits will often vary from one person to the next. This is because we all have different skin types and the reactions we get from saunas are not the same.
However, the heat from the sauna is very effective in getting rid of dead skin cells. Besides, there is also a lot of sweating in the sauna.
This helps to improve blood flow across the skin, something that will boost the production of collagen. In the end, your skin will feel more vibrant and radiant than it ever did before.
4. Great for Relaxation
For most people, a session in the gym takes spends a lot of energy. You just get out feeling jaded and tired.
Ending the workout with a few minutes in the sauna can be the pick-me-up you need after an hour or two of weightlifting and cardio.
And it’s not even relaxation after the gym alone. If, for example, you’ve had a very long day, there is no better way to end it than with a session in the sauna. You will feel rejuvenated in both your mind and body. This is one of the reasons that saunas are recommended for sports recovery.
5. Improves Mental Health
The sauna is also a great place to unplug your mind and relax. People these days live a busy life. We are all rushing somewhere, and the pressures we face daily can take a toll even on the strongest among us.
As such, it is often a great idea to just be alone, unplug, and let your mind wander a bit to wherever it may go.
This can help your brain recharge so that it’s ready for the next challenge. Also, the fact that you get to unplug from the torments of daily life can be a great stress reliever.
6. Eases Lower Back Pain
Not everyone experiences back pain. But if you are among those who do, a session in the sauna can do you a world of good.
In fact, many studies have shown that saunas are very effective in dealing with muscle stiffness and soreness.
The good thing about one-person saunas is that they actually bring instant pain relief. Nonetheless, you may still need to seek long-term medical care for your back if the pain is a result of a traumatic injury.
Main Sauna Risks
For all the benefits you get from saunas, there are still some risks involved.
- Gets You Dehydrated
For starters, there is a lot of sweating in a sauna. This means that you are losing lots of water and that ultimately increases the risks of dehydration. For someone who is just coming out of the gym, losing water is the last thing you want. You should read this article we published to learn why dehydration is a problem.
- Makes You Feel Lightheaded
Some people may end up feeling dizzy once they hit the sauna. There are in fact some studies that show that spending time in the sauna may lower blood pressure significantly.
If you have to drive after, make sure the dizziness is gone. Also, if you have had previous issues with blood pressure, consult your doctor before you get into a sauna.
- Reduces Sperm Count Temporarily
Saunas may also have a negative impact on your sperm count. If you are planning to have a baby anytime soon, perhaps it may be a good idea to stay away for the time being.
This, of course, does not mean you shouldn’t visit at all but try to limit the visits to once a week.
Conclusion
Saunas have advantages and disadvantages, but the benefits far outweigh the negative aspects. So, if you have the opportunity to spend some time in onea few minutes of your time in there, just take it.
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