4 Benefits of doing a sauna after exercise, apart from relaxation

Many fitness centers have a sauna (steam bath) in them. It is provided as a place to relax the body after exercise. However, are there any other benefits of doing a sauna after exercise apart from relaxing the body and mind? Or maybe the sauna after exercise is actually dangerous? Check out the following reviews.

Overview of the sauna

Sauna or steam bath takes place in a closed room with a temperature of about 65 to 90 degrees Celsius. Usually people spend 15 to 30 minutes in a sauna, depending on how tolerant your body is to the heat. The energy expended during a 30 minute sauna is equivalent to running about 10 kilometers.

After getting used to doing the sauna, you can increase your endurance time during the sauna by 40 minutes. However, it is not recommended to do a sauna more than once a day.

According to Rhonda Perciavalle Patrick, Ph.D., saunas provide a rapid improvement in athletic performance to the body. That's why many athletes do this activity after exercising, as reported by the Mercola health site. In addition, a similar statement by dr. He noted that saunas can also help increase endurance and strength in athletes.

Benefits of sauna after exercise

Providing sauna facilities in the fitness center has many benefits as long as it is done correctly. Here are some of the benefits of a sauna after exercise.

1. Relaxation and speed up the muscle recovery process

After doing sports, the muscles in the body are damaged and tensed. Saunas are a great way to relax muscles after exercise. Especially if someone experiences symptoms of muscle pain or minor injuries within one or two days after exercising or taking place during sports. The pain usually persists for up to 72 hours. However, after doing a sauna the damaged muscle will heal faster and the pain will be less.

According to Live Strong, The Nort American Sauna Society reveals that saunas help reduce sore muscles due to the production of endorphins. Saunas also help remove lactic acid and toxins released during exercise and help increase blood flow throughout the body so that muscles are refreshed. However, this research has not been fully agreed upon by experts.

Saunas are also believed to help reduce pain and fatigue in people who have joint pain due to rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.

2. Maintain endurance

When doing a sauna, one's body temperature, pulse and metabolism will increase. This makes the blood vessels more flexible and improves blood circulation, which carries oxygen throughout the body and lowers blood pressure. All of these can improve the cardiovascular mechanism thus avoiding heart disease.

3. Burn calories

Exercise may be a great way to lose weight. However, by combining it with a sauna, the results will be even better. Because, when doing a sauna, heat causes an increase in heart rate and the body burns more calories than sitting in a room with a normal temperature.

Although the effect is not too big, it can optimize the balance of body weight during a diet program.

4. Detoxification

Taking a sauna can cause you to sweat a lot. This means that the neutralization of toxins removed from the body is also maximized. Especially toxins that stick to the skin, such as bacteria, dead coolies, excess oil, and dirt (toxins and metals) from food, water and air will be removed along with sweat. Of course this will make your skin cleaner after exercising.

What needs to be considered if you want a sauna after exercise

The bad possibility that occurs when doing a sauna is dehydration. Moreover, you have been exercising and sweating. For that, it is important to consume lots of water before doing a sauna. Get out of the room immediately if you feel symptoms of dehydration such as weakness, dizziness, dry skin, and nausea.

For those of you who are trying it for the first time, you should do the sauna gradually, first do it for 5 minutes first and continue to increase to 30 to 40 minutes when you get used to it. After doing the sauna, be sure to drink two to four glasses of water and eat the recommended foods after exercise. You can do it routine; twice a week to keep blood pressure stable.