Some people use a sauna to help lose weight, primarily because manufacturers list weight loss as one of the benefits of a sauna.
This is not harmful in itself as using a sauna are a healthy habit and be a helpful tool for weight loss.
However there are limitations. the idea that you will lose 30 pounds sitting comfortably for 30 minutes in a sauna is a myth. Its an idea we love saunas are cheaper than gyms. There are even a number of saunas for sale
Read on to find out the truth about Saunas and weight loss.
A recent study by a group of researchers at the School of Health Sciences at Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia on the 'Weight management and weight loss strategies of professional jockeys' found that up to 29% of Australian jockeys admitted to sweating induced weight loss before weigh ins.
Use of sauna to lose weight
Losing weight - relaxing in a sauna and losing weight?
Source: By Thomas Wanhoff from Saigon, Vietnam [CC-BY-SA-2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Any sport that has weight categories demands a trade off between less weight and loss of muscle power. Athletes prefer to train and build skills at a weight where they have increased strength, then drop the pounds a few days or even hours to competition time.
Sweating induced weight loss is one of the ways jockeys have used to lose weight fast.
Difference between Weight Loss and Fat Loss
The truth is that while sitting in the sauna for 30 minutes will make you weigh less, the weight lost is from water loss.
You sweat in a sauna and sweat is mostly salt and water. The weight you lose in a sauna is as a result of the water you are shedding.
As soon as you rehydrate, you’ll gain some or all of this weight back. If you rehydrate with anything that’s not water, you may even gain extra weight back in fat.
However there are other benefits a sauna can provide for losing weight. See a number of sauna weight loss below.
Combine this activity with saunas and watch the weight drop off
Sitting back and exercising, a great way to lose weight
Sauna as a calorie burner - How many calories can you burn in a sauna
Many of us (myself included) strongly believe that since when you need to overheat to sweat, energy is being lost.
Sweating causes the body to work harder and therefore burn more calories. This is undoubtedly all true.
You will burn more calories sitting around in a sauna than you will if you were sitting around watching TV. So if you must sit and stare and still lose some weight (even if it can only be measured in milligrams) you might as well sit in the sauna.
The science is that energy is required for your sweat glands to release sweat, and your heart will pump harder, burning more energy.
However, your heart is the only muscle that gets a workout in a sauna. You’ll actually burn more calories by spending 30 minutes on a gentle walk than you will by spending 30 minutes in the sauna.
In addition if you have cardiac challenges, then you should see a doctor before inducing increased heart activities.
Sauna as a Detoxifier - A Sauna Detox will boost weight loss
Another method of increased weight loss that a sauna can help with is by detoxifying your body.
When you heat up your body, the rate of blood circulation increases. Some experts believe that a sauna can help your kidneys flush out solvents, heavy metals and other toxins faster. The increased sweating facilitates faster loss.
A good detox program can sometimes help to jump start the body to resume shedding pounds when you have reached a weight loss plateau.
However, a sauna can’t help you lose weight all by itself in this manner. You need to take saunas in addition this to a healthy diet and exercise program.
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Other Ways that a Sauna Can Help You Lose Weight
A sauna is an excellent stress reliever. Saunas are relaxing and relieve all sorts of tension. saunas lead to the production of endorphins. If you eat more when you’re stressed, this can help you lose weight by eating less.
Sitting in a sauna after a workout can ease any pain you feel in your muscles later. This has two added benefits. First, if you avoid working out because of the pain you feel later, this can help you be more likely to get the exercise you need. Second, it speeds your recovery time so you’ll be ready to work out again sooner than if you had not used the sauna.
The idea that just sitting in the sauna can help you lose weight is a myth. It is the truth distorted in a way to mislead you. While the sauna can aid you in losing weight, it is important that you continue to lead a healthy lifestyle, which means a healthy, balanced diet used in conjunction with plenty of activity and exercise. Whatever yo do, avoid sitting in a sauna for mare than 30 minutes at a time.