How Many Calories Do You Burn in a Sauna

Does sauna burn calories, or is it just a sweaty myth? That is what everyone has ever asked once in their lives when seeking simpler ways of burning calories without any effort.

If you have wondered if sitting in a sauna actually helps in weight loss or calorie burning, then you are not alone. It's easy to be confused with many opinions out there.

But don't you worry, this article is here to help. We will explain how saunas work, what they do to your body, and whether they can actually help you burn calories. By the end, you'll know if adding sauna sessions to your routine is a good idea for your goals.

What's Sauna?

The sauna is basically a small chamber or enclosed space, heated for either dry or wet heat conditions, which helps an individual relax and unwind. The temperature usually ranges between 150°F and 195°F, or from 65°C to 90°C, thus hot in conditions, making your body promote heavy sweating.

Saunas trace their history back centuries and have their origin in Finland, with their conceptions actually used for relaxing, social gatherings, and even for healing purposes.

The basic idea behind a sauna is simple: the exposure of one's body to heat offers a wide array of potential benefits that range from improved circulation all the way to stress relief.

There are quite a few different sauna types available in the market today; each uses a slightly different method for creating heat. Whether it be traditional or modern, saunas remain popular in their ability to help people feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

How Different Types of Saunas Work

There are various types of saunas, and each operates a little differently to build heat. Here's a simple explanation of some of the most common types:

• Traditional Finnish Sauna

This is a type of sauna that relies on heating the air in the enclosure above the human body, usually from a heater. This heater may be electric or wood burning, and with a pile of stones placed over it to retain the heat. When water is poured over the hot stones, steam will be produced, therefore making the room hot and steamy.

• Infrared Sauna

Infrared saunas work by heating your body directly with special lamps or panels, rather than heating the surrounding air. They operate at lower temperatures-120°F–140°F-which some people find more comfortable, though you will still be sweating profusely.

• Sauna Steam Room

Steam saunas involve moist heat that is generated from a steam generator. The air is fully saturated, mostly at 100% humidity, and feels damp and warm. This is an excellent type of sauna for the skin and can make breathing easier.

• Electric Sauna

The electric sauna is similar to the traditional variety, but it uses electric heaters instead of wood. Most of these saunas can be found in gyms and other places for physical activity. You can also easily control the temperature inside an electric sauna.

• Portable Sauna

Portable saunas are compact and can fit in any home space easily, and they are set up easily. They use infrared or steam to emulate the experience of sauna treatment. They are ideal for either a person with very little space or on a budget.

Each type of sauna has its unique features, but they all work toward raising your body temperature and inducing sweating. Choose the one that best suits your needs and comfort.

How Does the Sauna Influence Your Body?

Using a sauna affects your body in many ways, mostly because of the high temperature and the sweating associated with it.

Here's what happens when you step inside a sauna:

• Increases Heart Rate

The heat causes your heart to beat like during light exercise, thus raising the blood flow within all parts of your body, improving your circulation.

• Makes You Sweat

A high temperature in a sauna makes your body perspire more than usual. Perspiration cools the body, and by the way, some toxins can be excreted from the organism this way.

• Relaxes Your Muscles

The heat can ease tension in your muscles and joints, making saunas a popular choice for people with sore muscles or stiffness.

• Promotes Stress Relief

Sitting in a sauna is generally considered a leisure activity for most people. The quiet and warm atmosphere tends to reduce stress and relaxes a person.

• Boosts Your Metabolism

The heat makes your body work harder in order to stay cool, boosting your metabolism and burning a small amount of calories much faster.

These effects are temporary, but frequent use of a sauna can give an improvement in blood flow as long-term benefits, reduction in muscle ache, and alleviating stress.

Do You Really Burn Calories During a Sauna Operation?

Yes, you do burn calories in a sauna, but it is not like working out. Your body spends energy on its active process of cooling down while you are just in the sauna. This process is described as thermoregulation, raising your pulse, which will make your body burn some extra calories.

However, the amount of calories burned within a sauna is quite minimal in comparison to other physical activities, such as walking or running.

Most of the weight that one loses through a session of sauna is basically water weight through sweat, which a person quickly puts back once he rehydrates.

While the sauna alone will not burn a lot of calories, it can be added to a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a proper diet to enhance overall well-being.

Sauna Sessions and Weight Loss

Sauna sessions can make you lose weight temporarily, but it's mostly water weight from sweating. When you sweat a lot in the sauna, your body loses water, which can make the scale show a lower number. However, this is not fat loss, and the weight comes back once you drink water again.

But since saunas don't burn a good number of calories on their own, they are not capable of causing big weight loss. But they can be supportive in some ways. It can help a person relax and recover from workouts, and improve blood flow, which, in turn, may help keep the body healthy.

For long-term weight loss, sauna sessions should be combined with regular exercise, healthy eating, and staying hydrated. Saunas can help, but they aren't a replacement for working out or eating right.

How Many Calories Can You Expect to Burn in a Sauna?

It essentially is dependent upon factors relating to your personal physiology as well as the ambient temperature of the sauna and the overall duration of your stay therein.

All things considered, an individual can burn an average of roughly 10 to 20 calories every one and a half minutes spent within that environment.

Although the rough estimation would be about the same, this number is considerably higher for an overweight individual who naturally perspires a bit more since they take more tension trying to cool themself down quickly enough.

It is important to note that sauna sessions themselves do not burn many calories, especially when compared to other forms of physical activities such as walking or jogging. Much of the weight lost in a session of sauna is through sweating, which is temporary and regained once one rehydrates.

If you're using a sauna as part of your wellness routine, think of it as a way to relax and support your body, not as a main tool for burning calories.

Other Benefits of Using a Sauna

While there is indeed some minimal added benefit in terms of calorie burning, there are many other advantages to utilizing saunas that will help to improve your overall health and well-being.

Here are some additional benefits you might enjoy cosponsoring regular usage of the sauna:

Improves Skin Health

The heat and perspiration of the sauna will help open up your pores and clean your skin. It might just leave the skin looking fresher and more vibrant after removing dirt and toxins.

Boosts Circulation

The heat of the sauna dilates your blood vessels, thus increasing the blood flow in your body. In its turn, it will provide a better blood supply through every part of your body and facilitate muscle recovery by reducing common pain or circulatory problems you are feeling.

Reduces Stress

It helps in releasing all your body and mind by sitting in a sauna. Serenity in the environment and heat contribute to lower levels of stress, thus leaving you relaxed after a session.

Relieves Pains in the Muscles and Joints

The heat from the sauna relaxes tight muscles and soothes aching joints, making it a very good way of recovering after some serious physical activity or relieving chronic pain.

Improves Sleep

Many find their sleep is aided by using the sauna. The heat can relax a person, promoting deeper and more restful sleep.

Improves Mental Clarity

Sauna relaxation can clear the mind, reduce anxiety, and help you focus. This can be taken advantage of to improve your daily life.

FAQs

Can you burn fat in a sauna?

No, you can't burn fat in a sauna. The weight you lose is mostly water weight from sweating. While saunas can increase your heart rate, they don't burn fat like exercise does.

How long should you stay in the sauna to burn calories?

It is estimated that a person might spend 15-20 minutes in the sauna, through which he will burn about 10 to 20 calories. This, however, is approximated since the exact measurement depends on factors such as the individual's weight and how hot the sauna is. Just pay attention to your body and don't overdo it.

Do saunas help with post-workout recovery?

This sauna will definitely help after your workout because the heat relaxes your muscles, helps to reduce soreness, and improves blood circulation for quicker muscle recovery.

Is it possible to use a sauna every day with no risks?

Sauna use can be risky each day if one does not replenish the loss of water. One may get overheated or dehydrated by overexposure to heat. The remedy to all this is to drink plenty of water and avoid spending too much time inside the hot cabin for safety reasons.

How many calories would you burn in an infrared sauna versus a traditional sauna?

Infrared saunas use lower temperatures, so you may burn fewer calories than in a traditional sauna. However, infrared saunas heat your body directly, which some find better for relaxation and muscle recovery.

Sauna before or after the workout: which one is better?

It is always better to use a sauna after training. After training, the sauna relaxes the muscles and reduces soreness. Using it before the workout may make one feel too tired or relaxed, which might reduce performance.