Are you curious about the benefits of wearing a sauna suit during exercise? I’ve been wearing sweat suits (another name for sauna suits) during my workouts for years now and know the benefits of wearing one inside out.
One of the main benefits that most people know of utilizing a sauna suit is that it can help you lose weight. By increasing your body temperature and promoting sweating, sweat suits can help you shed excess water weight.
They can also help you burn more calories during your workout, which can lead to long-term weight loss. Wearing a sauna suit can help you make weight for sporting competitions (think of sports like boxing and MMA), which is important for athletes who need to hit a certain weight class.
Health and Fitness Benefits
When it comes to health and fitness, wearing a sauna suit can offer numerous benefits. I make it a point to wear one for part of my workout throughout the week because of the health benefits I’ve noticed for myself.
Here are some of the biggest ones:
#1. Weight Loss and Metabolism
Wearing a sauna suit can help you lose weight and boost your metabolism. As you exercise, the suit increases your body temperature, which causes you to sweat more. This increased sweating can lead to a temporary loss of water weight, which can help you reach your weight loss goals more quickly.
It doesn’t stop there. The heat generated by the sauna suit can speed up your metabolism, which can help you burn more calories throughout the day. This increased calorie burn can also help you lose weight in the long run and help your endurance levels.
#2. Detoxification and Skin Health
“Sweat it out” isn’t just a popular saying. Sweating is a natural way for your body to detoxify and rid itself of harmful toxins. Wearing a sweat suit can help you sweat more due to the material they are made of, which can aid in the detoxification process.
Sweating can help improve your skin health by opening up your pores and allowing your skin to breathe. This increased circulation can help reduce the appearance of cellulite and improve the overall tone and texture of your skin.
#3. Cardiovascular and Respiratory Improvement
Wearing a sauna suit can also improve your cardiovascular and respiratory health. As you exercise, the increased heat and sweating can help improve your cardiorespiratory fitness, which can reduce your risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular problems.
Think about it: you’re conditioning your body to perform while under controlled duress.
Lastly, the suit can help improve your lung function by increasing your lung capacity and improving your overall breathing. This improved respiratory function can also help reduce your risk of respiratory problems and improve your overall health.
Over the years, I’ve noticed that I don’t get as “tired out” as I used to when doing intense activities and I last longer.
Pros and Cons
When it comes to wearing sauna suits, there are both pros and cons to consider:
Pros
Wearing a sauna suit can provide several benefits, including:
- Increased sweating: Sauna suits can help increase sweating, which can aid in weight loss and detoxification.
- Improved performance: Some studies have shown that wearing a sauna suit during exercise can lead to improved performance and increased cardiovascular fitness.
- Increased flexibility: Wearing a sauna suit can help increase flexibility, which can be beneficial for athletes and those who engage in regular exercise.
- Water weight loss: Wearing a sauna suit can help promote water weight loss, which can be beneficial for athletes who need to make weight for competitions.
Cons
While there are benefits to wearing a sauna suit, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider, including:
- Dehydration: Wearing a sauna suit can lead to dehydration if you're not careful. It's important to drink plenty of water before, during, and after wearing a sauna suit.
- Heatstroke: Wearing a sauna suit can increase your risk of heatstroke, especially if you're not used to exercising in a sauna suit or if you're exercising in a hot and humid environment.
Are there any risks associated with regular usage?
While sweat suits offer several benefits, there are a few risks associated with regular usage.
One of the main risks is dehydration. As discussed earlier, wearing a sauna suit can cause excessive sweating, which can lead to dehydration if you do not drink enough fluids. For this reason, I make sure that I’m dehydrating throughout the day and keep an eye on my electrolyte intake.
Another risk is overheating. Wearing a sauna suit can increase your body temperature, which can be quite dangerous if you have an underlying medical condition. It is important to consult your doctor before using a sauna suit if you have any medical conditions.
How often should one wear a sauna suit for good results?
The frequency of wearing a sauna suit depends on your fitness goals. If you are trying to lose weight, wearing a sauna suit during your workouts may help you achieve your goals faster.
However, it is important to remember that wearing a sauna suit alone will not lead to long-term weight loss. You also need to combine wearing a sauna suit with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
If you are using a sauna suit for other fitness goals, such as improving cardiovascular health or increasing endurance, you may want to wear it less frequently.