Buzz
If you’re fortunate enough to have access to a gym with a sauna, you might notice people unwinding in it after their workout, and you may even do the same. Perhaps you treat it as a reward for a great session. However, the truth is, sitting in the heat won’t help with muscle soreness or aid recovery. The ideal time to enjoy the sauna is actually before you start your workout.
Physical therapist Patrick Walsh shares his thoughts with Outside Online:
“When you recover from exercise, your heart rate should return to normal,” he explains. “Spending more than five minutes in a sauna will elevate your heart rate, essentially turning it into a form of passive exercise, which can actually delay the recovery process from starting.”
Spending a few minutes in the sauna before your workout is a smarter choice, he suggests, and it might help warm you up and reduce some immediate muscle discomfort.
Part of warming up is literally heating your body, so using a sauna can kick-start this process (though it doesn’t entirely substitute for your exercise-based warm-up).
According to Harvard Health Watch, the average person sweats about a pint during a short sauna session and should rehydrate after. If you’re already dehydrated from your workout, sweating out more could be a bad idea.
In conclusion, saunas offer health benefits—but using them wisely is key. Experts interviewed by Outside also noted that saunas are excellent for relaxation, and while they may not aid your workout recovery, they are unlikely to cause harm, unless you’re pregnant or have a heart condition, in which case you should consult your doctor; they may advise against prolonged sauna sessions.
