Saunas cause temporary weight loss due to sweating and water loss, but this is easily recovered by drinking fluids. Saunas are not as effective as aerobic activity for weight loss. Athletes may use saunas to lose weight for weight-class sports. Fluid replacement is important when using a sauna to avoid dehydration. Saunas are generally safe, but not recommended for people with low blood pressure or pregnant women. Saunas are not a good weight loss tool and aerobic activity is more effective for permanent weight loss.
The weight loss that one may experience from using a sauna is temporary, due to the fact that the loss is due to sweating and is primarily water weight. This is easily recovered after drinking a couple of glasses of water or juice. Some argue that the heart beats faster, which in turn causes the body to burn more calories while in a sauna. However, this effect can result in very small increments of weight loss. Using a sauna is certainly not as effective as spending the same amount of time doing an aerobic activity like walking, swimming, or taking an aerobics class.
Athletes in certain sports may occasionally use saunas, or sports suits made of rubber, to lose a small amount of weight. This is particularly the case with sports where competition is based on weight class, such as wrestling. A pound difference can mean competing or not competing. Usually, once a fighter gets his weight class, he has time to produce more energy by drinking a protein drink or juice.
This is something that every sauna user should be concerned about. If you plan to use a sauna, you need to worry about fluid replacement. Water is usually not the best option, as it does not contain a sufficient electrolyte balance. Juice or specially formulated sports drinks are often the optimal choice for replacing fluids lost during sauna use. Lack of fluid replacement and prolonged use of the sauna can lead to dehydration.
There is certainly no harm in using a sauna for most people. However, people with low blood pressure or pregnant women should not use a sauna. For most, using a sauna after a workout can be a good way to soothe sore muscles. Many feel quite refreshed using saunas or steam rooms.
For the dieter, you may want to skip the sauna as a weight loss tool and instead invest a few more minutes in aerobic activity. This is likely to cause actual muscle buildup and fat burning. Most of those who want to lose weight are interested in permanent results and not temporary ones. A sauna only provides negligible temporary weight loss.
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