Sauna

What exactly is the benefit of sitting in a sauna after a workout?

Ever since college when I'd go sit in the sauna after the gym just because roommates were sitting in there, I've gone in for 10-15 minutes after a workout. And I guess I never stopped to analyze WHY. What does it do for the body?

Public Comments

1. I personally know since I'm 250 lbs I probably sweat half my bodyweight in fat, going in the sauna. Obviously you get hot and it feels good
2. Well native americans believe you can sweat out impurities from the body. I like being in the sauna, but not for too long. It can get too hot in there.
3. It makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. It is not a workout in itself as your body tries to keep you cool, and sweating does not remove "impurities" or "toxins" from the body. It's just a nice, relaxing experience after a hard workout.
4. There is not any benefit weight wise. And you do not sweat fat (to the guy above me). Sweating does not burn any calories really. Maybe like 1 calorie more than you normally would just sitting around. Probably not even that. Though it is good for sweating out toxins in your body. Though you do that when you exercise. Have you ever run so much that your body feels a little itchy afterwords. Well sweating toxins is one reason why. Though do be careful. Don't let your body get too over heated. The last thing you need is passing out from over heating in a sauna. It's happened before and people have died from it. Personally I would not go in for over 10 minutes and that is with a water bottle. You know not even the military would let it's soldiers run in heat that bad. Heck they won't even let them run when it's too much over 110 and a sauna is over 150 degrees. If you put metal in that room it would cook you. So do please be careful, especially after a workout when your body is already heated.
5. relaxs your bones and musels
6. Not a good idea according to my doctor. It dries out the lungs--something you don't want. Don't go there. Use a steamroom instead.