Not many people realise this, but using a sauna after your workout can significantly enhance your recovery. It’s such a simple, passive approach to physical restoration, but it’s growing in popularity. The research shows they’re very effective at boosting health and wellbeing, in particular post activity.
Here’s a few reasons why the sauna is amazing for post-exercise recovery:
Sauna Helps to Improve Circulation to Tired Muscles
After exercising, your muscles need increased blood flow to repair the microtears caused by intense activity. A sauna boosts circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and aiding the repair process.
By increasing the circulation to the muscles and connective tissues, repair agents are delivered and the healing process can start sooner. This allows your body to mend any damage faster and more effectively than if you didn’t go through this process.
It Helps to Remove Waste Products Post-Exercise
Exercise produces waste products like lactic acid, which can cause soreness. Saunas improve circulation, helping to flush out these waste products and speeding up recovery.
One of the most important aspects of post exercise recovery is the removal of these exercise by-products. A sauna is the fastest way to help get this process going, and all it takes is 20-30 minutes of sitting still to help it happen. Not all recovery has to be complicated.
It’s Relaxing
Recovery isn’t just about the body—it’s also about the mind. The heat of a sauna provides a calming environment where you can relax, which reduces mental stress and encourages full-body recovery without additional strain.
All you need to do in a sauna is sit or lie still - it’s about as passive as a therapy as you can get. Lying down in a hot room has profound effects on relaxation and stress, both physical and mental.
Sauna Helps to Reduce DOMS
Research shows that using a sauna after training helps reduce Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) by increasing muscle relaxation and blood flow, making it easier for your muscles to recover after a tough workout. You can read the study here.
If you’ve got a particularly difficult training block coming up, or you’re training and competing more than usual, consider adding a regular sauna to your recovery protocol.
Sauna Helps to Detoxify the Body
Saunas can also aid in detoxification. Research suggests that sauna use increases sweating, helping to eliminate heavy metals like lead and mercury from the body, which may contribute to improved health and performance over time. Find more information on this research here.
Whilst this isn’t a total game changer for recovery, it’s certainly helpful to your overall wellbeing. Anything that helps is worthwhile.
Incorporating sauna sessions into your post-exercise routine can enhance muscle recovery, reduce soreness, and offer a relaxing mental break. The benefits go beyond just the physical, making it a valuable tool for overall well-being.
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