It’s often the hardest bit, but working out is just one part of your fitness journey.
The other part? Powerful recovery – and here’s where infrared saunas come in. Whether you want performance gains, clearer skin, optimized rest days or a wellbeing boost, infrared sauna benefits will elevate your training regimen¹.
Below, we’ll break down what infrared saunas are, highlight the benefits of infrared rays, and share how to use them safely. Let’s dive in!
What is infrared sauna?
Infrared saunas are small, heated rooms that use infrared light to deliver warmth to your skin. This method – which delivers what’s called ‘dry heat’ – raises your body temperature, without heating up the air inside the sauna itself (which is what traditional saunas do).
Because of this, infrared saunas have become a more comfortable, and more modern, form of heat-based recovery – and now, you can access them at a selection of F45 Training studios. Head to Recovery by F45 to learn more about the other services offered – including restorative therapies such as percussion therapy and contrast therapy.
What is an infrared sauna: benefits for skin
The benefits of infrared saunas go beyond simply helping you recover after an F45 workout. A good session in the sauna can help promote circulation, exfoliate your skin, and even assist with skin concerns such as acne. Read on to explore several of the top benefits of infrared saunas for skin below.
Promotes circulation
Increased body temperature elevates your blood flow, so that more oxygen and nutrients go to the skin cells. This supports your body in flushing out toxins – which can improve your skin’s texture and appearance².
Potential benefits for acne
Dealing with acne? Well, infrared saunas can support the visible reduction of blemishes and some skin lesions. This is due to several factors: including sweat expelling impurities from your body, more nutrients getting to your skin cells, and the regulation of sebum production³.
Sweating as a natural exfoliant
Sweating is your body’s natural way to exfoliate, and modern saunas use the benefits of infrared rays to enhance this process.
Each time you sweat – be it in a sauna or during a cardio workout – you shed dead skin cells, unclogging pores and preventing buildup. This natural exfoliation can lead to smoother, clearer skin.
Infrared sauna: detoxification benefits
Detoxification is your body’s natural process for removing toxins and harmful substances – such as heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides and environmental pollutants – from your system. (To reduce exposure to pesticides and herbicides, include organic fruit and vegetables in your meal prep for the week.)
Read on to discover the infrared sauna benefits that support your body’s natural cleansing process.
Deep sweating
This is the primary way your body detoxifies while in an infrared sauna. Heavy metals – which you may ingest through air water or food – as well as phthalates and other toxins can be expelled through sweat.
What’s more, infrared heat enables more efficient toxin release compared to exercise, as the heat is more targeted. Regular sweating also relieves pressure on your detox organs – namely, the liver and kidneys – as it shares your body’s cleansing process around. The detoxification benefits of a deep sweat make using an infrared sauna a key tenet of any sustainable fitness routine.
Lymphatic system support
Your lymphatic system drains waste and toxins from your tissues and cells – supporting your immune system and regulating your body’s fluids to prevent inflammation. Because your lymphatic system relies on movement and heat, infrared sauna and detoxification go hand in hand4 – and a good blast in the sauna can help your lymphatic system in its efforts to transport waste, toxins and cellular debris to your detox organs.
Infrared sauna: benefits for weight loss
Many people on a holistic weight loss management plan enjoy infrared saunas, in combination with regular exercise at F45, to support both their wellbeing and body composition.
Below, explore a variety of infrared sauna benefits for weight loss.
Passive calorie burning
When your body’s core temperature increases, it can result in passive calorie burning5 – meaning you’re torching calories even after your favorite resistance workout. So one of the key benefits of infrared saunas is that they allow you to burn more calories during rest days, when you’re not using energy for exercise.
Improves metabolism
As your body heats up, your circulation improves; this increases your metabolic rate6, which helps your body burn more fat. For more benefits, make sure you’re eating a healthy diet full of macronutrients – this will also support the connection between your hormones and weight loss.
Supports recovery
Infrared saunas elevate your post-workout recovery – helping you stick to your fitness routine and prevent injury. Deep heat penetrates your muscles to reduce soreness and tension, promoting faster recovery so you can stay active.
Infrared red light benefits
Red light supports skin rejuvenation7, healing, and cell repair. It’s typically used to reduce visible signs of aging and support collagen production and is ideal for days when you want your body to feel refreshed inside and out. Recovery is key to maintaining a strong foundation, ensuring you train hard and recover harder after your F45 workout.
Whether you’re pushing for a personal best, building long-term consistency, or striving for more wellbeing benefits, infrared sauna’s benefits will help take your wellness to the next level. To elevate your fitness routine even more, discover the benefits of electrolytes for fitness next.
Sources:
1 https://www.healthline.com/health/infrared-sauna-benefits
2 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2687728/
3 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18525205/
4 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28127644/
5 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6360547/
6 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3766176/
7 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3926176/
