fitness

Feel the Heat

As a sweat-promoting sauna, infrared is moderate—but as a trend it’s hot. By Haley Longman

Sometimes you don’t even need to be upright to work up a sweat. Take, for example, an infrared sauna treatment, which can mimic some of the benefits of a much more exhausting cardio workout. It’s something healthy you can actually take lying down.

Unlike the conventional sauna you may hop into after a swim or a workout, an infrared sauna heats up your body, not the room around you. The infrared light, which we can’t see but which feels hot to the touch, filters through the skin and muscle cells, releasing toxins in your body via sweat. An infrared sauna has the benefits of natural sunlight without harsh ultraviolet rays that damage your skin.

Infrared sauna is a relatively new phenomenon in wellness, though it’s been used for decades in the medical world to treat autoimmune disorders. “No harmful effects have been reported,” says the Mayo Clinic, adding that some studies have shown benefits in the treatment of long-lasting health problems, but that more research is needed. A treatment won’t turn you into an A-lister like Lady Gaga, Zac Efron or Gwyneth Paltrow, but hey—for what it’s worth, you’ll be keeping these celebs company. “It’s a real gift to myself,” Paltrow says of the treatment.

Much as a moderately intense workout does, ample time in the infrared sauna creates a physiological response in the body. The heat can bump up your heart rate as well as widen blood vessels, which in turn can lead to increased blood flow and lower blood pressure. This cardiac output helps burn calories too, potentially assisting in weight loss; a 30-minute session can burn up to 300 calories. Infrared rays also penetrate joints, tissue and muscles, possibly relieving pain and even speeding up recovery time after an injury. It also has the effects of an anti-aging facial; heat opens your pores to remove dirt and also stimulates collagen production, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Because its temps are slightly lower, at 100 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, than the 160-ish of traditional saunas, you’ll leave feeling glowy and flushed, not musty and schvitzing. Thus for people who have difficulty handling high heat—or simply prefer to avoid it—infrared sauna may be a better option. (Always check with your doctor, though, just in case.)

Increasingly, the secret is out—infrared spas are cropping up all over the country. The Red Effect franchise has locations in the Midwest and California; Chill Space NYC has various infrared sauna rooms and packages to fit your preference; or try the “Sauna Valley” at Spa Castle in Dallas, which boasts 10 luxurious sauna rooms, including the Far Infrared Sauna room and the Infrared Zone with lounge chairs.

Experts recommend three to four sessions a week for optimal results. Pricing varies based on where you live, but expect to pay about $70 per session on the higher end. You can make the infrared sauna the main event, or have it be the intro or windup to your workout routine—taking a dip before exercise will help your muscles warm up more quickly; doing so afterward can help alleviate muscle tightness and help prevent inflammation and pain.

Alternatively, or to supplement your sessions, you can build your own infrared sauna at home or purchase an infrared sauna blanket online (like the ones from HigherDOSE or HEALIX) for $400 to $500. A blanket allows you to cocoon yourself in a sleeping bag-like contraption; you literally won’t have to leave your comfy spot on the couch to reap the benefits.

Each infrared sauna session promotes relaxation too, so don’t be surprised if you fall asleep while you’re in there. And speaking of sleep, improved slumber is one of the benefits claimed for the treatments. Sweet dreams!

You can’t see infrared light, but you can see its positive effects on your health. Infrared saunas are used to safely heat muscle and skin cells, releasing toxins in your body via sweat. They are relatively new to the wellness world, but have been used for decades in the medical field to treat autoimmune disorders.