Saunas and Steam Rooms

Buceph

What are saunas and steam rooms for, apart from "chilling" in?

I did my first weights session today (resistance machines for while I'm starting.) I was sore after so I figured going into the sauna might help as any muscle pain I've ever had I've put heat on. Is this the correct thing to do?

I know jockeys and boxers use them to lower the water levels in their bodies to get down to a certain weight, but the generally replace all the water fairly quickly after the weigh in. So that's not something I imagine is a reason for most people to use them.

So, saunas and steam rooms, what are they for? And do you use saunas at different times to steam rooms?

MrPain

Buceph

I think you have to be a member of the site to view that.

boomtown84

Really just for chilling in i'm afraid.
or showing off your pumped up gunz in.
orr dying in if you're a drugged up Aussie meglomaniac loser!

Red Cortina

The soreness after training will not be as bad when your body adjusts to the new stressor.

WRT to saunas/steam rooms. I guess the way that these things were traditionally done would be that you would sauna and then hop into a cold body of water and repeat etc. This is a form of hormesis i.e. it is a stress placed on the body that increases resistance to a number of other stressors. I guess the result is that you are that bit stronger/hardy-er (If that's even a word!)

BraziliaNZ

really makes me feel refreshed and clean. It's good to sweat. I usually do 15 mins in hot sauna, shower, then as long as i can handle in the steam room. I don't care if it's doing me any good or not but it makes me feel great temporarily afterwards.

Michael 09

boomtown84 wrote: »

orr dying in if you're a drugged up Aussie meglomaniac loser!

That's bent. That's just f**king bent.

boomtown84

Michael 09 wrote: »

That's bent. That's just f**king bent.

SYLT

boomtown84 wrote: »

Really just for chilling in i'm afraid.
or showing off your pumped up gunz in.
orr dying in if you're a drugged up Aussie meglomaniac loser!

Jelly confirmed.

Elohim

When I checked a few years ago I couldn't find any proper studies about this so all my findings are on a sample of 1 :cool:

They help the circulation.

After a few months of regular use, after weights and cardio etc, I found I sweat a lot easier and a bit more uniformly (if that makes any sense).

Obviously it's because of the training too but I find I can running a lot easier now cause I sweat out the heat a lot better.

Skr4wny

I use them to relax, but I believe heat is good for muscle repair/growth.

walshb

Buceph wrote: »

I know jockeys and boxers use them to lower the water levels in their bodies to get down to a certain weight, but the generally replace all the water fairly quickly after the weigh in. So that's not something I imagine is a reason for most people to use them.
?

I think this is a wee bit exaggerated. You don't lose much weight just sitting in a sauna. You may get the sensation that you are losing weight. Maybe if you are wrapped up, or exercising, you will drop weight. But, just there in your togs for 20-30 mins is really not much at all.

Skr4wny

walshb wrote: »

I think this is a wee bit exaggerated. You don't lose much weight just sitting in a sauna. You may get the sensation that you are losing weight. Maybe if you are wrapped up, or exercising, you will drop weight. But, just there in your togs for 20-30 mins is really not much at all.

I'd assume they are wrapped in the dodgy looking silver suits like the ones in argos!

Frank Bullitt

Great for detoxing the body, steam room is magic for your skin and if you have a chesty cough, it can clear all the stuff in your lungs.

Sauna in general is good for detoxing but it can be tough, its best to bring a small towel in with you and keep yourself dry, so the toxins your excreting dont go back into your skin.