Skip to content
Item added to cart
Join Sign In
DEKA Help
DEKA

Select your location

Spartan Race Spartan Race | Home
Find A RaceFind Races
Race
  • Back
  • Spartan Races
    • Leaderboards
    • Pro Team
    • World Championships
    • Passes
    • Trifecta
    • Obstacles
    • Ultra
    • Beast
    • Super
    • Sprint
    • City
    • Stadion
    • View All Spartan Races
  • Trail Races
    • Run World Series
    • Passes
    • Trail Ambassadors
    • Bike Series
    • View All Trail Races
  • Endurance Races
    • Agoge
    • Peak Races
    • Hurricane Heat
    • Death Race
    • View All Endurance Races
  • Virtual Race
  • Kids Races
  • Volunteers
  • Results & Photos
  • Global Rankings
  • Leaderboards
  • Find A Race
Train
  • Back
  • Training Center
  • SGX Certification
  • SpartanFit App
  • Training at Home
    Training at Home READ MORE
Shop
  • Back
  • Men's
    • Apparel
    • Footwear
    • Training
    • Events
    • Shop All
    • Sale
    • View All Men's
  • Women's
    • Footwear
    • Training
    • Events
    • Shop All
    • View All Women's
  • Kids
    • Footwear
    • Accessories
    • Shop All
    • View All Kids
  • Equipment
    • Strength
    • Pancakes
    • Ropes
    • Sale
    • Shop All
    • View All Equipment
  • Accessories
    • Face Mask
    • Spartan Swag
    • Bags & Packs
    • Headlamps
    • Performance
    • Hydration
    • Gloves
    • Shop All
    • Sale
    • View All Accessories
  • Collection
    • Race
    • Training
    • Virtual Race
    • View All Collection
  • Events
    • Venue Gear
    • Deltas & Commemorative
    • View All Events
  • Brands
Unbreakable
  • Back
  • HQ
  • Race Stories
  • Training
  • Focus
  • Nutrition
  • Unbreakable Community
  • Kids
  • Unbreakable TV
DEKA
Account
  • Orders
  • Join
  • Sign In
Find a 2021 Race Find a 2021 Race Commit Now
Home   /   Unbreakable Training
Do Infrared Saunas Really Work?

Do Infrared Saunas Really Work?

By Emily Abbate
· June 18, 2019
Share
Facebook Share on Facebook Tweet Tweet on Twitter Pin it Pin on Pinterest Whatsapp Share on Whatsapp Email

If you’re into fitness, you’re used to getting sweaty. Whether you're crushing an obstacle course race or building strength in the gym, a side of sweat is just part of the gig. Recently, a new trend—the infrared sauna—has made it part of the recovery game, too.

Wondering what makes infrared saunas so special, and whether a good sweat session deserves a spot in your routine? We got the 411 from the experts.

How Do Infrared Saunas Work?

Traditional saunas heat your body by heating the air around you. Infrared saunas, on the other hand, utilize infrared light, which heats your body directly, explains Aaron Zack, co-owner and CEO of infrared sauna maker Sunlighten.

As a result, infrared saunas are typically set to a much lower temperature than your typical sauna. They typically come in around, 110 to 130 degrees—often 50 degrees lower than traditional saunas.  

“The gentle heat penetrates your skin's surface and raises your core body temperature for a deep sweat,” Zack says.

Since they essentially heat the body from within, infrared saunas are often more comfortable to sit in.

Benefits Of Infrared Saunas

The perks of infrared saunas don't end with their comfort factor. In fact, they've been credited for a number of health benefits.

From CrossFit’s Tia Clair Toomey to football players like Christian McCaffrey, athletes everywhere have been touting the benefits of incorporating infrared heat into their routines.

According to Luke Greenberg, DPT and co-founder of MotivNY, the heat has many potentially beneficial effects on the body. Some of the most notable: increased blood flow and sweat rate (which means we clear metabolic waste more efficiently) and a reduced rate of muscle glycogen consumption.

While the boosted blood flow and sweat rate help our body detox and recover, that decrease in our muscles' use of glycogen spells good news for our performance. “This means that energy is used in the bloodstream at a less rapid rate, so you can potentially go for longer,” says Greenberg. 

Related: Sauna Training: The Surprising Way To Spike Performance

Plus, according to The Mayo Clinic, early research on infrared saunas shows some promise for a number of chronic health issues, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, congestive heart failure, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Infrared sauna-ing may also offer some relief from pain. In one study, for example, researchers from the Netherlands' Saxion University of Applied Science found that infrared sauna treatments can assist in reversing chronic pain.

Getting all warm and toasty can also boost your overall sense of well-being. In another study, Japanese researchers discovered a positive correlation between sauna usage and mood, when used in combination with other holistic treatments.

How To Use An Infrared Sauna

While current research hasn't identified risks or negative side effects associated with using infrared saunas,  consult with a physical therapist or physician before regularly incorporating infrared sauna use into your routine.

Related: Heat Exercise: The 5 Powerful Benefits Of Acclimating

Once you get the go-ahead, Greenberg recommends using a sauna two to three times per week for 45 to 60 minutes to support recovery and endurance—and reap its array of other health benefits. 

Emily Abbate

Emily Abbate

Emily Abbate is a writer and editor who's written for Self, Shape, GQ, and Runner's World (among others). As a certified personal trainer and running coach, she's often found tackling long runs, lifting heavy things, and diving into loaded bloody Marys that, to some people, might be considered an entire meal.

Recent posts

Spartan FIT Coach Q&A: Monique Berarducci Will Give You a Mental Strategy for Your Training

Spartan FIT Coach Q&A: Monique Berarducci Will Give You a Mental Strategy for Your Training

February 26, 2021
Read more
Spartan FIT Coach Q&A: Kristina Centenari Will Make You a Fearless Athlete

Spartan FIT Coach Q&A: Kristina Centenari Will Make You a Fearless Athlete

February 26, 2021
Read more
Spartan FIT Coach Q&A: Gabe Snow Will Help You Overcome Any Obstacle

Spartan FIT Coach Q&A: Gabe Snow Will Help You Overcome Any Obstacle

February 26, 2021
Read more
Spartan FIT Coach Q&A: Lexie Wohlfort Will Empower You to Be Your Fittest Self

Spartan FIT Coach Q&A: Lexie Wohlfort Will Empower You to Be Your Fittest Self

February 26, 2021
Read more

Invalid password
Enter
Craft FITAID Harley Davidson USAA Honey Stinger Usana Yokohama Liquid I.V. Adrenaline Shock Cisco Webex Franklin Lazarus Naturals 24 Hour Fitness Athletic Brewing Co Gone Rogue Spartan Travel

Stay Connected

*By entering my email address, I agree to the terms and policy

Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube
Spartan iOs App Spartan Android app

About

Media The Spartan Story Careers Partnerships Virtual Swag Bag Spartan Kids Foundation

Help

Contact Us Shipping & Delivery Returns & Exchanges Military & First Responder Discounts

FAQ

General Racer Volunteers Street Team Merchandise & Online Orders
© 2021 Spartan Race Inc. Established 2010 - Vermont
Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions

We use cookies on our site to give you the best experience. By using our site you agree to our use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Exclusive Content

Join for Free Access

  • Exclusive Content
  • Full Race Leaderboards
  • Personal Race Results & Photos
  • More
Join Now Already have an account? Sign In

Select your location