If you want to sweat even more after your workout or if you just find heat relaxing you can choose either Sauna or Steam Room at many health clubs and spas.
Both of these are smart and safe ways of sweating your body. But you're bugged about the difference... Find out which one you would prefer by knowing more about them.
Sauna - uses rocks to create a dry heat.
Steam Room - heats water to create vapor.
While you sweat more in the steam room or a sauna, be reminded that neither of this helps you sweat out toxins. The purpose of sweating is to cool the body, not to purify it. The liver and kidneys rather than the skin eliminate toxins. The main benefit of heat is relaxation.
Pregnant woman and people with heart disease or high blood pressure should consult their doctors before using a sauna or steam room. To avoid dizziness, it is recommended that you should take plenty of fluid and limiting your session to 10-15 minutes. Come out and walk around between stints if you want to stay longer and sitting up, not lying down to reduce risk of fainting.
Never go to the sauna or steam room wearing heavy clothes just to attempt to sweat off weight. Despite of the myths, you won't increase calorie burn and any weight lost through perspiration will be regained as soon as you drink water.
Beneficial Effects of Sauna and Steam Room
According to most studies, sauna stimulates the immune system to work more efficiently.
Sauna bathing can also alleviate pain and improve joint mobility in patients with rheumatic disease as well as produce short term improvements in pulmonary function for patients with asthma and chronic bronchitis.
Some studies have suggested that long-term sauna bathing may help lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension and improve the left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with chronic congestive heart failure.
