Sauna suits are designed to aid in quick weight loss by trapping body heat and increasing your internal temperature. But are sauna suits safe, and do they work?
Sauna suits can be helpful for cutting weight and can be used safely with some guidelines. Wear it for 5-10 minutes at a time and slowly increase your time until you can wear it for a full workout session. If you are new to using a sauna suit, it is important to remember that you should not wear it during long workouts without taking breaks.
Read on for more information about sauna suits and tips to help you use them safely and effectively.
Can sauna suits help you lose weight?
Sauna suits are typically made of Neoprene, like wetsuits, or other water-resistant material. The idea behind the sauna suit is that it increases body temperature during workouts and increases sweating, allows you to burn more calories more quickly, and improves endurance. By burning more calories, you should be able to lose more weight more quickly.
Both anecdotal evidence and scientific research confirm that sauna suits can be used to cut weight effectively. While initial weight loss is typically water loss, which may be helpful for athletes attempting to make weight for competition, sustained weight loss can also be improved with the use of sauna suits as they help increase resting metabolic rate and increase post-exercise oxygen consumption.
One study demonstrated that the use of sauna suits improved weight loss, with study participants losing 1.01 kg (2.2 lb) in two weeks as compared with 0.61 kg (1.3 lb) in the control group.
Another study, this time lasting eight weeks, found that training with sauna suits improved not only cardiovascular health but also reduced body mass and body fat percentage. In fact, the sauna suit users lost 2.6% of their body weight and 13.8% of body fat as compared with regular exercisers, who lost only 0.9% body weight and 8.3% body fat.
Sauna suits may be helpful for those who wish to lose weight by maximizing their workouts; however, it is important to note that there are some risks involved in using a sauna suit during exercise.
The biggest dangers are dehydration and hyperthermia (overheating). There is also a risk of kidney injury or rhabdomyolysis in some users. It is essential to ensure you are in good health before using a sauna suit for weight loss by consulting with your doctor, and hydrate well before, after, and while using the sauna suit for exercise.
Cutting weight using a sauna suit, especially if you are looking for quick results, can be a risky process. You must take care to ensure you are using the sauna suit safely, and consult with a doctor if you have any concerns about your health.
Will sauna suits help lose belly fat?
Maybe you are looking for a technique to target a certain problem area, such as your stomach. Will sauna suits help with reducing belly fat?
While sauna suits can help decrease overall body mass index and body fat percentage, there is no way to target specific body areas. To be effective, sauna suits must cover large body areas.
Some companies market sauna belts as opposed to sauna suits, marketing them as devices to target specific problem areas. However, any weight loss achieved using these belts is due to water loss only, caused by sweating. They do not change the metabolic rate or oxygen consumption as a sauna suit may do.
Can you wear a sauna suit every day?
If using a sauna suit sounds like a great way to maximize the benefits of your workouts, you might be wondering if you can use it every day, for every workout.
Recommendations vary in terms of how often and for how long you can wear a sauna suit safely.
Generally, it is safe to use a sauna suit for daily workouts as long as you take frequent breaks and hydrate thoroughly, and do not exceed an hour of sustained suit use after working up your tolerance over several weeks. You should also only do low- to moderate-intensity exercise while wearing a sauna suit.
In the research studies discussed previously, the maximum time participants wore a sauna suit for exercise was 45 minutes, with research participants being athletes engaging in moderate-intensity workouts five days a week.
If you use common sense and don’t overdo it in terms of time or intensity, you can safely use your sauna suit for daily workouts.
Do you wear clothes under a sauna suit?
Whether you wear clothes under your sauna suit or not is really up to personal preference.
Some choose to wear tight-fitting undergarments only. Others who do not like the sensation of the sauna suit directly on their skin may wear t-shirts or leggings underneath. Still others choose to wear nothing at all. You can also wear your regular gym clothes over a sauna suit if you choose.
Whatever is most comfortable for you will work!
How to cut weight with a sauna suit safely and effectively
If you choose to try a sauna suit for weight loss, be sure to consult with your doctor, especially if you have any existing medical conditions.
The best ways to lose weight with a sauna suit:
- Safety first
- Exercise for best results
- Choose Neoprene
- Check your sizing
- Use moisture-wicking undergarments
- Follow instructions for cleaning
- Focus on overall health
Safety first
As a beginner, it is essential to start slowly.
Wear your sauna suit for 5-10 minutes during low- to moderate-intensity workouts to start, monitoring how you feel during and after your workout. Add 5 minutes every 3-5 days and continue to self-monitor. Work your way up to wearing the suit for 30-60 minute exercise sessions if you want.
Be sure to hydrate well before, during, and after your workout, drinking at least 8 ounces before, 4-6 ounces every 15 minutes during, and at least 8 ounces after exercising.
You should also take a break from exercising at least once every 15 minutes to reduce the risk of hyperthermia – this is a great time to hydrate.
Exercise for best results
Some people believe that if they wear a sauna suit all day, it will assist with weight loss. While this may cause some weight reduction from sweating, it will be a temporary loss.
For the most effective results, use the suit during exercise to reap the benefits of the sauna suit, including increased calorie burn and metabolic rate, improved endurance, and enhanced physical performance.
These benefits will help you lose weight and keep it off.
Choose Neoprene
Sauna suits are available in several materials, including PVC, nylon, and Neoprene.
Neoprene is the best choice for sauna suits, though it is a bit more costly than other materials.
PVC tends to be lower in quality and wear out quickly. Nylon is more durable, but it is prone to retaining bacteria and may put you at risk of infection with increased sweating. Neoprene is durable, lightweight, and water-resistant, so there is a lower risk of bacterial growth.
Check your sizing
Your sauna suit should be snug, but not tight, and definitely not loose.
It is best to measure your height, weight, and chest to determine the best sizing, and purchase your sauna suit in person if possible so you can try it on before buying.
Use moisture-wicking undergarments
Just because you will be sweating profusely, you don’t have to be uncomfortable.
Wear snug-fitting, moisture-wicking underwear and t-shirts for maximum comfort while exercising in your sauna suit.
Follow instructions for cleaning
Depending upon the type and brand of sauna suit you use, cleaning instructions will vary.
Some sauna suits can be wiped clean; others require hand-washing; others can be cleaned in the washing machine. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning.
Never put your sauna suit in the dryer.
Focus on overall health
While the idea of using a sauna suit to accelerate the speed of weight loss is appealing, the use of a sauna suit alone will not sustain weight and health changes in the long run.
It is essential to consider a healthy diet, consistency of exercise routines, management of chronic medical conditions, and stress management/mental health to sustain weight loss and a healthy lifestyle overall.
A sauna suit should be just one tool in your arsenal.