|  | Diet Nutrition | Weight Control

Do Steam Rooms Replace Cardio Workouts?

Sitting in a sauna is an ideal way to feel great while sneaking in a bit of relaxation. Because you sweat a lot in the sauna, you might temporarily be down a pound or two after you leave, but it's likely due to loss of water weight. The truth is that to effectively lose weight you must commit to a consistent workout routine. Though there may be some benefits to using the steam room, it can't replace cardio for good health.

  1. Health Benefits of Cardio

    • Cardio is a type of exercise that burns calories, which aids in weight control. Staying at a healthy weight is beneficial for your health in many ways. It can stave off the development of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. While sitting in a sauna might feel good and make you sweat, it isn't likely to produce weight loss on its own. To drop pounds, you must burn burn more calories than you consume. A sauna won't support good overall health by preventing disease, either. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. Sitting doesn't qualify, in a steam room or anywhere else.

    Calories Burned

    • Whether your goal is to lower or maintain your weight, cardio plays a huge role. You must create a deficit of 3,500 calories to lose one pound in a week; this translates to approximately 500 calories per day. A 155-pound person burns about 65 calories while sitting for 30 minutes, according to Harvard Health Publications. This number might be slightly higher in the sauna since your body temperature elevates, but it still isn't enough to simulate the benefits of cardio. In contrast, a half hour of aerobics burns about 260 calories and an indoor cycling class burns nearly 400 calories in 30 minutes. A sauna siesta can't replace cardio exercise when it comes to burning calories.

    Benefits of the Sauna

    • Sitting in the sauna might not be good for weight loss or disease prevention, but that doesn't mean it isn't beneficial in other ways. Taking a break in the steamy temperatures is good for relaxation and can provide an overall sense of well-being, according to Harvard Health Publications. Some people believe that sweating heavily can help rid the body of toxins and clear the skin. However, your liver and kidneys filter waste from your body and too much time in the sauna can actually break down your skin's collagen, said Dee Anna Glaser, a Saint Louis University professor of dermatology interviewed by the "Columbia Daily Tribune." Go ahead and sit in the sauna to unwind, but don't expect it to change your health in any profound ways.

    Recommendations

    • If you're in good health, sitting in the sauna probably isn't harmful. If it helps you de-stress, you can use it as a means to stay on track with your fitness goals, since stress often negatively impacts your health and motivation. Harvard Health Publications suggests restricting your time in the sauna to 15 or 20 minutes, avoiding alcohol before going in, cooling down gradually afterward and drinking a couple of glasses of water to replenish the body fluids lost when you sweat. Combine your sauna sessions with plenty of cardio and a well-balanced diet to stay healthy and happy.

Weight Control - Related Articles