They say that you should never exercise outside in a heatwave, and you know what? That’s completely true; you should never do that. Sometimes, it’s better and safer to get a gym membership and work indoors rather than outside (especially in blistering heat that could really damage your skin). But with that said, what about infrared heat?
Well, when it comes to working out, we often associate sweating with intensity and effort. There is some truth to this. But did you know that hot environments, specifically environments like infrared saunas, could supercharge your fitness routine and unlock a plethora of health benefits?
While yes, it’s true too much heat when you’re moving can be a bad thing, that’s entirely true because it’ll dehydrate you in no time. While the idea of intentionally subjecting yourself to heat may seem counterintuitive, the science behind infrared heat therapy paints a compelling picture of its potential to enhance performance, recovery, and overall well-being.
Oh yes, you read that right! So, let’s explore why exercising in infrared heat might be the secret weapon you’ve been missing in your fitness arsenal.
Increased Calorie Burn
Exercising in infrared heat can significantly increase your calorie burn compared to traditional workouts performed in cooler environments. This is something that HOTWORX knows about, and it’s why they focus on exercises that really get the burn going (figuratively and literally speaking).
You might already know this, but when it comes to certain conditions like hot and cold, your body needs to work harder to regulate temperatures. So, this actually leads to a higher metabolic rate and greater energy expenditure.
Basically, due to this, you’re basically torching more calories in less time. So you can make your workouts more efficient and effective for weight loss and fat burning. So even if you’re in a hurry to exercise, this could be a nice way to burn more calories in a shorter time.
It’s Ideal for Skin Health
Again, if it’s really hot outside, that wouldn’t be good for your skin, especially due to the UV rays. However, the heat from infrared saunas can improve skin health. it’s not so much about heat damaging your skin; sure, hot water can be bad for the skin, just like direct heat (like a heating pad) can be, too.
But it’s the environment that’s hot, which makes it a whole other story. Basically, this increases the blood flow to the skin, meaning that it promotes collagen production and it also enhances cellular turnover. Generally speaking, you can achieve a radiant complexion and glowing skin from the inside out.
It Speeds Up Recovery
Did you know that infrared heat can accelerate post-exercise recovery? Just like everything else mentioned, it’s about increasing blood flow. So, this can help with tissue repair and regeneration. Your workout recovery is just going to be way faster, and it even reduces the risk of exercise-related injuries, too. This means you can bounce back quicker and get back to training sooner, maximizing your performance gains over time.