OT Workout Gurus: Do You Even Sauna?

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The Case for Saunas
Hitting the sauna after a grueling workout relieves sore muscles. Saunas are also often used to alleviate arthritis, asthma, chronic fatigue, and for flushing toxins from your body. An Austrian study even found that sauna use may help to reduce the frequency of colds. Although heart patients are traditionally cautioned against stepping inside the cedar room (heart rate tends to jump 100 to 160 beats per minute), some studies show that men suffering from hypertension who sauna twice each week actually experience a decrease in blood pressure. Twenty minutes should be enough to work up a good sweat. And always rehydrate with two to four glasses of cool water afterwards.

But . . .
The sauna is no place to party. Never booze before (or while) you bathe in sweat, advises Lori J. Heim, M.D. "For [inebriated] people who stay in there too long, dehydration is a good possibility," she says. Extreme heat is also a no-no if you're trying to become a dad, according to urologist Lawrence Ross, M.D. "Although saunas don't seem to affect sperm counts, there is some evidence, at least for a period of time after exposure to a sauna, that sperm motility and quality can be affected," he says.

The Verdict
No need to sweat about taking saunas. If not misused, they pose no risk to healthy guys, says the American Heart Association. However, if you do suffer from extreme high blood pressure or heart issues, consult your doc first.

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During a 10-20 minute sauna session, your heart rate increases by 50-75%. This provides the same metabolic result as physical exercise. The increased cardiac load is the equivalent to a brisk walk. There is a nominal effect on blood pressure because the heat also causes blood vessels in skin to expand to accommodate increased blood flow.

Blood vessels become more flexible and there is increased circulation to the extremities. During a sauna, blood flow to the skin increases to as high as 50-70% of cardiac output (compared to the standard 5-10%). This brings nutrients to subcutaneous and surface tissue resulting in glowing healthy skin.

Steambaths and saunas induce sweating to provide a comprehensive cleansing of the skin and sweat glands. Skin is the largest organ in the body. 30% of body wastes are passed through the skin. Profuse sweating enhances the detoxifying capacity of the skin by opening pores and flushing impurities from the body.

When taking a sauna, skin temperature rises to 40?C (104?F) and internal body temperature rises to about 38?C (100.4?F). Exposure to the high heat creates an artificial fever state. Fever is part of the body?s natural healing process. Fever stimulates the immune system resulting in increased production of disease fighting white blood cells, antibodies and interferon (an anti viral protein with cancer fighting capability).

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Do You Even Sauna?

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