Key Takeaways
· Using an indoor or outdoor infrared sauna raises metabolism by 25–33%, helping you burn calories and lose belly fat with heat therapy.
· Infrared sauna sessions improve cardiovascular health, boost exercise capacity, and reduce stress. This lowers cortisol and stubborn abdominal fat.
· Combine regular sauna use (3–4 days a week) with healthy eating and exercise for sustainable weight loss; avoid working out in the sauna to stay safe.
· Start with comfortable temperatures and short sessions, then increase gradually as you acclimate. Consistent hydration and comfortable clothing maximize detox and calorie burn.
· Infrared sauna blankets offer similar results for smaller budgets and spaces, making infrared sauna health benefits accessible for everyone.
In 2020, 59 percent of Americans reported that their diets didn't change during the pandemic, and 28 percent said that their diets got worse.
Are you part of either of these groups? Are you holding on to some stubborn lockdown weight that you'd like to finally shed?
Adding regular sauna usage to your routine could make a big difference in your weight loss efforts.
Read on to learn more about the benefits of using an infrared sauna to lose weight, including infrared sauna weight loss results. You'll also find some sauna weight loss tips you can implement today.
What Is an Infrared Sauna?
An infrared sauna is an updated version of a traditional sauna. Rather than heating the air around the user, it uses special infrared lamps, which warm the body directly with the help of electromagnetic radiation.
Infrared saunas are unique because they operate at a lower temperature than a traditional sauna. Infrared saunas operate between 120- and 140-degrees Fahrenheit, and traditional saunas operate at 150 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
When you use an infrared sauna, the heat penetrates more deeply compared to warmed air. As a result, you're able to break more of a sweat even though the sauna is heated at a lower temperature. This makes the sauna more tolerable and allows you to spend more time inside before you get too hot.
Tip: If you’re tight on space or want more personal sessions, an infrared sauna 1-person model is a great choice. It offers all the health and weight management benefits in a compact, efficient design.
Learn more about the overall infrared sauna health benefits: Top 8 benefits of an infrared sauna
Does Sauna Boost Metabolism?
Spending time in the sauna does, indeed, help to boost your metabolism and support your weight loss efforts. When you're exposed to high heat, your body naturally has to work harder to cool itself down. As a result, your heart rate can increase significantly while you're just sitting in the sauna relaxing.
When your heart rate increases, so does your metabolism by 25 to 33 percent, according to some studies. This increase in heart rate and metabolism allows you to burn more calories, both while you're sitting in the sauna and for a couple of hours after your session is over.
To further enhance every session and ensure comfort, consider investing in smart sauna accessories like ergonomic benches, hydration bottles, and digital timers, making your routine more effective and safer.
Does Sauna Help Lose Belly Fat?
Do you have some extra fat around the abdomen, specifically, that you'd like to eliminate?
One of the most commonly asked questions regarding sauna usage and weight loss is "Can sauna help lose belly fat?" The short answer is yes; it can.
Listed below are some specific reasons why the sauna works so well for this issue:
Increased Metabolism
First of all, as we mentioned above, using the sauna helps you to increase your metabolism.
This increases calorie-burning potential and, by default, supports belly fat loss, as well as fat loss throughout the body. Even if you don't lose fat here initially, you eventually will notice a decrease in belly fat.
If optimizing space and flexibility is key for your fitness journey, a home sauna installation can provide ongoing, convenient access to heat therapy. This helps you remain consistent in your weight loss regimen.
Reduced Stress
Spending time in the sauna is also associated with reduced stress and a reduction in the hormone cortisol. High levels of cortisol have been linked to increases in belly fat and can also make it hard for you to lose weight, even if you're exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet.
By using the sauna on a regular basis, you can combat these issues and avoid many of the other negative effects high levels of stress can cause.
Increased Exercise Capacity
Finally, spending time in the sauna can also help to increase your exercise capacity and stamina.
Because your heart rate increases while you're using the sauna, you naturally improve your cardiovascular capacity. This can result in improved exercise tolerance and an easier time pushing yourself during your workouts.
The more you push yourself while exercising, the better results you'll see.
Learn how to combine ice baths and heat therapy for weight loss: Do ice baths burn fats? exploring the cold hard facts
For maximum home results, consider upgrading to a luxury home sauna. These units offer advanced, multi-wavelength heaters designed to target fat loss, detox, recovery, and overall metabolic health.
How to Cut Weight in a Sauna
The best way to cut weight in a sauna is to use it safely and consistently. Here are some specific tips that will help you to see the best results from your sauna usage:
· Hydrate: Drink at least one glass of water before you start your session, or bring water in with you if you are sensitive to the heat; drink water after your session, too.
· Start with a Low Temperature: A temperature of around 100 degrees Fahrenheit is generally safe for first-time users; after a few sessions, you can gradually increase the temperature to see more noticeable results.
· Start with a Short Session: A session of 10 to 15 minutes is good for a first-time user; eventually, you can work your way up to 20 to 30-minute sessions.
· Dress Comfortably: You can wear as much or as little as you'd like in the sauna, from regular workout clothes to a bathing suit to nothing at all.
· Be Consistent: Aim to use the sauna for 3 to 4 days per week when you're first getting started; over time, if you seem to tolerate the heat well, you can work your way up to daily use.
· Relax, Meditate, or Listen to Music --- Just Don't Exercise: You might be tempted to do a workout in the sauna so you can get your heart rate up higher and burn more calories --- resist this urge. It is dangerous to exercise in a sauna, and you could end up dehydrated or pass out altogether if you're not careful.
Keep in mind, too, that if you really want to lose weight and shed belly fat, you need to combine regular sauna usage with other healthy behaviors. This includes regular exercise and eating a healthy diet.
It doesn't matter how much time you spend in the sauna. If you're also eating junk food and taking in too many calories throughout the day, you're not going to see the kinds of results you're looking for.
For those in search of a product that’s effective and space-saving, infrared sauna blankets offer nearly all the same weight management and detox advantages and can be used in any environment.
Start Using the Sauna to Lose Belly Fat Today
Now that you know the answers to questions like "does the sauna help lose belly fat?" and "what is the infrared sauna-weight loss link?" are you ready to take the next step and give an infrared sauna a try?
At Sun Home Saunas, we offer a wide range of infrared saunas and traditional saunas for your home. Check out our collections today to find the perfect one to jumpstart your 2022 weight loss goals.
If you want to experience all the benefits an infrared sauna has to offer, we've got you covered at Sun Home Saunas. Check out our online store today to see all the different options available to you.
If you don't have room for an actual in-home infrared sauna, then purchasing a portable infrared sauna blanket may be the best option for you.
Infrared sauna blankets provide many of the same benefits of an actual sauna but are only $500 and can be used in any space!
For those managing multiple health goals at home, a luxury home sauna with customizable settings and integrated technology can raise the bar for daily wellness, weight loss, and total body care.
Reach out today and find out more from our sauna experts.
FAQs
Do infrared saunas help weight loss and detox?
Yes. Infrared sauna health benefits include boosting calorie burn, fat loss, and detoxification, especially when paired with a balanced routine. Sessions burn up to 600 calories and accelerate toxin removal.
Can infrared sauna use help reduce belly fat?
Regular sessions in the home infrared sauna can help target belly fat by increasing metabolism and reducing stress hormones like cortisol, which is linked to abdominal fat storage.
How many times per week should I use an infrared sauna for weight loss?
Aim for 3–4 sessions weekly to start, increasing to daily use if well tolerated. The most popular infrared saunas for home use provide temperature and timer settings for custom routines.
How long should I stay in a sauna for best weight loss results?
Beginners should start with 10–15-minute sessions and gradually build to 20–30 minutes. Hydration is essential for safe weight loss and detox.
Are infrared sauna blankets as effective as traditional saunas for fat loss?
Yes. Infrared sauna blanket models provide similar infrared sauna health benefits in a portable and affordable format which is perfect for personal use at home or while traveling.
