The benefits of the sauna for sports preparation
Sauna and sport: the ideal combo? Many fitness centers offer a sauna area in addition to their equipment. And for good reason! We tell you all about the benefits of a sauna for sports preparation in this article.
What are the benefits of a sauna session?
A true Finnish custom, the sauna offers numerous health benefits, both psychological and physical. Discover them below.
Benefits for the mind
On the mental side, regular sauna sessions help to :
- Calming the nerves, warmth promotes the secretion of endorphins, the well-being hormone;
- Get a better night’s sleep, again through the action of endorphins;
- Eliminate anxiety and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Benefits for the body
For the body, the sauna helps to :
- Deeply cleanse the skin, increasing perspiration;
- Relieve aches and pains by relaxing and loosening muscles and joints;
- Eliminate toxins and slim your figure, while burning calories;
- Boost the immune system and the production of white blood cells, by putting the body into a state of artificial fever;
- Stimulate blood circulation, especially when followed by a cold shower to contract blood vessels.
Sauna and sport: the winning combo?
Given the many benefits of the sauna mentioned above, it’s safe to assume that it’s the ideal partner for sports enthusiasts. From the professional athlete to the Sunday runner, everyone can benefit! Find out more below.
Benefits for the professional athlete…
Although sport has undeniable health benefits, it also has its drawbacks. Tired muscles, muscle soreness, joint pain, injuries… But also irritability and sleep disturbances when overtraining. Things that professional sportsmen and women unfortunately regularly encounter!
Of course, it’s always best to avoid over-intensive sports activities. You need to take care of your muscles and joints, and take the time to rest.
But there are times when this is difficult to achieve, for example when preparing for a competition. We want to train as hard as we can to achieve the best possible results, sometimes to the detriment of our health.
What can you do about it? Regular sauna sessions, of course! Top athletes do several every week. This improves sporting endurance, soothes tired muscles, helps heal injuries, relieves stress and promotes restful sleep. An ideal wellness cocktail for the pro athlete!
… but also for the Sunday runner!
The various benefits of the sauna also apply to beginner athletes. In fact, it can be just as beneficial.
Indeed, starting a sport is bound to cause you considerable muscle soreness. The risk of injury is also greater, for a variety of reasons. You may not perform certain exercises properly. Or you may start with a session that’s too intense, in memory of your teenage exploits.
Good news: regular sauna sessions are the ideal way to get back into the swing of things. It will help you eliminate toxins, while contributing to weight loss. It’s also ideal for soothing muscle aches and pains in joints, tendons and nerves.
And if sport isn’t your thing, the good news is that a sauna can (almost!) replace a workout. In fact, it stimulates the cardiovascular system just as much as physical exercise. But don’t let that stop you from taking your 10,000 steps a day! Where else can you get your dose of natural vitamin D without soaking up the sun’s rays?
How can sauna be incorporated into sports preparation?
You’ve got it: it’s particularly worthwhile incorporating the sauna into your physical preparation. But when should you have your
Sauna before sport
We often think of the benefits of a sauna after sport… But did you know that a sauna session before your activity is also highly beneficial? Spending a few minutes before your workout is the perfect way to gently warm up your body.
Part of warming up is literally warming up your body. A few minutes in the sauna can help kick-start this process. Although it doesn’t replace conventional warm-up exercises, it does help to warm up muscles and joints. However, don’t forget to hydrate sufficiently after your session. If you don’t, watch out for muscle cramps!
Sauna after sport
After a sports session, there’s often only one thing you want: to rest, both physically and mentally. The sauna is the ideal activity for this! It will help you loosen up your muscles, eliminate lactic acid, while resting your mind. You’ll even burn a few extra calories, as the heat stimulates your heart rate. Perfect for weight-loss training!
For sports recovery, we recommend a sauna session between 30 and 1 hour after physical activity. The idea is for the body to return to a normal temperature before being used again, to maximize the benefits. Finally, always make sure you’re well hydrated after your session.
Sauna, the ideal activity for sports preparation
In conclusion, regular sauna sessions are ideal for physical preparation. From top athletes to weekend warriors, from bodybuilders to marathon runners, everyone can benefit.
The benefits of the sauna for athletes are numerous, both physical and psychological. On the one hand, it helps relieve muscle and joint pain, helps eliminate toxins, stimulates blood circulation… On the other, it relieves stress, calms the nerves and promotes restful sleep.
So, whatever your level of fitness, we can only advise you to make the sauna part of your wellness routine. Your body and mind will thank you!
