Sauna/Cardio

thelostbreed02
thelostbreed02 Posts: 87 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I always use the sauna BEFORE my workout so I sweat and get in "that zone" for working out but I've been plateauing really hard for nearly a year now and people have been saying it's because water leaving the muscle before workout such and such and it leaves you gassed before your workout or something. That's why I quit the cardio but the sauna I still stick to. I did workouts where I didnt use the sauna or sometimes it was broken and I just get that anxiety of me not pushing myself during my workout. Anyways, for MAXIMAL strength and performance, is the sauna before a workout bad?
How should we warmup for a push day? Pull day? Leg day?

Replies

  • MikePTY
    MikePTY Posts: 3,814 Member
    Echoing much of what @AnnPT77 said. Sauna before workout can be dangerous, because you are dehydrating yourself. And while there may be other reasons the sauna is beneficial, it is not really a weight loss tool. Being in the sauna may burn a few more calories than sitting on your couch, but it's calorie burn doesn't even measure up to a slow walk. So you are much better sticking with cardio if you have to choose between the two.

    How long has your plateau been? If it is just a couple of weeks, there are a lot of reasons your body could be retaining more water weight, and rather than trying to figure it out, just stay the course with your plan and your progess should resume. If it's been a month or more, that may indicate that you are no longer in a calorie deficit, and you should look at your calorie intake and see if there are any issues there. Are you weighing and logging everything you eat? Etc.
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    "Warming up" in the sense of preparing for exercise does not just mean "raise your body temperature." A warmup routine consists of stretching appropriate for your activity, and gradual increase in exercise intensity.

    If you are trying to lose weight and you haven't lost any weight for a year, then you're not in a calorie deficit. You can ensure a calorie deficit by using a food scale to weigh all your food. Using a sauna has nothing to do with fat loss, and has nothing to do with pushing yourself during a workout.

    I would encourage ignoring what "people have been saying." Whoever has been saying that is not giving you good advice.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    Sweat isn't really a good indicator of calorie burns or effort. And my understanding is it isn't a good idea for your muscles to be too loosened up before weight lifting. I agree with other responses that sauna should be after your workout, and only for your comfort and recovery, not because it's helping you burn calories or lose weight.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 35,138 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    Dehydrating yourself before a workout probably isn't the best idea in the world. I doubt it's the reason behind your plateau, but it isn't a great overall strategy. Cardio is better for you than saunas, but there's no reason to pick one or the other if you have time for both. Saunas feel nice, but be sure you hydrate properly before workouts. Maybe do the sauna after the workout. Warm up by doing some light cardiovascular activity for a few minutes (light calisthenics, easy jog, whatever).

    Oops: I should've mentioned warm-up sets (same exercise, light weight) as a warm-up option, too.
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