Steam rooms, good or bad? Any reliable, actual factual info?

PapaChanoli
PapaChanoli Posts: 178 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So, as part of my workout I hit the steam room afterward. What studying up I've done on the subject leaves me with the assumption that the sweat they produce is almost completely water, wih little or no value for calorie loss. I visit it on the assumption that if I hydrate well before and after and have no imbalance of electrolytes it will, at best, promote flushing toxins through my system. I also am assuming that the minor effect the high heat may have on metabolism can only help encourage my body to burn.

Some of his I believe has a basis in fact, but some of it is only guess work. I am not looking for a cheap fix. I am invested in calorie deficit and steady exercise to lose weight and get back in shape. I find it relaxing after I work out, along with a dip in the hot tub to let the jets works on sore or tight muscles, and then a long dip in the pool to cool down.

What I really want to know is, does anybody know of any good science or solid facts on the effects of steam rooms?

Replies

  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    I looked and this is what I found (no science yet):
    http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2896/does-a-sauna-or-steam-room-do-you-any-good

    There is some indication of this: "Finnish Researchers say steam or sauna improve sleep, substantiate stress
    and improve energy levels"
    http://healthandcare.in/did-you-know-the-health-benefits-of-steam-rooms-or-saunas/
  • PapaChanoli
    PapaChanoli Posts: 178 Member
    I looked and this is what I found (no science yet):
    http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2896/does-a-sauna-or-steam-room-do-you-any-good

    There is some indication of this: "Finnish Researchers say steam or sauna improve sleep, substantiate stress
    and improve energy levels"
    http://healthandcare.in/did-you-know-the-health-benefits-of-steam-rooms-or-saunas/

    Thanks for the links and the answer. I found those articles too, and a few others which led me to post here in hopes that's some of the helpful and knowledgeable people here might have something more conclusive in their repertoire. I kind of assumed it may have come up before and yielded a discussion that I haven't been able to find.

    It comes across as odd that their isn't more info on it, considering that it's fairly common in parts of the world.

    It does relax me. As anecdotal as that might be, I'm sold on that, but then so does the hot tub at much lower temperatures, mainly because of the immersion.
  • PapaChanoli
    PapaChanoli Posts: 178 Member
    One last bump on the off chance somebody with more good I do will pitch in.
  • Hannahhime
    Hannahhime Posts: 52 Member
    To me, I think the steam room really helps my complexion. My skin feels so soft and smooth after it! The heat also helps ease the tension in my muscles after a workout so I tend to feel more relaxed after relaxing in it for a few minutes.

    As far as I know, I don't think it really has any weight loss benefits?? I checked online and I can't find any reliable sources...
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member
    :/

    They're just for relaxing.

    Calorie deficit.
  • EllaIsNotEnchanted
    EllaIsNotEnchanted Posts: 226 Member
    water loss for weigh in the next day.


    ^take that back. Never been in a steam room. I meant that for sauna. However, probably the same thing.
  • PapaChanoli
    PapaChanoli Posts: 178 Member
    :/

    They're just for relaxing.

    Calorie deficit.

    I've come to the conclusion that I agree with this after studying it until my eyes bleed. Good for relaxation. Good for complexion and skin to some degree, definitely flushes some water out of your system with the inclusion of some of tho the other ingredients in sweat. Is definitely wise to not be low in electrolytes before going in and hydration before and after is smart.

    Definitely not a significant factor in weight loss, in and of itself. Possibly some minor benefit to metabolism.

    There is no better weight loss option than calorie deficit; period.
  • PapaChanoli
    PapaChanoli Posts: 178 Member
    water loss for weigh in the next day.


    ^take that back. Never been in a steam room. I meant that for sauna. However, probably the same thing.

    If I understand correctly, the only difference is that steam rooms are not as hot but the humidity is high. Saunas are much hotter but drier. Everything I've read says they affect you just about the same, except steam can be good for some respiratory conditions and sauna dry heat doesn't add condensation to your sweat.

    I don't know of any other differences. I do know that the steam room makes you pour sweat like nothing I've ever experienced.
  • 1PoisonIvy
    1PoisonIvy Posts: 933 Member
    As a degreed biologist, it actually takes "energy" for your cells to release h20
    I love the steam room, and even though you aren't burning alot of calories, you are burning some
  • PapaChanoli
    PapaChanoli Posts: 178 Member
    As a degreed biologist, it actually takes "energy" for your cells to release h20
    I love the steam room, and even though you aren't burning alot of calories, you are burning some

    Well shucks. That makes sense. Thank you.

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