Sauna

I spent a few minutes in the sauna yesterday, and was wondering the same thing. Here's an answer I found on answers.com:


"yes, you can burn calories in the sauna, but you will be better off taking a short healthy walk.

Most of any perceived weight loss in a sauna is due to sweating. The loss of bodily fluids will make you lighter for a few hours, but you will get the kilos (pounds) back very soon. You will remain thirsty and when you next drink, the fluids will be restored to your body.

Meanwhile, increased cardiac output and the cooling process make the body use its energy resources. Estimates range from 300 or even 500 calories per sauna session (30 minutes), making it comparable to walking or jogging. In the sauna the only muscles working are those of your heart. While the heart is an important muscle, you would gain more from any physical activity, be it walking or swimming. These make your muscles grow and muscle tissue burns energy even while you rest. Not only will you feel better after a workout, you will be burning fat 24 hours a day.

You will sometimes hear of boxers or wrestlers going to the sauna to lose weight. High end athletes can do this for two reasons. First, they only need to lose weight for a few hours, when they are officially weighed. They will drink a considerable amount of power drinks before entering the rink to get their energy back. Second, they are constantly monitored by their physician who supposedly knows when to stop.

I have been asked whether it makes sense to use rubber suits that promote sweating in the sauna. Not only do I consider it unnecessary, such suits could actually be dangerous since they work by blocking the most important method your body has to adjust its temperature"