Lately, I’ve been all about habit stacking, from meditating under the soothing glow of my LED face mask to getting in some reading while sipping my morning matcha. When I came across a video of someone running on an infrared treadmill on TikTok, I was intrigued. Combining a daily workout with an infrared sauna session sounds perfect. While I’m not new to the idea of infrared workouts, the idea of utilizing a workout machine equipped with the benefits of an infrared sauna sounds even better. But do you actually get more out of them than you would at your regular gym? Here’s everything you need to know.
What are infrared workouts and how do they work? Hotworx’s infrared fitness saunas have been around since 2017, and now have more than 500 locations scattered around the country. The infrared exercise equipment is still somewhat hard to find in the United States, but the technology was first created 20 years ago in Poland. The technology has taken off at studios throughout Europe and is currently found in more than 45 countries. In 2019, infrared treadmills, ellipticals, StairMasters, rowing machines, and bikes were brought to the U.S. by Cosmo Contour & Spa, with locations in Los Angeles and Miami. You can also find the infrared equipment at Aman New York and the newly-opened MG Body Space in Charlotte, North Carolina.
No matter what type of infrared workout you’re doing, your body is responding the same way. Infrared saunas penetrate your skin and muscles, heating your body from the inside out. When the infrared rays penetrate your skin and muscles, your core body temperature increases. As your body works to cool itself, your heart starts pumping faster and you sweat, similar to what you would experience during a workout.
Are infrared workouts actually good for you? Infrared saunas and exercise are a perfect pair. They can supercharge your fitness by reducing muscle pain and speeding recovery. Research has shown infrared saunas may also improve your mood, energy levels, cardiovascular health, and skin health. However, working out in an infrared sauna or using infrared equipment can be more intense than a regular workout, so it’s important to stay hydrated and start slow.
Should you give an infrared workout a try? Ultimately, if you enjoy it and will go more often, do it. But if you’d rather keep your workouts and sauna sessions separate, there’s no need to. The key to gym success is consistency and effort, so do what feels best for you.
