Cameron Allen
Table of Contents
Sauna suits are a great way of using heat stress cutting weight, especially for professional athletes looking to slice a few extra pounds off the scale to make weight.
Read below to learn all about sauna suits and how they help with rapid weight loss.
How much weight can you lose wearing a sauna suit?
Wearing a sauna suit during training contributes to temporary weight loss by making you sweat more. However, you should note that the weight loss is mainly caused by water cutting and not fat loss.
The amount of weight you can lose while wearing a sauna suit depends on several factors such as the duration and intensity of your workout, your body composition, and individual differences like age, gender, body weight, and body fat percentage.
It’s crucial to understand that the weight lost through sweating can quickly be regained once you rehydrate. For sustainable and long-term weight loss, it’s best to focus on a high-protein balanced diet, regular strength training and cardio, and a healthy lifestyle.
Do Sauna Suits Really Help You Lose Weight?
Technically speaking, weight loss can occur when training with a sweat suit or a sauna suit, the catch is that most of the weight lost will be regained once you rehydrate yourself. This is because most of the weight loss that occurs when you train with a sauna suit is water weight, lost through excessive sweating.
Professional athletes usually wear sauna suits for hours during training to lose a significant amount of weight before their weigh-in for competitions. Sauna suits allow athletes to make weight for their specific weight class.
If your goal is long-term weight loss, and more importantly fat loss, training in a sauna suit will only take you so far. Instead, focus on training hard every week using weights, eating a high-protein diet in a caloric deficit, and getting adequate rest.
How Long Should You Wear A Sauna Suit?
There is no minimum or maximum amount of time recommended for wearing a sauna suit. The best amount of time depends on goals, experience, and endurance. For beginners, it is recommended to start with 15 to 30 minutes of exercise and go from there.
Training in a sauna suit is both physically and mentally very draining for beginners and intermediate athletes, overtraining and excessive cardio can cause a variety of problems.
It is a common occurrence for beginners to face severe dehydration,, dizziness, and excessive fatigue when wearing a sauna suit, especially during intense exercise. To avoid problems like these, gradual progression is highly recommended.
Sauna Suit Risks
Training with sauna suits comes with some risks that you should take into consideration.
The increased body temperature, resting metabolic rate, and excessive sweating can all lead to dehydration, which can be dangerous if not properly dealt with. Overheating is another big concern, as sauna suits can trap body heat close to the body, potentially causing heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
It’s important to listen to your body and its needs, you should take breaks when needed, and stay properly hydrated while using a sauna suit, electrolyte drinks are recommended to hydrate you better.
Another important factor that you should consider is if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before using a sauna suit.
What an Exercise Science Researcher Says About Sauna Suits
Most exercise researchers found sauna suits to be a great addition to your training (source). To progress, you must continue to progressive overload or increase the intensity.
Using sauna suits in your training will push your body harder in temperate and hot conditions in your fitness routine. High-intensity exercise is great for your cardiovascular health and has many other health benefits.
Researchers also found that training with a sauna suit can help increase plasma volume in your blood and also fix any electrolyte imbalances.
Do Sauna Suits Burn Fat?
Sauna suits do not directly burn fat , however they can increase the rate at which you burn fat. Wearing a sauna suit can contribute to temporary weight loss through increased sweating, but this weight loss is primarily due to water loss and not fat loss and will be regained once you rehydrate yourself.
The heat and sweating caused by wearing a sauna suit can increase the rate at which you burn calories, but it’s important to note that this calorie burn is mainly a result of increased heart rate, improved blood flow, and energy expenditure during exercise.
So, the answer is yes and no. Sauna suits are restrictive heat loss attire that catalyzes body fat oxidation through increased sweat production, however, the weight lost through sweat is just water weight and will be regained.
Sauna Suits vs Infrared Saunas for Athletes and Weight Loss
Sauna suits and infrared saunas are excellent options for both, athletes and weight loss, but there are some key differences to consider.
Sauna suits are wearable water-proof tracksuits that increase body temperature and promote sweating during exercise, allowing you to rapidly lose weight. They can be convenient, portable, and simple to use, allowing you to incorporate them into your workouts.
Infrared saunas, on the other hand, use infrared light to heat the body directly, providing a deeper heat penetration that is more effective compared to traditional sauna suits. They are typically stationary units and can offer a more relaxing and spa-like experience, whereas sweat suits are physically and mentally very draining.
Both sauna suits and infrared saunas can contribute to temporary weight loss through increased sweating, but it’s important to remember that this weight loss is primarily due to water loss and not fat loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do sauna suits cut weight?
Cutting weight is an important part of an athlete’s life. Especially for those who compete in sports with weight classes like MMA or powerlifting. In sports like these, you must be a specific weight to be able to compete.
For these athletes, sauna suits are amazing for cutting water weight. Sweat suits work by trapping heat released from your body during vigorous exercise in hot environments, which will increase sweat production and help you rapidly lose weight.
It should be noted that this weight loss is temporary and is regained quicker than it is lost.
Is it OK to wear a sauna suit every day?
Using a sauna suit every day is not recommended even for advanced athletes. Your body needs adequate rest to recover from vigorous exercise during your weekly fitness routine, overtraining can lead to many problems such as dehydration, headaches, and drowsiness.
