How heat in a mobile sauna can help athletes physically in a sauna? Are you mad? It’s already so hot.
When you train, your cardiovascular health improves. Your heart rate and blood flow increase and this keeps you in good shape. Just as training develops this aerobic conditioning, did you know you can boost these benefits by sitting in a mobile sauna? The increase in the core body temperature achieves the same results as the exercise - and more, such as helping decrease blood pressure and increase lung capacity
Research shows that by improving oxygen circulation, saunas can improve endurance and power output as well, so when you’re doing an ultra marathon or trail run, adding regular sessions in a mobile sauna, has the ability to give you the edge over your competitors.
Another great benefit is the reduction of joint pain and inflammation - good news for athletes of all types and fitness levels.
What are the mental benefits?
Saunas can also relax your muscles and improve mental clarity, allowing you to give better focus to your daily training regime. Stress reduction is another benefit. It all has to do with cortisol - our primary stress hormone. When the levels are too high it tends to make us aggressive or reactive. Saunas have been proven beneficial in reducing cortisol levels which aids in balancing mood and stress. According to study, using a sauna five to 15 times per month was directly associated with higher mental well-being scores compared to those who used the sauna less frequently.1
Conclusion
Capetonians are, generally speaking, fitness fanatics. They’re running up (and down) mountains, cycling through vineyards, doing open water swims, surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, skateboarding, jogging, walking - you name it and they’re up for it. And, why not? Cape Town offers athletes the best outdoor facilities for training and competing. And when you add a mobile sauna to your training routine you have a winning combination.
Look out for a mobile sauna in Cape Town to boost your cardio performance in preparation for the race or in a recovery zone afterwards to speed up recovery time. Hot Huts Mobile Saunas were part of the PUFfeR Ultra Trail Run recovery zone this year - we had a blast providing the event the experience of the rejuvenation offered by our traditional wood-fired sauna.
Further reading:
https://posh.co.uk/living/can-a-sauna-be-used-to-improve-athletic-performance/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2018/1857413
Wearing a beanie in a sauna? Are you mad? It’s already so hot.
There is no denying the health benefits of a sauna, but some people find the heat overwhelming and uncomfortable. So, if you are lucky enough to find a mobile sauna near you in Cape Town, then we’ve got the solution for you.
Mobile saunas are hot stuff
Before we get to sauna beanies, let’s recap on why you’re in a sauna in the first place.
For centuries, traditional and mobile saunas have been used by many cultures across the globe as a way of providing rejuvenating therapy for the body.
A mobile sauna, like its traditional counterpart, can reach temperatures of between 70° to 100° Celsius which raises the skin temperatures to about 40° which increases the heart rate and dilates the blood vessels as the body attempts to cool. Sweating often occurs and this process is seen to mimic low to moderate exercise, which is great for heart health. Other benefits may include a feeling of wellbeing, easing pain, plus reducing the effects of asthma and psoriasis.
But won’t a sauna beanie make me feel hotter?
We know it sounds counter-intuitive to put on something warm when you’re in a sauna but the physiology is quite simple.
Normally a mobile sauna is around 80° with some people liking it even hotter, and for someone who isn't used to the heat in a sauna, the temperatures can feel overwhelming and uncomfortable.
Putting on a sauna beanie protects your head and can help prevent symptoms such as nausea and dizziness – often experienced by new users. It covers the frontal cortex of your brain where your amygdala is located, which triggers your fight or flight response. Insulating this area will allow you to relax enough to enjoy the health and relaxation benefits of a sauna.
This protective layer on your head also allows you to stay longer while also preventing long-term damage to your hair from too much heat exposure.
Wool and felt hats are definitely a thing, with some being quite plain and some being super fun or quirky to wear while you relax. Some people even recommend you soak your hat in cold water before stepping into the sauna. Check out our Hot Huts sauna beanie!
To level up: soak your sauna beanie in cold water prior to jumping into the sauna.
Conclusion
A mobile sauna is the perfect option for those who aren’t a member of a gym or who don’t go for expensive spa treatments. However, it makes sense to be as comfortable as possible to ensure you get all the benefits of a mobile sauna when you are in Cape Town – from the southern beaches around to the Atlantic seaboard.
