The other day I stepped into Life Food Organic to pick up a juice and I noticed that one side of the wall had been opened up. Curious, I stepped through the opening, and I found myself inside the brand new Sweat Shop LA. Upon closer inspection, I found it was full of individual infrared sauna rooms! I’d heard a lot about infrared saunas but I’d never been inside one. Of course I was intrigued, so I chatted with the guy at the counter for awhile. He told me the infrared sauna heat penetrates deep into the body to help get rid of all kinds of toxins. “How about toxic emotions?” I asked. He laughed. I was serious. ;)
Anyway, after reading through some info, I went back to the Sweat Shop later that evening to give it a whirl. All I can say is that after spending 45 minutes in the infrared sauna (during the 45 mins I did have to open the door to let some cool air in a few times), I felt like my whole body was sparkling and I was walking on a cloud. No joke! I looked at my face in the mirror and I was glowing. I swear, my skin has never looked or felt so good. It was awesome!
Benefits of an infrared sauna according to the Sweat Shop LA:
- Detox your body
- Burn calories
- Strengthen cardiovascular system
- Beautify complexion – improve skin tone & blood flow
- Healing & pain relief for injuries
- Speed up your metabolism
- Relax and de-stress the body
- Improve immune system
How is an infrared sauna different than a regular sauna? An infrared sauna’s radiant heat penetrates deep into the body directly in the same way as natural sunlight, but without any harmful rays. Regular saunas heat the body indirectly through hot air/steam. The guy at the Sweat Shop explained that the heat goes deeper into the tissues for more detoxifying effects, and also that infrared saunas provide a more sanitary environment than regular saunas/steam rooms.
If this excites you, search out a place with infrared saunas in your city and sweat it out! Some people even buy infrared saunas for their homes. That is super intense…in the best way.
Learn more about infrared saunas
Overall my first infrared sauna experience was a total win.
Have you ever tried an infrared sauna? What did you think?
Shannan says
That’s super interesting. The only bummer is that here in Denver there isn’t as much health conscious shops like in New York. You can’t even find many juicing stores which is a shame (like you, I get tired of all the juicing and mess). But keep the info coming and I will make a list to check out when I visit!
jenny sansouci says
Shannan, this place is in LA. I heard Denver was popping with health stuff! I’m willing to bet you could find one! Let me know. Xx
Almost Heaven Saunas says
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you’ve been duped.
No sauna, infrared or traditional, is going to do that much detoxification. It’s just another ploy that the manufacturers of these cheap infrared “saunas” use to cheat hard working people out of their money.
Same goes for any kind of weight loss or calorie burn. It’s just not true. The only weight lost is water weight, and the only “toxins” you shed are what’s actually in your pores that gets pushed out by sweat.
A traditional Scandinavian style sauna will help increase circulation, as well as potentially improve the appearance of your skin and hair, and it will do it much better than an “infrared sauna”, with centuries of proof behind it from many different cultures.
As far as the claims that an “infrared sauna” is more sanitary than a regular traditional sauna, if you stop to think about this it just doesn’t make any sense. The temperatures in a traditional sauna are much higher than those in an “infrared sauna” (we’ve heard “infrared saunas” compared to sitting in a closet with a space heater), and therefore much better at killing any potential contaminants that would be left behind after a sauna bath.
jenny sansouci says
I see you’re coming from a competing sauna brand. :) I am sure your saunas are awesome too. All saunas feel great, in my opinion! The one I went in was like 160 degrees or so….definitely hot enough that I had to open the door for cool air every few mins. And the sanitation thing? I’m sure that varies. I know I’ve been in steam rooms + saunas packed with sweating people and these individual rooms felt pretty sanitary in comparison.
Whether or not every claim is true I obviously can’t confirm, but I felt amazing after the infrared sauna + my skin was like a glistening newborn baby. So I’m into it. :)
Lindsey says
A great article from Dr. Oz that explains the benefits of an infrared sauna: http://www.oprah.com/health/Life-Extension-Technology-and-Tissue-Regeneration/6
Enjoy!
jenny sansouci says
Thank you!! Awesome.
Lindsey says
Jenny –
Thank you for, as always, a wonderful, informative, educational, and inspirational blog post. I found a great place in the DC area that offers infrared saunas called the Tea Spa. My experience was amazing. The 30 minutes of me time, which I used to quiet my brain, was just what the doctor ordered. In addition, after my treatment I felt very calm, relaxed, happy, and last night slept like a baby. I’ve already made a second appointment and can’t wait to go back!
Thanks Again!
jenny sansouci says
Lindsey, that is so cool!! I will have to check it out next time I’m in DC. So glad you loved it! xx