Is turning up the heat key to turning up your fitness game? You’ve probably heard all about infrared workouts by now if you stay current with fitness experts and influencers. While infrared workouts are hitting peak popularity, the truth is that elite athletes and wellness experts have used the concept behind this trend for decades. The biggest surprise of all might not be what hot workouts can do for your body. According to research, infrared fitness may be exactly the type of workout your cognition and mental health are missing. Here’s what you need to know if you’re dabbling with the idea of trying an infrared workout.
A Peek at the Science Behind Infrared Fitness
Workouts done with infrared heat are often called “hot” workouts. While most people have heard of hot yoga, you might be surprised to learn that this technology is also used to facilitate the following popular workouts:
Hot Isometrics
Hot Pilates
Hot Core
Hot Buns
Hot Bands
Hot Barre
Hot Stretch
Hot High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Infrared heat therapy involves the use of a special type of invisible light that produces infrared radiation that the skin reads as heat. The cells in your body then react by producing more energy and boosting regeneration. What that means for you is that you can bring workouts to the next level by leveraging your body’s natural reaction. People living with a time crunch also appreciate that infrared workouts allow them to feel like they did more in less time! There’s no need to worry that you’ll feel like you’re cooking. Infrared heat is extremely gentle. Many people compare infrared workouts to the sensation you get when playing in the sun on a warm day.
Infrared workouts begin making a difference from the moment a person steps into a room. In this environment, muscles can warm up and relax much faster to help with flexes and muscle contractions. Many people who regularly do hot workouts find that the “unclenching” of muscles that occurs helps them to enjoy an improved range of motion and flexibility that can be beneficial for reducing muscle soreness.
What Does Infrared Fitness Improve?
Research shows that six weeks of hot yoga leads to greater well-being in healthy adults. Participants experienced both momentary positive emotions and long-term results that were measured as improvements in mindfulness, peace of mind, and general health. In another clinical trial of adults with depression ranging from moderate to severe, those who participated in heated yoga sessions experienced significantly greater reductions in depressive symptoms compared with a control group.
Another study found that heat exposure can be a valuable tool for a wide range of cardiovascular, autoimmune, toxicant-induced, and other chronic health problems. There’s also evidence that exposure to infrared conditions can help to improve mood and performance status in women. It has also been shown to significantly improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fatigue without producing any adverse side effects.
