If you spend enough time in a steam room, you will sweat enough to lose weight. However, every ounce of that weight is made up of water. As soon as you consume anything, you will regain the weight you have lost. So, while using a steam shower room has the potential to help you lose weight, it is a risky, ineffective, and temporary solution. Let us not forget that researchers have discovered that exposure to colder temperatures increases the amount of brown fat in the body, which results in a corresponding increase in metabolism. The steam room is not a recent invention; well, the room itself is, but the concept behind it has been around for a very long time. Sweat lodges were used and are still used by Native Americans for purification, prayer, and healing. There have been some deaths as a result of sweat lodges, which have occurred as a result of poor choices and a lack of education. Steam rooms pose a similar threat, so use caution when using one.
There are a variety of advantages to using a steam room. The idea of sweating out toxins in your body is the first thing that comes to mind for many people. This, however, has not yet been proven scientifically. Your sweat is primarily composed of water and trace amounts of minerals, not toxins. The toxins in your body are efficiently eliminated by organs that are specifically designed for this type of work, such as your kidneys, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. Sweating is the body's primary means of temperature regulation, so try not to get too caught up in the hype. Surrounding yourself with hot steam, on the other hand, is beneficial to your skin because it opens your pores and gives your skin a more plump appearance.
Steam rooms can also improve blood flow and circulation, as well as relax stiff joints and muscles, potentially resulting in faster recovery after that brutal squat session. After spending some time in that steamy wonderland, you might notice a reduction in your stress levels. A recent study found that frequent visits to steam rooms were associated with lower death rates from cardiovascular disease and stroke.
We've all seen or heard of wrestlers, boxers, or other fighters who spend ridiculous amounts of time in a steam room, often wrapped in plastic garbage bags, and sometimes even riding a stationary bike, in the hopes of losing those last few pounds necessary to make weight. So, yes, a corner steam room can assist you in losing weight. What you don't see is that after the athlete has gained weight, he or she begins guzzling fluid like there's no tomorrow, sometimes resorting to an IV in extreme cases, in order to restore hydration levels.
There are no specific classes for using a steam room. However, if you are using a steam room at your gym or a local spa, there is no shame in asking for instructions before you begin using it. An attendant can direct you and provide you with basic instructions for using the steam room, as well as a list of rules that must be followed for your own safety and sanitation. Steam rooms are only for people who are dressed in the most basic of clothes. If you feel comfortable in your own skin, you can relax in your underwear. A towel and/or a bathing suit are also acceptable alternatives. Just remember that the sweat will be plentiful, and the more clothes you have on, the more sopping wet clothes you'll have to deal with later.
Take the more intelligent route, opting for a healthy diet and an active lifestyle rather than using the steam room as a means of relaxation. If gaining muscle is on your to-do list, don't expect to spend a lot of time in the steam room. Muscle is built through stress and overload, not through relaxing in a super-hot and humid environment. After you've put in the time in the weight room, head to the steam room.
