“Give me a chance to create fever and I will cure any disease.” -Parmenides, 5th century b.c.
Heat has been used as a method of therapy for centuries. Ancient cultures used sweat lodges and primitive sauna structures as a way to cleanse the body from the inside out. Today we use high-tech infrared saunas for the same reason and for more precise purposes with much greater efficiency.
Given the proper temperature, an infrared sauna can be a wonderful tool for fitness and detox.
HOTWORX has discovered that the ideal infrared workout temperature is 125º fahrenheit. We have proven that this temperature is optimal for 30 minutes of isometrics and for 15 minutes of HIIT exercise performance. It turns out that it is a good temperature for the elimination of fat-soluble toxins as well! In his book Beyond Antibiotics, Dr. Michael A. Schmidt describes the benefits of this “fat sweat” temperature as follows:
“Saunas are being used by some doctors to stimulate the release of toxins from the bodies of their patients. They have found that a lower temperature (105º-130ºF) sauna taken for a longer duration is most beneficial. These low temperatures stimulate a fat sweat, which eliminates toxins stored in fat, as opposed to the high temperature sauna, which encourages a water sweat.” https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2015/08/how-to-make-a-sauna-hotter/
One study analyzed the composition of sweat comparing the sweat from participants who used the traditional hot rocks sauna with higher temperatures to sweat from subjects who used an infrared sauna at lower temperatures. The sweat analysis found that the higher temperature sauna sweat was 95-97% water, but the sweat from the infrared sauna was 80-85% water with the remaining 15-20% composed of cholesterol, fat-soluble toxins, acids, ammonia and sodium. https://www.evolutionhealth.com/sauna-detoxification
Your body can burn fat more efficiently when your core temperature rises, and even more so when exposed to an infrared sauna temperature in the 105º-130º range (as indicated by the sweat analysis study). Obviously you begin to sweat when your core body temperature rises, whereby eliminating toxins that can interfere with your metabolism. As this toxic interference is reduced, you will burn more fat more efficiently.
The use of infrared heat works very well to raise core temperature quickly due to the deep penetration of the energy and heat into the body. Ultimately, when this thermogenic event is combined with exercise and proper diet/nutrition, the results are incredible.
In a 2012 experiencelife.com article, Dr. Tim Jackson was quoted saying, “… if you really like the idea of sitting in a sauna for fat loss, you might consider seeking out a far-infrared sauna. Several case studies show significant reduction in body fat after months of far-infrared-sauna use," says Jackson. Tim Jackson is a doctor of physical therapy and functional medicine specialist at the NeuroSensory Center of Charlotte in Huntersville, N.C. https://experiencelife.com/article/expert-answers-on-saunas-for-weight-loss-sore-achilles-tendons-and-more/
As for my observations, I have seen so many people who have benefited from the consistent practice of infrared exercise at 125º. I continue to see amazing results personally as I supplement my own weight training routine with three or more HOTWORX sessions per week. The fat loss happens very quickly and can be maintained with regular weekly hot exercise sessions. I have seen huge results with my co-workers who use our corporate HOTWORX infrared fitness sauna. I can point to countless examples of our customers who have posted their similar results on social media. Simply put, when performed at the right infrared temperature, hot exercise works for those who desire accelerated fat loss.
