Exploring Infrared Heat in Fitness
Exploring Infrared Heat in Fitness: The Benefits and How to Use Effectively
Infrared heat is making waves in the fitness world for its potential to enhance your workout experience. Unlike regular heat, infrared warms your muscles and tissues directly, creating a unique environment for exercise. While the benefits are appealing, it’s important to be aware of the right way to incorporate it into your fitness routine so you get the most out of it—without any risk.
At our studio, we’re selective about when we use infrared heat. You’ll only find it in certain classes, like Yoga-focused sessions. Why? Well, we’ve got quite a few infrared panels (32 to be exact!), and for higher-intensity classes like Pilates, Barre, Sculpt, or Strength Training, cranking up the heat could lead to potentially harmful overheating—and no one wants that. That’s why we keep it cool for those classes and make sure each class description clearly spells out the style, intensity, and if infrared heat is involved. This way, you know exactly what you're stepping into!
Check out all of our offerings HERE!
Why Try Infrared Heat? Here Are the Benefits:
Looser Muscles & Greater Flexibility: Infrared heat penetrates deeper into your muscles, making it easier to loosen up and move with less stiffness. This is especially useful for Yoga classes where increased flexibility and relaxed muscles can improve your practice.
Better Circulation: Infrared heat works wonders for your blood flow. By helping to widen your blood vessels, it boosts circulation and gets more oxygen and nutrients to your muscles—great for improving endurance and recovery during lower-intensity classes.
Faster Recovery: If you’re looking for a quick recovery post-exercise, infrared heat can help by promoting the removal of waste products from your muscles. This means less soreness and inflammation after your workout.
Pain Relief: Need a natural way to ease soreness? The combo of increased circulation and the release of feel-good endorphins from infrared heat can help relieve post-workout aches.
What to Watch Out for with Infrared Heat:
Dehydration: Sweating is part of the deal when you’re working out in heat, but without proper hydration, you can quickly lose fluids. Be sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after class.
Overheating: While we love the benefits of infrared heat, it can also push your core temperature up too much if you're not careful. This is why we avoid using it for higher-intensity workouts—it’s just safer to keep things cooler in those cases.
Heart Health: Heat can put extra strain on your heart, raising your heart rate and blood pressure. If you have any heart conditions, it’s best to check with your doctor before jumping into a heated class.
Electrolyte Imbalance: All that sweating can also deplete important electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Keep an eye on your energy levels, and make sure to replenish these after class to avoid cramps or fatigue.
How to Get the Most Out of Infrared Heat Classes
Hydrate Like a Pro: Start sipping water before class, and keep it going throughout and afterward to stay ahead of any dehydration.
Pick the Right Class: Stick to Yoga-focused or lower-intensity sessions when infrared heat is in play. Higher-intensity workouts plus heat could be too much, so it’s best to ease into it.
Listen to Your Body: If you’re new to infrared heat, take things slow. Pay attention to how your body responds—if you feel dizzy or overly fatigued, don’t hesitate to take a break.
Check Class Info: We’re transparent about our infrared heat settings. Each class description includes whether or not heat is used, so you’ll always know what to expect.
Dress For It: Wear light, breathable, and moisture-wicking clothing to help your body regulate its temperature while you work out.
Overall
Infrared heat can definitely boost your flexibility, speed up recovery, and make workouts more comfortable, but it’s important to use it wisely. Stay hydrated, choose the right classes, and be mindful of how your body feels during your workout. By following these steps, infrared heat can become an exciting and beneficial part of your fitness journey—safely and effectively.
Ready to heat things up? Check out our infrared class offerings and see if it’s for you!
SOURCES :
Enhanced Muscle Relaxation and Flexibility :
Hagiwara, S., et al. (2014). "Deep Tissue Heating Effects of Far-Infrared Radiation in Comparison with Conventional Heating Pad." Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 26(12), 1831–1834. Link
Petrofsky, J. S., et al. (2009). "Dry Heat, Moist Heat and Body Fat: Are Heating Modalities Really Effective in People Who Are Overweight?" Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology, 33(5), 361–369. Link
Improved Circulation :
Lin, C. C., & Chang, C. F. (2012). "The Effects of Far-Infrared Therapy on Vascular Function in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease." Clinical Nursing Research, 21(4), 441–451. Link
Imamura, M., et al. (2001). "Repeated Thermal Therapy Improves Impaired Vascular Endothelial Function in Patients with Coronary Risk Factors." Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 38(4), 1083–1088. Link
Accelerated Recovery and Reduced Muscle Soreness :
Leung, T. K., et al. (2013). "Inhibitory Effects of Far-Infrared Radiation on Murine Melanoma Cell Growth." International Journal of Photoenergy, 2012, Article ID 646838. Link
Nakagami, G., et al. (2018). "Effectiveness of Infrared Radiation in the Treatment of Muscle Injuries: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials." Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 30(8), 1111–1115. Link
Risk of Dehydration :
Sawka, M. N., et al. (2007). "American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand. Exercise and Fluid Replacement." Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 39(2), 377–390. Link
Cheuvront, S. N., & Kenefick, R. W. (2014). "Dehydration: Physiology, Assessment, and Performance Effects." Comprehensive Physiology, 4(1), 257–285.Link
Overheating and Heat Stress :
Casa, D. J., et al. (2015). "National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Exertional Heat Illnesses." Journal of Athletic Training, 50(9), 986–1000. Link
Cardiovascular Strain :
Crandall, C. G., & González-Alonso, J. (2010). "Cardiovascular Function in the Heat-Stressed Human." Acta Physiologica, 199(4), 407–423. Link
Lee, J. Y., et al. (2016). "Heat Stress and Cardiovascular, Hormonal, and Heat Shock Proteins in Humans." Journal of Thermal Biology, 59, 99–106.Link
Electrolyte Imbalance :
