Several years ago, as I reluctantly faced the onslaught of shirtless summer activities, I regretted my weeks of binging on pizza and chips. I hammered out cardio to drop pounds and tried to shed all that water weight in the sauna. The results were slow and unimpressive. Then, I ended up whining to just the right person. The always-informative Oday Shakar told me, “Well, sweetie, you have to try the infrared sauna. It’s a life changer.” I immediately booked my first one. Forty minutes later, I stepped out of the sauna and was shocked at what I saw. I looked leaner and tighter then ever before. However, those results just scratched the surface on the other benefits I found.
An infrared sauna uses light to heat the body as opposed to a traditional sauna that uses heat to warm the air around you. It actually runs at a lower temperature that creeps up on you, and you end up sweating up a tropical storm. Here are some of the benefits backed by studies that I experienced first hand:
Weight Loss
You can lose up to 600 calories in 1 session! As the body works to cool itself down, there is a big increase in heart and metabolic rates. Tip: Go immediately after the gym so you start burning calories as soon as you get in.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Detoxification
Since infrared claims to heat you at the cellular level, toxins deep down in your body are circulated and released.
Pain relief
The infrared heat penetrates tissue, joints, and muscles to relieve inflammation and pain, including chronic pain. Many times I’ve gone in with an achy back or a pulled muscle and left pain-free!
Anti-Aging
Many claim to look at least a few years younger after each session. The infrared rays are supposed to stimulate collagen, which can reduce wrinkles and improve overall skin tone.
Today, the infrared sauna is my go-to health and beauty secret. I’ve been using it for years whenever I have a shoot, want to look more toned, or even just to look healthier. My clients are also on the infrared sauna bandwagon and seeing some great results. Today, I’m passing this secret on to you. Of course, I recommend first consulting with your physician to see if the temperature is right for you. Happy sweating!
For more information or to book a class, visit www.phoenixeffectla.com.
The Phoenix Effect, a metabolic bootcamp that gets you in shape fast, is offered exclusively at 7264 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA.
F. Jay Ver
Sounds almost too good to be true.
Lewis Kinslayer
I thunk this sounds dangerous and is a stupid form of native advertising.
Dennis Richards
Claims? …. Supposed? …. yeah right!
Glücklich
I prefer infrared because I don’t get that immediate cooked-sinus feeling. I just wish more people would shut the hell up in the sauna. I’m not there to make friends, I don’t want to chat, I don’t want to hear anyone else chat.
Bauhaus
@Glücklich:
You can hardly blame people for trying to engage you in conversation, dream-boat. I agree though, shut the hell up in a sauna. Not yet tried infrared, but it sounds nice. Usually do whirlpool at home after a run.
Clark35
@Lewis Kinslayer: Yeah it’s an ad for it.
Glücklich
@Bauhaus:
Flattery will get you everywhere.
Finrod
This is about as scientifically valid as one of those jiggly belts from the 1950s. Dehydrating yourself is not a health treatment.
martinbakman
Heats you at the cellular level. THAT sounds safe.
avesraggiana
This queen is wearing too much foundation.
PoSaintJoe
Halfway through I realized that this is nothing more than an advertisement. It’s a bit unethical to post something that is clearly native advertising without first alerting your readers. I love Queerty but it loses serious cool points for passing off speculative pseudo-science garbage like this as original content.
Mandrake
The benefits do seem too good to be true, but from googling infrared sauna, even the Mayo Clinic supports the claims. It also sounds like some kind of human microwave.
johnnybgood
Many individuals with serious illness such as MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) or Environmental illness are finding improved health through infrared sauna. We are exposed to hundreds of chemicals everyday that we absorb through breathing. If one has poor detoxification pathways, the chemical load becomes too much and illness results. One has to research like anything else that can be dangerous without proper guidance and education. There are many saunas made from toxic treated wood w-glues/solvents. Some are constructed in China and then sold here with a made in USA ‘sticker’. Additionally, one would not enter into a sauna and stay more than 5-7 minutes for the first time, working up to longer periods each time. Longer than that is asking for trouble. Also, one’s electrolytes have to be replenished but not with a notorious artificially colored drink. Lemon, water & Himalayan Sea Salt is appropriate. Guys, don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it. Just be responsible and educate yourself before your first experience.
johnnybgood
@martinbakman: a sauna would not be doing its job if it didn’t reach the cellular level. This is where the most toxins reside. It is very safe is used responsibly. Many alternative doctors recommend infrared saunas for detoxifying the body from chemicals we encounter everyday.
johnnybgood
@Finrod: If used responsibly, it would be impossible to dehydrate. One may drink before, during, and after to ensure proper hydration. Saunas have been used safely for thousands of years. The only unsafe aspect is entering one that is built from toxic glues and chemically treated wood.
Glücklich
@johnnybgood:
The water-lemon-salt concoction is a good idea. I just checked out the Himalayan salts on-line though and apparently they contain some naturally occurring trace-level radioactive substances. I love fancy salt but I might go with black Hawaiian instead.