Sauna to help with endurance?

Yes, but that's not the only way. Taking a hot bath or sitting in a sauna is a must, if you are running a lot. Stretching, foam rolling, core exercises, strength exercises all pale in comparison to what sitting in a really hot tub does.

So what does it do?

How many people set aside 15 minutes, 3 or more times a week to just relax? That alone is great and will make a big difference.

There may be many quantifiable benefits to a hot bath, but all you really need to know as an athlete is what your body tells you - it feels quite pleasant and relaxing. You feel better afterwards. Which is huge.

That should be enough.

Ancient Amphibian wrote:

How many people set aside 15 minutes, 3 or more times a week to just relax?

Are you kidding?

Way more people than set aside 15 minutes, 3 or more times a week to exercise ?

what are you talking about? wrote:

Yes, but that's not the only way. Taking a hot bath or sitting in a sauna is a must, if you are running a lot. Stretching, foam rolling, core exercises, strength exercises all pale in comparison to what sitting in a really hot tub does.

None of those thing really help.

actually.... wrote:

what are you talking about? wrote:

Yes, but that's not the only way. Taking a hot bath or sitting in a sauna is a must, if you are running a lot. Stretching, foam rolling, core exercises, strength exercises all pale in comparison to what sitting in a really hot tub does.

None of those thing really help.

Just speaking on personal experience, if running 100+ miles per week, hot baths are essential. I never stretch, foam roll or do strength/core exercises. When ever my legs start acting up, I just take a hot bath and they stop acting up. Don't know why, I just know it works.

Buy one of those portable saunas or wait till July -September Texas heat, wear a sauna suit and relax for 15 minute s day 3 times a week by a pool deck at around 3pm. Let me know how it feels.

I spent a few years living abroad, and was pleasantly surprised to find that most towns have a local "Thermal Bath". There is a little water park for kids, and then a pretty amazing bath/sauna/steam etc. spa for adults. Even non-athletes will go just to relax for a couple of hours on the weekend.

I would do my serious stretching in the sauna, and then use the hot tubs for pure recovery. Stretching in the heat, especially after a run gives you more flexibility. With this routine, plus a little weight training, and cross training with bike and pool, I've been injury free for a long time. The heat in the tub expands blood vessels getting more blood flow to the beat up areas, that need recovery.

Do watch out for dehydration - adding the heat to running means you need even more liquids.

..... wrote:

So what does it do?

Increases blood plasma volume.

Well I don't know a lot of sauna, but I do know about hot tubs (that almost the same), that staying in a tub with the temperature slightly increased goes a long way in stimulating the production of leukocytes (white blood cells) in your body. When your body has enough white blood cells, it helps combat viruses and infections naturally. Constantly making use of a hot tub more means you’re less likely to fall sick.

europe guy wrote:

I spent a few years living abroad, and was pleasantly surprised to find that most towns have a local "Thermal Bath". There is a little water park for kids, and then a pretty amazing bath/sauna/steam etc. spa for adults. Even non-athletes will go just to relax for a couple of hours on the weekend.

I would do my serious stretching in the sauna, and then use the hot tubs for pure recovery. Stretching in the heat, especially after a run gives you more flexibility. With this routine, plus a little weight training, and cross training with bike and pool, I've been injury free for a long time. The heat in the tub expands blood vessels getting more blood flow to the beat up areas, that need recovery.

Do watch out for dehydration - adding the heat to running means you need even more liquids.

Did you know that according to Healthline, taking a hot bath can also reduce blood pressure. People with heart conditions should check in with their doctors first before doing this because a hot soak raises a person’s heartbeat significantly. If your doctor gives you the green light, then you can use this system to bring down your blood pressure.

The moment you immerse yourself in warm water, excess body heat is removed because your heart rate speeds up considerably. This is because blood is sent to the surface of the body thereby removing extra body heat as a way of dealing with the increase in temperature caused by the hot tub. Blood vessels will start dilating thanks to the warmer blood which reduces blood flow resistance and it also lowers your body temperature.

thisguy wrote:

..... wrote:

So what does it do?

Increases blood plasma volume.

Not just blood plasma volume... but total blood volume. It stimulates red blood cell production and boosts that as well!

This thread brought to you by the Sauna/hot tub Makers of America...?

It feels good so if you enjoy it after a hard work out, do it. I wouldn't look for benefits from sitting in a hot room or hot water.

quickndirty wrote:

I wouldn't look for benefits from sitting in a hot room

Saunas are barely warm. If you want heat comparable to summer running, try a turkish steambath. Even then you may have to turn up the steam.

I turn the steam to maximum, and stay at least fifteen minutes after everybody else leaves. I turn the steam off before I leave, else someone will have to kamikaze to turn it down.

ExSc PhD wrote:

thisguy wrote:

Increases blood plasma volume.

Not just blood plasma volume... but total blood volume. It stimulates red blood cell production and boosts that as well!

Bull