Do Sauna Suits Help Lose Weight?

In the world of fast-changing fitness solutions, sauna suits are the new viral remedy for vitality and wellness. So much so that everyone from athletes to gym-goers to casual fitness enthusiasts are seen donning one of these suits. 

But if there’s one question that everyone’s been asking about, it is: Do sauna suits help lose weight? 

You see, saunas have long been associated with weight loss with sauna-goers making the most out of Amerec saunas, among others to shed extra weight. And they get the same impression when it comes to using a sauna suit. 

Now, a short answer is yes, sauna suits might help you burn calories. 

However, to understand if sauna suits are just a temporary fix or a long-term weight loss remedy, I dug deeper so that you don’t have to. I came up with science-backed facts to answer whether or not do sauna suits really help you lose weight. 

So read on and find out everything about sauna suits and weight loss. 

What are sauna suits? 

Sana suits are still something new for a lot of folks. In fact, people even confuse sauna suits for an actual sauna. 

So, before we start with their weight loss aspect, let’s first understand what exactly a sauna suit is. 

For starters, a sauna suit is a specially designed sports outfit made with insulating and waterproof materials like nylon and PVC, among others. And its primary function is to trap body heat and a sauna-like environment during an exercise, workout, or any physical activity. 

For instance, if you’re wearing a sauna suit during workout, it will result in increased sweating.

This is exactly why these suits are popular among athletes. More so among those who are in sports like boxing and wrestling and use a sauna for calorie burning since rapid weight loss before weigh-ins is crucial.

How do sauna suits work? 

The working of sauna suits is quite straightforward where they trap your body’s heat and lead to faster body heat-up. 

Meaning no sooner you wear a sauna suit while undertaking intense physical activities, it raises your body’s core temperature and results in profuse sweating. 

This resembles an actual sauna setting where high ambient heat leads to increased body temperature and sweating. And this is also the reason why these sports suits are called sauna suits. 

Do sauna suits help lose weight or not? 

Now that you know what sauna suits are and how they work, let’s jump back to the key question, i.e., do sauna suits work for weight loss. 

To answer it in a sentence, a sauna suit can indeed help you lose weight. 

Like we saw earlier, sauna suits simulate an actual sauna session by raising your core body temperature during an exercise. And this causes increased perspiration, which is way more than what you’d typically sweat without a suit. 

While sauna suits are designed to enhance sweat production and aid in weight loss, it’s worth comparing Sauna vs Cardio for weight loss. Cardio exercises are known for their calorie-burning efficiency, but combining them with sauna sessions could potentially maximize weight loss results, depending on your fitness routine and goals

As a result, you’ll experience an immediate loss of water weight from your body. 

But is it just a temporary loss of water weight that sauna suits result in, or you actually shed body weight?

Well, research suggests that it’s a bit of both. 

Let’s see what’s the science behind sauna suit weight loss

There’s enough evidence that sauna suits do help in losing weight, just like a traditional sauna for weight loss. After all, they are creating the same effects as your regular sauna. 

However, a lot of the immediate effect is due to water loss rather than actual body fat reduction​. Meaning the weight that you lose is likely to return once you rehydrate. 

But that said, sauna suits can still play a crucial role in your overall weight loss journey. More so if you make them an essential part of your regular workout regimen. 

Think of it as a short and long-term weight loss journey, where you just lose water weight in the short term but burn excess fat in the long run. 

How do sauna suits help with weight loss? 

By now you know one thing for sure, i.e., weight loss benefits of a sauna suit are not a fiction but reality. 

But you might also be curious how a nylon or PVC exercise suit actually leads to burning fat. 
So, here’s how sauna suits help you shed weight: 

1. Increase total calorie burn 

When you wear a sauna suit, it raises your body temperature. And this forces your body to work harder to cool down. 

As a result, your heart rate and metabolism both rise​ and your total calorie reduction goes up during a workout session. 

Nevertheless, this calorie loss is significantly lower compared to the benefits of traditional Steamist sauna, proper diet, and regular exercise regimen. Meaning you’ll have to complement the use of sauna suits with the right diet and exercise. 

2. Improve cardiovascular health 

The use of sauna suits during an exercise also improves cardiovascular health. That’s because it simulates a traditional cardiovascular training by increasing your heart rate. 

This contributes to better endurance and heart function, which in turn, increases your ability to workout for a longer duration. 

3. Conditions muscles for strength and stability 

The high heat exposure from sauna suits relaxes your muscles, just like a regular sauna. This helps improve muscular strength and flexibility, resulting in better performance during workouts and thus more weight loss. 

Moreover, studies even suggest that sauna suits help reduce muscle soreness post-exercise by reducing lactic acid build-up. 

How do sauna suits help lose weight in the short and long term? 

When it comes to fully understanding sauna suit weight loss, you’ll have to divide the calorie burning benefits into short and long-term gains. 

Here’s how the weight loss looks like in both immediate and long run: 

Short-term weight loss 

As you might have figured out already, sauna suits are highly effective for short-term weight loss, thanks to the loss of body fluids. Herein, increased sweating leads to a subsequent loss of water weight. 

And this is exactly why athletes often use these suits before competitions to meet their weight requirements quickly​. 

Long-term weight loss 

Long-term weight loss has to do with fat reduction through calorie burning. And this is where sauna suits have their shortcomings. 

You see, while the suits can increase calorie burn, they primarily expel water. So, in the absence of a solid workout plan and nutritious diet, you’re unlikely to maintain the weight loss that you’ve achieved.

What are the other sauna suit benefits?

Although the primary goal for many sauna suit users is weight loss, there are several other benefits that sauna suits offer. And that includes: 

1. Detoxification

Sweating is your body's natural detoxification mechanism. And sauna suits help flush a lot of those toxins out of your system by increasing sweat output. 

As a result you can have clearer skin and experience potentially improved kidney function​.

2. Better heat endurance 

When you use sauna suits on a regular basis, your body gets conditioned to handle heat better. That’s because your body becomes more efficient at sweating and starts to conserve electrolytes over time, which leads to enhanced endurance. 

And this is especially beneficial for gym-goers, bikers, athletes, and more, since their bodies have to endure high heat. 

What are the risks associated with sauna suits? 

Benefits apart, sauna suits also carry significant risks. And a lot of these risks arise from using these suits the wrong way. 

All in all, here are some of the most prominent sauna suit risks: 

1. Dehydration

Sauna suits lead to excessive sweating and without proper hydration this can easily cause dehydration.

Now, dehydration itself can lead to problems such as dizziness, fainting, and in extreme cases even heatstroke. 

So, it's important to drink plenty of water before, during, and after workouts when using a sauna suit​. 

2. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke 

The high heat generated by sauna suits can put your body’s cooling mechanisms under intense stress. And this can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, especially if you don’t take proper precautions. 

3. Electrolyte imbalance 

It isn't just water that’s lost as you wear a sauna suit but also electrolytes. 

And since electrolytes are critical for muscle function, among other things, prolonged use of sauna suits can result in muscle cramps, fatigue, and more. 

4. Strain on the heart

If you’re someone with pre-existing heart conditions, sauna suits can be a major risk. That’s because increased strain on the heart can worsen underlying cardiovascular issues​. 

As such, it’s essential you consult with your doctor before using a sauna suit. 

Conclusion

When it comes to whether or not do sauna suits help lose weight, the answer is yes it does. However, it is mostly short-term weight loss that results from loss of water from the body. 

Yes, sauna suits can help boost calorie burn during workouts. But they are nowhere close to an actual sauna session. 

This is exactly why I recommend fitness enthusiasts to opt for actual sauna bathing while still using sauna suits for better workouts. 

And what can be better than a sauna right in the comfort of your home? 

These home saunas are luxurious, comfortable, and come on a budget. In fact, at Steam and Sauna Experts our inventory of home sauna accessories consist of the best-of-the-best from the likes of Amerec, Mr Steam, Delta, and more. 

Explore our online storefront and get in touch with us today to find the best home sauna solution for your needs. ​