Infrared Sauna-burn 600+ cals in 30 minutes??

I've been looking into fitness clubs in my area, and there is this one that has infrared saunas. They claim you can lose 600-800 calories in a 30 minute session. What do you all think about this? Think it's true? Think it's healthy?

The gym is called Shape Express for Women.

http://www.shapexwisconsin.com/saunas.php

My mom owns a dayspa, we have one right here...

it's AWESOME!

It works, it's not too hot, and you sweat like a pig...

you notice lots of changes and there are loads of health benefits...

ours is in the guest bedroom right now, I just need my dad to put it back together...

I LOVE THAT SAUNA!!!

Seriously...go use it.

Steph

I doubt its true... you will lose water weight, but i dont think you are actually burning much by just sitting there (you might burn a little from having to regulate your temp, but im not sure its such a huge amount)

You will burn some extra caloires, but 600-800 in 30 minutes sounds high.  I was doing Bikram Yoga for a while, which is fairly active in a sauna, and I think that was about 700 calories per hour.
Most of the weight loss you'll see will be water weight.

Whaaaaat? Seriously, if sitting in a sauna burns calories, I should look like Twiggy! Between that and the study that said women who regularly consume seminal fluid tend to weigh less, I should be nothing but a skeleton!

Saunas are fantastic, but they have very little to do with losing anything but water. I truly doubt that this nifty new one is any different.

Actually, the bikram yoga's 500-1000 per hour depending on gender, weight, etc.  But still, that would mean 500/30 mins max, and you're much more active, so I can't see a sauna on it's own burning 600/30mins.  

ITS NOT NEW!!! We've had it for 6 years....

It DOES work...

I HAVE ONE.


*shakes head*

LOL

Steph

It burns calories AS well as making you sweat and losing the water weight.

OMG... Ourlady, I'm dying laughing over here!!!

I ocassional enjoy sitting in the dry heat sauna at my apartment compelx's gym.  I do it because it feels relaxing and clears out sweat pores.  I've heard it raises your metabolism by raising your heart rate.  I have noticed my heart rate increases once I've been in one for a few minutes.  Plus the temperature regulation of your body uses calories.  However I wouldn't rely on this and I really don't think the amount of calories burned is significant enough to use a sauna for weight loss (other than water weight).  I definetly think 600 calories is way off.   From looking into saunas I have not seen any studies done that shows a sauna burns a significant amount of caloires.

Ourlady, I think it was me and a couple of fraternity bros. that wrote that report.

After reading the info at the link above I can say only one thing, take me out when I'm medium rare.

Like they always say, if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

trhawley, at least you're honest about it. Can't blame a guy for tryin. ;)

hey yer its true fast that heat or cold makes you loose weight becuase your body fights to survive, if you cold your body shives and it burns more calories to do it and if your hot it makes you sweat, again loosing them extra calories and fluid. havent you eva wondered where the good calories go? to help your body move and function this is part of it! 

You should not be relying no that sauna to burn calories. It's just a lazy way instead of getting up and exercising.

Boxers, when they fail to make weight at a weigh-in, use sauna's to burn calories and to get rid of excess water to qualify for the weight. However, they end up weak and dried out because of it and this can be detrimental to your health.

You will not be burning fat at all, only water...I'd recommend you take up some HIIT as it only takes 20 mins max (less time in a sauna) and your metabolism will be revved for the next 36 hrs or so and will be burning calories and excess fat.

lol, sitting in a sauna losing calories.  Well the body is burning up calories, about 90 of them per hour just sitting doing nothing.I guess it's one of those things you have to try and see if it works for you.  I hear that cutting wood with an axe is the most calorie burning exercise one can do.... maybe one could build their own sauna and start by chopping down a tree - that'll lose you some weight.  On my internet travels I came across these pages on Infrared Saunas, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_sauna - Interesting if you wanna read up on it more.  Tree chopping is the way for me :D

Just for good measure, I sat in the saunarium today for about an hour altogether. Now I can say I have an excuse! ;)

As for testing that other theory, I'll have to wait until my hubby gets home from Iraq...

a super late response but others might benefit:

I use INFARED sauna after my workouts and it does wonders. Some who question the benefits of Infared sauna are thinking of the traditional steam saunas. While the old way just makes you sweat infared targets toxins in your body that prohibit you from burning fat. Also how it helps you burn 300-600 calories in half an hour has to do with your body converting fat to carbohydrates. Much like how studies have shown your body burns more calories processing protein as opposed to carbohydrates. You don't physicaly do more work but your body does. The calorie burn study was done by the U.S. Army. So that says something.

There are also reports that the firefighters who worked at clearing the 9/11 remains were getting sick. They sat in Infared saunas and when they wiped off the sweat and it was murky. They sweat out the metal that was in their system from the wreckage.