SAUNA HELPS BURN CALORIES?UrgENT..

err..does anyone knows? Cause i read in an article it burns 500cals per 1/2 hour session..

I don't even burn 500 cal after half an hour working on the elliptical... and that's actually moving my butt.

You'll burn calories, but basically no more than if you were sitting in a room with an average temperature.

^agreed. You'll lose alot of water and be super relaxed.

I think you sweat out some water weight, but that will return as soon as you start to eat again.  If you're not doing anything but sitting, how can you be burning extra calories?

I have read a bunch of articles on this because I was hoping I could burn some cals at my gym's sauna. The consensus seems to be, as mommakitty supposed, you mostly only burn water weight, which you pretty much put back on with your next drink of water. Pro boxers use this 'trick' all the time. According to my research, its is a great way to lose SOME cals, but mostly just to relax your muscles before/after a workout. Goodluck!

I have seen these claims from sauna makers but I don't believe them.  You need to engage your large muscle groups to burn significant calories.

Why is this an urgent question?

wow....wouldn't it be great if it did, though?  We could all have saunas installled at home and eat whatever we wanted.

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Why is this an urgent question?

 The OP's Blackberry was starting to get sweaty.

If you believe that I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell ya.

the sauna is great for detoxifying and for relazing your muscles after a good workout. it can make your skin glow and your pains go away.

500 calories per hour is out of control BS

You will burn more calories than if you're sitting in a regular, 70-degree-Farenheit room.  Your body has to work to maintain the correct internal temperature, whether you're in a hot or cold environment.  But my guess is that the increase in calories burned compared to a resting state isn't huge.  And besides, isn't it supposed to be dangerous to sit in a sauna for too long?  My gym doesn't have one, but whenever I find myself at a spa that does, I never stay in for more than 15 minutes or so.

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Why is this an urgent question?

hehe..cause I was about to go..

btw, a lot of articles online said that one could burn up to 300kcal-500kcal per session but those calories burn are just calorie burn and doesn't have the effect of after burn.. But if I'm not exercising(rainy season/no gym) , going to sauna would be alright right?

You're sitting in a hot room... SITTING. You'll hardly burn any calories... the same as if you were sitting at a desk or on the bus. You'll sweat out some water so the scale reading will likely decrease. That's it.

btw, a lot of articles online said that one could burn up to 300kcal-500kcal per session but those calories burn are just calorie burn and doesn't have the effect of after burn.. But if I'm not exercising(rainy season/no gym) , going to sauna would be alright right?

 Were these articles by sauna manufacturers? Scientists? Research institutes? Grade 4 social studies reports?

If you aren't exercising... sure the sauna is okay to use. But don't expect weight loss or calorie burns. If you're concerned about calorie burn - why not use that 1/2 hour of sauna time for a walk or run or jumping jacks instead?

Original Post by jef9up:

btw, a lot of articles online said that one could burn up to 300kcal-500kcal per session but those calories burn are just calorie burn and doesn't have the effect of after burn.. But if I'm not exercising(rainy season/no gym) , going to sauna would be alright right?

 Were these articles by sauna manufacturers? Scientists? Research institutes? Grade 4 social studies reports?

If you aren't exercising... sure the sauna is okay to use. But don't expect weight loss or calorie burns. If you're concerned about calorie burn - why not use that 1/2 hour of sauna time for a walk or run or jumping jacks instead?

like i said, its raining season now..can't predict the weather..Tried cycling in the afternoon and its was hot like hell.. and the weather is an enemy of mine.. When I finally have the FEEL to go in the morning, it rains.. and it always rains in the evening now..So, I don't want to run half way and then comes back all wet with rain..

I'm not really sure but there's a lot of articles..Nvr checked the writers.. But when they mention calorie burn, they always said that its better to exercise outside cause then we'd have an after burn.. so what do you think? going again today..*Love sweating..*

oh ya..what if I jog in place during my sauna session? I mean for the first few minutes before it gets REAL hot..I could practically stay in there for an hour..

Original Post by weightconsious:

So, I don't want to run half way and then comes back all wet with rain...

Are you afraid you're going to melt? It's just rain... 

Original Post by weightconsious:

oh ya..what if I jog in place during my sauna session? I mean for the first few minutes before it gets REAL hot..I could practically stay in there for an hour..

 If you jog in place for a few minutes than then sit down in the sauna you'll burn the same number of calories as if you job in place and then sit down outside the sauna.

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Why is this an urgent question?

 I was wondering the same thing.

If you don't want to go out in the rain to run, how about an exercise video or putting on some fast music and dancing around for a half hour or so.  There's got to be a way for you to get some exercise done in the house.  Perhaps you might do some household project that you've been putting off.  Maybe that's a good way to burn calories.

Geez, what part of NO you do not burn extra calories sitting in a sauna don't you understand?

Let it go your wasting your time, you should be doing something productive if you want to lose calories. But if your stubborn about it sit in the sauna as much as you can and stay at the same weight.