sauna

[hustlerreborn]

my gym has a sauna, i used it a few times, and i like it.. i was just wondering if it effects muscle production? cuz i also lift about 3 days a week, and do cardio 3 days a week.. when would be a good time to use the sauna? and how long? and does it have any other effects?

[BlackIce72]

From what I understand, there aren't any negative side effects for muscle production if you stay in under 30 minutes or so.

I will hop in the sauna for a few minutes before a workout to stretch and break a small sweat to get some blood going. Warm muscles really help me lift better. Also, after a workout I'll spend 20 or so minutes in if I'm well hydrated. Since your pours are very open during this, it's important you take a shower almost immediately after leaving the sauna. After you clean your open pours, be sure to finish the shower cold to close them.

Your skin will look a lot better after a couple weeks of being in the sauna.

[BigDutchman]

Originally Posted by BlackIce72

From what I understand, there aren't any negative side effects for muscle production if you stay in under 30 minutes or so.

I will hop in the sauna for a few minutes before a workout to stretch and break a small sweat to get some blood going. Warm muscles really help me lift better. Also, after a workout I'll spend 20 or so minutes in if I'm well hydrated. Since your pours are very open during this, it's important you take a shower almost immediately after leaving the sauna. After you clean your open pours, be sure to finish the shower cold to close them.

Your skin will look a lot better after a couple weeks of being in the sauna.

Huh, that is really good advice. So I should make sure to finish a post-sauna session with a shower concluding w/ cold water? Do you know if the same is true for a steam room? My gym has both and I am wondering if there are any differences between the two... advantages/disadvantages?