Gym Tips: Don't Forget the Steam Room!

 

 

So, if you're like me then when you go to the gym, you workout and then leave or you may workout, sit in the sauna and then leave.

 

Well, the other day I accidentally walked into the steam room. Now I'm sure you just read that and thought to yourself; how does someone "accidentally" walk into a steam room...well, it happened to me.

 

How did this happen you're wondering? Once upon a time...just kidding..the other day after I finished my workout I wanted to burn a few more calories and relax so I went to the sauna. It was so crowded and I didn't want to sit or stand super close to so many sweaty people. So, I said ok, I'll go to the other "sauna". Well first, I noticed something different because I couldn't see through the door like I could the other one and when I opened the door I was hit with steam. I didn't want to look like a weirdo that walked into the wrong classroom so I just went in. After sitting there for about 5 min I felt really refreshed even though I was sweating, so I stayed another 5 min...

 

Now I'm sure you're wondering what the point of the story is or what's the point of the title...well, my fellow gym rats, I did some research and while there are mixed reviews as with everything, here are a few things I found as to why you shouldn't skip the steam room;

 

Some Benefits of the Steam Room:

 

- extracts impurities from the body using heat

- reinvigorates the skin; the moist heat stimulates the subcutaneous blood flow and cleanses the skin, opens the pores removing dead skin and impurities

- can treat lung disorders

- while in the steam room, the blood vessels enlarge, when enlarged, blood flow is increased. More blood flow means more oxygen and nutrients delivered to the cells which excelerates the repair tissue damaged through exercise

- 30 min in the steam room burns 600 calories (I know this one is what you were really waiting for)

 

So the next time you hit the gym, after working out, hit the steam room. You're welcome in advanced!

 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/19467-benefits-using-steam-room-after/#page=5

 

7:45p April 25, 2014