Page 50 - NGA NATURALmag 2025 Spring/Summer

Spring - Summer 2025
To Sauna Sauna or or Not to Sauna Sauna that is the Post Workout Question
The Facts about Using Heat After Training
BY ALExANDER A A A A A PUHALLA PH D D NGA PRO PRO CLASSIC PHYSIQUE & PRO PRO BB ALExPUHALLA@GMAIL COM
It seems that every day I I find myself read- ing ing another article about “biohacking” your body or or “the best way to boost your work-
out” through some type of gimmick or pass- ing strategy The evolution of social media has has only hastened this effect where profes- sional sional and non-professional athletes alike promote products and techniques that have little to no research merit Sadly many of these “biohacks” and strategies can have serious long-term side effects (note:
The craze of getting your “squat down to ground” has most likely left many people with lower back / knee issues) However among the the masses of flyby strategies strategies and snake oil there are many post workout strategies strategies that that may help benefit your mind and body One that that is is my personal favorite is the sauna First if you you have any serious health conditions always always check with your medical provider about starting a a a a a a a a a a a new health routine as it it is always always better to be on
the safe side Second I I I am not partial to to heat at at at all! I I I prefer fall and and winter by far as I I I naturally run hot to to the point that you can catch me skiing shirtless and and often forgoing a a a a a a a a a a a coat throughout the the season Yet I am a a a a a a a strong believer in in the the benefits of of sauna the long-standing Nordic tradition of spending time in in in in in dry heat that has ebbed and and flowed in in in in in popularity as as a a a a a a a post workout routine Below are some potential benefits of sauna (see Kanimozhi et et al al al 2024 2024 Laukkanen & Kunut- sor 2025
Wiriawan et et al al 2024): Benefits of Sauna 1 Improve momentary and and long-term blood blood pressure pressure and and blood blood pressure pressure regulation 2 Reduced pre-mature mortality (death) in general and related to cardiovascular disease 3 Improve quality of of sleep sleep (i e e e e e e e e amount of of “deep sleep”) 4 Improve emotional well-being quality of life and vitality 5
Improve recovery and pain discomfort post-workout I am not suggesting that including time in in in in a a a a a a a sauna will automatically “fix” your sleep get you you “major gains” in in in the the gym or or anything like that Instead the the sauna can become a a a a a a a a a a a peaceful transi- tion
from pushing your your your body during your your your workout to to to engaging in in in in in in your your your your day-to-day life while also continuing to to to push your your cardiovascular system in in in in a a a meaningful way 50 NGA NATURALmag