What is an infrared sauna and how is it different from a regular sauna?

As its name implies, an infrared sauna uses infrared light. The infrared light heats your body, as opposed to a conventional sauna that works by heating the air around you. This means that an infrared sauna makes the body sweat at lower temperatures, and so will be more comfortable for people who find the high temperatures in a conventional sauna overwhelming.

The light emitted in an infrared sauna penetrates deep below the skin’s surface – up to 3 inches – this helps to mobilise and burn fat. This not only aids in weight loss but with detoxification as well since many of the toxins we absorb are stored and surrounded by fat.

Infrared therapy also improves the circulation of oxygen-rich blood in the body, promoting faster healing of deep tissues and relieving muscle soreness & pain. If you can boost your recovery by eliminating muscle soreness after a workout, you are more likely to stick to your training regime. The pain relief experienced with infrared light therapy can also offer an alternative to taking medication.

Additional benefits include a boost in the production of melatonin, which helps to improve sleep quality. Sleep further aids muscle recovery and so creates a virtuous circle of the benefits. Infrared therapy may also stimulate the production of collagen, which gives skin its structure, strength & elasticity, and so can combat signs of ageing.

For optimal muscle recovery, we recommend engaging in sauna therapy 3-4 times a week, immediately after a training session or on a recovery day. If you’re new to infrared therapy, we suggest starting with sessions ranging from 10-15 minutes in length. As your body becomes more accustomed to this form of therapy, sessions can be increased to 20-30 minutes.

Because infrared light heats the body, it’s important that you stay hydrated by making sure to drink water before and after a sauna session – you may even want to take a bottle of water into the sauna with you.

Finally, it’s vital that you listen to your body. If you start to feel unwell during a sauna session, you should stop.

At COACH LONDON your recovery is as important to us as your training, which is why each changing room is equipped with a state-of-the-art infrared sauna. Members are encouraged to use the saunas to complement their training and boost their recovery.

For more information on our facilities and membership packages, please email info@coachlondon.uk or call us on 020 7315 4260.