Do Sauna Suits Help You Lose Weight?

These days, saunas come in all shapes and sizes... but are they all created equal? 

That’s what we’ll be finding out today, as we look over the health benefits and weight loss benefits on offer while donning a sauna suit, and compare them with traditional and infrared saunas. 

There’s a range of sauna sweating benefits on offer with traditional and infrared saunas, but does this extend to the use of sauna suits?

High-performance athletes have pioneered the mainstream charge toward saunas, as well as practical and portable sauna alternatives like sauna suits, but there is one key question remaining- are they any good at helping you lose weight?

Let’s suit up, and find out.

How Do Sauna Suits Work?  

Sauna suits are incredibly simple. 

They’re essentially a sealed-up suit that allows the body to heat itself up without ventilation, which causes the body to sweat in an attempt to regulate its internal temperature. 

They are often used in combination with exercise to increase the amount of perspiration that expired from the body.

There’s no doubt that sauna suits work, particularly if you look at the world of competitive athletes who appreciate the flexibility that a sauna suit offers. 

This is particularly true in the case of professional boxers that need to shed excess weight in a short period of time.

They do, however, come with a range of potential health risks, with some organisations going as far as banning them altogether for use by their athletes.

Does A Sauna Suit Help Lose Weight?

Sauna suits have been proven to be an effective means of losing weight, however, they’re limited when it comes to just how much weight you can lose. 

In a session, your body sheds excess water weight in the form of perspiration, but that is where the weight loss stops. 

They’re often used as an addition to a workout, rather than a primary means of weight loss to accelerate the body’s sweat response.

When combined with some form of vigorous exercise, sauna suits are extremely effective at helping the body to lose water weight through sweating, which is why they’re often used by professional athletes like boxers ahead of a weigh-in or fight. 

While we've explored the potential benefits of sauna suits for weight loss in this blog post, wouldn't it be great to know exactly how many calories you could burn during a sauna session? 

We've developed an exclusive Sauna Calories Burned Calculator that provides a personalised estimate. 

This unique tool uses your specific sauna session time and your weight to calculate potential calorie burn, providing you with a tailored insight into your wellness journey. 

Not only will this information empower you to make informed decisions about your health and fitness routine, but it'll also add an exciting, measurable aspect to your sauna experiences. 

So why wait? Discover your potential calorie burn today by trying out our exclusive calculator!

What Are The Dangers Of A Sauna Suit?

As mentioned, there are a number of health risks when it comes to prolonged and intense sessions in sauna suits, especially when they’re combined with rigorous exercise. 

A study from the Journal of Temperature linked upper-body sauna suits with an increased risk of heat fatigue and strain on the body, with the most extreme cases exhibiting signs of severe dehydration and illnesses linked to heat exposure.

On the whole, sauna suits are profoundly more taxing on the body’s vital systems than a traditional or infrared sauna.

The CDC in the United States has noted that sauna suits increase the risk of the body’s thermoregulation failing, adding stress to the renal and cardiovascular systems, as well as muscle strength, endurance and sensitive electrolyte systems. In extreme cases, people have died while combining sauna suits and exercise, which led the National Collegiate Athletic Association to ban the use of sauna suits for their athletes. 

How Long Should You Wear A Sauna Suit?

With the dangers we’ve just talked about in mind, it’s advised that you keep your time inside a sauna suit relatively short to avoid potential symptoms of heatstroke, and dehydration. Keep your initial sessions inside a sauna suit anywhere between 20 to 30-minutes.

Remember that it’s essential to always hydrate before and after sauna, as well as monitor your body’s response while using the suit to gauge your heat tolerance. 

This applies to all forms of heat exposure, whether you’re using a traditional sauna, sauna suit or an infrared sauna. For more information on exactly how long you should stay in a sauna, we’ve covered this in a previous post. 

Sauna Suits VS Infrared Saunas For Athletes And Weight Loss

While sauna suits are indeed effective at reducing the body’s weight through perspiration, they fall short when it comes to being a comprehensive means of losing weight. 

While losing water weight can be essential for a professional athlete, if you’re looking to trim down your body, targeted infrared light is much more effective, and is significantly less taxing on the body than exercising in a sauna suit.

We’ve talked previously about why athletes are increasingly turning to Clearlight infrared saunas, as well as how many calories you can burn inside an infrared sauna, but before wrapping up, let’s compare the main differences between sauna suits and saunas when it comes to weight loss. 

Inside an infrared sauna, as your body regulates its temperature, you perspire and lose weight through sweat. 

In addition to this, infrared light in the sauna penetrates underneath the skin and stimulates subdermal fat cells with targeted light energy.

Combined with increases to the body’s metabolism, cardiovascular and lymphatic system, you’re soaking up a host of added benefits to the body simply by opting for an infrared sauna over a sauna suit. 

Sauna Suit Frequently Asked Questions

Do sweat suits really work?

‍Yes, sweat suits do work in increasing body temperature and promoting sweating. They can enhance your workout by making you sweat more, which may lead to temporary weight loss primarily due to fluid loss, not fat loss.

Do sweat suits burn fat?

‍Sweat suits can increase body temperature and cause you to sweat more, which might lead to temporary weight loss. However, this doesn't necessarily mean they burn fat. The weight lost is usually water weight, which is regained once you rehydrate.

What does a sweat suit do?

‍A sweat suit raises your body temperature and stimulates sweating. This process can help with temporary weight loss due to fluid loss and can potentially improve cardiovascular health by making your heart work harder during a workout.

How long should you run in a sweat suit?

‍The duration depends on individual fitness levels and tolerance to heat stress. It's important to start with shorter durations (maybe 10-20 minutes) and gradually increase as your body adapts. However, always ensure to hydrate before, during, and after use to prevent dehydration.

Are sauna suits worth the money?

‍Sauna suits can be worth the money if used correctly and safely. They can enhance your workout by increasing body temperature and promoting sweating, potentially improving cardiovascular health.

Do sauna suits work for fat loss?

‍Sauna suits can stimulate sweating and cause temporary weight loss due to fluid loss. However, they aren't a magic solution for fat loss. Combining their use with regular exercise, a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle is more effective for sustainable weight loss.

Do sauna workout suits work?

‍Sauna workout suits can make you sweat more during exercise, potentially helping to temporarily lose water weight. However, they should not replace a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

What are the side effects of a sauna suit?

‍Possible side effects include dehydration, heatstroke, and electrolyte imbalances due to excessive sweating. Always hydrate properly and listen to your body when using a sauna suit.

Do sauna suits help with weight loss?

‍Sauna suits can aid in temporary weight loss by increasing sweat production and calorie expenditure. However, most of the weight lost is water weight, which is quickly regained once you rehydrate.

Will a sweat suit help lose belly fat?

‍Sweat suits can cause an increase in perspiration, leading to temporary weight loss, but they don't specifically target belly fat. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are more effective for losing belly fat.

How much fat does a sauna suit burn?

‍While sauna suits can increase calorie expenditure through increased body temperature and heart rate, it's important to note that the weight loss achieved is mostly due to loss of fluids, not fat.‍

Do sauna suits really work?

‍Sauna suits can increase sweat production and calorie burn during workouts. However, the primary weight loss is from water loss, not fat loss. They should be used as a complement to regular exercise and a balanced diet, not as a standalone weight loss solution.

Do sauna suits really work for weight loss?

‍Sauna suits can promote sweating and temporarily increase weight loss, mainly due to water loss. However, for sustainable weight loss, it's important to maintain a balanced diet and regular physical activity.‍

What do you wear in a sauna suit?

‍You can wear lightweight, breathable clothing under a sauna suit, such as a cotton t-shirt and shorts. This can help absorb sweat and make the experience more comfortable.

Should you wear anything under a sauna suit?

‍It's a personal choice, some prefer to wear lightweight, breathable clothing while others might wear nothing. Always ensure the sauna suit is clean and dry before use to prevent skin diseases.‍

Are sauna suits good for losing fat?

‍While sauna suits can help increase sweating and calorie burn, they are not a magic solution for fat loss. The weight loss experienced is primarily water weight, which is quickly regained once you rehydrate.‍

Do sauna suits cut weight?

‍Sauna suits can temporarily help cut weight by increasing sweat production, leading to fluid loss. However, this lost weight is usually regained once you rehydrate.

Is it OK to wear a sauna suit every day?

‍It's important to use sauna suits responsibly. While they can be worn daily during workouts, wearing them too often or for prolonged periods can risk dehydration and heat-related illnesses.‍

‍Do weight loss suits work?

‍Weight loss suits can increase body temperature and sweat production, potentially aiding in temporary weight loss. However, they should be used as part of a balanced diet and regular exercise routine for sustainable weight loss.

What suit did Kim Kardashian wear to lose weight?

‍Kim Kardashian has been known to use a sweat suit or sauna suit during her workouts to increase sweating and calorie burn.

What are the benefits of a sauna suit?

‍Sauna suits can increase body temperature, promote sweating, and possibly enhance cardiovascular health. They can also temporarily increase weight loss due to fluid loss.‍

Are sauna shirts effective?

‍Sauna shirts can effectively increase body temperature and stimulate sweating, potentially aiding in temporary weight loss. However, they should be used responsibly to avoid dehydration.‍

What does a sauna shirt do?

‍A sauna shirt increases your body temperature, making you sweat more during workouts. This can lead to temporary weight loss due to fluid loss.‍

Will sauna suits help lose belly fat?

‍While sauna suits can increase sweat production and calorie burn, they don't specifically target belly fat. For targeted fat loss, a balanced diet and regular exercise are more effective.‍

Can you wear a sauna shirt all day?

‍It's not advisable to wear a sauna shirt all day as it can lead to dehydration and heat-related illnesses. They should be used during workouts and removed immediately after.

For a list of the full health benefits on offer inside an infrared sauna, click here.