When you’re a professional athlete, a lot of demands are placed on your body. Throughout the year, you need to constantly train and exercise in order to keep yourself in top shape and play your best.
Naturally, all of this can take a toll if you aren’t careful. The more you push yourself without rest, the easier it will be to do some serious damage to your muscles.
Thankfully, there are several different ways you can go about protecting your body from the intensity of your lifestyle. One great option to consider is hitting the sauna on a regular basis.
While most people know that sitting in a sauna is a relaxing experience, there are actually a number of health benefits that come along with the decision.
Review these points and see why you should make this experience a part of your routine.
Improve Blood Flow
One of the biggest reasons that athletes swear by saunas is due to the fact that the warm climate aids in relaxing the blood vessels. This, in turn, increases the flow of blood throughout the body.
Increased blood flow also reduces tension around your joints, which can make it easier to flex and bend. After a workout or a particularly intense game, your muscles might be incredibly sore. A little stop in the sauna and you’ll feel a sense of relief in no time at all.
Additionally, there has been some research that suggests benefits to those with chronic pain. If you have arthritis, for example, regular sauna sessions might help to alleviate some of the daily pain that you experience.
Go for Longer Durations
Another key benefit to using a sauna each day is that it is said to assist you with your performance. Endurance is one of the more important aspects of being an athlete.
The longer you can go without feeling sore or fatigued, the more likely it is you will lead your team to victory. By sitting in the sauna, you are increasing the volume of blood to your heart.
This, in turn, allows you to handle more intense workouts and lengthier sessions on the field.
You can also see improved performance when you consider taking specific supplements like Thrive as a part of your exercise and fitness routine.
If you’re curious about what is Thrive, now is the time to dive in and gain more insight into the supplements and products that can get you to play your best.
Stay Cool
Sauna sessions are also able to benefit professional athletes by providing better thermoregulatory control. What this means is that the warm climate of the sauna helps to get your body sweating. The more you sweat, the more you push out the toxins in your body.
While you’re bound to sweat during an intense game, the increased rate of perspiration when you are in the sauna is an extra benefit that can help you feel more alert and refreshed.
How Often to Hit the Sauna
Understanding the benefits of time in the sauna is only a small part of the equation. In order to get the most out of the experience, you want to make sure you know how often to schedule your sessions.
The majority of professional athletes who partake in routine sauna sessions do so about twice a week. Sitting in the sauna for about 30 minutes after an intense workout can help you feel the benefits of the decision within three weeks of your first session.
After a few weeks of this practice, take note of how your body feels. Place close attention to factors like how long you can push yourself before your body starts to feel fatigued.
You are likely going to notice that you can go for longer before exhaustion, which will be a direct benefit created by your commitment to sessions in the sauna.
Find the Best Fit
Though the life of a pro athlete is a demanding one, there are many different ways to step back and recover when the time comes.
Learn more about the benefits of regular sessions in the sauna and see how it can help you play your best and reduce the odds of an injury.
