I love me some whole-body cryotherapy, but sometimes I’m just not up for it. Particularly on the days when I’m feeling sick or know that I have a cold coming on. In cases like that, it’s usually suggested to opt for the infrared sauna rather than cryo. Even though cryo has incredible benefits for your immune system, it can be hard to handle if you’re already at the point of coughing and sneezing.
When to Choose Infrared Sauna Over Cryotherapy
Aside from the flu or a cold there might be some other reasons you choose to opt for the infrared sauna. For example, you have an open wound that would freeze up in the machine, or cold-induced asthma, or your Raynaud’s is really bothering you. The case might even be that you just don’t want to do cryo that day. The infrared sauna proves the perfect alternative. An infrared sauna can still help you lose weight, boost your immune system (goodbye pesky sinus infection!), detox your body, and give you healthier skin. Here’s how!
How Does Infrared Sauna Work
Infrared saunas do not use coals or other mechanisms to heat the air around you. Instead, the sauna uses infrared wavelengths, either near or far, to directly interact with your body. While not as hot as a traditional sauna, an infrared sauna is still incredibly effective because it causes your body to react at a cellular level.
Infrared waves affect your body similar to the way the sun does, minus the harmful effects of the damaging sun rays. The same way the sun warms whatever is near it, infrared panels directly warm your body.
How Long Should You Stay In An Infrared Sauna
Since the room temperature is a bit warmer (between 110-130 degrees), you are able to expose your body to the infrared sauna for a longer period of time. A session runs about thirty minutes as opposed to the traditional 5 to 15-minute hot air saunas.
In this period of time, magic happens. Infrared wavelengths penetrate deeply into the skin tissue. The air around you will still feel hot, but it’s not the sauna’s machine temperature that has the greatest effect on your body. Often, you’ll hear that an infrared sauna “heats the body from the inside out.†Let me break this down.
Most of the cells in our bodies are comprised of water. Infrared wavelengths interact directly with those H20 molecules inside of us. On a micro-level, these molecules begin to vibrate as they react with infrared technology. As this happens, the temperatures inside of us begin to rise, eventually leading to the activation of sweat glands.
Does Infrared Detoxify the Body
Our cells hold on to the toxic effects of our environment, our food, and foreign entities. As they react to the infrared wavelengths, those toxins begin to break down and are let go through the activated sweat glands.
For this reason, the infrared sauna is perfect for detoxifying the body. It’s my absolute go-to whenever I have a cold or feel one coming on. I feel a lot better even after just one session.
That’s not all, though. Infrared saunas promote faster cell rejuvenation. As cells rid themselves of toxins in the sauna, the mitochondria in them is strengthened, making them optimal for their individual purposes. See firmer skin, healthier hair, and more. The microcirculation that infrared technology promotes also leads to more collagen and elastin production in your body. Need I say more?
Well, there is more. Far infrared, now offered at the CryoBar’s West Loop location, has the power to penetrate even deeper into your cells, proving optimal for fat loss. At the far-reaching level, infrared technology causes intense vasodilation. This is essentially the constriction of blood cells which can cause deep-sitting fat cells to expel more waste than with near-infrared. This also means that blood pressure is lowered, and blood flow is more stimulated. It also has the ability to rev up your metabolism.
Infrared Can Improve Cardiovascular Health
Scientists are focusing on infrared technology as a way to improve cardiovascular health too. The heat’s effect on the body causes heart rate to increase. Thirty minutes in a sauna is often comparable to doing cardio. Studies are continuously being down to better understand the connection between lower cardiac risk and infrared saunas.
So maybe you don’t have a valid reason to skip cryotherapy for the infrared sauna. Regardless, the sauna might be a perfect addition to your normal CryoBar routine! Right now you can check out our detox package. It lets you get five saunas for the price of $175!
If you’re just looking to try our infrared sauna out, then they’re always regularly priced at an awesome deal of $40/per session.
Book here & don’t forget to follow us on social media @theCryoBar. You can reach out to us on Instagram, Facebook, or even give us a call if you have any more questions about any of our services including the infrared sauna.
This time,
Stay hydrated!
