“Whenever you increase the circulation of oxygen-rich blood, you’re going to see improvements in cardiovascular function,” Galluci said. This, in turn, helps muscles damaged by exercise repair, so you can get back on the saddle faster. The heat from the sauna enhances the circulation of oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood throughout your body. “The biggest reason most athletes like the sauna is it improves recovery time,” said John Gallucci, Jr., A.T.C., D.P.T., CEO of JAG-ONE Physical Therapy and medical coordinator for Major League Soccer. This suggests that infrared saunas help muscles and nerves recover more quickly after exercise. In particular, men performed better during a countermovement jump test (an exercise that measures lower body power) when they sat in an infrared sauna after their 40-minute endurance workout than when they sat in a normal room (no sauna). The aforementioned study, for example, found that 30-minute sessions in an infrared sauna decreased post-workout muscle soreness and boosted recovery. Perhaps one of the biggest boons to using a sauna after your workout is the effects it can have on muscle recovery.
