Infrared Sauna

The sun produces a combination of visible and invisible light. Invisible light rays, or infrared rays, are what makes the sun feel warm. On the other hand, visible light rays (or UV rays) are what makes the sun bright. Scientists established that infrared waves are beneficial to the human body because they are easily absorbed and, unlike UV rays, are not harmful in large quantities. Instead, infrared rays stimulate the lymphatic, immune and cardiovascular systems and can help vibrate water molecules in your cells to release toxins.

In an infrared sauna, your body absorbs the infrared rays, which in turn increases your core body temperature and induces a deep and relaxing sweat. Additionally, using an infrared sauna at lower temperatures allows you to stay inside longer and get more benefits.

An infrared sauna uses invisible light rays to heat your body from the inside-out, rather than heating the air around you like a traditional sauna. When you heat the body directly — with only a small percentage of the heat heating the air — it results in a deeper sweat at a lower ambient air temperature. In fact, infrared saunas usually operate between 115° – 135°F, while traditional saunas can get up to 195°F. In an infrared sauna, the air temperature is less important than the quality of the infrared heat.

Studies show that an infrared sauna helps detoxify the body and treat chronic health problems. For example, these include high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It can also be used to help relieve symptoms of headaches, type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

Yes! According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, regular use of a sauna imparts a similar boost on the cardiovascular system as running. As you relax in the gentle infrared heat, your body is hard at work producing sweat, pumping blood and burning calories. As your body increases sweat production to cool itself, your heart works harder to pump blood at a greater rate to boost circulation. This increase in your metabolism burns calories, even as you sit still.

Increased blood circulation carries off metabolic waste products and delivers oxygen-rich blood to oxygen-depleted muscles for faster recovery. The infrared waves will also raise your core body temperature, inducing an artificial fever. The fever is the body’s natural mechanism to strengthen and accelerate the immune response, as seen in the case of infection. Combined with improved elimination of toxins and wastes via intense sweating, it will increase your overall health and resistance to disease.

We welcome anyone to experience the benefits of an infrared sauna, but there are a few contraindications to its use. Please consult your physician if you are obese, pregnant, or have/use any of the following: fever, diabetes, chronic conditions/diseases associated with reduced ability to sweat or perspire, hemophilia/ prone to bleeding, high blood pressure, implants, prescription medications that have adverse effects from infrared rays or cause drowsiness, alcohol before or during a session, or pacemakers/defibrillators.

At our Greenwich and Westport locations we use Sunlighten's mPulse Believe sauna, while our New Canaan at Halo Fitness houses a Golden Design Low EMF Far Infrared Sauna.

While there is no set age or height requirement, we use heavy precaution with any clients that may be at a high risk for overheating. An infrared sauna heats the core temperature of the patient, which can cause issues for some. Because adolescents and the elderly are more susceptible to over heating, their time should be limited and monitored closely.