The Best Sauna Ab Workout

When it comes to ab workouts, many people believe that it's the secret to that chiseled six-pack physique. Despite the hype, abdominal workouts aren't just about aesthetics and superficial cuts. 

 

They can stabilize your core, ultimately helping with all forms of physical activities, ranging from the simple task of carrying groceries to powering through a grueling game of tennis. 

 

Sure, you can perform dynamic exercises like crunches, planks, and twists, but if you really ramp up your core training, consider sauna ab workouts. 

 

In this article, we'll explore the benefits of sauna ab workouts, share some bespoke exercises, and highlight our top sauna recommendations for the ultimate ab workout journey.

 

Benefits of Saunas for Fitness 

 

The following are some of the benefits of sauna core training:

 

Improve Balance and Stability

 

Who hasn't wobbled a bit while putting on a shoe, felt unsteady on an uneven path, or had a dizzy moment when you stood up too quickly? Balance and stability are key elements of fitness, and sauna sessions can help you in these areas. 

 

Sauna heat enhances muscle elasticity, while hot yoga movements and core exercises improve your range of motion and body coordination, which translates to better balance and stability when you're performing functional movements. 

 

Boost Endurance Thresholds

 

Have you ever admired marathon runners' or triathlon athletes' stamina and resilience? While high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and long-distance running are traditional routes to developing this type of endurance, sauna workouts offer a unique alternative. 

 

Sauna heat increases your heart rate, making your cardiovascular system work harder. This simulated 'stress' enhances your body's efficiency in delivering oxygen to muscles during intense workouts, thereby naturally improving endurance.

 

Reduce Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is incredibly common, especially for desk-bound individuals or those with a sedentary lifestyle. SDSU Extension explains that your core serves as your body's anchor, stabilizing and coordinating movements between your upper and lower body. 

 

Spending hours in one position can compress your spine and weaken your abdominal muscles, leading to back pain. Thankfully, sauna workouts can help. 

 

Arthritis Foundation explains that sauna heat therapy, along with core training, can stimulate blood flow, relax muscle stiffness, and reduce inflammation, which can help reduce back pain. 

 

Research shows that this passive heat therapy also eliminates lactic acid buildup, which can help with delayed muscle onset soreness and speed up recovery.

Support Weight Loss Efforts

 

Who doesn't like a fast track to weight loss, right? Luckily, sauna workouts can be a fantastic addition to your weight loss regimen. Sauna heat increases your heart rate, accelerates your metabolism, and replicates the effects of a cardio workout. This, in turn, pushes your body to burn more calories.

 

It's important to mention that sauna heat itself won't melt away fat. Instead, it can complement the effects of a good workout, such as a vigorous Vinyasa flow or an intense abdominal circuit, by keeping your heart rate elevated even after you've stopped moving. 

 

Research explains that this prolonged metabolic boost is known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), which is beneficial for burning more calories and subsequently losing weight.

 

5 Best Sauna Ab Workouts 

 

The best thing about ab workouts is you don't need any fancy fitness equipment. You just need a bit of space and the dedication to push through. 

Here are some effective sauna ab workouts to get a strong, lean core:

 

Sitting Twist

 

The Sitting Twist is a fantastic movement for targeting your oblique muscles. To do this exercise, sit on the bench with your legs out in front. Lean back slightly and hold your hands together. 

 

Rotate your torso to the right, bringing your hands towards the right hip. Return to the center and then twist to the left. This exercise engages your whole core and promotes flexibility.

 

Wipers

 

Wipers are a dynamic workout that simulates the motion of a windshield wiper. Lie on your back with your arms extended to the sides for balance and stability. 

 

Lift your legs off the ground and keep them together as you swing them from side to side, like a wiper blade. This is a great way to hit those hard-to-reach lower abs and the obliques.

 

Bird Dog

 

The Bird Dog is a low-impact exercise that strengthens the core, focusing on the abdominal muscles and lower back. Get on all fours, ensuring your back is straight and your hands are under your shoulders. 

 

Extend your right arm and left leg simultaneously. Hold for a second, and then switch sides. Continue alternating sides four to five times.

 

Toe Reach

 

A Toe Reach is perfect for targeting your upper abs. Lie on your back with your legs raised and extended straight up. Crunch up and try to touch your toes with your hands. 

 

If you can't reach your toes, aim for your shins or knees — the intention is to lift your shoulders off the ground and squeeze your abdominal muscles. This exercise will trim down your waist and sculpt your abs to make them more visible.

 

Standing March Knee Tap

 

This simple yet effective exercise is great for engaging your entire core with added emphasis on the lower abs. Stand straight and lift your right knee towards your chest while bringing your left hand for a tap. Alternate between the left and right legs, mimicking a marching motion. This will improve your balance and coordination. 

 

As for the quantity, research shows that repeated spinal flexion exercises like traditional crunches can lead to premature damage to your spine. Therefore, starting slow and focusing on various movements that engage the entire core differently for the best results is recommended.

 

Best Practices for Using Saunas for Ab Workouts

 

Follow these tips when performing a sauna ab workout:

 

• There's no 'best' time to use the sauna for an ab workout. Some people enjoy starting their day with it, while others prefer it as a relaxing end-of-day routine. Just find the time that suits your body's rhythm and stick to it!

• Since a sauna ab workout can be quite intense, beginners should aim for short sessions. Try for 10 to 15 minutes initially, and gradually extend to 20–30 minutes over a period of weeks. As for frequency, two to three times a week is enough to build that core strength and enjoy the sauna benefits without overtaxing your system.

• Don't jump into an ab workout cold, even in the sauna. Warm up your muscles with light stretching or brisk walking to prevent injury.

• Before you start, get a slip-resistant mat. Since sauna benches can get a little slick with sweat, having a non-slip mat will provide stability and confidence while you crunch, twist, and plank your way to a stronger core. Plus, it cushions your back so you can focus on form.

• Sweat is inevitable, especially when you're working out in a heated environment like a sauna. Bring a towel to keep yourself dry and comfortable. 

• Let your body cool down naturally after you've crushed those ab exercises. Hydrate again to replace lost fluids, and take a cool shower to help bring your body temperature down.

Our Top Recommendation for Sauna Ab Workouts

 

Ready to try out a sauna ab workout? Consider the following sauna from My Sauna World:

 

Golden Designs Visby Hybrid Sauna

 

Crafted with Canadian red cedar, Golden Designs Visby Hybrid Sauna is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional. This sauna takes your traditional experience to a whole new level with its innovative hybrid heating system. It's powered by a 6kW Harvia heater and full spectrum infrared heaters, ensuring faster heating times and evenly dispersed heat for deep detoxifying sessions. 

 

This sauna boasts various premium features, such as chromotherapy lighting, Bluetooth compatibility, and a built-in speaker. Thanks to its intuitive panel, you can easily adjust temperature, music, and more. This sauna is engineered for both indoor and outdoor use, so you can easily place it anywhere in your house. 

Final Words

 

A sauna ab workout can be a great addition to your fitness regime, helping you strengthen your core and get a toned physique. 

 

If you want to perform a sauna workout from the comfort of your home, check out our collection of high-quality saunas that are designed to fit any lifestyle and fitness goal. 

 

For more information, visit our website or contact us today!