A steam room is different from asauna.
One provides moist heat, while the other offers dry heat.
After cardiovascular exercise, steam rooms can elevate your heart rate, which may help with weight loss.
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People also use steam rooms for reducinginflammation, lung and heart health, and relaxing.
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4 Steam Room Benefits
Steam rooms have many purported benefits.
Some have more evidence to support their claims than others.
There are limited studies on steam rooms; most research has focused on saunas.
Some of this research might apply to steam rooms, but further research is necessary to confirm this.
Post-Workout
Many people love to hop in a steam room after a workout.
One study found steam rooms increased blood flow through the skin for healthy older people.
Some studies suggest there could bepost-workout benefits associated with heat exposure in saunas.
Weight Loss?
Though people anecdotally tout the benefits of steam rooms related to weight loss, scientific evidence doesnt back this.
Its true: You may sweat off a little weight while in a sauna or steam room.
Steam inhalation may help congested mucus drain better and relieve cold symptoms.
Heart Health
Some research suggests that steam rooms may be good for your heart.
Relaxation
One thing many people love about steam rooms is that they are relaxing.
Long, warm showers can reduce stiffness and limber up the body.Steam rooms may have a similar effect.
These concerns are important because too much heat exposure can lead to side effects.
Typically, steam room temperatures fall between 100120 degrees.
Who Shouldnt Sit in a Steam Room?
Heat therapy in a steam room or sauna can pose some risks.
Therefore, some people should avoid steam rooms.
Many gymsespecially larger ones like YMCAshave steam rooms attached to their locker rooms.
You could invest in a steam shower or hire a contractor to build one.
Professionally, installing a steam room typically costs around $44 per square foot.
There are also DIY methods.
These benefits are likely similar in many respects, especially regarding relaxation, post-workout benefits, and heart health.
However, there is limited research on steam rooms, especially compared to research on saunas.
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