How Many Calories Do Saunas Burn?

How Many Calories Do You Burn in a Sauna?

This is one of the most often asked questions, and determining how many calories you can burn inside a sauna is challenging due to a multitude of factors. The quantity of calories a person can burn in each session is affected by their tolerance to heat, whether they are healthy and exercise, and their present weight.

However, if you’re looking for a general rule of thumb, it’s widely accepted that you can start with 1.5 to 2 times the normal rate of calories burned if you’re just sitting stationary. Like in a chair or on a couch.

So for example, a 30-year-old male who weighs 176 lbs with a height of 5 foot 9 inches can expect to burn anywhere from 64 to 85 calories every 30 minutes while in a sauna. 

Without even moving your body, it's pretty amazing that with the right factors in place, you can simply sit in a sauna and burn up to twice the amount of calories compared to sitting elsewhere.

How Does the Sauna Burn Calories?

Infrared saunas are proven to burn calories as well as belly fat. But what is the mechanism behind that?

What causes you to burn calories is your core body temperature rising due to the extreme heat of the sauna. As your temperature rises, your body begins to burn calories to try to regulate it from overheating.

One thing to keep in mind is that saunas should not be used as a primary way of calorie burning. If you compare to a proper diet and exercise, a sauna session will burn calories, but far less.  The magic happens though when all of these factors are combined, the habit of sauna sessions can help you burn essential extra calories over time.

Does Sitting in a Sauna Burn Fat?

Yes, sitting in a sauna can help you burn fat. And it’s not just water weight.

A 4-month study at Binghamton University concluded that an average person can lose up to 4% body fat over 4 months with a consistent infrared sauna routine.

So how often should you use an infrared sauna for weight loss? According to the study, a consistent routine means 3 days per week at 45 minutes per day. If you can maintain your sauna sessions, then you can experience added weight loss in addition to diet and exercise alone with a sauna.

Why are Actual Calories Burned In a Sauna Are Hard To Estimate?

While there are other documented benefits of sauna uses, if your goal is to burn calories only, it shouldn’t replace a healthy diet and exercise routine. Think of sauna care as an enhancement to your weight loss after you’ve developed a healthy lifestyle.

With that being said, the calories burned in a sauna for an individual at a healthy weight vs someone who’s unhealthy and overweight will vary. Healthier individuals will typically burn fewer calories than unhealthy individuals. So counting exactly how much you will personally burn in 10, 20, or 30-minute intervals isn’t an exact science, it’s a best guess. 

So go into your sauna experience knowing it will help you burn calories but don’t make it your primary goal. There are many more health benefits to sauna care that you can achieve during your sessions as well.

If you’re looking for the best infrared sauna for burning calories, check out our Best Infrared Saunas to find the perfect sauna for you. And if you need help choosing the right one, feel free to call or text us at (646) 657-8856 or shoot us an email at hello@competitorsoutlet.com and we’d be happy to help.