Should I Sauna Before or After a Workout?

Key Takeaways:
Hydration is most important.
Try both to find your preference.
Post-workout sauna is suitable for most.
Try only a short sauna session pre-workout.

Sauna Before a Workout

Hydration is extremely important.
Consider just a few minutes.
A short sauna session can prime blood vessels.

Pros:
Kickstarts blood flow.
Serves as a warm up for muscles.

Cons:
Can cause dehydration.
Less muscle fullness during workout.
Potential sluggishness post sauna.
Relaxes you before a hard workout is coming.

Some of the most important factors of having a great pre-workout routine, involves optimal hydration, a proper warm up routine as well as proper nutrition if you choose not to workout in a fasted state.

While sauna sessions do dilate blood vessels and can serve as a great way to warm up the body for a workout, using a sauna for an extended period of time prior to a workout or weights session, may leave you feeling slightly sluggish and dehydrated.

If you’d like to sauna before a workout routine as a warm up, consider using it for just a few minutes until right before you’re about to break a sweat. This will allow you to maximize blood flow, while retaining hydration.