It can be a relaxing experience to sit in a sauna and often they are based in gyms. There is the chance to not only have a work out and a swim but relax as well. The question many people will be asking is should they use the steam room before or after workout? It is hard to decide because there are good points regardless of which way you do it but many people seem to believe that the steam room is the thing to do last. Once you have carried out your workout then it will be time to wind down.
Using the Steam Room Before or After Workout
The idea here is that you will be getting the workout done as soon as you arrive and then consider winding down. It can be seen that professional sports people warm up before they start to play their sport and this is so as their muscles do not seize up. It can also be necessary to warm down as well but this should be done before using the steam room.
There is an order that seems to work. Carrying out your workout should be first. It will however be best not to jump straight into the steam room as there will be a couple of problems. If you have worked out well it is very likely that your heart rate will be raised and you should also be quite hot. As a result it could be dangerous to get straight into the steam room so you should have a break. This may be in the form of a dip in the pool or just a small break before you go from one to the other.
As ever it will be best to have a drink before you enter the shower and if you have been very active it will help you cool down. A serious exerciser will know that they should have an intake of dextrose and protein as not doing this and then going into a sauna will not be a good idea.
The Advantages of Using the Steam Room Last
One of the big advantages of choosing to use the steam room last is due to the effect the heat will have on the muscles. It will help them relax and once your muscles have relaxed there should not be any exercise carried out as there could be either a fall or damage done to the muscles. Being in the steam room last will also help repair any damage that had been done to the muscles in the previous workout. You may not be fully aware but there could be a slight pull and the steam room can help prevent it from becoming a full tear.
Most people who are using the gym and steam room will make sure that they use the steam room last. There does not seem to be a good argument for doing it the other way round and there is plenty of evidence to show that the workout should be finished and a break taken before entering the steam room.