Hot Baths/Showers not good for fat loss

[2Scoops]

Originally Posted by Lady C

Well . . . everyone is free to beleive what they want but here are a couple of references. I personally use a sauna frequently. I really enjoy it right after an intense weight session.

sauna
clinical study

A found a few clinical abstracts but I don't have memberships to those sites like this one.

Dig in and read you might find some more interesting facts.

I will dig in - this topic has really got me interested! I will search extensively tomorrow.

Just for the record though, there is nothing in the two links you provided to convince me yet - the first takes its text directly from the second, references nothing and appears to be advertising the facilities at a gym - scientifically meaningless.

The second, misleadingly called 'clinical study' is nothing of the sort. It is merely more promotional material from 'steamandsauna.com' no less(with no within text citations) and then a list of journal articles - none of which, from their titles, suggest that saunas provide an aerobic or cardiovascular work-out. In addition, most of the research articles relate to IR heat stress and not necessarily saunas.

Again, I stress: I like saunas!! They do have certain beneficial effects but don't overestimate their benefit.

[aztecwolf]

i would say cold showers promote fat retention not fat loss if you are going into survival mode, fat=warmth, cold shower = body needs to warm up, which means you would store more fat, i honestly dont think it makes that much of a difference if you like cold or hot showers, although i do remember reading somewhere on bb.com about how swimmers retain more fat because of being in cooler waters

[2Scoops]

A measure of humble pie for 2Scoops

Saunas are a great deal more effective than I thought, and for a range of uses. I did a thorough search and found some interesting research.

In my defense, however, I'd like to point out that the cardiovascular stresses imposed by saunas equate at best to very light cardiovascular exercise - and only in terms of cardiovascular response and metabolic rate [as I've maintained all along]. Exercise provides many more benefits and greater amounts too. I don't think saunas can replace exercise, only compliment it. I found nothing about saunas and lactate removal.

Of particular interest to me was their apparent effect on endothelial function - the focus of my graduate research!

[arbit]

Taking a hot bath/shower immediately after exercise causes more soreness - so I wood expect similar results from a sauna. Cold showers immediately after exercise supposed to help with soreness. Something to do with lactic acid removal - hot baths relax the vessels, and as a result lastic acid stays longer or somethin

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by 2Scoops

In my defense, however, I'd like to point out that the cardiovascular stresses imposed by saunas equate at best to very light cardiovascular exercise - and only in terms of cardiovascular response and metabolic rate [as I've maintained all along].

My appologies for not clarifying that. Not in place of, but in addition to. I would if you were disabled, it is great cardio work if you are not able to perform cardio at all.

Originally Posted by 2scoops

Of particular interest to me was their apparent effect on endothelial function - the focus of my graduate research!

Are you going to Med School? or is it more sports related?

[2Scoops]

Originally Posted by Lady C

. I would not that if you are disabled it is great cardio work if you are not able to perform cardio at all.

Yes, a lot of the research deals with clinical treatment or rehab. It could be a very useful, if a little non-mainstream, treatment. I wonder does it get used often or how expensive it might be?

Originally Posted by Lady C

. Are you going to Med School? or is it more sports related?

I'm doing a Phd in exercise physiology looking specifically at vascular biology.

[DuncanMcFl]

Seriously guys... I think the effect is extremely minimal if even a concern at all. If someone can show me objective research showing that it can actually have a large effect I will swallow my words but honestly it sounds like a lot of silliness to me. Noone is getting fat because they take hot baths.

[LotusPetal]

Ugh, I had been taking hot showers for a long time now since its so relaxing..

[sharaabi]

damn does anyone have a general answer.
i go to lifetime fitness and HONESTLY WHEN CHECking my weight after my workout and then AFTER A HOT SHOWER BEING FULLY DRIED UP....... I DO WEIGH MORE after a hot shower.

il get back to this same thread afetr a COLD shower.

[2Scoops]

Originally Posted by sharaabi

damn does anyone have a general answer.
i go to lifetime fitness and HONESTLY WHEN CHECking my weight after my workout and then AFTER A HOT SHOWER BEING FULLY DRIED UP....... I DO WEIGH MORE after a hot shower.

il get back to this same thread afetr a COLD shower.

Any weight you lose during a workout is sweat and not fat/muscle loss. After a shower no matter how well you dry yourself you will have retained some moisture - it's not fat. Hot showers do not promote fat storage to any appreciable extent.

[Lady C]

I did some digging on this and couldn't find ANY evidence that hot showers slow down fat loss.

So I will have to agree with Scoops on this one. :

Besides I am not going to start taking cold showers to even see if it works!!

[Cort]

Cold showers kinda suck...I had to take a few during a camp I've been to...basically feels like going ***** while its raining in 30-40 degree weather. So good for you that your entire body goes numb.

[C-bad]

Alright, so I got directed to this thread since I was wondering the same thing. I work out at the YMCA where we got a sauna, whirlpool, pool, and showers of course.
I read all these posts and has got me more confused than before :confused:

I'm mainly concerned with muscle growth and how quickly recovery time is if you do any of these.

So, is going in the POOL for a dip (not really swimming for a workout, but just to cool down) good or bad? I was thinking they were bad cause they'd tighted up the muscles and make them feel sore, but maybe thats a good thing?

Sauna=good?

Whirlpool=bad? I always liked jumping in after working out cause it numbed everything, although its always sore in the morning anyways
How is soaking in hot water after a cardio workout???

I don't think a hot shower can really make much difference.. its not like you are soaking in it. I don't mind showering in cool(er) water cause its refreshing especially in the summer.

[sharaabi]

i looked all over google and didnt find anything supporting this fact that hot showers slow fat loss.

they all linked it to heart rate, the colder you have your water , food, or weather, the more the hurt pumps to bring it to body tempreture which uses CALORIES .


anyone?

[ChrisH]

Do whatever is comfortable. From what I have read, I can't find anything on hot showers or baths and fat storage. But I have found a few sites that talk about the health benefits of a cold shower or bath, not related to 'weight'.