If you followed the 2022 Met Gala closely, (namely the Kim Kardashian and Marilyn Monroe of it all), you’ve most likely come across the term “sauna suit” more than once. The waterproof garment, otherwise referred to as a “sweat suit”, has been built as a method of full body detoxification. How? By causing the wearer to excessively perspire. And, paired alongside a diet of protein and vegetables, was one of the methods Kim K used to fit into Marilyn Monroe’s 60-year-old dress in just three short weeks.
Though we’re not sold on the idea of sitting in a sleeping bag of our own sweat, we’re definitely intrigued. Is it an exercise-hater’s dream? Or, is it the grossest thing you’ve ever heard? If you’re asking us, maybe a bit of both.
What is a sauna suit?
The purpose is basically as it reads. One big suit, typically made from PVC or coated nylon that causes the body to heat up and perspire while it’s being worn. The suit covers a person from their feet to their neck, with some even including a hood to provide extra heat retention around the head.
Everlast Eva Sauna Suit XL/XXL, $79.95, Myer
What are the benefits of a sauna suit?
Despite the lack of clinical evidence to support the claims of sauna suits, most retailers do suggest that regular use will lead to detoxification of the body, as well as fluid loss and weight loss. Though when it comes to weight lost as a direct result of wearing a sauna suit, you won’t see long term results.
In particularly cold climates, sauna suits have been said to reduce the frequency of injury while training. How exactly? Well, when wearing a sauna suit while exercising or stretching in cold conditions, lactic acid is reduced and muscles become more relaxed as the body heats up. This leads to a significant reduction in muscle tightness and rigidity.
What are the risks?
And now for the bad news. The main risks of sauna suits include sweat-induced dehydration and electrolyte loss, as well as hyperthermia in extreme circumstances.
Our take?
We can’t get past the idea of sitting in a sausage casing of our own sweat. So, we’ll be sitting this one out.
Have you heard of a sauna suit? Would you ever try wearing one?
Wow this sounds drastic. A sauna suit. What next and one must be quite desperate to have to resort to this
I think the same thing with the dieting fads
I’ve seen the Kardashians exercise in them on their show and would never try one myself.
Sounds a bit extreme to me. Probably works temporarily. Personally I would not be keen to try a sauna suit.
No I wouldn’t try this.
Great not! haha nope not for me, overheating (or even having a cuppa sometimes or a shower) triggers my autoimmune symptoms so I’ll be leaving this to those who are fine with it.
No, would never even try.
No way would I ever use this, way too extreme!
I love saunas, I would try this out. I thought they would be way more expensive than this and I had no idea Myer was selling them. Good to know!
Reminds me of a fad years ago when people would wrap layers of Glad wrap around their stomachs to cause sweating and hopefully weight loss. This sounds risky and yuck.
A friend of a friend used to make their own sauna suit but wearing every jacket they could and going for a sprint. This was to ensure they shed a few grams/kg right before a weigh in for their fights.
I was always sceptical of saunas until I read a book about healthy ageing by an Aussie professor from Harvard Medical School. He recommends regularly getting out of the thermoneutral (comfortable temperature) zone, e.g. sauna sessions or ice baths. It has a similar effect on the body as intermittent fasting. But he didn’t mention combining exercise with a sauna – yikes!
I could handle an ice bath, but you couldn’t pay me to wear a sauna suit!
Omg I don’t think I could handle an ice bath! Even though I’ve heard it has a lot of benefits
I know that cold baths are meant to be good for us but I just couldn’t bear that. I hate the cold and I’m not going to ever have an ice bath. I’d rather the sauna and that sounds horrible too.
Hahaha, well I wont say never. But im not running out to try this.
I don’t think I will try it, sounds extreme and in any case, its not going to give long term results
No thanks. When I use a sauna I just go in my swimsuit
No thank you.
Too extreme
I find it extreme and wouldn’t try it.
Looks like it would be great wet weather gear!
Those suits have been around for ages, it is presented like a novelty. Never tried one.
I’ll pass, thanks
Not for me thanks
Get ready to faint. Nope, not for me. I don’t think my blood pressure would take it.
No thanks
Surely you’d only lose fluid?
I love a sauna but don’t think I could wear one of these.
My Japanese friend has one and she loves it!
No thanks, they seem a bit gross to me.
Wow, this is insane haha , I may try it but not for a longer time.
IF I had one I’d probably try once and not bother again, lol
A hard no from me!
Now living in sunny Qld there is no need for a sauna suit in the summer. In fact I do everything I can to reduce my sweating, jumping into a refreshing pool, turning on air con, having a cool shower. Who wants to sweat profusely? On the other hand, I did enjoy a good natural sauna and feeling the sweat draining out and actually cleansing the body is so good, especially if you are able to go outside and lie down naked in snow to cool down like they do in the Scandinavian countries and hydrate with a refreshing beverage. This is something that I do miss.
Very dangerous, can cause server dehydration, and 90% of people are already dehydrated.
I go to the gym so I don’t think I need this.
lol you definitely don’t brookee!
errrr yeah, it sounds gross! no thanks lol
I think that would really be a bad idea for me as medically it would effect me in a bad way – I’m not meant to heat up too much! I even feel blah if I have a hot shower, so I don’t do that any more and try to keep the temp down in the shower too
I wear either top or bottom, gets very hot wearing full plastic suit, have been now using a new type it is a polyurethane lined legging totally unnoticeable works just same, I often use during my daily walk, plastic suits are ok but don’t over do it, best wearing half at a time, a bonus is that its makes my skin softer.
Even though the suits are not new, duck life has been around for a very long time. never gave one a try.
Is this safe