Hot Yoga
Hot yoga is at the head of the hot workout craze. Hot yoga is simply yoga done in a heated room that has a higher temperature and humidity than normal. Many types of hot yoga classes are takes on Bikram yoga, named after Indian-born American yoga guru Bikram Choudhury. Bikram yoga is done in a heated environment, with 40% humidity and over 100-degree heat to be exact.1There are distinct health benefits associated with Bikram yoga including the improvement of lower body strength, lower and upper body range of motion, and balance.1 Now conventional yoga also boasts these benefits. But the heated environment in hot yoga is also said to both help prepare the body for movement and detox the body from impurities.1Not all hot yoga classes are considered Bikram yoga, which comes with its own set of specific poses. Nonetheless, hot yoga studios are very popular today with the goal of exercising and detoxing through sweating. According to a 2020 study published in the International Journal of Exercise Science, hot yoga may have positive long-term effects on metabolism and increase fat oxidization, i.e., burn more fat.2 This makes it a great option for those who don't routinely work out and are trying to improve their metabolisms.Because of the added heat, hot yoga classes can be more intense than regular yoga. But the movements are slow and classes often focus on breathing. Some also involve meditation and spiritual aspects. The activity is open to all and can be a great way to change up your yoga routine. You can find hot yoga anywhere, but it's especially popular in New York. Some studios that offer hot yoga are New York Yoga and Hot Yoga Chelsea.
Hot Pilates
Another form of hot exercise that will make you feel the burn is hot Pilates. Hot Pilates is a bit more intense than hot yoga, with the exercises focusing on toning and strength. Hot pilates is a great choice for those who want to kick it up a notch and really sweat while working out. With hot Pilates, you'll likely be moving around a lot more than in hot yoga, given the cardio aspect of Pilates.With this workout, you'll want to keep in mind that it can get intense, and beginners should be aware of the risks. There is a risk of dehydration and even heat exhaustion. It's important to stay hydrated and know your limits. This type of workout is ideal for those already experienced in Pilates. Hot Pilates is a creative way to get an intense workout in while reaping some of those detoxing benefits of sweating. You'll find hot Pilates in various places as well, and you can even find it in warm climates like Miami in heated studios like Sweat Studio.
Hot Cardio
Finally, there are some studios that offer hot cardio classes, like hot HIIT or hot dance sessions. The focus of these classes is calorie burning and movement. Doing a cardio workout in a heated studio will really get you sweating and working. Hot cardio sessions are perfect for those experienced in cardio who want to change up their routine and try something different.With hot exercise, the heat acts as an added stressor to the body, which will push you even harder. This is useful for those looking to increase performance and challenge themselves. For any athlete training for competition, hot workouts are an effective way of preparing the body for stress and improving endurance. Plus, these classes are a surefire way to heat yourself up in the winter. You can find hot cardio classes in studios like Bode NYC in New York.
Take Home Message
If you're looking to stay warm this winter, any of these hot exercise classes will do the trick. Exercising in heat comes with certain health benefits like detoxing, but also certain challenges. So remember to always be hydrated and build your way up to the more intense hot workout sessions.
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- Hewett, Z. L., Cheema, B. S., Pumpa, K. L., & Smith, C. A. (2015). The effects of bikram yoga on health: Critical review and clinical trial recommendations. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. Retrieved December 14, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4609431/#:~:text=According%20to%20published%20literature%2C%20Bikram,and%20balance%20in%20healthy%20adults.
- Lambert, B. S., Miller, K. E., Delgado, D. A., Chaliki, K., Lee, J., Bauza, G., Taraballi, F., Dong, D., Tasciotti, E., Harris, J. D., & McCulloch, P. C. (2020, May 1). Acute physiologic effects of performing yoga in the heat on energy expenditure, range of motion, and inflammatory biomarkers. International journal of exercise science. Retrieved December 14, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7241641/
A Rutgers University Honors graduate, Jamie grew up on the Jersey shore and double majored in Comparative Literature and Anthropology in college. Jamie is an experienced writer in the health and wellness, biotech, and eCommerce fields. She loves writing with a purpose and has even written for the Department of Justice.
Jamie became drawn to exercise during her time in university and began to notice the physical and mental benefits of moving your body daily. Today, Jamie enjoys Pilates, light weight training, and going on long walks in nature daily.
Jamie is also passionate about eating right and prioritizing gut health and immunity. She is always trying the next innovation in health and wellness. When she’s not writing articles, Jamie enjoys reading, playing guitar, and finding dogs to play with.
