You try it!
Sauna Sensation
16625 Dove Canyon Road
619-202-5100
saunasensation.com
$50 for one 60-minute session
I come from an athletic family, but that gene has apparently skipped me. I’m never one to engage in unnecessary physical activity. If I want to lose weight, I do a juice cleanse or (with dread) cut carbs. So when I heard about a new wellness center that helps you burn up to 600 calories in 40 minutes of pure relaxation, I signed up immediately.
I arrived at Sauna Sensation in 4S Ranch, ready to do nothing. The experience was divided into three stages, beginning with an eight-minute whole-body vibration treatment. I stepped on the platform of a high-tech-looking machine and immediately felt the vibration from my feet to my ears. It tickled! You can target different body parts by squatting, rising on your toes, or standing flat-footed. While I stood there, my body was surprisingly working hard. My muscles were contracting, increasing my metabolism, realigning my spine, and improving my muscle strength. Astronauts returning from space use this machine to strengthen their muscles and supermodels use it for low-impact activity. They call it passive cardio; I call it brilliant.
After my eight minutes of vibrating, I was taken to a private room complete with my own personal sauna and television. I had never been in a sauna before and was intimidated when I saw the dial read 125 degrees. I gulped my water and took a seat. The blue light is meant to calm. Over the course of 40 minutes the heat rose to 136 degrees. It was sweaty, but manageable. This stage of the process is meant to heat your body and increase weight loss, detoxify, and relieve stress and pain. I personally felt detoxed and very relaxed.
The next and final step is chromotherapy. I am led to a larger room that has the same blue calming glow as the sauna and took a seat in one of the four chairs. I was told this is the relaxation lounge and my body needed to cool down for 10 minutes. I sipped a complimentary juice (on this day it was orange and sweet, like ginger) in pure relaxation, melting away calories.
A few minutes later, I left feeling refreshed and full of energy. Maybe I could go for a run?
No, I think I’ll go for tacos instead.
I Tried It: Passive Cardio
Photo by Jay Reilly
