Overview
The infomercials for popular sauna belts like the Velform and the Rio promise you weight and inches lost without much effort on your part. Those claims are currently being investigated by the Federal Trades Commission. If you own a sauna belt, you should use it properly to avoid injury, burns or zero results. Make sure to follow correct protocol for safe usage, and never use a sauna belt if it hurts or burns you. The best approach to weight loss is still diet and exercise.
Step 1
Place the sauna belt around your middle. You can place the sauna belt directly against your skin, but if it seems to cause irritation or a rash, place it over a T-shirt to protect your skin. Use the Velcro straps to secure the belt, making sure it is tight enough to feel smooth, but not so tight that you have difficulty breathing or feel uncomfortable.
Step 2
Plug the sauna belt into an electrical outlet if it has a cord; if it’s a cordless model, check to make sure the batteries are working by turning the belt on. Follow the manufacturer’s directions as to what heat to start out with. Some sauna belt manufacturers will recommend starting at a higher heat to get the belt warmed up, and then dial it down to heat that feels comfortable to you, while some will urge you to start with a comfortable heat and adjust.
Step 3
Exercise with your sauna belt on for better results. The purpose of your sauna belt is to encourage extra weight loss through sweating, and you can expedite the process and contribute to health weight loss by wearing your sauna belt while you run on the treadmill, workout on the elliptical, or ride a stationary bike. Just get your heart pumping and your body sweating.
Step 4
Feel your skin underneath the sauna belt to check for sweating. After wearing the belt for 10 minutes and exercising, you should be producing a moderate amount of sweat, as if you were exercising on a hot day. If you aren’t sweating, turn the heat up slightly and continue exercising. If you feel too hot, dial the heat back down to a more manageable level. Stop using your sauna belt immediately if you feel dizzy, sick or faint; you likely have your belt heat turned up too high.
Step 5
Remove the belt after 25 to 30 minutes. Take a break and allow your body to cool off, toweling yourself dry. Shower and rinse with lukewarm water. Make sure to drink a large glass of water to help replenish your body of the moisture you’ve lost. Evaluate the addition of a sauna belt to your diet and exercise routine to decide if it truly helps by tracking your weight loss as you use it.
Tips and Warnings
- While sauna belts and other fad products may seem appealing, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases acknowledges that the best way to lose weight and keep it off is to make better choices about diet and exercise.
About this Author
Jae Ireland specializes in keyword research and Internet marketing. Getting her start with a small Internet marketing firm in 2005, she has since designed and written for well over 20 commercial and informational websites. Her areas of interest and expertise include fashion, parenting, home improvement and health and fitness.
