Current Body Infra-Red Sauna Blanket Review

I've learned the hot way...

[AD] It doesn’t occur to me from one day to another to want to have a sauna but after watching a Finnish Noir drama series where they’re in and out of their sauna’s every single day, the timing couldn’t be better for me to test out the Current Body Sauna Blanket. In Finland, it seems, they put the sauna on before they put the kettle on, so I need a lesson in how it’s entered their daily life.

One of the big head-lines for the Current Body Sauna Blanket is ‘weight loss’ but before we get fully excited (or not) about that, it’s something that should be used alongside diet and exercise. The benefits of sauna are plenty – and manifold, depending upon where you look. However, I like to do my homework properly and always check with a reliable source of information such as PubMed before making any kind of claims. Like many newer home devices, an abundance of research takes a while to come so I’ve looked at anecdotal evidence as well.

Weight loss claims come because an infra-red sauna blanket increases calorie expenditure and of course, promotes sweating, which will lead to temporary weight loss. On that point, drink a glass of water both before and after using. That said, some studies have found a small weight loss effect – just don’t expect to have one sauna and fit into your too small jeans (I’m thinking of my too small jeans, by the way) unless you've been retaining a lot of water. Infrared sauna sessions can offer some benefits for weight loss, primarily by increasing calorie expenditure and promoting sweating, which can lead to temporary water weight loss. While studies show that infrared saunas can burn calories and lead to a decrease in body mass, the long-term impact on weight loss is not thought to be substantial for most.

The actual Current Body Sauna Blanket is no beauty but it’s built for function and it does, in fact, function very well indeed. You’re advised to change into loose clothing before slipping into the provided toweling sleeping bag that you fit inside the ‘sauna’. However, the instructions also mention that you can wear as little as you’d like so if you’re happy getting down to your knicks, that’s fine too (I do). I set my blanket up in our spare bedroom so I can just keep it there and use it as and when but it's fairly easy to fold up but it is quite heavy which is something to consider. It tucks just as well under the duvet as it does over.

[Dora getting in on the action!]

Where I know the sauna blanket is going to be most useful to me is for muscle soreness and aching. I do a lot of yoga and try my best to keep up with the youngsters but my body feels it afterwards. The absolute bliss of soothed muscles after 35 hot minutes instead of groaning whenever I sit up or sit down for a week is unparalleled. It’s thought that improved muscle recovery and reduced muscle soreness are part of the benefits of an infra-red sauna blanket, thanks to the increased blood flow contributing to muscle repair and decreased inflammation. I'm generally more achy than I used to be and I don't like it but I do notice that from using the sauna several times, my aches are certainly less and more easily soothed.

Is it hot? Yes, it is hot! You can vary the temperature which is easy to do and you can work up to going even hotter over a period of time but you will certainly sweat. I worry about my hair frizzing up but in fact, as my head is exposed, it doesn't really get that sweaty. I should point out that standard practice after a sauna is to have a cold shower or an ice bath (not likely!) but you'll be pleased to know that it's fine to have a lukewarm shower instead. I’ve enjoyed testing this - I’m thankful that there’s no whipping with birch twigs or glacial plunges involved. Cold shocking is not for everyone and certainly not for me. At £549, it's a considered purchase - (there's a 10% discount HERE). It's for you if you ache generally, ache after sport or after heavy exertion. It's also for you if you are a heat-seeker craving restful moments that will genuinely relax and soothe you. It's not for you if you have medical issues affected by heat, you don't like feeling too hot or if you don't like feeling enclosed.

*This post is a paid collaboration with Current Body.