The new trend of hot fitness classes, such as Hot Hiit and hot barre, is sweeping across the United States (US) and has reached the tri-state area. One of the main draws for people interested is the relaxing sensation of burning calories while completing a high-intensity workout. The heat is good for muscles, stretching, and increasing one’s heart rate, according to atlantamagazine.com. However, studies show that completing a cooler temperature class in comparison to a heated class will leave an individual with equal health benefits, according to the New York Times.
The trending workout consists of many different exercises and continues to attract people, especially during the cold winter months. Hot exercise classes are usually 85 degrees or higher, according to abcnews.com. Working out in a hotter setting adds depth to burning and sweating. Many hot fitness classes start with a segment of relaxation and meditation which is another attractive point for people to attend the class. The main draws for these classes is the upbeat music and motivating instructors. In addition to the constant sweat, studios have options to attend a variety of classes rather than the same class every week, according to hotphiitbxvl.com.
Heated barre, sculpt, yoga, and Hot Hiit develop different skills such as muscle, cardio, and balance, according to hotphiitbxvl.com. Barre focuses on toning muscles and developing strength throughout the whole body with extra heat, according to womenshealthmag.com. Hot Hiit, one of the most popular heated classes, provides high intensity workouts while working the main muscles, and pairs it along with the infrared heat to ultimately increase heart rate, according to hotphiitdarien.com. Hot sculpt, which is becoming more popular, is similar to Hot Hiit due to the usage of hand weights and many incorporations of cardio. However, it focuses more on toning specific muscles rather than high impact exercises, according to corepoweryoga.com. Lastly, hot yoga is different from most hot fitness classes because even though it uses additional heat, the class focuses on other exercises. Hot yoga develops flexibility, along with improving focus and providing relaxation. The room is typically hotter than Hot Hiit classes and can be anywhere from 80 to 105 degrees, according to medicalnewstoday.com.
The preparation for the workout and the recovery is important when wanting to complete a hot fitness class safely, including meal prep and clothing. Participants should hydrate before and during class, according to abcnews.com. Hot fitness classes are not easy, so experts recommend dressing correctly in light clothing. Dressing in heavy clothing can cause discomfort and disrupt relaxation within the period of the class. Additionally, experts suggest avoiding a big meal leading up to the class, according to thehotyogaspot.com.
For many participants, the feeling of profuse sweating and the accomplishment of successfully completing a heated fitness class is rewarding and a main point of attraction. All hot fitness classes help muscles loosen more quickly, allowing one’s body to reap the benefits of the workout faster, according to atlantamagazine.com. The infrared heat cleanses and detoxifies the body fast and helps prevent injuries in the future, which is part of the reason people feel the need to attend these classes, according to health.usnews.com. People enjoy attending these classes with friends to step away from work, school, and or stress. The feeling of the burn during the class, as well as the feeling of accomplishment after stepping out of the room is why people love the class. However, these classes are not for everyone and can be difficult for those who are not prepared or knowledgable when entering the studio.
Although many people enjoy these workouts and look forward to the “spiritual experience,” which helps escape the cold dark winters, studies show that the added heat does not change the outcome like some may think, according to the New York Times. These fitness classes do not leave a negative effect on individuals and still provide good exercises. However, their fitness benefit compared to regular fitness classes is minimal. Although the cardiovascular system works harder in these classes, the intense feeling during the class is actually the body fighting to cool down, rather than the high burning of calories, according to adelphi.edu. In other words, individuals’ heart rate increasing is a result during the workout, but that does not mean that the body is losing more calories than a regular heated class. Additionally, over stretching is a possibility due to the overextension of a muscle because individuals may think their muscle is warm enough to stretch to a certain point, according to the New York Times. Dr. John Porcari, Ph.D., program director at the Clinical Exercise Physiology program at University of Wisconsin, discussed the contrasting effects he noticed while researching hot workout classes, according to abcnews.com.
“I think most people assume that when you sweat more, you’re getting a better workout,” Mr. Porcari said, according to abcnews.com. “Plus, people obviously sweat more with these heated workouts, so I think there’s a relaxation factor there, too.”
Hot fitness classes can lead people perceive that the workout was harder than the research suggests. However, there is no doubt that the feeling of the burn and atmosphere is motivating. Across the country, growing numbers of men and women of all ages attend these classes, according to bikramyogateacherteaching.info. Sophomore Claire McMonagle, who has taken many hot fitness classes, expressed her reason for partaking in the classes.
“I enjoy going to hot fitness classes because during the winter months I am typically not outside as much as I would like to be, like I am in summer and spring,” Claire said. “I think during the extremely cold months, a big problem is the lack of fitness our bodies complete and I think it is so important to exercise and to sweat, which is a benefit to these classes.”
Featured Image by Bella Boone ’27
