Not just a women’s thing.
You’ve seen the brands. Most sauna blankets out there are marketed towards women as a wellness product to help them lose weight, get clearer skin, and detox with the help of crystals. All that jazz.
But is that all there is to a sauna blanket and heat therapy? What about the men? In reality, a majority
of the research done on the benefits of heat therapy and sauna have been conducted on a mostly male
cohort—suggesting there’s more concrete evidence that men benefit from sauna compared to women.
Let’s explore some of them.
4 manly reasons you should incorporate heat therapy into your life
1. For the gainz
If you want to grow big and strong and maximize your gains, then heat therapy might be just what you need to get that extra boost.
Optimization is the name of the game. And making sure every rep you pump out goes into your muscle growth is important.
Heat therapy has been shown to improve athletic performance, growth hormone production (with a specific sauna protocol), and post-workout recovery.
Twenty healthy young adults took part in an eight-week study to see how heat affects blood vessel health.
Blood samples were collected at the start, right after the first session, and after eight weeks to measure specific proteins and markers.
The researchers found that heat improved blood vessel function, likely by increasing nitric oxide, which helps blood vessels work better.
Additionally, by reducing oxidative stress and supporting blood vessel health, heat therapy may improve recovery and reduce fatigue.
These effects mimic some benefits of cardiovascular exercise, potentially benefiting athletes.
Source: Serum from young, sedentary adults who underwent passive heat therapy improves endothelial cell angiogenesis via improved nitric oxide bioavailability. Temperature, 6(2), 169–178. https://doi.org/10.1080/23328940.2019.1614851
TL;DR:
- Heat helps blood vessels work better by increasing nitric oxide
- Improves recovery
- Reduces fatigue
- Mimics some benefits of cardio
Researchers from RMIT conducted a review on the health effects of dry sauna use in humans, focusing on forty studies from 2000 onward.
They screened multiple databases, excluding studies on high-humidity saunas or non-health-related sauna use to ensure relevant findings.
The researchers discovered a surprising boost in growth hormone levels that could make a difference in how the body recovers and adapts.
Specifically, this surge in growth hormone, especially, is known to support muscle repair and metabolism, meaning sauna may support better overall performance and quicker recovery times for athletes.
Source: Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2018/1857413
TL;DR:
- Found increased growth hormone levels
- Growth hormone aids body recovery and adaptation
- Supports muscle repair and metabolism
- Benefits athletic performance and recovery
Ten active men trained in both strength and endurance on different days, followed by either far-infrared sauna (FIRS), Finnish sauna (TRAD), or no sauna.
The group followed controlled sauna, exercise, and recovery protocols, with restrictions on other strenuous activities, sauna baths, and alcohol consumption prior to the study to ensure consistency and reliability in results.
After endurance training, FIRS showed better recovery in jump performance and maintained a lower heart
rate than TRAD.
The gentle, deep-penetrating heat of FIRS seemed to aid neuromuscular recovery while offering a
comfortable, minimally taxing recovery experience.
Source: Effects of far-infrared sauna bathing on recovery from strength and endurance training sessions in men, SpringerPlus 4, 321 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-015-1093-5
TL;DR:
- FIRS improved jump recovery after endurance training
- Lower heart rate maintained with FIRS vs. TRAD
- FIRS heat aided neuromuscular recovery
- Provided comfortable, low-stress recovery
2. Hustle hard, the healthy way
Gone are the days when “burning the midnight oil” and sacrificing sleep to work overtime is celebrated.
In the 2024th year of our Lord, we now have clear, undeniable evidence that moderate lack of sleep significantly impairs performance.
You might as well turn up to work drunk
Source: Moderate sleep deprivation produces impairments in cognitive and motor performance equivalent to legally prescribed levels of alcohol intoxication, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1739867/
Of course it’s common sense that we need 7-9 hours of sleep.
But what can you do if you’re lying on your bed every night and your mind is running?
Well, maybe it’s stress from work or life. Or, maybe it’s a chemical imbalance throwing your circadian rhythm off balance.
And you’ve tried it all—melatonin, the Military sleep method, etc, but you still can’t fall asleep…
Well, maybe it’s time you tried heat therapy.
Researchers wanted to see how saunas affected the health of 36 men, aged 45-60.
They measured blood sugar, hunger, sleep, and stress levels before and after 12 weeks and then compared the results.
Both dry and steam saunas had a positive effect on sleep quality. Dry sauna also had a stronger effect on reducing cortisol.
Source: Journal of Nutrition Fasting and Health - https://jnfh.mums.ac.ir/%C3%82%C2%A0index%C3%82%C2%A0.php/43-uncategorised/data/jfh/coversheet/journal/article_23335_e06e3be2d6539aa9e92df328cce433cd.pdf
A 71-question online survey was conducted on 482 participants—gathering demographic, lifestyle, and sauna-related habits.
The results revealed that sauna use enhanced relaxation, mental well-being, and sleep quality for 83.5% of respondents, who reported improved sleep lasting one to two nights after sauna use.
1-2 nights of improved sleep
Stress Relief
Mental well-being
Additionally, those with mental health issues noted significant benefits from sauna use, showing that sauna does indeed help with stress management and improving sleep quality.
Source: A hot topic for health: Results of the Global Sauna Survey, Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Volume 44, 2019, Pages 223-234, ISSN 0965-2299, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2019.03.012.
3. Keep death at bay
Being a man is pretty great sometimes. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.
For example, men are more susceptible to heart disease, experiencing symptoms nearly a decade sooner than women. Men are also twice as likely to suffer from heart attacks.
And heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide according to the World Health Organization.
Fortunately, there are lifestyle decisions that you can make to drastically reduce your risk—namely, heat therapy.
TL;DR:
- 83.5% reported better relaxation, mental well-being
- Improved sleep lasted 1-2 nights post-sauna
- Sauna use helped stress management, sleep quality
- Significant benefits for those with mental health issues
Researchers followed over 2,300 men for about 20 years. They asked how often and how long the men used a sauna, then checked how many later had heart problems or died.
They compared groups who used the sauna once a week, 2-3 times a week, and 4-7 times a week.
And found that men who used the sauna more often and for longer had a lower risk of heart problems and death. Specifically, those who used the sauna 4-7 times a week had about half the risk of sudden cardiac death compared to those who used it once a week.
This suggested that more frequent and longer sauna use significantly reduced the risk of fatal cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality by up to 40%.
Source: Association Between Sauna Bathing and Fatal Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality Events. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(4):542–548. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8187
TL;DR:
- Frequent, long sauna use reduced heart risks
- 4-7 times/week halved sudden cardiac death risk
- Frequent sauna use lowered fatal cardiovascular risk
- Reduced all-cause mortality risk by up to 40%
Sauna bathing can significantly improve cardiovascular health, shown to reduce blood pressure, enhance cholesterol levels, and boost overall cardiorespiratory fitness.
When practiced consistently alongside exercise, saunas may reduce the risk of heart disease and sudden cardiac death—regardless of existing fitness levels.
Source: Benefits of sauna bathing for heart health, UCLA Health, https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/benefits-sauna-bathing-heart-health#:~:text=If%20your%20CRF%20level%20is,death%2C%20including%20sudden%20cardiac%20death
In an exploration of sauna’s potential to extend healthspan, researchers discovered regular sauna use, a common practice in Finnish culture, may help lower cardiovascular disease risk, ease hypertension, and reduce chances of dementia.
Heat’s positive impact on inflammation and immune response suggests that passive heat therapy can boost longevity and mental well-being by supporting circulatory health and resilience—especially for individuals with existing risk factors.
Source: The multifaceted benefits of passive heat therapies for extending the healthspan: A comprehensive review with a focus on Finnish sauna. Temperature (Austin). 2024 Feb 25;11(1):27-51. doi: 10.1080/23328940.2023.2300623. PMID: 38577299; PMCID: PMC10989710.
As the understanding of aging has evolved, the concept of healthspan—living longer without chronic illnesses—has gained focus.
Recent research, particularly from Finland’s studies, links regular sauna use with 50% lower risk of cardiovascular issues, 66% lower risk of dementia and 65% lower risk of Alzheimers, and even 77% lower risk of psychotic disorders.
Sauna bathing elicits protective cellular responses akin to exercise, potentially extending healthspan and enhancing resilience against age-related physical and neurological decline.
Source: Sauna use as a lifestyle practice to extend healthspan, Experimental Gerontology, Volume 154, 2021, 111509, ISSN 0531-5565, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2021.111509.
TL;DR:
- 50% reduced risk of cardiovascular issues
- 66% lower risk of dementia, 65% Alzheimer’s
- 77% lower risk of psychotic disorders
- Sauna triggers protective cellular responses like exercise
- Potentially extends healthspan, resists age-related decline
4. The pursuit of happiness
Let’s face it: Men’s mental health and wellbeing is not often discussed even till this day.
A survey of 1,000 men in the UK by Priory showed that:
- As many as 77% of men have suffered from anxiety, stress or depression
- 40% of men have never spoken to someone about their mental health
- 29% of those say they are "too embarrassed" to speak about it, while 20% say there is a "negative stigma" on the issue
Which might explain why men are generally more vulnerable to the long-term effects of stress and are less equipped to cope than women.
Fortunately, there are lifestyle decisions that you can make to drastically reduce your risk—namely, heat therapy.
Sources:
40-of-men-wont-talk-to-anyone-about-their-mental-health, https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/40-of-men-wont-talk-to-anyone-about-their-mental-health
University of Michigan, Depression: Men more vulnerable to long-term effects of stress, https://news.umich.edu/depression-men-more-vulnerable-to-long-term-effects-of-stress/
An interesting finding showed that simple exposure to heat can improve mental wellbeing, reduce loneliness, depression symptoms, and increase social warmth.
It might sound like a myth but holding a warm cup of coffee increases perception of social warmth similar to that of holding someone’s hand.
While we wouldn’t recommend replacing all social interactions with heat therapy, lying in the HeatPod
sauna blanket at the end of the day feels like a nice, cozy warm hug.
10/10 recommend if you have no one to hug.
Sources:
Whole-Body Hyperthermia for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2016 Aug 1;73(8):789-95. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.1031.
Exposure to Heat Can Improve Mental Well-Being, Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-stress-proof-life/201712/exposure-to-heat-can-improve-mental-well-being
Now that you know about the benefits of sauna heat therapy, which one should you go for? Of course, we’ll recommend the HeatPod Sauna Blanket—aka the manliest sauna blanket on the market.
What exactly makes the HeatPod 2 the MANLIEST sauna blanket?
Men are from Mars…
On average, men and women respond differently to heat due to certain general overall differences:
- Men have higher exercise capacity. In the context of heat tolerance, higher exercise capacity means they are able to handle the stress of high temperatures more effectively.
- Men have larger muscle mass. Muscle mass helps generate heat and regulates body temperature.
- Men have lower subcutaneous fat mass. Subcutaneous fat is a poor conductor of heat and insulates the body, making it harder to regulate heat.
- Men sweat more and are more efficient at sweating.
Sources:
Gender differences in thermoregulation. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2001 Nov):533-6. doi: 10.1097/00075197-200111000-00012. PMID: 11706289.
Men perspire, women glow: Men are more efficient at sweating, study finds, ScienceDaily, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101007210546.htm
Bigger is better…
Our many male customers who have used the first version of the HeatPod have also told us that they need higher temperatures for their sauna sessions and a longer sauna blanket.
So we did it.
The HeatPod 2 goes to higher temperatures compared to most sauna blankets on the market (up to 185°F or 85°C). It is also 190cm long (10cm more compared to the first version of the HeatPod).
We also designed an optional towel insert add-on for those who don’t want to sweat into their regular clothes and want to use the HeatPod with an absorbent towel insert
No B.S. improvements
Additionally, as users of the HeatPod ourselves, we noticed certain areas of improvement that could be made to further improve the sauna experience. So, we implemented these improvements into the HeatPod 2:
Of course, the HeatPod 2 still retains the best parts of its predecessor that you know and love.
You deserve the best
The HeatPod is built with top-quality and third-party tested materials.
With Faraday shielding on the heating coils to block EMF radiation; and plush, comfortable SCS-tested vegan leather for the most comfortable sauna experience.
Tested for zero toxic off-gassing or EMF radiation around the heating coils for greater peace of mind.
Because we are focused on evidence-based therapies, we opted to leave out additional “bells and whistles” such as crystals which have limited scientific backing. Instead we invest in tried-and-tested features that provide real health benefits.
The HeatPod 2 is easy to clean. All you need to do is wipe it down with a damp cloth after use and leave it to air dry. Do not use harsh chemicals or machine wash the sauna blanket.
How does the HeatPod compare to other in-home sauna options?
Cheaper - The HeatPod is only <10% of the cost of having a sauna cabin installed in your home ($599 vs $5,000-10,000)
Compact - At only 75”x35” when in use, it’s smaller than the tiniest sauna cabins – perfect for condos and apartments.
Low maintenance - All you need to do after every HeatPod session is wipe it down and store it away. In-home saunas may require significant cleaning and maintenance
Portable - The HeatPod can easily be kept away in a small storage bag (43 cm X 46 cm / 17" X 18"). You can use it on any space in your home or other places, unlike home saunas that are fixed and require installation.
Consistency is key
for long-term benefits
While often seen as a luxurious spa treat, the benefits can only be obtained through consistent use over time. According to experts, the benefits of 4-7 sauna sessions per week were greater than 2-3 sessions a week.
That means the more you sauna, the better.
Source: Association Between Sauna Bathing and Fatal Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality Events. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(4):542–548. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8187
Give the HeatPod 2
a try today
You miss 100% of the benefits if you don’t give it a try. While we won’t guarantee results for everybody
(nobody can), what we can guarantee is that if you want to return it for any reason after testing it for
30 days, shoot us an email and we’ll give you a refund.
Sounds fair?
You have nothing to lose.
We’ve also got more purchasing options than ever.
All HeatPod purchases are HSA/FSA eligible. We’ve partnered with Truemed so you can use your Health Savings or Flexible Spending Accounts to cover your purchase.
We also offer a fast, easy Buy Now, Pay Later installment option with PayPal.
