Mats is a runner. He has won the Norwegian Championship in the 1500m, is the Nordic champion in the indoor 1500m, and has set the district record in Hordaland for the distance. For 10 weeks, he will be testing the IR SaunaPod Maxi and IR Sauna Blanket Breeze for better recovery.
"It was my masseur who asked me to apply for the Infrared Health Journey. He is convinced that IR sauna will be good for my recovery. He uses the sauna himself and said that if I wasn't selected, I would have to buy one," he says, laughing.
WEEK 0 - I hope infrared sauna can make me better on the track.
Mats himself is always looking for tools that can optimize training and recovery to develop into a better runner. He trains 14-15 sessions a week. In winter, he runs about 160 km on average per week, and in summer, when he competes, about 130-140 km per week.
"The recovery aspect is important to me. I'm keen for my body to be 100% ready for a new training session. With a lot of training, over time, I notice that my body gets tired, and when you start getting so good, every detail counts. I hope that infrared sauna can make me perform better on the track and achieve my goals."
To be able to focus fully, Mats has taken a year off from his job as a teacher. His days are spent training, sleeping, eating – and doing the same again the next day.
"It's a monotonous daily routine, but I enjoy it. In addition, there's a fair bit of traveling for training camps and competitions."
Sleep, skin, and energy
Mats will be testing both the IR SaunaPod and the IR Sauna Blanket Breeze, so he can easily pack the sauna blanket when he travels.
"It's busy and can be stressful. I believe the products can help me fall asleep faster. I don't struggle with sleep, but I feel there's more to gain. My masseur says I have dehydrated skin. Will the sauna improve this, and will I get the energy to be more social?"
Heat better than cold
Over the years, ice baths after training have been the main focus for faster recovery, but Mats is convinced that heat is better than cold.
"When I've used a regular sauna, I feel so good, which is why I'm excited to see how IR sauna will feel."
Complete relaxation and meditation
Mats envisions a routine of complete relaxation and meditation when he sits in the sauna tent or lies in the sauna blanket. He wonders how long it will take before he notices an effect and is ready for 10 weeks of the infrared health journey.
"I'm so excited!"
WEEK 3 - Better sleep, better recovery, and softer skin.
Mats has already reaped significant benefits from the infrared sauna and sauna blanket. The latter was also taken on a training camp in Spain.
"IR sauna has become an important part of my daily life. I use it a lot, six to seven days a week, and I'm very satisfied!"
The sauna blanket went to Spain
He started his health journey at a training camp in Spain, where he packed his infrared sauna blanket in his suitcase. The sauna blanket was used every day, except for the travel days themselves.
"I was there for a total of nine days and had a great stay with a lot of good training. It was lovely to end the day with 30-45 minutes in the sauna blanket. I noticed that my body recovered well. Not least, I noticed that my sleep quality improved significantly."
Traveling with the sauna blanket was a bit cumbersome at first; fitting the blanket into the suitcase along with over seven pairs of running shoes, but it worked out and the sauna blanket became a good tool for recovery.
"It was great to have a new 'tool' to get better recovery for the next training session. When you're at a training camp, most of it, when you're not training, is about recovering as best as possible and being ready for the upcoming training session. I really enjoyed using the sauna blanket."
Better sleep quality, better recovery
One of the first things Mats noticed was better sleep quality.
"I monitor my sleep with a watch called Whoop, and it clearly shows that I sleep deeper now than I did before using the sauna. That's invaluable, as it, in turn, means my body recovers better."
Other things he has noticed are that his skin has become softer.
"That's very pleasing."
When asked if anything surprised him, Mats replies that it was surprisingly exhausting to sit in the sauna. At one point, it became more intense than a training session.
"It was unusual, because I didn't imagine I would notice anything, but my pulse actually went up to 130 during one of the sessions, which I never thought I would experience. I sat there for quite a long time, and maybe that had an impact on the increased pulse. It's a higher pulse than what I can have when I train, he says, adding that it felt extra nice afterwards."
The plan for the next three weeks of the health journey is to continue with the same routines as now.
"I'm very happy with my routines, and I'm excited to see what happens next – what other things will happen to my body – and not least: Will my sleep get even better after several weeks of regular sauna? I'm looking forward to the continuation."
WEEK 6 – After six weeks on an infrared health journey, Mats reports that his body has responded very well to infrared heat.
He has a lower pulse. He sleeps and recovers better. His skin is smoother and no longer dehydrated.
"What fascinates me most is how much lower my resting heart rate has been now, in recent weeks, compared to what it usually is. Usually, my resting heart rate is about 45, but now it has been steadily down to 40-41. That's a big, drastic change for me."
Better recovery, metabolism and skin
When he trains, his pulse can range from 120-185.
"It all depends on whether it's a relaxed training session or intervals. In the sauna, I've noticed that my pulse, at the end of the session, has reached as high as 130, which can be higher than what I have on relaxed long runs."
He is surprised by how exhausting it is to take a sauna, especially the last 15 minutes of the session.
"I never would have thought that. It's fascinating how much you sweat. I sweat all over my body, and especially my hands drip. It's exhausting because the body is really working hard, and I feel it especially at the end. Then the heart is pumping well."
He also believes that a lower resting heart rate at night means his body recovers better when he sleeps.
"Sleep is the most important measure for recovery, and I feel that I have gotten better sleep since I started using the IR sauna. In addition, I notice that I sweat much more when I train. It seems like I burn more now."
Mats' regular masseur has noticed a big difference in his skin.
"My masseur thought I had such dry and dehydrated skin. I drink a lot of water, and I think it's strange, but since I started using the IR sauna, both he and I have noticed a big change in my skin."
On his last visit, the masseur said that the skin is not only softer, but also smoother, and it is no longer dehydrated.
Sauna Blanket versus sitting sauna
For the first few weeks, Mats brought his sauna blanket to training camps. Since returning home, he has only used the sitting sauna.
"I prefer the sitting sauna. I feel I've gotten a better effect from it compared to the sauna blanket because I sweat more in the sitting sauna. There's quite a big difference. I also have a higher pulse in the sitting sauna, though that doesn't necessarily mean the effect is better, but the sauna blanket is more for wellness and comfort for me. In the sitting sauna, the body works harder."
Since the last update, Mats has mostly been training at home.
"My competitions start in the coming week. I've done some training that will hopefully result in me running fast this summer."
A nice end to the day
With the exception of a short period of illness, it has been six good weeks with infrared heat for Mats.
"I've been taking a sauna about five to six days a week, for 45 minutes per session. It's been an incredibly nice way to end the day. I always take it right before I go to bed."
WEEK 10 – "Infrared sauna has become an important part of my daily life"
After 10 weeks on a health journey with IR SaunaPod Maxi and IR Sauna Blanket Breeze, Mats is absolutely clear in his answer. He will continue to use infrared heat in his training routine for better recovery and performance.
The positive experiences he has had since the health journey began have persisted, and he feels he has found a tool that can help optimize training and recovery, and help him develop into a better runner.
"The sauna has contributed so much; better recovery, deeper sleep, and softer, less dehydrated skin. I see no reason to stop," he says happily.
Deeper sleep, better recovery and less stiff calves
He feels that measurably deeper sleep improves recovery. He also notices that the sauna reduces soreness and that his legs are quicker to be ready for the next training session.
"My legs aren't as sore and heavy anymore. Often, when I've trained a lot, I wake up with stiff calves. Since I started taking saunas, I've experienced less stiffness."
Optimal recovery for Mats is sleep, at the top of the list, along with plenty of good food, enough calories, balanced training, massage and – now also – infrared sauna. He sets himself up five times a week before bed, for 40-50 minutes per session.
"I think it's become a nice routine and a good way to end the day."
Maxi Bamboo for active recovery
He prefers his IR SaunaPod Maxi for active recovery. He uses the IR Sauna Blanket Breeze more for wellness and relaxation, plus the blanket is easy to take with him when he travels.
"If I have the sitting sauna and sauna blanket available, I choose the sitting sauna. I sweat more in it. I'm surprised by how much I sweat and how exhausting – in a good way – it is to sit in it."
He has, at its highest, measured his pulse at 130.
"That's quite high; like a relaxed training session. When I see people sitting and working while they're in the sauna," he says, pausing, before continuing. "I can't do that. I can't focus on anything other than just sitting there. I never would have imagined that."
He has also noticed that he sweats more when he trains compared to before.
"Maybe I've increased my metabolism, but it's a big change from before I started with infrared sauna."
Skin that is less dehydrated
Mats reports that his masseur continues to notice changes in his skin; it is not dehydrated and has become very soft.
"He's completely impressed."
His skin is what Mats has seen the biggest difference in, which has also surprised him. Otherwise, he experiences more energy in everyday life. He wanted more energy to be more social, but two training sessions a day limit the time for that.
"But the energy has contributed to me being more active," he points out.
Optimize use
The running season has started and Mats had his first race on May 21st.
"After that, I've run two races, but I've been a bit unlucky," he says.
He recently fell during a competition, which has resulted in a painful leg requiring rest for the next few weeks until the national championships.
The plan going forward regarding infrared sauna is to optimize its use for the best possible effect.
"I don't take a sauna before a competition, for example, but after. If I took it every day or twice a day, I feel it would be too much. I've found a good routine now, but I'll explore this further."
Every time I travel, I miss my sitting sauna
Mats has to admit that he didn't think taking a sauna would be as exhausting as it is. Nevertheless, he has been able to relax well and ends his day in a nice way.
"I'm very curious and always like to explore new things. I'm very happy that I got to be part of the health journey. Infrared sauna has now, after all, become a part of my daily life. Every time I travel, I miss my sitting sauna. It has become a useful recovery tool and, not least, has had a great positive effect on my dry, dehydrated skin."
Text: Trine Dahlman
Read an update on Mats' health journey ONE YEAR LATER!
