How Hot Is Hot Yoga – Shocking Temperature Reveal
I had a notion that normal yoga was sufficient… until the time when I was challenged to do hot yoga. I thought, In which way is hot yoga hot? Maybe a little warm? Like summer weather? Nope. I was wet in a couple of minutes, and was breathing in gasps like a man opening an oven with his face.
I would like to simplify it using real numbers, case studies, and my personal honest response, so you are well aware of what you are getting into before entering a hot yoga room.
What Temperature Is Hot Yoga?
The room in most of the hot yoga studios in the U.S. maintains:
Style of Yoga Average temperature The level of humidity.
Bikram Yoga 105degF (40degC) 40%
Hot Vinyasa 92-98degF (33-37degC) 50-60%
Warm Yoga (Accessible) 85degF (29degC) 40-50%
Wise, then, will be my view:
The temperature of 105degF is equal to that of a desert during hot summer.
Add in 40 percent humidity and it is even warmer.
Five minutes later I was so hot and breathless that I was tired of standing up.
A Little Case Study On my First Hot Yoga Class.
I went to a regular 90-minute Bikram class with 105degF. Here’s what happened:
Time What I Felt Sweat Level
5 min “This is fine” Light glow
15 min “Did I enter a sauna?” Face leakage begins
30 min Brain fog Dripping everywhere.
45 min Considered dropping out Puddle under my mat
60 min Weird second wind Continued to sweat.
90 min Newborn like (but with jelly-legs) Showered in clothes like I did.
Calories burned: 450 and above (monitored using a smartwatch)
Water lost: 1.5 pounds (weighed at the beginning and end)
Why Is Hot Yoga So Hot?
The hot weather is not just to be dramatic about it. There’s a purpose:
Warmer works on your muscles–less dangerous deeper stretches.
The heart rate also speeds up, making yoga a cardio.
Sweat purifies (or rather, sweats out salt and micro-toxins)
Mental strength is developed – since there is nothing funny about standing on one leg in 105degF.
Is Hot Yoga Safe?
Yes — if you prepare. But I won’t sugarcoat it.
Common Risks
Dehydration
Dizziness
Overheating
Muscle fatigue
Safety Checklist I Now Swear By.
Tip Why It Matters
Take 20 oz. water prior to the start of the lesson Eliminates dizziness.
Bring towel + grippy mat You will slip otherwise.
Light snack 1 hour before Precaution against nausea
Begin by the door or fan Escape hatch (Novice)
Who Should Avoid Hot Yoga?
You can neglect or see a doctor first in case you have:
Heart conditions
High or low blood pressure
Lungs diseases such as asthma.
Pregnancy (particular first trimester)
Hot Yoga or Regular Yoga: Which one burns more calories?
Type of workout Calories burned (60 min) on average.
Regular Yoga 180-250
Hot Yoga 350-500
Personally, I burned 468 calories during a single session, as my watch believed that I was running.
Do Hot Yoga workouts aid in weight loss?
Technically, yes and no.
Short-term loss in weight = primarily water. I had reduced 1.5 pounds immediately and recovered those pounds afterward by hydrating.
Long-term advantages = better flexibility, muscle tone, reduced stress – which consequently indirectly assists in weight loss.
Hot yoga is not a weight loss superstar, however, it does leave you feeling powerful and that motivation produces results.
What to Wear to Hot Yoga
Take note of my misfortune: cotton clothes have the strength of nature.
Best Choices
Sweat pants or shorts that have a moisture wick.
Sports bra / fitted tank
Headband when you are a fountain-sweater (as I am)
Avoid:
Crap T-shirts – get soaked blankets.
Dark clothes – body sweat get billboards.
What Does Hot Yoga Feel Like?
Imagine:
Doing yoga…
A steaming bathroom with someone having spent a half hour under the shower…
When you are wearing winter clothes (then everything clings to your skin with sweat).
But also…
Feeling super flexible
Getting out of class like you are a survivor in warrior school.
Strolling away like you won something in yourself.
Personal Advantages I felt.
Better sleep that same night
Reduced back pain (problems with the desk job)
Less anxious and self-assured.
Skin appeared more clear (sweat = free facial)
Does Hot yoga make you more flexible?
Yes — dramatically.
Studies indicate that heat enhances the elasticity of muscles up to 20 percent that is why I touched my toes after 6 months.
Hot Yoga: How Frequently to Do It?
Most studios recommend:
Experience Level Frequency recommended.
Beginner 1-2 times per week
Intermediate 3-4 times per week
Hardcore Sweat Warrior Daily (cautiously)
Personally, I exercise twice a week, and any more than that I would have required a hydration IV drip.
Conclusion: Will Hot Yoga Pay Off?
Should you enjoy challenge + sweat + immediate outcome, then yes most certainly.
When you do not want to overheat or get too humid or think that you are soup, you are likely to walk out in the middle of classes (no shame, I almost did the same thing).
Nonetheless, I shall say this: Hot yoga is more of a mental than a physical exercise. After enduring the heat, frequent stress is petite.
FAQs About Hot Yoga
Is hot yoga hotter than a sauna?
An average sauna is around 150-195degF therefore hot yoga is colder but feels hotter because of humidity and movement.
Can beginners do hot yoga?
Yes – begin at the back of the room, have a break, and do not think you can be a hero.
What amount of water is appropriate to consume after classes?
At minimum 24-32 oz, preferably containing electrolytes.
Won’t I slim belly fat using hot yoga?
Not directly. It is more of a reinforcing fat burner, rather than a fat burner.
Will I be able to move out of the room in case it is too much?
Yes–and you will should you be dizzy or lightheaded. No one will judge you.
Final Tip From Me
When you are interested but you are also so nervous, you can first attend a warm yoga course (85degF). It is as though you are putting your feet into the fire.