While sweating is a natural part of physical activity, hot workouts take it to the next level by intensifying the heat, promising increased benefits. Workout enthusiasts looking for more intensive and purifying types of exercise are thinking “burn, baby, burn” to reduce stress, detoxify and increase flexibility. For those willing to brave the heat hot workouts offer an exciting and energizing approach to fitness.

Emerging in the exercise scene in the early 2000s, hot workouts were popularized by celebrities like Lady Gaga, Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. Hot workouts include various exercises, from Pilates, yoga and cycling to high-intensity interval training — HIIT — . Depending on the facility, classes are conducted in heated environments with varying degrees of elevated temperatures, from 80 F to 105 F. The increased temperature is believed to enhance flexibility, promote detoxification through sweating and boost calorie burn.

One of the key advantages of these workouts, participants say, is that the high temperatures make muscles looser and soft tissues easier to stretch, thereby maximizing the benefits of the exercise.

“The heat helps deepen my stretches and improves my overall flexibility,” said Maddie Roh, a University of Miami freshman architecture major who has attended hot yoga classes regularly for the past six months. Roh participates in multiple types of fitness classes, including reformer Pilates, Barre and cycling. Recently, hot HIIT classes have become her favorite.

“I enjoy hot workouts more than any other workout I’ve tried because of how good they make me feel,” Roh said.

Various forms of hot exercise include power yoga in warm studios and other programs that combine aspects of conventional exercise regimens with heat. The allure of perspiring heavily while working out has been linked to mental and physical purification, which caused the practice to gain popularity among athletes looking for more significant physical difficulties and overall health.

The cost of hot workout classes varies depending on the location and type of workout. Hot yoga sessions can differ significantly in price based on several factors, including location, studio amenities and instructor expertise. A 50-minute class, the average class time, in Miami may cost between $20 and $30.

Sofia Uddin, a UM freshman finance major, said she has always loved working out, but it was not until she started doing hot workouts that she noticed a physical and mental change.

“Not only did I start to see my body changing, but my mindset did also, and I started to enjoy working out,” said Uddin

This perspective led Uddin to pursue a career in teaching hot yoga.

“I want to give everyone else who does hot workouts in my classes the same feeling and realization that I felt when I started doing them,” said Uddin, who is now an instructor at CorePower Yoga in downtown Brickell.

Despite being traditionally associated with women, hot yoga has grown in popularity among male students. Ben Gerkin, a UM freshman journalism major, is a regular attendee at Mimi Yoga in Wynwood.

“The heat adds an extra challenge that pushes me to my limits, and I’ve seen significant improvements in my strength since starting,” said Gerkin.

Do be warned, doctors and chiropractors say that the high heat may motivate people to push their bodies past safe boundaries in search of deeper stretches or challenging poses, raising the risk of injury.

Exercise in scorching temperatures can also cause heat exhaustion, dehydration and overheating, especially in individuals with underlying medical issues or inadequate hydration. Extended periods in extreme temperatures can also put stress on the cardiovascular system, which puts people with heart problems or hypertension at risk.

Gina Murray, a certified yoga instructor at Mimi Yoga, emphasizes the benefits of heat in promoting relaxation and stress relief during yoga sessions, but warns to students to be aware of possible side effects.

“Students need to be cautious, listen to their bodies and, most importantly, stay hydrated,” Murray said.

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

The three writers of this article attended a hot yoga session at Mimi Yoga in Wynwood. Here are their experiences and ratings:

 Alexie–5 Stars:

My experience exceeded my expectations. Despite my initial concerns about the intense heat, I was pleasantly surprised by how it enhanced my workout. The high temperatures allowed deeper stretches and increased flexibility, resulting in a genuinely invigorating fitness experience.

Additionally, I appreciated how the heat promoted detoxification through sweating, leaving me feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. I look forward to signing up for another session.

Julia–4 Stars:

I found the hot yoga session at Mimi Yoga to be a transformative experience. It was only $30, which I found to be a decent price for what it was worth. The intense heat amplified the workout’s effectiveness, allowing for deeper stretches and increased flexibility.

Despite some initial discomfort in adjusting to the temperature, I found that it enhanced my overall well-being and workout satisfaction.

Maerose–2 Stars:

While recognizing the potential benefits of hot workouts, including increased flexibility and calorie burn, I struggled to acclimate to the extreme heat throughout the session.

The intensity of the heat proved to be too challenging for me, leading to discomfort and diminished enjoyment of the workout. Despite my initial enthusiasm, I could not fully engage in the class due to the overwhelming heat, which impacted my overall satisfaction with the experience.

words_maerose daniels, julia horowitz & alexie carogioiello. photo_cecilia intriago. design_charlotte deangelis.

This article was published in Distraction’s Summer 2024 print issue.

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