I'm a competitive athlete and I tested a $899 infrared sauna blanket for pain and recovery — did it work?
Heatpod 2 infrared sauna blanket review: Why I love it as a competitive long-distance runner.
The wellness industry has enjoyed a massive boom over the past several years. It seems like everyone has a morning routine, a running habit, or a mindfulness practice of some sort. Our collective intensifying interest in our own physical and mental health has made a cluster of biohacking methods—like heat exposure and red light therapy—skyrocket in popularity.
Hence the relative relevance of the HeatPod 2: a vegan-leather blanket that wraps around you like crust on an apple fritter, and emits both heat and infrared light to supposedly improve recovery and manage pain. I tried the blanket for a month and weigh in here on how it feels, who it might be good for, and whether or not it’s worth the buy.
The Heatpod Sauna Blanket 2 starts at $799 for the HeatPod only, $859 for the HeatPod with the towel insert and $899 for the HeatPod, towel insert, pillow and footrest.
- Hottest Heatpod yet
- Affordable compared to other infrared and heat options
- It's semi-portable
- Could still be hotter
- Instances of short lifespan
What is it?
The HeatPod 2, developed by fitness and recovery company Hydragun, is a 190 by 180 cm vegan leather blanket that heats up via remote control to temperatures between 30 and 85 degrees Celsius to deliver whole-body heat therapy. It also emits red light, meant to stimulate recovery and energy production. It’s the second version of Hydragun’s sauna blanket and can reach hotter temperatures. It has an easier-to-use interface on the remote control and includes a list of accompanying products: a blanket insert, pillow, footrest, and storage bag.
How it works
Weighing in at roughly 10 pounds, the blanket is not necessarily travel-sized, but it can easily be transported around the house. It’s a type of semi-portable infrared sauna: snuggle inside of it like a sleeping bag, set your desired heat and intensity with the remote control and stay in the blanket for as long as 60 minutes (though, if you are new to heat or infrared therapy, it is suggested to begin with much shorter bouts — such as five or ten minutes.)
Are infrared sauna blankets good for you? These are the benefits
The blanket provides infrared (or red light) therapy, which is believed to stimulate mitochondria in the cells to produce energy without disrupting sleep cycles. Evidence is mixed on effectiveness, though one study published findings they thought were convincing enough to even consider banning the modality in professional sport for the recovery benefits it brings. There is also fair evidence that, when combined with heat, infrared therapy can help with chronic pain, and potentially help to normalize blood pressure and help treat congestive heart failure.
How does it feel?
The blanket is well thought out and easy to use: the double-sided zippers make it easy to hop in and out, the temperature control is easy and precise, and the tech is simple to use. “Remember last mode,” which allows you to slip back into the previous session’s heat levels, comes in handy. Plus, I enjoy the pillow and footrest because they prevent me from cramping.
The main criticism of this blanket is that it does not get hot enough. Other reviewers online have remarked that the blanket does not cook its wearer quite as well as a real sauna (probably because the Heatpod exposes the head, which allows for heat release.) I did not feel the need for more heat — in fact, I struggled to stay in the blanket at temperatures hotter than 75 degrees.
Who is it good for?
This Heatpod Sauna 2 is not so much for the beginner steamer as it is for the tried-and-true sauna and infrared therapy fan. It can save plenty of time and money for those who already routinely seek out this therapy, and its size also makes it an asset to those who have little space in their homes. It’s not exactly small, but it takes up far less space than a built-in, at-home sauna.
Is it worth the buy?
At $899, the price is somewhat steep for a recovery tool that, let’s face it, is not essential. I’m of the mindset that much of our recovery comes from regular meals, a steady sleep schedule, staying hydrated, and resisting huge changes in workout intensity. But I also believe in employing therapies that work for you, and if you are already set on both red light and sauna therapy, the Heatpod Sauna 2 is a nifty bargain. It’s better than spending $50 per infrared or sauna session at a clinic, because that adds up over time; and it’s also roughly the same price as a tiny red light therapy panel that targets less of your body’s surface area, and provides no heat therapy. So, if you are sold on infrared, the Heatpod Sauna 2 is a steal.
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