Infrared training means exercising while your body is warmed by infrared light instead of hot air. You walk, cycle or move gently inside an enclosed unit fitted with infrared lamps, so the warmth reaches your skin directly while you train. In Marbella you can try it at our private studio in San Pedro Alcántara, where every infrared machine is used by appointment only.
Below we explain how an infrared workout works, what the research actually says and how to tell whether it suits you.
How infrared training works
Infrared is a type of electromagnetic radiation just beyond the red end of visible light. You can’t see it, but you feel it as warmth, much like the sun on your face on a cool winter day. Infrared lamps heat the skin directly, which is why an infrared cabin feels pleasantly warm at a far lower air temperature than a traditional Finnish sauna.
Infrared is usually divided into near, mid and far infrared depending on wavelength. Far infrared is absorbed mainly in the outer layers of the skin and is the type most often used in infrared saunas, while near infrared is common in light therapy devices. In infrared fitness equipment, the lamps sit inside a capsule that encloses the lower body, while your head and upper body stay outside in normal room air.
What an infrared workout feels like
A typical session is calm and controlled rather than intense. On the Bodyshape rueda de andar you walk at your own pace for 30 minutes inside a capsule, with adjustable speed, incline and vacuum support. The Bodyshape ciclo offers the same environment in a supported, reclined cycling position, which many people find easier on the knees and back.
You will sweat more than on an ordinary walk, and your heart rate rises gradually as your body works to cool itself. That mix of steady movement and gentle warmth is what sets infrared exercises apart from a regular gym session. It feels less like a hard workout and more like a focused, warm walk where you can switch off for half an hour.
Potential benefits of infrared fitness
Most research on infrared heat comes from studies on infrared saunas. These suggest that regular heat exposure can raise the heart rate in a way similar to light exercise, help muscles relax and support a general sense of wellbeing. Some studies also point to better circulation and less muscle soreness after training, although the evidence is still limited and results vary from person to person.
People who choose infrared fitness tend to mention reasons like these:
- a low-impact way to stay active without straining the joints
- a warm, calm environment that makes regular exercise easier to stick to
- a gentle way back to activity after a break
- time to focus and unwind in a private setting rather than a busy gym
It is also worth being clear about what infrared training cannot do. It is not a shortcut to rapid weight loss, and much of the weight you lose during a session is water from sweating. That is why we never promise a particular calorie burn or result. If weight management is your main goal, you can read more about how we approach infrared weight loss training.
Infrared exercises compared with traditional training
Infrared exercises are not meant to replace strength training or cardio altogether. Building muscle and bone density requires load and resistance, which walking in a capsule cannot provide. Infrared training works best as a complement, adding low-impact movement on days when you want something gentler or as one part of a wider routine.
At our studio you can combine the machines with Entrenamiento personal or our small group sessions, where a coach adds strength and mobility work. After a demanding week, a session on the Rollshape wooden roller massage machine is a pleasant way to help the body recover.
Is infrared training safe?
For most healthy adults, infrared training is considered safe as long as sessions are kept to a sensible length and you drink enough water. The heat places extra demand on your circulation, so listen to your body and stop if you feel dizzy or unwell.
Talk to your doctor before you start if you are pregnant, have a heart condition, high or low blood pressure or any other health condition. We always ask new clients to share relevant health information before their first booking, so we can judge together whether a session is suitable. You will find more answers in our Preguntas frecuentes.
Ready to try infrared training in Marbella? Here is how to start
Getting started is simple, and you don’t need a gym membership. Book a single session to try the machines, or choose a voucher from our pricing page if you already plan to train regularly.
- Choose your machine or training format. Compare the Bodyshape Treadmill, Bodyshape Bike and Rollshape on our machines page.
- Book online through Viday at least 8 hours before your session.
- Bring trainers, comfortable clothes and a water bottle.
- Visit us at Carril de Picaza 23 in San Pedro Alcántara, with free parking at Les Tres Jardins about 100 metres away.
Have a question before you book? Send us a message on WhatsApp or through our mail info@pontewapamarbella.com, and we will help you find the right starting point.