Body

I Visited an Urban Sweat Lodge — and This Is What Happened

You're going to sweat — a lot

by Hannah Savin | COMMENT

PHOTO 2/6

What to expect going in for your first sweat session When I first arrived at Shape House, I was offered a change of clothes and a basket to put my belongings in. You want to wear something breathable, like cotton, that covers your arms and legs as well as some thick socks on your feet. Next, you're ushered into your own private space (think a bed with a TV encircled by an opaque curtain). The room is dimly lit, aside from the glow of your personal TV and it is relatively silent. An employee helps you get into the bed, which feels like a really thick sleeping bag lined with a plastic sheet. After helping you select something on Netflix, they tuck you in, prop your head up to a comfy position and give you some headphones. Your entire body (minus your head) is tucked into the infrared blanket. You can easily remove your hand to change the channel, take a sip of water or open the bed up if you get too hot. You are encouraged to drink a lot of water in the 55 minutes of your sweat session and the attendant comes to check on you at the 20-minute mark, the 40-minute mark and at the end. With "Portlandia" queued up, I was ready to begin sweating.

Image courtesy Hannah Savin

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