I guess you could say I'm a health and fitness buff. I spent my adolescent years unhappy with my body, so as an adult I decided to do something about it. For the last decade, I've committed myself to eating healthy, exercising and trying to live a life of moderation (not deprivation) in order to become the best version of myself. In addition, I'm always up for trying the latest and greatest fitness classes and healthy living services. When I recently passed Shape House, touted as an urban sweat lodge, I knew I had to try it.

In my quest for healthy living, I've tried cryotherapy and (temporarily) going dairy-free to determine the impact it would have on my body. I've always loved saunas and exercising — two sweat- and endorphin-producing activities that relieve stress and make me feel good. So I promptly booked an appointment at Shape House, eager to find out what exactly an urban sweat lodge was. Follow me on my intense and sweaty journey.

Image courtesy Hannah Savin

Sweating, in addition to regulating the body temperature, provides a wealth of other benefits. Shape House gets you sweating with custom-made beds that utilize FAR infrared sauna technology. These are light rays that you cannot see and will not burn you. Instead, the rays radiate heat that will penetrate up to 1.5 inches beneath your skin. Much like visiting a traditional sauna, the FAR infrared beds slowly and steadily increase your body temperature to 158 degrees, which causes the body to sweat (a lot).

Sweating detoxifies your body by opening up pores and allowing toxic chemicals and heavy metals to flow out. The increase in body temperature also raises your heart rate (much like working out) which, in turn, strengthens cardiac muscles and produces a metabolic boost for approximately 36 hours. In a typical sweat session, you can expect to burn between 800 and 1,600 calories. Thanks to the heat, the sessions are very relaxing and work to relieve sore muscles, as well as remove lactic acid from the body and produce a nice endorphin rush when you're finished. Sweating also increases blood flow and removes impurities from the skin so you're left with a radiant, dewy complexion.

Image courtesy Hannah Savin

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

Immediately, you notice the soothing warming sensation that is coming from inside the bed (the room itself is at a pleasant, normal temperature). I remember feeling very relaxed as I watched TV, thinking I could honestly drift off to sleep if I let myself. By the 20-minute mark, an attendant comes to check on me. I can't believe how fast the time is flying. I'm already sweating, but I'm still cozy and relaxed. I've already finished my first water bottle, so they bring me a refill. About halfway in, I notice that I'm really sweating now. My clothing is sticking to me and I'm a little uncomfortable, but happy to have this opportunity to sit back, watch a little TV and clear my mind.

Image courtesy Hannah Savin

At 40 minutes, the attendant returns with a cool, lavender-scented cloth to put on my forehead. I'm happy to have it as at this point I can feel beads of sweat dripping down my face and with my hands tucked into the blanket, I can only let them drip. My clothing is soaked and I can't wait to change into dry clothing. I know there are only 15 minutes left at this point, but the time goes by very slowly. At the 55-minute mark, the attendant returns and I'm so happy to see her. I'm cooked at this point — it looks like somebody dumped a bucket of water over me. She helps me out of the bed and I'm pleasantly surprised that I am not experiencing any head rushes or lightheadedness (the way saunas and jacuzzis can sometimes affect me). Next, we head to a final room to sit and enjoy some tea and orange slices while my body temperature returns to normal.

Image courtesy Hannah Savin