In recent years, I’ve become something of a workout junkie; not only does exercise enable me to stay in (semi) decent shape, it also helps me to manage stress.
However, as much as I love working out, I’m also incredibly lazy, and often love nothing more than lying down in bed and binging on Netflix. Truth by told there have been one or two occasions where I’ve actually skipped out on a workout class just because I couldn’t be bothered to heave myself out of bed. Awful, but true.
So when I found out that there was a hot new fitness trend taking New York by storm that promised to help you burn calories and work up a sweat while lying down and watching TV, I knew it was the workout for me.
It’s getting hot in here: ‘Urban sweat lodge’ Shape House just launched in New York City, having launched in Los Angeles, where it boasts A-list fans like Demi Moore and Selena Gomez
Relax: The process involves participants lying in an infrared bed for 55 minutes while watching TV courtesy of a large personal screen at the end of each curtained cubicle
Enter Shape House, a so-called ‘urban sweat lodge’ founded in Los Angeles that has amassed a star-studded clientele – including the likes of Demi Moore and Selena Gomez – as well as a host of devoted fans, many of whom credit their $70 sweat sessions with helping to maintain a trim and toned figure, as well as a healthy mind.
Having done a pretty heft amount of internet research prior to my first session, all conducted from the comfort of my couch, obviously, I was fairly confident that I knew what to expect.
Creator: Shape House was founded by Sophie Chiche, who says she values the process for its holistic benefits as much as the physical
Essentially, each session involves the participant putting on a special ‘sweat suit’ – a pair of cotton sweat pants, long-sleeved T-shirt and thick socks – lying on an infrared bed, wrapped up in what looks like a sleeping bag, with the end result resulting in something that is not unlike a human burrito.
Once wrapped up, the person then lies there for 55 minutes in the 158°F heat, working up a serious sweat while enjoying a TV show or movie of their choice courtesy of the personal screens located at the end of each bed.
In order to ensure privacy, each bed is located in its own curtained cubicle, and has its own water bottle and call button.
So what exactly is it about the experience that makes it so popular – and effective?
According to Shape House founder Sophie Chiche, sweating in such a concentrated way has all manner of benefits, from weight loss to an improved complexion to a better night’s sleep.
‘We find that people come for different reasons, but it seems the common threads are that sweating improves your sleep, gives your skin a healthy glow, and burns calories,’ she told me.
But it’s not just the physical effects that are so appealing to Shape House fans, Sophie explains, noting that the holistic benefits are as much, if not more, of an attraction.
Testing, testing: US Femail Editor Charlie Lankston put the process to the test, and found she became very quickly addicted to the process
Take a breather: After sweating in an infrared bed, participants are invited to sit in the Relax Room, where orange slice and herbal teas are served
‘It relaxes your mind and body, and gives you a chance for an hour of solid me time,’ she added. ‘I personally use it as a holistic protocol to keep me physically and emotionally balanced.’
In terms of the positive physical effects, Sophie says sweating helps weight loss by helping to increase metabolism, which in turn burns more calories – up to 1,600 during the session and in the 36 hours after, when your metabolic rate is still increased.
When it comes to the complexion, Sophie explains that the process of releasing toxins from the body adds a glow to skin.
‘Healthy looking skin comes from a healthy inner system,’ she said. ‘Sweating is a natural way to release anything that your body does not need. The healthier you are, the more your skin glows.’
With all of these benefits in mind, I couldn’t wait to start my first session – particularly as it came just a few days after I had been told that I had to take a lengthy break off from working out due to a back injury.
Determined not to turn into a human dumpling during this time, but still eager to continue eating a no-doubt unhealthy amount of carbs every day, I was hopeful that Shape House would fill at least some of the void left by my favorite exercise classes.
Despite my excitement however, I was also a little bit nervous about my first session; I suffer from mild claustrophobia and was a bit concerned that being so tightly wrapped while enduring an immense amount of heat might be a bit too hot to handle. Literally.
However, the actual process of being wrapped up wasn’t too difficult – you can take your hands out at any time, and there is plenty of room to wiggle your legs and feet if you want to.
Celebrity approved: Selena Gomez is a devoted fan of Shape House, and previously admitted to buying her own infrared bed for her home
Sweater: Demi Moore is another celebrity devotee of the sweat sessions, which cost $70 each
The heat, on the other hand, took a little bit of time to get used to.
Within a few minutes I had sweat pouring down my face and into my eyes, which made watching the latest episode of Scandal more than a little tricky. Once you get used to the heat, however, you don’t really notice it – at least for the middle 30 minutes or so.
Upon reaching the final 15 minutes, however, things do ramp up slightly – personally, my heart started beating at a rate I haven’t experienced outside of a workout, and I found myself unable to focus on anything other than the heat. Another obstacle in my Scandal viewing schedule.
This time is made more comfortable when one of the Shape House staff comes to place a cool lavender-scented towel on your forehead, which might not sound like much, but in the heat of the moment feels like a gift sent from heaven (I’m ashamed to say that I actually emitted a rather awkward-sounding groan of pleasure when I received mine).
After the session was over, someone came to take me to the ‘Relax Room’, a dimly-lit area filled with deck chairs, ambient orange lighting, soft music – and, my favorite part, orange slices (told you I liked to eat).
At this point, you’re invited to sit and chill – ha ha – for as long as you like, slowly cooling down from your session while wrapped up in towels and enjoying vitamin C-filled oranges, more water, and herbal tea.
‘Although you are laying and not doing much, your body is putting out a real effort to cool itself off,’ Sophie says of the post-sweat process.
‘The Relax Room ensures you take a moment to re-balance and let your body naturally get back to its normal temperature,’ she explains. ‘It also participates in creating a lovely experience by sharing the moment with your fellow sweaters.
Return: Charlie, 30, returned for several more session throughout the month
Overwhelming: The heat proved to be quite uncomfortable on the first try, however after going for more sessions, it was easier to deal with
‘We serve orange and teas which help replenish your system after such an effort.’
Bizarrely, I found the whole process incredibly relaxing and enjoyable – I say bizarrely because I was actually soaked in sweat at the time. We’re talking drenched clothing here. Which doesn’t immediately seem like the most enjoyable scenario, however the whole process of decompressing in the relax room was delightful, in all honesty.
Especially with the addition of the orange slice snacks, which – according to Sophie – are a viral part of the process, not just a tasty treat.
‘We were recommended to offer an option of vitamin C after sweating,’ she said. ‘We got so lucky that oranges are one of the best sources of it. Given that orange is our brand color, it worked out well. Plus they’re awfully refreshing after a good sweat.’
Benefit-wise, I walked away from my first session feeling pretty great; I was relaxed, and I felt refreshed. I was also starving, which was perhaps more to do with my natural greed than a post-sweat symptom, but I’m going to say Shape House had at least a little bit to do with it. If anything just to make myself feel better.
Indeed, I enjoyed my first session so much that I returned on numerous occasions and quickly became slightly addicted to the process and everything about it – not just the health-focused aspects, but also the ability to lie and relax for an hour or so without thinking about the outside world.
And despite eating cake after pastry after cookie, I haven’t ballooned to quite the size I could have done without working out – another benefit that I’m sure has at least a little bit to do with my regular Shape House sessions.