Hot Yoga vs Infrared Fitness: Which is Right for You in Tempe?
Hot yoga and infrared fitness studios are both popular in Tempe, but they work differently and suit different goals. Here is a straightforward breakdown to help ASU students and local residents choose the right option.
Two Hot Options, One Big Question
If you have been exploring fitness studios in Tempe, you have probably noticed that heat-based workouts are everywhere. Hot yoga and infrared fitness classes both use elevated temperatures to push your body harder, but they are not the same thing. Understanding the difference can save you money, prevent frustration, and help you actually enjoy your workouts.
What Is Hot Yoga?
Hot yoga is practiced in a room heated with conventional forced-air systems, typically bringing the temperature to somewhere between 95 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit with added humidity. The most well-known format is Bikram yoga, which follows a fixed sequence of 26 postures in a 90-minute session. Other studios offer heated vinyasa, heated power yoga, or their own custom flows.
The heat in hot yoga is designed to warm your muscles quickly, increase flexibility, and make you sweat heavily. The humidity is a big factor - it slows how fast sweat evaporates, which raises your perceived effort and keeps your core temperature elevated throughout class.
Who Hot Yoga Works Best For
- People who want a structured, mindful movement practice alongside the physical challenge
- Those looking to improve flexibility and mobility
- Students who enjoy a group class atmosphere with clear instructor guidance
- Anyone who wants a full-body session that combines strength, balance, and breathwork
What Is Infrared Fitness?
Infrared fitness uses infrared light panels - similar to the technology in infrared saunas - to heat the body from the inside out rather than simply warming the air around you. The room temperature in an infrared class is usually lower than a hot yoga room, often between 75 and 90 degrees, but the infrared waves penetrate deeper into muscle tissue.
Infrared sessions can include yoga, Pilates-inspired workouts, barre, or general strength and conditioning formats. Because the air itself feels less stifling, many people find infrared classes more tolerable than traditional hot yoga while still getting benefits like improved circulation, muscle recovery, and heavy sweating.
Who Infrared Fitness Works Best For
- People who want heat-based recovery benefits without an overwhelming environment
- Those who are new to heated workouts and want to ease in gradually
- Athletes or gym-goers looking for active recovery sessions between harder training days
- Anyone who has felt dizzy or overly drained in traditional hot yoga classes
Key Differences at a Glance
- Heat source - Hot yoga uses forced air and humidity. Infrared uses light waves that heat your body directly.
- Intensity feel - Hot yoga rooms often feel more aggressive due to the thick humid air. Infrared rooms feel warmer but breathable.
- Class formats - Hot yoga is almost always yoga-based. Infrared studios offer more variety including barre and Pilates.
- Recovery focus - Infrared is widely marketed for muscle recovery and detoxification. Hot yoga emphasizes flexibility and endurance.
Cost Comparison in Tempe
Both options sit in a similar price range locally. Single drop-in classes at studios near ASU typically run between $18 and $28. Monthly memberships with unlimited classes usually land between $60 and $120 depending on the studio and any student discounts. It is worth asking any local studio directly about ASU student pricing - several studios in the Tempe and Mill Avenue area offer reduced rates or introductory deals for first-time visitors.
The ASU Sun Devil Fitness Centers do not currently offer dedicated hot yoga or infrared programming, so you will need to budget for an off-campus studio membership if this type of training is a priority.
Can You Do Both?
Absolutely. Many people in Tempe use hot yoga as their primary workout two to three times per week and add an infrared session for active recovery on lighter days. The two formats complement each other well - hot yoga builds the practice and the challenge, while infrared sessions help your muscles recover faster and keep you moving without added strain.
How to Choose
If you want a disciplined movement practice that pushes your flexibility and mental focus, start with hot yoga. If you are heat-curious but not sure you can handle a room over 100 degrees, or if recovery is your main goal, try an infrared class first. Either way, bring a full water bottle, arrive a few minutes early to acclimate, and do not skip the post-class cool-down. Tempe heat is no joke - inside the studio or outside it.