Comment by michaelteter

My anecdotal experience:

TLDR: regular sauna seems to have no effect on my resting HR. Extended high HR cardio definitely does.

I became a huge fan of sauna time (15-20 minutes at approx 175F/80C... I would prefer a bit warmer, but I had no control). It was like shower time, or meditation time (which I never took time for). Great thinking time. I'd use it after a workout, but I would also use it on days without a workout.

I've been tracking some stats via my Garmin watch for a few years, and I've identified some patterns - particularly regarding resting HR.

The most significant reducer of resting heart rate for me is running (5k). Periods where my training includes regular 5k runs cause my resting HR to drop by 5-8 bpm.

Most of my training is resistance, although in the last 6 months I've added in a lot more cardio. Stairs and rowing do not seem to noticeably reduce my resting HR. Running definitely does. But to be fair, maybe it's not the running but rather the active HR I'm sustaining. Despite trying to stay in the aerobic zone, running always pushes me to zones 4 and 5. So 50% of my 30 minutes of exercise will be in my max zone. With stairs or rowing, I can keep my HR in aerobic and threshold.

Some stats:

When I'm off my fitness routine, living life as a typical person, my resting HR is 65. When I'm on a resistance fitness routine, my resting HR is 58. When I'm also running, the rHR is 51.

If I eat a heavy meal too close to bedtime, my rHR is +15. If I drink a lot of alcohol before sleeping, rHR can be +20! Food + alcohol = WTF. Probably not good.