How Hot Is Hot Yoga? Room Temperatures Explained
It’s the first thing almost everyone asks before their first class: just how hot is hot yoga? The short answer at Hot Yoga University is about 108 degrees in our hot room. But “hot yoga” can mean very different things depending on the studio and the room, so here’s what each of our rooms actually feels like, and how to pick the right one for you.
How Hot Is Hot Yoga, Generally?
There’s no single standard. Most hot yoga studios heat their rooms somewhere between the low 90s and about 105 degrees. Classic Bikram-style rooms are known for running around 105 degrees with about 40% humidity. Some studios use forced hot air, some use radiant or infrared heat, and humidity varies a lot from room to room. That’s why two “hot” classes at two different studios can feel nothing alike.
Our Hot Room: About 108°
Our hot room runs at about 108 degrees with roughly 30% humidity. The exact temperature can shift a little with class size and the weather outside. It’s a hotter, sweatier, more challenging practice, and the warmth helps your body feel more open as you move.
This is the room for Hot Yasa, Hot Hatha, Hot Sculpt, HotFiit, PyroPilates and Warm Yin. Classes run 40 to 60 minutes.
Our Infrared Room: 85 to 90°
Our infrared room is a different kind of heat. Ceiling-mounted infrared panels warm you directly instead of heating the air, so the room stays a comfortable 85 to 90 degrees. You still feel warm and loose, without the intensity of the hot room. It’s a great fit for beginners, recovery days, or anyone easing back into movement.
This is the room for Infrared Yin and Infrared Mat Pilates.
Our Non-Heated Room: Room Temperature
Not ready for heat, or just not in the mood today? Our non-heated classes run at normal room temperature. You get a full yoga practice with no added heat, including Non-Heated Vinyasa, Yin, Yoga Nidra and Sound Healing.
Side by Side
| Hot Room | Infrared Room | Non-Heated Room | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | About 108° | 85 to 90° | Room temperature |
| How it’s heated | Heated, humid air (about 30% humidity) | Ceiling-mounted infrared panels | No added heat |
| How it feels | Intense, sweaty, challenging | Warm, comfortable, easier to settle into | Cool and steady |
| Classes | Yasa, Hatha, Sculpt, HotFiit, PyroPilates, Warm Yin | Yin, Mat Pilates | Vinyasa, Yin, Nidra, Sound Healing |
Why Practice in the Heat at All?
A lot of people love how warm muscles feel during a practice. The heat can make it easier to move into stretches, and many students simply enjoy the challenge and the sweat. Others prefer the gentler warmth of infrared, or no heat at all. There’s no wrong answer. It comes down to what feels good in your body and keeps you coming back.
Does a 108° Room Smell?
Not ours. Our hot room has specialized flooring made for heat and sweat. It’s waterproof and dries fast, so sweat never soaks in the way it does with carpet, and the room keeps smelling clean.
Tips for Your First Heated Class
- Hydrate ahead of time. Drink water throughout the day, not just right before class.
- Bring water, a towel and a mat. We have mats and towels to rent, and a filtered water fountain with a bottle filler.
- Eat light. We generally recommend not eating for about two hours before class.
- Take breaks whenever you need them. Resting on your mat is always welcome.
- Check with your doctor first if you’re pregnant or nursing, have high or low blood pressure, or have a diagnosed health condition.
For more on what to expect, see our yoga FAQs and studio etiquette.
Which Room Should You Try First?
If you love to sweat and want a challenge, start in the hot room. If you’re new to heated yoga or want something gentler, start in infrared. Still not sure? Read our full hot vs. infrared comparison, or simply try both.
New students who live in Arizona can take unlimited classes in every room for a week for $25. Claim your first week and find the temperature that’s right for you.
