Mastering Fitness Goals: Tips for Consistency and Motivation to Transform Your Life!

I sat down with Steve Smith, the founder of Hotworx, to talk about how a tanning franchise turned into a hot infrared workout revolution. Steve built Hotworx after the tanning industry got hammered by health scares and taxes. He saw a way to take heat and make it a safe, powerful tool for fitness. I walked away with simple, usable ideas you can apply to your training today.

Why Hotworx Started

Steve explained that the tanning world changed fast after 2008. New rules and a federal excise tax on tanning services pushed many businesses to close. He needed a new product that people would want and that would be safe long-term.

The idea was to use infrared heat, not ultraviolet light. Infrared is just beyond red light, and it does not damage DNA. When your body absorbs infrared, it helps mitochondria make ATP. That boosts metabolism and recovery without the cancer risk linked to UV. Steve calls the mix of heat plus exercise 3D training. The logic is simple: why work out and then sit in a sauna? Put them together and save time while getting extra benefits.

What 3D Training Looks Like

Hotworx sessions happen inside an infrared sauna. The workouts are short and focused. There are two main styles:

• Isometrics: 30 minutes, low impact, hold positions to build strength and flexibility.
• Low-impact HIIT: 15 minutes, high intensity but joint-friendly.

Steve recommends a temperature range of around 120 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Most workouts are built to be safe and effective at that heat. You can adjust the heat, and sessions are usually one to three people with a virtual instructor guiding the work.

Who Gets the Biggest Wins

Hotworx was designed with a 30-year-old woman in mind, and today the customer base is about 85 percent female. But the system works for many people:

• Athletes and bodybuilders use it as extra recovery and to boost metabolism.
• Older adults like the low-impact nature and time efficiency.
• Busy people who want fast, consistent workouts that still deliver results.

Infrared plus the right exercise can be anabolic. That means it can help preserve and even add muscle when used alongside weight training. It's not a shortcut around lifting. It's a smart add-on.

Simple Routines and Habits Steve Follows

Steve still lifts five days a week. He layers Hotworx sessions into his plan for cardio, recovery, or flexibility. He shared two habits that have helped him stay in shape into his 60s:

• Train for a goal. Steve books fitness trips like mountain hikes or ski trips. A goal keeps training specific and steady.
• Intermittent fasting. He fasts through the morning and trains fasted sometimes. That helps body composition and simplifies eating choices.

On nutrition, he says aim for about one gram of protein per pound of body weight if you train hard. Balance the rest of your plate with complex carbs and healthy fats. That simple macro rule keeps progress steady.

Quick, Practical Tips You Can Use

• If you try infrared training, start at 120 to 125 degrees and see how you feel.
• Use isometrics for strength and flexibility, HIIT for time-efficient cardio.
• Train for a real event. Booking a hike or a ski trip makes workouts meaningful.
• Try morning workouts in a fasted state to help burn fat and simplify nutrition.
• Keep protein high. Roughly one gram per pound of body weight supports muscle when dieting or training hard.

FAQ

Q: Is infrared heat safe compared to UV tanning?

A: Yes. Infrared is non-ionizing and does not change DNA. It heats tissue and ramps up mitochondrial activity without the cancer risk associated with UV light.

Q: How long are typical Hotworx workouts?

A: Most isometric sessions are about 30 minutes. HIIT sessions are about 15 minutes. The heat is part of the stimulus, so sessions are shorter than many traditional workouts.

Q: Will this hurt my strength gains?

A: No. When paired with regular weight training, infrared sessions can help with recovery and support muscle. They are a supplement, not a replacement, for resistance training.

Q: Who should try this style of training?

A: People who want efficient, low-impact workouts; athletes seeking recovery tools; busy adults who need a fast, effective session; and anyone curious about heat-based benefits like increased metabolism and heat shock protein activation.

Final Thoughts

I enjoyed talking with Steve because he turned a problem into a creative solution. Heat plus smart exercise is not for everyone, but it is a powerful tool for many people. Try it, track the results, and use what works for your goals.

If you want to dig deeper into training, nutrition, and how to get the leanest, strongest version of yourself, join my Free Bodybuilding Masterclass. This class walks through my 7-Phase system that helped me drop to 3.9 percent body fat and earn a bodybuilding pro card. 

Stay Savage,

Robert Sikes