Napercise as a Fitness Routine: Too Good to Be True?

Napercise is, to a great extent, exactly what it sounds like. You pay to sleep. This trend originated in the U.K. at David Lloyd Gyms and has not quite taken off in the United States, at least not formally.

The David Lloyd gyms piloted a program last spring to see if people were interested. According to the Independent, this class is aimed at exhausted parents and those low on sleep to the degree it might affect their everyday health. This is not quite a workout, but is marketed as a wellness routine, something that can enhance your health like meditating or yoga.

What are the expected and unexpected health benefits of some extra zzz’s in lieu of a more aggressive workout? More than anything, it is important to remember how important sleep is for a person’s overall health. A lack of sleep can result in decreased memory and coordination in an everyday sense. However, in the long-term, sleep deficit can disrupt hormone levels, cause weight gain and lead to high blood pressure and a wealth of other health issues.

The class consists of sleeping in a single bed in a room full of like-minded people. The room is cooled down to promote calorie burning and white noise is used to lull people into slumber. These programs seem to still be in the trial phase, but they are at least wise to the positive effects of a long-term, healthy sleep program.