ASK ANY PROFESSIONAL athlete and they’ll likely tell you that their success on the field, court or track comes from the hard work they put in when the cameras aren’t on and when no one’s watching. For Nathan Cleary, perhaps the most talented rugby league player of the last decade, that statement rings true.
Cleary rarely, if ever, finds himself in a position where he isn’t the best player on the football field. At the age of 27, he has won four (consecutive) NRL premierships, two Clive Churchill medals and is already in the top 20 highest point scorers of all time. Form willing, he is on track to become the NRL’s highest ever point scorer by his age 34 season. He didn’t reach such heights by simply showing up on game day and putting in effort for 80 minutes – he does his due diligence before and after he gets there, starting with recovery.
“Recovery is a massive part of my fitness routine,” Cleary tells Men’s Health. “I highly value being consistent both physically and mentally and that means it’s essential I’m consistent with my recovery so that I can reach the intense demands that are required in each training session and game.”
Cleary’s post-game recovery routine is fairly simple, but the halfback never skips it. “Straight after a game, if it’s accessible I’ll do a cold plunge,” he says. “The following day I’ll go through a sauna and swim routine. I’ll also often try and re-watch the game straight after or the following day so that I can process it and then have a clear mind leading into the following week.”
View this post on Instagram
A recent addition to that routine is the sauna session. Cleary had a Clearlight sauna installed in his house in 2024, and has found his time in there provides both physical and mental benefits. “Physically, it really helps my muscles recover, they feel less heavy and more ready to go again sooner. It also helps get rid of any aches or pains I usually have after a game,” he says. “Mentally, it makes me feel relaxed; I have more mental clarity, a good mood and also achieve a sense of accomplishment. All of these things also lead to helping me have a good night’s sleep, which is something I highly value in the recovery process.”
The exact amount of time Cleary needs to spend in his sauna before he starts feeling the results varies, but it’s become an integral part of his recovery routine. “I mix it up but most recently I’ve been doing 15 mins in the sauna followed by jumping in the pool and I’ll then repeat that process straight after,” he says.
The fact that a sauna is crucial for Cleary to feel his best shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, as the benefits of saunas are widely known. The high heat improves circulation by dilating blood vessels, aiding muscle recovery and reducing soreness – which is especially beneficial after an intense workout like Cleary’s. Saunas also support detoxification by flushing out toxins and impurities in the skin, and they’ve been linked to cardiovascular benefits, including lower blood pressure and improved heart function. Some studies even suggest saunas may boost immune function and longevity.
If the Penrith Panthers winning the last four NRL premierships isn’t enough to convince you that Cleary doesn’t settle for anything but the best, his choice in Sauna will. Cleary has a Clearlight sauna, a top-quality installation made from eco-certified western red Canadian cedar. Clearlight Saunas are furniture-grade quality, made from only non-toxic materials, and are built to last a lifetime. You won’t find a better sauna on the market.
Find out more about Clearlight Saunas here.
Related:
