Sauna's - any good ?
Discussion
As a Finn I'm probably qualified to answer this...! 
Most typical Sauna's in gyms etc are a load of crap and not hot enough for any real benefit - back in Finland we like them roasting hot...!
The benefits are many: A real deep sweat cleanses your skin from all the various crap/toxins that lurk around - it also encourages new skin, hair, etc development. Its good for the circulation (esp if you jump into a freezing cold lake straight after...!). It's pretty much guaranteed to get rid of any small colds, etc and is good for the lungs.
Nearly every house/apartment has one in Finland and most people will use one 2/3 times a week - generally very healthy and no real downsides (except if you're trying to get pregnant).
Most typical Sauna's in gyms etc are a load of crap and not hot enough for any real benefit - back in Finland we like them roasting hot...!
The benefits are many: A real deep sweat cleanses your skin from all the various crap/toxins that lurk around - it also encourages new skin, hair, etc development. Its good for the circulation (esp if you jump into a freezing cold lake straight after...!). It's pretty much guaranteed to get rid of any small colds, etc and is good for the lungs.
Nearly every house/apartment has one in Finland and most people will use one 2/3 times a week - generally very healthy and no real downsides (except if you're trying to get pregnant).
Erik997 said:
uuf361 said:
Cheers
So how long should you stay in ?
There's no rule - as long as you want and/or can tolerate. If you're going in a Sauna at the gym after a heavy workout then be careful not to get dehydrated.So how long should you stay in ?
Only managing about 10 mins right now.
uuf361 said:
Only managing about 10 mins right now.
I'd say that's about right - if you wanted an extended session, you can always have a cool shower and then go back in (good practice IIRC - as it opens and closes the pores).There's times down our gym (rapidly going down hill since becoming part of an international chain of grotty clubs) that it's set so hot no-one can bear more than 5 minutes in there!
Pretty much what Erik says plus I found aching after a heavy weights session was zero if I had a sauna afterwards.
I've got an infrared sauna in my home that I use for upto 55 minutes at a time (length of a CD) and haven't had any bad side effects in the years i've done so, so will continue to. The temperature is set on 55 degrees (my old gym was around 100) but it is hot enough to sweat a couple of kilos without the usual knackering/burning feeling of a normal 100 degree sauna.
I've got an infrared sauna in my home that I use for upto 55 minutes at a time (length of a CD) and haven't had any bad side effects in the years i've done so, so will continue to. The temperature is set on 55 degrees (my old gym was around 100) but it is hot enough to sweat a couple of kilos without the usual knackering/burning feeling of a normal 100 degree sauna.
Ultuous said:
There's times down our gym (rapidly going down hill since becoming part of an international chain of grotty clubs) that it's set so hot no-one can bear more than 5 minutes in there!
Lucky you. Ours just runs on a 2 bar electric fire I think so is warm at best. No substitute for hold coals and a sprinkling of water.Erik997 said:
As a Finn I'm probably qualified to answer this...!
Most typical Sauna's in gyms etc are a load of crap and not hot enough for any real benefit - back in Finland we like them roasting hot...!
The benefits are many: A real deep sweat cleanses your skin from all the various crap/toxins that lurk around - it also encourages new skin, hair, etc development. Its good for the circulation (esp if you jump into a freezing cold lake straight after...!). It's pretty much guaranteed to get rid of any small colds, etc and is good for the lungs.
Nearly every house/apartment has one in Finland and most people will use one 2/3 times a week - generally very healthy and no real downsides (except if you're trying to get pregnant).
what toxins?Most typical Sauna's in gyms etc are a load of crap and not hot enough for any real benefit - back in Finland we like them roasting hot...!
The benefits are many: A real deep sweat cleanses your skin from all the various crap/toxins that lurk around - it also encourages new skin, hair, etc development. Its good for the circulation (esp if you jump into a freezing cold lake straight after...!). It's pretty much guaranteed to get rid of any small colds, etc and is good for the lungs.
Nearly every house/apartment has one in Finland and most people will use one 2/3 times a week - generally very healthy and no real downsides (except if you're trying to get pregnant).
In an authentic Sauna the temperature is regulated by water. You heat special stones (ideally with wood for a nice smell) and you then regulate the temperature by throwing water on the stones - this is what creates the heat through steam and takes your breath away in a really hot Sauna. Means you can stay in for a longer time by continuously increases/decreasing the temperature.
In most modern Sauna's (for safety mainly) there's just a big 'radiator' in the corner that means the temperature is always the same. Ideally you want the Sauna above 80C to get a real good sweat and deep muscle relaxation. You can easily go above 100C but then you start getting a 'dry' Sauna - e.g the sweat evaporates so you are actually pretty dry (and any jewellery/watches burns you....).
In most modern Sauna's (for safety mainly) there's just a big 'radiator' in the corner that means the temperature is always the same. Ideally you want the Sauna above 80C to get a real good sweat and deep muscle relaxation. You can easily go above 100C but then you start getting a 'dry' Sauna - e.g the sweat evaporates so you are actually pretty dry (and any jewellery/watches burns you....).
I can't believe the crap that passes for a 'sauna' in the UK.
A proper sauna is wood-fired and heats granite stones (which you then throw water on).
In addition it will have birch brooms cut in spring while the leaves are soft, which are dried and then soaked in water before use for exfoliating the skin.
Snow outside to roll in is optional (but good).
Lots of beer and salty snacks are essential.
A proper sauna is wood-fired and heats granite stones (which you then throw water on).
In addition it will have birch brooms cut in spring while the leaves are soft, which are dried and then soaked in water before use for exfoliating the skin.
Snow outside to roll in is optional (but good).
Lots of beer and salty snacks are essential.
Erik997 said:
In an authentic Sauna the temperature is regulated by water. You heat special stones (ideally with wood for a nice smell) and you then regulate the temperature by throwing water on the stones - this is what creates the heat through steam and takes your breath away in a really hot Sauna. Means you can stay in for a longer time by continuously increases/decreasing the temperature.
In most modern Sauna's (for safety mainly) there's just a big 'radiator' in the corner that means the temperature is always the same. Ideally you want the Sauna above 80C to get a real good sweat and deep muscle relaxation. You can easily go above 100C but then you start getting a 'dry' Sauna - e.g the sweat evaporates so you are actually pretty dry (and any jewellery/watches burns you....).
I thought they should be that hot, but with low humidity?In most modern Sauna's (for safety mainly) there's just a big 'radiator' in the corner that means the temperature is always the same. Ideally you want the Sauna above 80C to get a real good sweat and deep muscle relaxation. You can easily go above 100C but then you start getting a 'dry' Sauna - e.g the sweat evaporates so you are actually pretty dry (and any jewellery/watches burns you....).
OP. So long as you don't ave history of heart disorders in your family you should be OK.
I remember going for a sauna and then a cold shower, ek that got my heart pounding, I don't do it anymore.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauna#Benefits
This is my sauna
do not have a sauna after a heavy gym work out.... it will stress your already stressed body even further trying to cool you down, and willl actaully slow your recovery from the session.. have a massage - much better for you and more relaxing-even just a 20 min one. have a sauna on a non workout day instead....
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