Category Archives: Sauna & Steam

As an athlete, whether you are professional or amateur, you may want to consider fitting a sauna into your exercise program. There are many benefits that come with one of these units, and if you aren’t familiar with them, they’re worth taking a closer look at.

One of the main reasons that many athletes are now using the sauna as part of their program is because of its ability to help the body detoxify. What you will need to determine is where it best fits in with your overall plan. You will have the option of using it before or after you exercise, and this will depend on what works best for you and what your goals are for using the sauna.

What will happen during your sauna experience is that you will be exposed to a high temperature. For example, with a dry sauna it is usually around 154°F. As your body adapts to this heat, you will begin to sweat and you will feel your heart rate increase. If you were to compare this to running in terms of heart rate, by spending 30 minutes in the sauna, it would be close to you running 10 kilometres.

Your body sees this use of the sauna as a form of exercise. Based on this, it is very important that you make sure that you drink plenty of water before and after using the sauna to make sure that you remain hydrated. This is the same concept as if you were working out.

View the use of the sauna at the same way that you would if you were going into an exercise session. Replacing your water as mentioned is important. Just as you would not eat a large meal before you exercise, you should adhere to the same rules prior to your sauna use.

You may want to have a snack if this is your regular routine when exercising, especially if you feel that your body needs the fuel. Most likely, you will also want to have something light to eat following your sauna session to refuel.

As an athlete, chances are that you have a schedule that you follow. Depending on the type of athlete you are and what your goals are, you can fit in your sauna sessions accordingly. Whether you want to do it before your exercise or after, you may want to experiment to see which gives you the most benefit.

Taking a look back at the history of the sauna, it certainly gives us a clear picture of just how far these wonderful units have come.

History shows us that the first wooden sauna was built by the Finns over 2000 years ago. These were not free standing units, and actually were built into the side of a hill or a large embankment. Eventually, they were built using wooden logs and stood above the ground. To produce the heat, stones that were heated in the stone fireplace with wood used as the burning source were used.

The room would become warm as a result of this, but at the same time it would be filled with the smoke from the fire. Prior to any one being able to enter the sauna, the smoke had to be cleared once the temperature was brought up to the desired level. Although the smoke was gone, the aroma of the smoking wood remained and created the wonderful atmosphere that sauna lovers of that time were able to enjoy.

As time progressed, metal wood stoves became more popular and began to replace wood saunas. It was discovered that splashing water on the heated rocks would create steam. This combined with the high heat (which at times would go about 200°F) was well received by the sauna users. It was believed that the combination of this heat and steam was creating the health benefits that the Finns were enjoying so much.

The Finnish people have long since claimed that the sauna is ideal for cleansing of the body inside and out. Back in history, it was also used as a method for preparing those that had passed away for burial. The sauna was a very important part of the daily living and lifestyle of many people.

As the Finnish people moved to different areas of the world they brought their expertise and knowledge of the sauna with them, and eventually around the 1950s electric saunas came into being.

If we fast forward from history up to today, we can see that the sauna has evolved dramatically. Now the heat sources are many, including wood, gas, or electricity, and even solar power. There are both wet and dry saunas including smoke and steam, and now with the latest technology, infrared as well.

There is no doubt that the sauna has proven its worth with many people over the years, and will continue to do so for many years to come.

So, you’ve decided to have your sauna installed outdoors in the perfect spot. Now that you have this wonderful addition in place, it’s surely already become a beautiful oasis that you escape to. Now, you may want to consider the decor for the rest of your backyard area.

You may find that your sauna has given you the desire to plan for a new outdoor landscape. With our busy lifestyles we often don’t get the opportunity to enjoy our home surroundings, particularly the outdoors, as much as many of us would like to.

You want to be able to surround yourself with a beautiful exterior view as you sit in your sauna and just let all the pressures of the world melt away. As you come out and are ready to relax even more, perhaps you would like to have a nice garden setting where you may want to enjoy the sounds of a garden pond, for example.

You are not likely going to want to do all of your updates to your yard at one time, so it is better to plan in sections. Begin by working on the garden area surrounding your sauna first to keep it manageable.

Some individuals like to have their sauna close to the home so they don’t have any distance to go to enjoy it. It’s a good idea to consider whether you want to have a patio adjoining the sauna for somewhere to relax afterwards.

Depending on the style of the sauna, you may want to build an entire backdoor theme around it. There are many different styles available, and whichever you chose, styling your garden around it will be fun and exciting.

The one thing you want to remember when you’re doing your backyard makeover is to make it as soothing and convenient as possible. You now have your sauna area for your relaxation, and building the garden area around it will extend your pleasure. You can continue with this by building an additional area for cooking and enjoying outdoor meals.

Creating a beautiful outdoor oasis is sure to help you spend more time with family and friends, take more time to relax, and appreciate your outdoor living space.

By the end of the day, many people are tired and simply want to head home and plop down on the couch to relax. However, those who have the advantage of having a sauna in their home usually head there first, and find some time relaxing in the sauna much more beneficial than the couch.

Television has become a favourite mode of entertainment, but a sauna can also be a wonderful form of entertainment as well.

The weekends are the perfect time for family and friends to get together. However, many people tend to forget how wonderful the sauna could be for their night of entertaining. Once they invite their friends or family in for a try, they often make it a regular event and even throw sauna parties.

Throwing a sauna party can be a lot of fun and you can actually turn it into a themed event. Don’t be surprised if you find that more people turn up for your gathering than normal—you can thank the sauna! With the numerous physical and mental benefits, everyone is sure to enjoy a relaxing sauna session while socializing.

Depending on the size of your sauna and how many guests you have invited, you may decide to have groups take turns or for everyone to head in at once. Regardless, let your guests know that they are free to leave anytime so they don’t feel uncomfortable or obligated to stay. On the same token, this also means they can relax for a while longer if they choose to.

When coming out of the sauna, make sure you have plenty of water on hand so everyone can hydrate themselves, and find a nice area where everyone can sit for a period of time to cool down.

You will probably want to serve refreshments, but hold off on the alcohol beverages until the sauna sessions are over. Even better, wait until after everyone has had something to eat and some water to drink to ensure that everyone is well hydrated.

Most people like to have a shower following a sauna, so let your guests know if they are allowed to do this ahead of time.

After your sauna session, cool down, and showers, your guests are probably feeling relaxed but revitalized and ready to enjoy some food and the rest of the evening’s entertainment.

The sauna is a great atmosphere and offers a place where you can enjoy some really great conversation with no distractions, making it perfect for socializing, relaxing, and entertaining! Invite some friends over and try out the sauna party for yourself, and share the amazing benefits these units have to offer.

When it comes to what is best for the skin, there will always be varying opinions. When it comes to saunas, most people will agree that they’re good for it. Even those who didn’t anticipate this particular sauna benefit will often comment that they have found their skin to be in better condition since they started using their sauna. So, let’s look at a few reasons why a sauna can benefit your skin.

Improved Circulation

When you are increasing the blood flow to your skin, it is as if you are preparing a banquet for it. The extra blood flow nourishes the skin. Blood is the food line that provides what your skin needs, in the form of oxygen and essential nutrients. While this nourishment is a requirement for every part of the body, sometimes the skin seems to get short changed.

The blood flow also plays another important role. While it carries nutrients to the cells, it also works as a waste management system. Blood assists in carrying away waste products from the working cells. While you can’t visibly see this increased circulation, it will be evident as your heart rate increases. In some cases, heart rate increases by 30% or even more, which increases the blood circulation to the skin.

Getting Rid of Toxins

One of the first things you will notice after a short time in the sauna is that you will begin to perspire. It has always been a common thought that sweating helps to rid the body of toxins. You will often hear people with a cold say they are going to go to bed and just sweat it out. Many people believe that sweating helps to rid their body of the toxins that are making them ill.

We are focusing on the skin, and the sweating created by the sauna helps the skin to get rid of toxins that may have become trapped below the skins layers. It opens the pores of the skin, making it easier for both dirt and toxins to be released, and resulting in clearer, healthier looking skin.

Saunas for Problematic Skin

There are some acne sufferers that swear by using the sauna to help clear their skin. It makes sense why this would work. Acne is usually prominent in people where they have too much oil being produced in their skin. This overabundance of oil gets trapped in the pores, and the end result is a breakout of acne. The sauna helps to open up the pores and allows these trapped oils to drain. However, it’s best to cleanse the skin following a sauna session to help exfoliate the dead skin and remove perspiration. This ensures that all of the oil and dirt is washed away and the skin can breathe.

Using a sauna on a regular basis comes with a lot of benefits, and keeping the skin healthy and clear is definitely one of the favourites.

When it comes to choosing the right sauna for your home, there are going to be many different styles and options to choose from. One of these choices will be between indoor and outdoor sauna. If outdoors is your preference, you may want to take a look at the Traditional Swedish Barrel Sauna.

This particular sauna comes with a range of the benefits and features, so you can get the perfect sauna for you. This sauna comes with a very light compact 9kw heater that is built for performance, so you’ll never have to worry about heating.

You may think that because of the barrel design that you are forfeiting space. You may be pleased to know that the standard size of the Traditional Swedish Barrel Sauna is 1.82m deep x 1.91m high. That is plenty of room to have others join you in the wonderful warmth of your home sauna.

With impressive looks, it is not a unit that you are going to want to tuck away amongst your garden landscaping. You are going to want to position it to enhance your outdoor space. However, remember that you may also want some privacy.

Take some time to really consider where your best placement options are. Think about the rest of the decor that is going to surround your unit. You really can make this space your own private getaway!

Think about the view you’ll see as you are sitting and enjoying the wonderful effects of the sauna. The glass door panel will allow you to sit and relax and enjoy the surrounding sights, but at the same time afford you the privacy that you want while using your unit.

While the Traditional Swedish Barrel Sauna is a fantastic addition for home use, it’s also a great addition to business settings. Often, establishments like bed and breakfasts have used up all of their indoor space to accommodate the needs of their clients. There is no option to install an indoor sauna to offer additional benefits to the clients. The Traditional Swedish Barrel Sauna can be the perfect solution to this! Place it outside in a beautiful garden on the property, or perhaps near the swimming pool.

This sauna has a charming, rustic look and automatically brings to mind the beautiful mountains of Sweden. For those who love the barrel shape but would prefer a more modern look, we highly recommend taking a look at the Eclipse Garden Sauna, too. With all of the amazing features available for these models, you’re sure to find the perfect sauna for your lifestyle and tastes.

It is not uncommon for some people to think that a sauna and a steam room are one and the same. They are actually quite different, and both have their own benefits and features. With a sauna you are being exposed to dry heat, and with a steam room you are getting to enjoy moist heat. When it comes to heat intensity, it is far greater in a sauna. These can go up to 212°F, whereas steam rooms are maintained at around 100°F to 114°F.

While often it comes down to preference for moist or dry heat, it can also depend on the individual’s reaction to these types of heat. Both have the ability to stimulate blow flow and enhance the metabolism. Some individuals find it uncomfortable to breathe when exposed to dry heat. Others find that the moist heat offers them better relief with joint and muscular pain.

Some saunas feature both wet and dry capabilities. The structure of the sauna is usually comprised of wood. There are many different types of wood selections that can be chosen. Saunas that are being provided by reputable suppliers will all be comprised of top-quality wood components that lend themselves well to the sauna environment.

The sauna is often used by people who want to address a variety of health issues that are known to respond well to heat. The most common ones are muscle stimulation and the reduction of stress hormones. It has been shown that saunas may be beneficial for lowering blood pressure and stimulating overall heart health.

For those who aren’t keen on moist heat, the sauna is usually the best choice. When using the sauna it is common for individuals to wrap themselves in a towel to provide extra seating comfort. There are two main types of saunas. There are conventional saunas where the air is heated, and there are infrared saunas that use objects to create warmth, like charcoal or active carbon fibers. Since saunas produce dry heat, one of the additional benefits is that there is no risk of moisture escaping the unit and adversely affecting its exterior surroundings.

Both the sauna and the steam room have many benefits, and it is important to discuss your wants and needs with a reputable dealer so you can make an informed decision and get the best unit for you.

Often, people want to know if there is anything special that they need to consider when choosing what they want in the interior of their sauna.

Some of the highlights of the interior include different kinds of wood, design and decor, and seating options. Let’s take a look at some of your choices.

Woods

• Alder

Alder has become a good choice for saunas because of its durability. It has the ability to remain stable when wet, which makes in an ideal choice for saunas. Another great feature is that it doesn’t conduct heat.

• Red Cedar

Red cedar has rot resistant capabilities and stands up nicely to moisture, and has a nice woody fragrance to it that isn’t overpowering. It is also said to be naturally bacteria-resistant.

• Aspen

Many woods come with the flaw of emitting their resins, however, Aspen does not. For this reason it makes it a good choice for the interior of saunas.

• Hemlock

Hemlock has become the choice of people who have allergies to specific types of woods, as they feel that it is less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

• Ayous

Ayous is another type of wood that lends itself well to saunas because it doesn’t hold heat well and doesn’t bend or warp easily. It has a beautiful smooth surface which makes it ideal for sauna seating.

Most quality saunas are going to have seating that is made of one of these quality woods. Make your choice based on how much seating you are going to have and how well the appearance matches the look you’re going for. You want to make sure your sauna is serene and relaxing with your perfect decor.

The size and height of your sauna will also play a role in its seating capacity. While your original intention may be for two people, don’t forget that this is a wonderful place to spend some time entertaining and enjoying the company of friends.

If you have found a sauna model that really appeals to you but you would like to have the seating customized, you want to be sure that you are dealing with a company that can offer you various types of customization when it comes to your home sauna. Speak with a representative to choose the perfect seating for your new space!

In most industries, there is always a lot of competition. It has become very important for the business owner to offer additional services that will put their company ahead of the rest. Anything that is going to bring comfort and relaxation to the consumer is usually well-received, and if your business is one that you could implement a sauna, then it would be well worth looking at.

There are a lot of businesses that could offer sauna treatments. They may not realize the many benefits it can bring to both the user and the business itself. Many sectors of the hospitality industry could benefit, as well as the beauty industry, and even wellness centers that include some type of exercise.

Often what holds a business owner back is failing to realize how beneficial it could be to their clients. Or maybe they aren’t sure how to market it, or they feel that they don’t have the space or the requirements needed to have one installed.

To overcome the concern about space, there are so many choices in styles and models that this most likely would not be an issue. Bespoke saunas are the ideal solution for any type of business wanting to offer the use of a sauna. In fact, these units can be totally customized to fit the exact needs of the business having them installed.

Saunas have many benefits, and as a business owner you would need to decide if these benefits would serve your clients well and blend in nicely with the services you offer. Here are some examples.

Accommodation Services

For those in the Hotel, Motel and Bed and Breakfast industries, offering your clients the use of a sauna can certainly give you an edge over your competitors. Weary travellers can really benefit from a sauna session, and it’s also great to make use of before they set out on their journey when leaving your establishment.

Spas

If you are in the beauty industry and are offering treatments, then including a sauna as part of this can provide many benefits to your clients. Not only are saunas good for many physical ailments and for promoting relaxation, but they can also be excellent for skin health and appearance.

Gyms and Wellness Centers

Most of these businesses will have some area of their program that addresses weight loss. Incorporating the use of a sauna within that type of program can have some real benefits. There have been some indications that this type of treatment can help to burn calories.

For business owners who are thinking of including the use of a sauna as part of their offering, it doesn’t have to be an expensive investment. What is important is that you purchase a high-quality sauna that’s flexible in size and installation, has lots of customizable features, and of course, looks attractive and inviting!