December 1, 2017
Category: Sauna & Steam
At this time of year there’s a lot to be said for getting warm – that’s why hot tubs, steam rooms and saunas all tend to be at their most popular. But what is it about the traditional Finnish saunas that makes them so unique?
What is a traditional sauna?
The Finns are some of the most renowned sauna enthusiasts in the world. Whether it’s the cold climate in Finland, or the national love for a natural lifestyle, this is one country where the sauna has always been popular. A traditional sauna offers a wonderful hot and dry heat. This sweet, dry heat is delivered in a wood lined room or hut that has been heated up by a wood fire or most commonly, an electric sauna stove with sauna stones. These are the kinds of saunas you may have encountered if you’ve been to a health club or spa (although often the stove is hidden in commercial environments for safety). Sauna users sit inside on wooden benches and enjoy the social and health benefits of the rising heat.
Why is the traditional Finnish sauna unique?
Switching up the atmosphere
A traditional Finnish sauna has ‘sauna rocks,’ which are placed inside the sauna and retain heat from the wood or electric stove, radiating it out into the room. Periodically, water can be splashed onto these rocks, temporarily raising the humidity in the sauna to a higher point. This has a number of benefits, including promoting better circulation and having an invigorating effect on the body.
Finnish saunas use dry heat
Although it’s common practice to create steam by splashing water on the hot rocks in traditional saunas, overall it’s a dry heat that you enjoy. Humidity in this kind of sauna is low – somewhere between 10 to 15 % – which is very different to a steam room, for example, which has very high levels of humidity.
A sauna for frequent use
If the Finns are anything to go by then this kind of sauna is for very frequent use indeed. There are thought to be around 1.8 million saunas in Finland. That may not seem like a lot but when you consider that there are only around 5 million residents then the ratio of saunas to people shows just how popular they really are. So, if you’re looking for a sauna that is clearly effective and can be used often the traditional Finnish sauna is the one.
The health benefits of traditional Finnish saunas
This kind of sauna has a lot of health benefits, from the invigorating impact of the steam, to the relaxing effect of the heat. If you’re looking for a way to detoxify and cleanse the body then the traditional Finnish sauna is an obvious choice. There is more and more research papers proving that enjoying a regalr sauna can have endless health beenfits.
The traditional sauna as a social spot
Perhaps due to the dry heat, and the lack of opaque steam, this kind of sauna tends to be a popular place to socialise. You’ll find traditional more saunas in corporate offices, family homes, universities and health clubs all over the country where people are meeting, chatting and event doing business in the therapeutic heat.
For more information on the perfect traditional Finnish sauna for you please get in touch with The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company today on 0208 300 4003.
