Saunas: Myth vs. Reality

Although saunas have been in existence for over 2,000 years, there are still plenty of misconceptions about the centuries-old tradition of sauna bathing. Many people envision saunas as big wooden boxes used only ­by Scandinavians who live in the cold, snowy tundra. Some people wonder if saunas are difficult to operate or hard to install. And plenty wonder about the extent sauna bathing can really benefit your health.

So we called upon industry professionals to update us on the latest research, review the newest design trends and help debunk the most prolific myths about saunas.

Myth: Saunas are only practical for people who live in cold climates.

Reality: Although saunas are, indeed, low-humidity, heat therapy products, they are not meant just to warm people up. Typically, people use saunas for health and relaxation. Geographic location is certainly not a limiting factor. People around the world enjoy saunas and, according to Mike Donaldson, sales and marketing director for Baltic Leisure, Florida is one of the leading states for sauna sales.

Myth: Saunas are difficult to build and/or install.

Reality: Like many 21st-century luxury items, saunas feature plug-and-play functionality, going from delivery to use within a few hours’ time. Two-piece units, prebuilt modular wall systems and precut room kits are available to make installation relatively simple for people of all skill levels. Of course, most retailers will also offer to coordinate with a professional installer to do the job for you.

Myth: Saunas are not aesthetically appealing – it’s just a cedar box in my backyard.

Reality: In the past decade, the traditional sauna has benefited from a contemporary facelift. Today’s designs feature clean lines, full-length glass windows and doors, curved walls and low-voltage lighting, not to mention updated exteriors like ceramic tile and easy-to-care-for laminate. Amenities, such as planter boxes, vaulted roofs and painted walls, add even more opportunities to blend outdoor saunas into an existing backyard environment.

Myth: Those big, bulky saunas take up too much space.

Reality: The image of the sauna as an obtrusive wooden box is fading fast. Nowadays, saunas are seen as luxury amenities, and modern units come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For indoor use, smaller, one- to two-person units are growing in popularity. “Many designs conveniently angle into the corner of a room, further minimizing the space they take up,” notes Shiva Noble, executive vice president of Cal Spas.® On the opposite end of the spectrum, many outdoor saunas are getting larger. Homeowners with room to spare are finding that large sauna units can serve a dual purpose when they incorporate changing rooms and a storage area for pool and spa equipment.

Myth: Saunas are dangerous. I don’t want to risk getting trapped inside.

Reality: “Most saunas include a self-closing hinge or simple roller ball catch system to keep the door closed during use,” explains Donaldson. “But, by code, saunas must have an outswing door that has no latch, allowing people to exit at any time.” Sauna controls are also located on the inside of the unit, points out Noble. “In the unlikely event of the door becoming stuck, the heat could easily be turned off by those inside.”

Myth: Saunas do not provide any benefits, health or otherwise.

Reality: For over 2,000 years, cultures from around the globe have used saunas for both social and therapeutic enjoyment. “Saunas have been hailed, and often scientifically proven, to benefit health through thermal therapy,” offers Noble. Health benefits include detoxifying the body, improving the immune system, muscle relaxation and stress relief.

Myth: Saunas are so bare bones. I would rather sit in my hot tub where I can listen to music and relax with the pleasant scents of aromatherapy.

Reality: Many of today’s saunas feature fiber-optic lighting, headrests, form-fitting reclining benches and aromatherapy devices. In addition, newer high-end models tout in-sauna media centers, complete with LCD flat screen TVs—with anti-fog, anti-glare screens for crystal clear viewing—DVD options, and Sirius satellite radio-ready stereo systems.

Myth: Between use and maintenance, saunas are time-consuming.

Reality: “A traditional sauna session involves turning on the sauna heater, taking a hot shower to cleanse the skin, using the sauna to generate sweat, rinsing in a hot shower to clear the pores, then returning to the sauna for a deeper sweat-out,” notes Donaldson. Total time involved: 30 to 45 minutes. Because saunas have few moving parts, modern saunas require minimal maintenance. Sitting on clean towels keeps the benches fresh, and occasional washdowns and periodic sweeping is all that’s needed to keep the room clean and ready for use.

Myth: Saunas are expensive to operate.

Reality: A sauna does not run continuously; it is on only when being used, so the cost is minimal. The average cost for sauna use in the United States is 60 cents per hour when it is in use.

Myth: Saunas and infrared rooms offer the same benefits.

Reality: A common point of confusion involves the differences between traditional sauna use and infrared experiences. Traditional saunas produce steam when water is poured over hot stones. This produces high temperatures and humidity, valuable aids to the perspiration process that flushes toxins out of pores. Recently developed infrared units operate at lower temperatures and do not use water. They are designed primarily as a way to warm muscles prior to exercise.

Myth: Saunas smell funny.

Reality: Public sauna rooms, such as those found at a gym or fitness center, are designed to accommodate a wide variety of bathers, but the downside is that multiple users often neglect to follow common courtesy practices. “Public saunas are only as good as the cleaning they receive, and often that chore gets skipped altogether,” Donaldson says. The home sauna is an entirely different atmosphere. Home saunas are personal spaces designed to match an individual’s preference. Many home sauna devotees cherish their sanctuary and make sauna use a regular part of their health and wellness regimen.