Sauna/Steam room/Jacuzzi.

Kablam

A quick question about the above. What's the difference between using The steam room or the sauna? are they just for recovery after a work out? I recently Joined a gym and was wondering how i should go about using the facilities and in which order or when to use them? Any advice would be great.

all_smilz

Kablam wrote: »

A quick question about the above. What's the difference between using The steam room or the sauna? are they just for recovery after a work out? I recently Joined a gym and was wondering how i should go about using the facilities and in which order or when to use them? Any advice would be great.

yeah ditto,
what are the benefits?

**Timbuk2**

I don't know really. To be honest I feel none. The sauna/steam room and jacuzzi just make me feel tired and weak for the rest of the day so I usually don't bother with them anymore

ronnie3585

I think the main benefit of both sauna and steam room are that they improve circulation thus making muscle recovery faster, plus it's relaxing. Saunas are usually around 80 degrees C and no more than 40% humidity, whereas steam rooms are usually around 40 degrees C but have 100% humidity.

I prefer the sauna over the steam room. Love a good session in the sauna after a good work out. I read somewhere that you can lose up to 2kgs of water through sweating so its important to replace it by bringing a bottle of water with you.

cowzerp

There not much to do with recovery really, there meant for relaxation and you can sweat out toxins while in them..as far as recovery goes you'd be better off using a plunge pool.

MagicMarker

All I know is I'd love to be sitting in a jacuzzi right now.

dioltas

just a bit of craic I'd say. Can be relaxing after a weights session. Used to go to the steam room often, don't really bother anymore. Find it great for a hangover though, sweat all the shlt outa you.

johnny_knoxvile

I actually strech out after training in the steam room. You are warm and your muscles are limber. I find its relaxing...

But what do i know!

miss no stars

hmm a little debate came up over dinner tonight about the sauna, this might sound ridiculous but...

ya know how they normally say that people suffering from cardiac complaints shouldn't use it?

Does that mean that sitting in it increases heart rate, or is it blood pressure that increases, or is it just a CYA policy?

dolliemix

Got this info from this website:
http://www.all-about-saunas.com/Steam+Bath+or+Sauna.html



"There is sometimes confusion between the terms 'steam bath' and 'sauna.' Many people think they refer to the same thing. Not so. Even though they both are hot baths, a sauna uses dry heat while a steam bath uses moist heat.
The sauna has very low humidity. This means it can be much hotter than a steam bath. Saunas are usually between 80°C and 100°C while a steam bath is usually about 40°C. If the steam bath was any hotter than this it could scald the skin, but the dry heat of the sauna is safe.

Saunas are heated with stones placed on some kind of heater -- usually electric or wood-burning. From time to time, water is poured on the stones which produce a thick cloud of steam. This has the effect of raising the temperature in the sauna by several degrees, but the steam quickly dissipates.

Steam baths, on the other hand, are heated by a steam generator. The steam is fed into the almost airtight room where it builds up to create a humidity level of around 100%.

The different type of heat determines the type of materials that saunas and steam baths can be made of. Saunas are usually wood-lined and have wooden benches to sit on. They are insulated to retain the heat but there is no concern about moisture damage to the outside structure.

Steam baths need to be made to contain the moisture created by the steam. They are usually finished in ceramic tile and the ceiling must be slanted so that the steam buildup does not drip from the ceiling onto the bathers.

Advantages / Disadvantages

Both saunas and steam baths have therapeutic benefits. They are good for blood circulation and can cleanse and rejuvenate the skin through heavy perspiration. They are good for easing muscle tension and promoting feelings of relaxation and well-being.

Some people find the dry heat of the sauna to be uncomfortable to breathe. Those with respiratory problems like sinus congestion and asthma may prefer the moist heat of the steam bath. Steam inhalation is often used for treating bronchitis, sinusitis and allergies so people with these conditions may benefit from steam baths"

I guess basically they are more or less the same but if you have respiratory problems you should use the steam room. I remember reading once that it is easier to pick up colds influenza etc in steam rooms though because of the moisture.

scumfrog

in the sauna your blood flows to teh surface of your skin to cool down and in the process cleanses and de toxifies the blood through sweating, after a few minutes in the sauna jump into the freezing plungepool or cold shower the blood then flows to internal organs to preserve heat thus the circulation benefits, then when you pop back into the sauna the process repeats i alternate between the sauna and steamroom think the steamroom is good for the skin and the lungs, thats the theory anyway and i feel great after doing this

vibrant

What is the correct procedure for using heat treatments?

I have been using the jacuzzi and then the sauna/steam rooms and then have a cold drench shower to close the pores (can't quite get the nerve to use the plunge pool).

Should I do the steam before the sauna? Or leave the jacuzzi til last?