What Are the Main Types of Saunas?

Are you interested in getting a sauna to add to your healthy routine?

Saunas have become increasingly popular in recent years. People use them to relax, detox, and relieve stress and muscle tension. Whether you have a focus in mind or you’re looking for a general experience, you can get plenty of enjoyment from using them.

Before picking out a specific sauna type, you may be curious to find out what options are available. See below for a brief explanation of a few different sauna types you can try. Continue reading for a detailed breakdown of each.

Steam Saunas

Steam saunas are a type of sauna offered at many spas and public facilities, as well as by many private companies. They are heated rooms that are built with special wood. As hot steam enters the room, heat rises, creating an intensifying atmosphere of heat and steam.

Steam saunas provide many physical and psychological benefits, such as improved circulation and relieving stress. When the steam enters the room, it helps to open the pores and release toxins, as well as providing a relaxing and soothing atmosphere. Steam saunas are beneficial to those suffering from respiratory problems, detoxifying and aiding in calming the mind.

Traditional Saunas

Typically, traditional saunas utilize simple heaters combined with wood that bring the temperature to a hot level, usually between 150 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit. The heaters provide dry heat and a cushion of steam that surrounds the body, creating a deep relaxation state.

Traditional saunas usually do not come with the same capability of temperature and humidity control that modern infrared saunas have. They are incredibly easy to use and provide some of the deepest sauna-related relaxation and cleansing. Additionally, because they require little to no electricity, traditional saunas can be moved and rearranged to fit any space.

Infrared Saunas

Infrared saunas work by producing infrared heat, which is a smaller wavelength than the traditional sauna that heats up the air that you would normally experience in a regular sauna. They are small and portable which makes them easy to set up just about anywhere, including your own home. This small sauna is more energy-efficient than traditional saunas, and some studios specialize exclusively in offering infrared saunas.

This type of sauna can help reduce stress and help in detoxifying the body. It can also help reduce muscle pain and joint stiffness, improve circulation and lymphatic draining, boost the immune system, and detoxify. Lastly, an infrared sauna can help burn calories, helping with weight loss and overall health. 

Electric Saunas

Electric saunas are a modern form of saunas that use electricity to heat rocks and air to create steam. The electric energy heats rocks and warm air to create steam which circulates throughout the sauna. It has many of the same benefits as a traditional sauna like aiding digestion, improving respiratory health, and calming the central nervous system.

The air temperature necessary for an electric sauna is much lower than a traditional sauna due to the electric heating elements and is safe to use as long as you maintain a safe distance from the element. Electric saunas are great for apartments or locations where fire safety is an issue or heating with fire or wood is not possible.

Knowing the Different Types of Saunas

Overall, saunas come in many various shapes and sizes. Examples of the main types of saunas include electric, traditional wood burning, infrared, and steam saunas.

Different types of saunas offer unique benefits and features, so it’s important to find the one that best suits your needs. Learn more about saunas and take a deeper dive into the different types to determine which sauna is right for you!

If you’ve enjoyed reading about saunas and their benefits, why not check out some of our other blogs to learn more?