Some people believe that the sauna and steam rooms are good for you because they make you sweat and so clean your pores. Some people think the steam is good for your lungs, clears out the mucus. Some people think that the heat is good for you because it relaxes your muscles and increases your circulation.
The truth is that working out for fifteen minutes and hanging out in the whirlpool or sauna for 45 minutes is easier and feels better than working out an hour.
Saunas & hot tubs are relaxing. I LOVED it when the gym I go to had them. Unfortunately due to the Americans with Disabilities Act and a hint of a complaint, they were all removed permanently. But when we did have them, I'd work out for an hour and then kick back in the hot tub for a half hour.
Sometimes when it was cold out, I'd go down there and use the sauna or the hot tub.
It's generally safe to use a hot tub a few times a week, but according to the placards that were on the wall you shouldn't exceed 30 minutes in a sitting.
I've been in saunas and steam rooms and found them very enjoyable. I therefore submit that they're there because people like using them. I don't know that there's any specific health benefit .
Saunas in sport facilities are usually next to useless. A sauna should be hot, very hot, around 90 degrees Celsius, 190 F. But because the air is dry the sweat you produce has a cooling effect and you can actually endure that heat for a minute or ten, fifteen. After that you should cool down by taking a plunge in cold water or taking a cold shower. The cooling down is important. Wait half an hour, then get your circulation going again by taking a hot foot bath. Having good circulation is important because it enables your body to cool. Then you can do another round of sauna and cooling down. Repeat, lather, rinse.
If you can stay in a sauna for half an hour, the sauna is not hot enough. Also sports facilities usually lack a place where you can properly cool down.
Saunas are originally Finnish and there the cooling down is done by jumping nekkid into a frozen lake or rolling in the snow. A very nice experience that surely makes you feel alive!
Answered by
msg4hk
, an ibibo Master,
at
12:14 PM on July 09, 2008