sauna or steam room, or both?

**MrSmith** · Posted On: 2/12/2006 5:50pm

Now that I've apologized for the thread necromancy (honest mistake) could somebody please answer my question? I'll rephrase it even:

"What temperature are the saunas at your gym/whatever?"

**montgomerry** · Posted On: 2/12/2006 6:13pm

the temperature in my gym is HOT HOT HOT with a 100% chance of passion

**Moleculo** · Posted On: 2/12/2006 6:18pm

It's not an idiotic answer. The US has over two hundred and ninety five MILLION people most of which have little idea of what a true Finnish sauna is. They don't even pronounce it correctly. It's "sownaa" not "sawna".

Most Americans can't take the heat of a true sauna and they won't let you put water on the stones.
Many times patrons will turn the heat down since the thermostats are usually accessable.

I could go on about the people reading the newspaper in the sauna and other irritating crap but whatever.

**Moleculo** · Posted On: 2/12/2006 6:21pm

Originally Posted by MrSmith

Now that I've apologized for the thread necromancy (honest mistake) could somebody please answer my question? I'll rephrase it even:

"What temperature are the saunas at your gym/whatever?"

My grandmother was pure Finn and our own (home) sauna was always around 212 F (100 C).

I have been in clubs where it was as cold as 125 F.

**OZZ** · Posted On: 2/12/2006 9:09pm

Saunas are a great way to cleanse your body of toxins. But, as already noted, don't stay in for more than 15 minutes at a time, You can damage your internal organs.

**Virus** · Posted On: 2/12/2006 10:52pm

I enjoy the steam room at my gym after swimming. I then shower off after the steam room. I know of no evidence that steam rooms increase the rate of recovery, rid the muscles of lactic acid or other byproducts. If you had a hard session at the gym I would not reccomend finishing off with a sauna or steam room because you should re-hydrate after a session.

**MrSmith** · Posted On: 2/13/2006 4:03am

Originally Posted by Reese

My grandmother was pure Finn and our own (home) sauna was always around 212 F (100 C).

I have been in clubs where it was as cold as 125 F.

Thank you for your answer. The 125 F thing sounds about as bad as some "saunas" I've ran across in Denmark, Germany and even Estonia. 90 - 100 C is pretty much optimal.

This was actually not about "national pride" (me Finn, me übersauna) or any that ****. This has just titillated my curiosity for a long time.

A real sauna of 100 C and water thrown on the sauna stove ("kiuas" in Finnish) is very relaxing, euphoric and katharctic. I never exaggerate.

**Moleculo** · Posted On: 2/13/2006 3:16pm

I think that in many public health clubs the management is worried about people staying in too long and therefore keep the temp lower to avoid lawsuits. (a real rampant problem in the US)