What is traditional sauna?
A traditional sauna is usually a Red Cedar room that uses heated stones and water to create steam that makes you sweat. Over the years, the stones were often heated by fire, but most modern saunas are now heated by electricity or gas. Typical temperatures inside a traditional sauna range between 70o to 90o C with participants spending between 10 to 20 minutes in the sauna, followed by a break that often includes an ice bath, and then the cycle repeats.
Traditional saunas have been popular for thousands of years and across many different cultures. Many people in Melbourne use traditional saunas to relax and destress after a hard day at work, but they are also ideal for helping athletes recover from intense training sessions or competitions.
In Scandinavian countries, it’s not uncommon for people to share a sauna with workmates or friends, gathering together, chatting and just enjoying each other’s company. Saunas are part of the Scandinavian culture and they are used extensively by just about everyone. In Melbourne, however, traditional saunas tend to be more frequently used to recover from physical activities although their recreational use is also growing.
What are the benefits of a traditional sauna?
Whether you’re someone who rarely works out or an enthusiastic athlete, you’ll experience several health benefits from a traditional sauna. These benefits include increased performance, better cardiovascular health and faster recovery following exercise or training.
If you’re looking for concrete evidence of these claims, a peer-reviewed Finnish study in 2015 followed a cohort of middle-aged men for 20 years. They found that regular saunas were associated with improved cardiovascular health. In 2016, a meta-review again found that regular use of saunas improved cardiovascular health. However, this study also found that saunas protect the body from damage caused by moderate to vigorous exercise, as well as preserve muscle mass.
There’s also evidence to support the theory that saunas can help detox your body. For example, a 2012 study found that phthalate compounds are eliminated via sweating, whilst yet another 2012 study found that sweating aided the elimination of cadmium, lead and mercury.
All of this research indicates that as part of a well-considered recovery program, regular use of a traditional sauna in Melbourne can significantly improve your recovery and help maintain your overall health and well-being.
