What are the benefits and disadvantages of traditional sauna? The main benefits of traditional sauna are deep relaxation, system detox, and elevated cardiovascular activity. The disadvantages are initial cost, space requirement, and intense heat. Below we will run through everything you need to know about the traditional sauna pros and cons.
TRADITIONAL SAUNA BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES
Traditional saunas have been the go-to sauna of choice for hundreds of years. They are the authentic sauna experience and are an excellent way to unwind, relax, and cleanse the system with an intense all-over sweat. Below we take a closer look at the benefits and disadvantages of traditional sauna.
TRADITIONAL SAUNA PROS & CONS
- Benefits of Traditional Sauna
- Disadvantages of Traditional Sauna
- Should You Buy a Traditional Sauna?
- Traditional Sauna versus Infrared
- Frequently Asked Questions
BENEFITS OF TRADITIONAL SAUNA
What are the advantages of a traditional sauna? If you introduce a traditional sauna to your home – you can expect the following benefits.
DEEP RELAXATION
One of the greatest benefits of a traditional sauna is deep relaxation. Spending time in the warming, peaceful environment of a private traditional sauna cabin is incredibly relaxing. If you want to add something to your home that will help you unwind – go for a traditional sauna.
Relaxation is perhaps the most popular advantage of using a sauna. Traditional saunas encourage deep mental and physical relaxation that can help relieve anxiety and encourage better sleep. Many people use sauna to unwind and draw a line under a stressful day.
AUTHENTIC FEEL
When people think of sauna they immediately conjure up images of a traditional wood burning or electric sauna. It’s hard to beat the authenticity you feel when sitting in a traditional sauna. This is how the Scandinavians do it and a traditional sauna is regarded by many as the only form of sauna.
If you want to experience the authentic feel – you won’t get better than a traditional home sauna. It’s the real deal. Heat your body naturally using a traditional sauna heater while you kick back and unwind inside the warmth of an authentic wooden cabin.
ADD VALUE TO YOUR HOME
Installing a traditional sauna can add value to your home. Saunas are valuable assets and adding one to your home will increase its market value. Although you may not be intending on selling your home anytime soon – it’s reassuring to know that the money you spend on a traditional sauna is an investment and can be recouped if you ever choose to sell your house.
ROUND-THE-CLOCK ACCESS
One of the great benefits of adding a traditional sauna to your home is convenience. You, your friends, and your family will have round-the-clock access to a sauna seven days per week. And, you can hop in your private sauna, anytime it takes your fancy.
There’ll be no more packing a sports bag and trekking down to your local spa or gym. All you need to do is flick a switch, allow the sauna to preheat, and jump in. Within minutes you’ll be unwinding in your very own sauna without having to step outside your home.
WORKOUT RECOVERY
Traditional saunas are great for workout recovery. If you are a fitness fanatic a sauna will make a great addition to your home. Finishing off your workout routine with a short sauna session can really help speed up your muscle recovery.
The deep penetrating heat of sauna can boost tissue healing, relieve stiffness, and relax tired muscles. For more, see sauna for workout recovery.
POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS
Spending time in a sauna comes with a wide range of potential health benefits. As your body begins to heat up you begin to sweat and your cardiovascular activity increases. These changes can affect the body in several ways, see below.
CLEANSE THE SKIN
Sweat droplets clean your skin as they pass through pores and drag dirt and grime to the surface of the skin where it can be washed away.
SYSTEM DETOX
Spending time sweating in a sauna may help detox your body and cleanse your system. As sweat leaves the body it can help remove pollutants and heavy metals.
IMPROVED SLEEP
Many people enjoy unwinding in a sauna shortly before bedtime. A traditional sauna session can help relieve stress and prepare you for a restful night’s sleep.
HEART HEALTH
The intense heat of a traditional sauna can boost heart health by stimulating cardiovascular activity. In an attempt to control body temperature heart rate increases, blood vessels dilate, and blood flow is promoted.
NATURAL HIGH
Traditional saunas help improve people’s mood. Most people report feeling better and experiencing a natural high after spending time in the cozy warmth of a traditional home sauna.
PAIN RELIEF
A traditional home sauna can be a source of pain relief for people that suffer from chronic muscular or joint pain – such as arthritis.
DISADVANTAGES OF TRADITIONAL SAUNA
Now let’s take a look at the main disadvantages of installing a traditional sauna in your home.
INITIAL COST
One of the main disadvantages of purchasing a traditional home sauna is the initial cost. The best cabin-style traditional saunas come at a price and you can expect to pay in the region of $5,000 to $10,000 depending on the size and quality of sauna you need.
A traditional sauna is a long-term investment and properly cared for will give you decades of relaxation and potential health benefits. While the initial cost may appear high – you can expect to get many years of enjoyment from your home sauna.
INTENSE HEAT
Traditional saunas are hot, very hot. They can run up to temperatures of 190°F (88°C). This is much hotter than an infrared sauna that runs at just 120°F (49°C). And it all boils down to the way a traditional sauna heats the body. For best results they should be in the region of 160-175°F (71-79°C). For more see – Best Temperature for Traditional Sauna.
A traditional sauna heats your body by heating the air inside the cabin, which in turn heats the body. An infrared sauna heats your body directly without heating the air inside the cabin. This means a traditional sauna needs to run at a higher temperature to achieve the same results. And, some people find the hot air oppressive. It can be too much!
SPACE REQUIREMENT
Traditional saunas are built using wooden cabins. If you intend to install one in your home you need to have a suitable space and location. They are permanent structures that remain in place even when not in use.
If you live in a home with lots of available space, this will not be a problem. But if space is at a premium or you live in a small home or apartment the space requirement may be an issue.
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Maintenance requirements for a traditional sauna are minimal. However, once you install a home sauna it becomes your responsibility to make sure it is properly looked after. It will require occasional cleaning and dusting just like any other area of your home.
Assuming it lasts many years you may need to replace electrical or heating parts over time. In contrast, when you use a public sauna at your local gym or spa you can come and go as you please without concerning yourself with cleaning and maintenance.
DEHYDRATION
Whenever you use a sauna you must be careful to avoid dehydration. Spending time in a sauna cabin will elevate your body temperature and trigger an intense sweat. This will result in the loss of water from your body. This water must be replaced to avoid dehydration.
We advise drinking water before you begin your sauna session, sipping water while inside, and continuing to drink water once your sauna session is complete. For more, check out how much water should I drink in a sauna.
OTHER HEALTH CONCERNS
Traditional home saunas are safe to use for most people. However, if you are pregnant or have any underlying health conditions you should consult a medical professional before using a sauna. The intense heat of a sauna elevates your core body temperature and increases cardiovascular activity.
People with underlying heart conditions and those who suffer from high blood pressure may be advised to avoid using a sauna. The best course of action is to seek a doctor’s professional opinion before you begin to use a sauna.
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WHAT IS A TRADITIONAL SAUNA?
A traditional sauna is a wooden cabin that uses heated stones to create a dry hot environment to relax in. The stones can be heated using an electric, gas, or wood-burning stove. Traditional saunas come in all shapes and sizes from outdoor barrel saunas to standard indoor cabins. They can be built to accommodate anything from one to ten people – sometimes even bigger.
Most traditional home saunas are within the 1-4 person size. Traditional saunas heat the air inside the cabin – which in turn heats the body. This means they run at very high temperatures. Most traditional home saunas run at a temperatures of 160-175°F. For more, check out What Is a Traditional Sauna?
SHOULD YOU BUY A TRADITIONAL SAUNA?
Yes, you should buy a traditional sauna for your home if you want to make a long-term investment that will promote relaxation, elevate your workout recovery, potentially improve your health, and add value to your home. The benefits of buying a traditional sauna are wide and varied and if you are considering adding one to your home – our advice is to weigh up the traditional sauna pros and cons above.
TRADITIONAL SAUNA VS INFRARED
What’s the difference between a traditional sauna versus infrared? The difference between a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna is the way they create heat and how they heat the body.
A traditional sauna generates heat using electricity or a wood-burning stove to heat stacked stones. These stones then heat the air inside the cabin. Once the air becomes hot it begins heating the people sitting inside the sauna.
Infrared saunas work differently. They use infrared light energy to heat the body directly. Infrared saunas do not heat the air inside the sauna. Instead, infrared light travels from the infrared heater through the air and heats the body on contact. Infrared heaters are electrically powered.
Traditional saunas and infrared saunas operate at different temperatures. Because an infrared sauna heats the body directly they run at much lower temperatures. Infrared saunas run at 120°F (49°C) while traditional saunas operate up to 190°F (88°C).
FAQ TRADITIONAL SAUNA PROS AND CONS
Here’s a round-up of the questions we frequently get asked when discussing traditional sauna pros and cons.
ARE TRADITIONAL SAUNAS GOOD FOR YOU?
Yes, traditional saunas are good for you. They come with a wide range of relaxation and potential health benefits. If you are pregnant or have any underlying health conditions such as a heart condition or high blood pressure you should seek medical advice before using a sauna.
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STAY IN A SAUNA?
You should aim to stay in a sauna for 10-15 minutes. Beginners should start low and gently work their way up in terms of minutes. Experienced users will be able to stay in longer than beginners. Never stay in longer than feels comfortable.
SHOULD YOU TAKE A SHOWER AFTER SAUNA?
Yes, you should take a shower after sauna. First, allow your body time to cool down and come back to a regular body temperature. Then, take a shower to freshen up and wash away sweat.
DOES SAUNA BURN FAT?
No, a sauna does not burn fat. A sauna will trigger an intense sweat that will result in a temporary water weight loss. However, this water must be replaced to prevent dehydration. Sitting in a sauna will not burn fat or calories.
DOES SAUNA BURN CALORIES?
No, a sauna does not burn calories. It does not burn calories or fat. Sauna triggers intense sweat that will result in water weight loss. This water loss is temporary and must be replaced as soon as possible.
CAN I BRING MY PHONE IN THE SAUNA?
No, you cannot bring your phone in the sauna. Phones are designed to operate at room temperature. A traditional sauna has a temperature of 190°F (88°C). This intense heat can result in damage to the internal components of your phone.
About the Author
MAGNUS KARLSSON (BSc, MSc)
• Senior Editor at Home Sauna Heaven
As a native Swede, Magnus developed a deep fascination with the art of sauna bathing from an early age. Born and raised in the picturesque landscapes of Småland Sweden, he grew up in a family where sauna was deeply embedded in the community and daily routine. He graduated from Linnaeus University with a Master of Science in Health Science with a special focus on the “Comparative Analysis of Traditional Saunas vs. Infrared Saunas”.
Moving to the United States in his late twenties, Magnus worked as a health and fitness advisor in a well-known spa and wellness retreat in Malibu California. Over the next 12 years he became the spa’s leading sauna consultant and mentored colleagues on the benefits and applications of sauna therapy.
In 2019 he relocated to Florida to open his own wellness retreat in the Tampa Bay area. Here he continues to inspire others with the restorative power of sauna therapy. In 2020, he became senior editor of Home Sauna Heaven where he shares his deep understanding of infrared sauna and offers expert advice on its applications, benefits, and periodic product reviews.
