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Infrared Sauna Or Steam Sauna

November 26, 2014

Infrared sauna or steam sauna… That seems to be the question. Buying an infrared sauna or steam sauna can be tricky because there aren’t many retail stores that show them so you don’t have much opportunity to see what you like. A sauna is typically something consumers have used at the Gym but hasn’t had much exposure to them outside the Gym. Internet searches tell you that infrared saunas can cure anything from arthritis to cancer…not true.

Saunas have been used in some way or form back to the beginning of time. The essence of a sauna is that you are raising your body’s core temperature creating a fevered state. You tricking your body into thinking it has a fever. Some of the crazy claims on the internet are all based on this simple fact. If your body thinks it has a fever, it raises your heart rate which causes a sweat and speeds metabolism which will, in turn, repair the body.

So now you have to choose the best way to heat your body’s core. An infrared Sauna uses a specific ray of light that penetrates the body and warms the core a little like a microwave. The disadvantage to an infrared sauna is that it typically doesn’t generate much ambient heat. Those that are looking for true heat are often disappointed with an infrared sauna because they only get to 125F. Higher ambient temperatures help open pores and generate a good sweat. One major advantage to an infrared sauna is the cost. The components are very inexpensive to produce, most are manufactured in China. Another advantage to an infrared sauna is that they generate heat much faster than a traditional sauna. Some customers are willing to trade lower, faster heat for a lack of a higher temperature.

A traditional steam sauna is a completely different animal. The result is the same, the process just differs a bit. Some people are familiar with the terms dry sauna and steam sauna. In the residential application, they are typically the same thing. Traditional saunas use a heater core to heat rocks (to distribute heat) which will allow for a much higher ambient temperature. You can run them just about as high as you like. The most common are 150 -170F. This would be the dry heat phase. Simply pouring a little water over the rocks with a ladle (and hopefully a little Eucalyptus oil) will generate the steam. Customers are shocked at the drastic change this makes. You can feel your pores jumping open at the addition of the steam. If you happen to visit some of the European Countries, you see a sauna in about every house. You will never see an infrared sauna.

Both types of Sauna, infrared and dry heat have their distinct advantages. At Recreation Wholesale you are welcome to come in and try both!