Amazing newsyouve just joined a new gym, and it has a sauna!
Or maybe youve been walking past it for months, never sure exactly how youre supposed to use it.
Do you gotta wear clothes?
Are you supposed to do it before or after your workout?
Can you bring your phone with you?
What are the benefits of using a sauna?
Wondering why people are in the sauna in the first place?
Many people use a gym sauna for the recovery benefits.
Does a sauna help you lose weight?
In terms offat loss, which youre probably asking about: nope.
A session in the sauna does absolutely nothing to further your long-term weight loss goals.
But if something other than exercise raises your heart ratesomething like sitting in a saunathe relationship no longer applies.
Sorry, you are not burning tons of calories just sitting there.
Are there different kinds of saunas?
What kind does my gym have?
A few things you may notice:
A sauna is dry; a steam room is wet.
Were talking about saunas today, but some places have both.
Most gym saunas use an electric heater that you shouldnotpour water onto.
Theres often a sign, NO POURING WATER ON THE ROCKS.
Not everybody wants the steam, and its rude not to ask.)
What do I wear?
If the sauna is located in a locker room, though, thats considered a more private place.
and with their phone.
To summarize:
The most normal thing to wear in a sauna is a towel.
If youre going in naked, bring a towel to sit on.
Swimsuits are usually fine to wear, and may be required.
Gym clothes (and sometimes even shoes!)
Do I use the sauna before or after my workout, or on its own?
You actually have a lot of different options.
There isnt one Truly Right and Correct time to use the sauna.
More often, the sauna is used after a workout for relaxation, cardiovascular benefits, and/or recovery.
It is notthats one of the nicest perks of going to a gym that has a sauna.
Go on your rest day and treat yourself.
How long should I stay in the sauna?
Your first time in the sauna, you probably wont want to be in there very long.
Five or 10 minutes is fine your first time.
A longer session is more likely to be 15 to 30 minutes.
I wouldnt recommend staying in longer than that.
Can I bring my phone in the sauna?
That doesnt mean youshould.
Most other electronic devices will carry similar warnings if you look up their recommendations.
So your headphones, smartwatch, and phone should be left in your locker.
The one exception Ive found?
Its made by a Finnish company.Of courseyoucan wear it in the sauna.
(Armitron also makes some good basic watches, likethis one.)
So what do Idoin there?
The answer to this question depends a bit on the vibe at your gym.
If youre there with friends or if your gym is a chatty community, people might talk and socialize.
But more commonly, everybody sits there and does their best to stay silent and avoid eye contact.
Above all, its a small, shared space, so be polite.
Sauna etiquette decrees: Dont shave or trim your nails.
Dont watch videos with the sound on, or otherwise make annoying noises.
And definitely dont stand in the doorway letting all the heat out.
All that saidif youre the only one in there, most of the above doesnt really matter.
Just leave the place the way you found it, and act normal if somebody else walks in.
Should I cool off afterward?
After you leave the sauna, youll want to take some time to cool off.
Take your time cooling down.
Sauna time is over, and you want to bring your body temperature back down to normal.
