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When it comes to relaxing after an intense workout or sweating out all that unwanted work stress over a long-awaited spa weekend, there are few better ways to do so than with a dedicated trip to the nearest sauna.
Blending a calming atmosphere of quiet contemplation and conversation with the kind of sweat-inducing heat that’s guaranteed to flush out all your blocked pores, saunas are great for improving your physical and mental well-being – shielding you from the hectic, busy nature of the outside world, if only for a short while.
However, if you’ve never used this sort of spa facility before, then you might be unsure exactly what to wear in a sauna; do you need a full bathing suit, or should you be going ‘au naturel’ like they often do on the continent?
If this sounds like you, then don’t worry, we have all the information you need to know about sauna clothes, including tips for both men and women, as well as advice on what else you might want to bring to a sauna to get the most out of your trip.
Before we get started on what sort of sauna wear is and isn’t appropriate when using this type of specialist spa room, it’s important to first touch on common sauna etiquette so you know what’s expected by others when using something like a public sauna for the first time.
To start with, saunas, in general, tend to be shared spaces, meaning you’ll almost certainly be sharing the room with someone else for the duration of your sweat. Therefore, to ensure that all present can benefit from the relaxing atmosphere of a sauna space, music and loud conversation are a no, as is working out in any form.
On top of this, you cannot simply walk into a sauna and sit down in your outdoor clothes (not that you’d want to do that anyway), and the appropriate sauna clothes are required before entering. This also includes a restriction on entering the sauna barefoot, as most sauna spaces do not allow any form of footwear to be worn inside for hygiene reasons.
Finally, all sauna users are expected to shower before entering to remove any dust and dirt they may have picked up earlier in the day. Again, saunas need to be kept as hygienic as possible to avoid the spread of bacteria, and showering before their use can help minimise the potential for this.
Ok, with sauna etiquette out of the way, we can now finally turn our attention towards what to wear in a sauna. And for all of your nervous readers out there fearing that you may have to step in the sauna in the nude, don’t worry, you can breathe a sigh of relief!
Unlike in Scandinavia or other European countries where saunas are popular, here in the UK, the universal rule tends to be that all sauna users are required to wear appropriate sauna clothes in order to retain a respectable level of modesty (though some spas may indeed have areas that allow users to sweat without any clothes on).
However, what qualifies as appropriate sauna clothes can be rather specific. After all, you ideally want to wear something that you’ll feel comfortable in while also allowing your skin to breathe and sweat fully so you get the most out of the experience. Thus, clothing made of natural fibres, such as cotton, is highly recommended.
When it comes to what men should wear in a sauna, their options are quite simple. Knee-length swimming trunks are generally considered the norm, though a simple cotton towel around the waist may also be fine, depending on the rules of the sauna you’re using.
Alongside this, men can also wear a t-shirt or tank top if they want an added degree of modesty in front of the other sauna users. As mentioned above, whatever you wear should ideally be made from natural fibres for enhanced breathability.
As for what women should wear in a sauna, the most commonly suggested piece of sauna wear is a full bathing suit, rather than something more open and flexible like a bikini. This is because swimsuits are generally considered more comfortable to wear in a sauna environment, while bikinis may become uncomfortable under higher heat levels.
Of course, if you’re unsure about the idea of wearing a swimsuit for the duration of your sweat, then a sauna-friendly spa gown is also fine, as it will soak up your sweat in the same manner as a towel, helping to reduce bacterial spread.
While you might assume that all swimwear can qualify for use as sauna wear, as we’ve just highlighted, this is generally not considered the case due to the high heat levels present in a sauna environment.
For example, swimwear made of PVC or synthetic fibres is always best avoided as they not only reduce your ability to sweat but also have the potential to melt, creating toxic fumes that should not be inhaled and potentially burning your skin should it come into contact with the affected area.
On top of this, any swimwear with metal on it should be avoided as well, so you don’t accidentally burn yourself, and all forms of metal jewellery should be removed before entering for the same reason.
Finally, tight clothes of any kind are considered a poor choice as they will likely get uncomfortable to wear as you sweat, and all makeup should be removed before you use a sauna to prevent it from mingling with your sweat and blocking your pores.
For the most part, gym saunas are considered similar to public saunas, so the same rules will usually apply to what you can and can’t wear while using them. However, some gym saunas may have specific rules that come with their use, so it’s best to check before using them if you’re unsure.
Although not a requirement when using any sauna, you may find that covering your hair with a towel or a sauna cap for the duration of your sweat can help protect it from damage.
This is especially true if you’re using a dry sauna, where the dry air will dry out your hair temporarily and likely cause it to frizz up. On the other hand, if you’re using a wet sauna, then covering your hair may not be necessary due to the level of moisture in the air.
Finally, before we wrap up, let’s look at what else you might want to bring to a sauna to get the most out of your visit. None of what we’ve listed below are particularly bulky, but they’ll almost certainly improve your sauna experience:
And there you have it; that’s everything you need to know when it comes to sauna etiquette and what to wear when visiting a sauna in the UK. Naturally, the rules might differ when you’re on the continent, but experiencing a sauna the ‘natural’ way is just part of the holiday experience.
Of course, if you visit a sauna after reading this guide and get the sauna bug, then you might want to consider investing in one of our premium home saunas for use whenever you want.
Made from natural materials in a traditional Baltic sauna style, our saunas are perfect for those who want to enjoy a private sauna relaxation experience from the comfort of their own homes.
Get in touch with our expert staff today for more information on our barrel saunas and infrared cubes, and don’t forget to visit our blog for more informative guides like this one.
An essential cornerstone of physical well-being for thousands of years, it’s safe to say that, if you’ve ever attended a spa, you’ve probably dipped your toe or two into the local sauna or steam room.
The preferred spa space of choice for many an athlete, and a particularly popular social pastime for most Scandinavians, saunas have been once again growing in popularity in recent years, thanks in large part to fresh research around the benefits of sauna use on a regular basis.
But just what are the health benefits of saunas, and are there any risks that come with their use? Are there any tangible benefits of sauna use every day, or is this classic spa option simply the latest fad?
Keep reading to find out exactly what you need to know about the health benefits of saunas!
Given that saunas have been in use since before ancient Rome, you’d expect that asking whether or not saunas are good for you would be a moot question. And the truth is that there’s a reason that no one asks this question very often.
For one thing, saunas are simply an incredibly relaxed environment, which provides plenty of mental health benefits on its own. However, they also act as a direct, man-made analogue to natural spas and hot springs, which most certainly do have clear health benefits.
In other words, when it comes to the question “Are saunas good for you?”, the answer is most certainly yes!
So, now that we’ve cleared up whether or not saunas are a healthy activity for you to indulge in, what exactly are these sauna benefits that everyone talks about? Well, we’ve outlined the main ones below that have been proven to have an impact so you can find out more:
As we’ve already noted, one of the main sauna benefits out there is that they create an incredibly relaxed space for you to unwind in. This is because the temperature within saunas is high enough to activate your body’s thermoregulatory pathways, which increases blood flow and forces your sympathetic nervous system to work harder to maintain your core temperature.
And as a result of this increased blood flow to your brain and muscles, you’ll not only feel more alert and awake, but the dilation of your blood vessels helps to remove the tension within your body.
Add to this the fact that you’re probably attending a sauna with friends or family, and you suddenly have the perfect environment to mentally detox yourself after a hard week of work.
While the rumoured health benefits of saunas removing impurities from your internal system are largely unsubstantiated, what is true is that regular sauna use can be a great way to detox your skin and make it appear healthier.
This is because the higher temperature of saunas naturally forces you to sweat more in order to stay cool, which in turn opens up your pores and releases any built-up impurities that may have been blocking them, not to mention helping to clear away any missed dead skin cells.
Another staple of the core sauna benefits, heat therapy has already been proven to soothe muscle aches and pains, making saunas the perfect place to release any post-workout muscle tension or take the edge off an injury for those extra fitness benefits.
Once again, this is thanks to the increase in blood flow your body experiences at higher temperatures, which sends a greater volume of blood to your skin as a way to cool you down and force even your tensest muscles to relax.
Given that one of the main results of being exposed to higher sauna temperatures is an increase in blood flow, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that saunas have the potential to improve your body’s cardiovascular health due to the increased rate of blood flow throughout your system.
Naturally, your heart has to beat faster in order to maintain this increase in blood flow, improving heart muscle health in general and promoting better cardio health during future exercise.
Last, but not least, as saunas induce a more relaxed state and peaceful frame of mind, they can prove rather beneficial as a beginning step in your bedtime routine by reducing stress and calming your mind.
In fact, studies have shown that regular sauna use can not only help regulate your body’s natural sleep cycle, but it can promote the right frame of mind required for achieving a more restful and rejuvenating sleep.
Although there are plenty of health benefits associated with regular sauna use, it is true that there are also several risks that come with spending more than the recommended sauna time in such a high-temperature space, such as:
So, there you have it, those are the main health benefits of sauna use, as well as some of the potential risks that could come with regular use. However, we’d argue that the potential benefits of such a spa system far outweigh the downsides, making saunas a fantastic option if you’re looking for an easy way to improve your weekly workout routine.
And if you’re interested in recreating such a sauna experience from the comfort of your own home, then you need look no further than the sauna options we have on offer in the Hekla saunas range.
From our barrel sauna and cube sauna selection to our modern and affordable infra-red saunas, we’ve something for everyone in our collection. Get in touch today to learn more and book a showroom visit, and don’t forget to head over to our sauna blog as well for more in-depth pieces like this one, including our comparison guide for saunas vs ice baths, and the weight loss benefits of regular sauna use.
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