What is the Best Temperature for Sauna?

Being inside a sauna or steam room is pretty relaxing. You get to sweat out your troubles away and detoxify those unwanted burdens.

But do you know the best temperature for a sauna or steam room?

This can be helpful if you want to maximize its benefits without worry. If you wish to find out, please continue reading.

What is the Best Temperature for Sauna, Steam Room?

The definition of the “best” temperature depends on a person’s preferences and reasons for using the sauna. Many people go for steam rooms and steam showers with temperatures between 110 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

At this range of temperature, the body receives the peak benefits of the process. They include an increase in metabolism, blood circulation, and heart rate. Steam rooms and showers differ from saunas since the former uses steam directly as a source of heat.

To be clear, the temperature here doesn’t refer to the water used to create the steam. Rather, it refers to the enclosed space where the steam is circulating. The best temperature can also be defined according to the source of heat.

The best temperature for traditional or home saunas is between 150 degrees to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. The critical temperature where the benefits start dropping is around 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

As you have observed, the measurement is relatively high. This is due to the method of heating used in a traditional sauna, which is through the heating of rocks.

Infrared saunas are a bit different. Since they use radiation for heat transfer, the best temperature is said to be between 110 degrees to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The enclosed space heats faster compared to traditional saunas.

Important Things to Consider

How do you benefit the most from using a sauna, steam room, or steam shower? If you have control over the settings, consider the following factors to ensure you will utilize the devices using the best temperature as defined by your personal requirements:

• Experience

For beginners, it is recommended to start at lower temperatures. Anything below 100 degrees Fahrenheit seems good enough.

The more frequently you use a sauna or steam room, the faster your body will adjust. You can slowly increase the temperature until you reach the best range once you have observed your body is getting used to the heat.

• Duration

For public saunas, most people will advise others that the duration of stay should be around 15 to 20 minutes. The operators assume that this is the duration that an average human can stay in temperatures beyond 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, if you own a home sauna, you can go as long as you like. The more active your lifestyle is, the more you need the effects of the heat on your body.

• Purpose

If your purpose for using a sauna is for skin detoxification, then a lower temperature is recommended. Although you will sweat more at higher temperatures, you will also lose more electrolytes. The best range for an infrared sauna must be between 110 degrees to 125 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Start-up

In traditional saunas, one stays longer since the starting heat only gradually catches up with the temperature being set. You can also stay longer in steam showers and steam rooms.

However, for infrared saunas, the heat can build up faster. So, you can reach the best temperature within a short period.

Conclusion

After a good sweat in a sauna or under a steam bath, it is recommended to shower properly to clean off the sweat. If you are skeptical about the sudden change in temperatures, you can rest for a while after the sauna and before showering. Remember, to maximize the benefits, adjust your sauna or steam room to their best temperature ranges.