In the age of alternative treatments, you often hear saunas come up in conversation. Specifically, the infrared sauna seems to be all the rage. Many tout its supposed health benefits. In fact, there are even local spas popping up all around the country that offer infrared sauna services. But the real question here is: do they work?
Brief Sauna History
The first sauna on record was found in Finland. In fact, the world “sauna” actually means bathhouse in Finnish.
Ancient saunas were essentially caves. A fire was built beneath a pile of stones and the cave openings were covered with animal skins. Even after the fire was out, the stones kept the space warm. From then on, the saunas served purposes ranging from a place to live to religious celebrations.
They are still found abundantly in Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Russia.
Traditional Sauna vs. Infrared Sauna
Traditional saunas are designed to emit heat, via steam, into the air around you. Thus, not only does the temperature around you rise quickly, your body temperate does, too. As a result, you start sweating intensely. Because your pulse rate also climbs quickly, your body nearly doubles the amount of blood pumped through it per minute. Crazy, right?
Then, we have the infrared sauna. These use infrared rays to heat the body and are able to deeply penetrate the skin. As a result, people are supposed to see health benefits like weight loss and skin detox due to the intense sweating.
Purchasing an Infrared Sauna
Like most products, there are a variety of infrared options available to suit your taste. Here are a few that we’ve found.
Golden Designs “Monaco” 6-Person Near Zero FAR Infrared Sauna
This sauna can be found on the fan favorite, Amazon, with free shipping included. The price tag? $6,000. And with a six-person capacity, you can enjoy its benefits with friends or family.
Klondike 4-Person Infrared Sauna
Again, this four-seater can be purchased on Amazon with free shipping. Luckily, this one has a more manageable price tag at about $2,900.
Clearlight Infrared Saunas by Jacuzzi
Deemed “therapy cabins,” Jacuzzi’s infrared saunas come with the ability to be customized to your liking. They are offered in a variety of sizes and are easy to assemble. But if you’re interested in the price, you’ll have to contact the company directly. Prices are not listed on their site.
Remember that even though the initial price may include free shipping, you have to make other arrangements for it to be moved to just the right spot.
If you think you may purchase an infrared sauna yourself, be sure top keep the following questions at the top of your mind:
- What type of heater does it use?
- What type of material is used in the sauna?
- Is the EMF exposure within a safe range?
- Does the purchase include a warranty?
- Can you try it before you buy?
Never be afraid to ask questions. It’s important to understand what you are buying!
Final Sizzle
Ultimately, it is a decision of personal preference when determining if a traditional or infrared sauna is the right choice for you. Do your research, and then you can on your way to a different kind of health and wellness.