What is a steam sauna?

I am one of those people who suffer from respiratory problems and going to the sauna at my local health club, as much as I think it is a good thing to do, can be problematic for me. The dry hot air just makes it difficult for me to breathe. As you might imagine I was happy to find out there is an alternative - steam saunas. This type of sauna was made famous by the Fins and some people also call them "wet saunas". They are "wet" because they use water which is turned into vapor that puts moisture in the air, making it easier to breathe. Another advantage of the steam sauna over the dry sauna is that you are able to operate the sauna at a lower temperature because the moisture in the air helps to transmit the heat more efficiently. Ok, so a steam sauna has a few advantages over a dry sauna, does it still have the same benefits?

Benefits of a Steam Sauna

Just like a dry sauna, a steam sauna causes you heart rate to increase speed up to 50% to 75% and provides you with a little cardiovascular workout while you are in the sauna. Not only does your heart rate speed up but your metabolism does as well - helping to burn calories, as much as 300 calories in a 30 minute session. Not a bad side benefit right? But to really lead a healthy lifestyle you also need to make sure you have a balanced diet and a regular exercise program.

Of course, the primary reason many of us started using saunas to begin with is because they are great way to help relax tired achy muscles and get rid of some of our daily stress. While you are in a steam sauna your muscles begin to relax which helps your body to rid itself of harmful toxins. That's one of the reasons why sitting in a sauna is also a great idea after a hard workout. As the heat speeds up your heart rate the accompanying blood flow increase can help to speed up your body's ability to repair your muscle tissue. A sauna can also help to cleanse your skin as it opens up your pores and helps the body to flush out toxins and accumulated grime.

So yes, a steam sauna still provides great benefits as a dry sauna but remember to monitor yourself and always use a sauna in a safe manner. If you have respiratory problems the moisture that a steam sauna provides is probably a better choice for you because it can help to clear your sinuses and airways.