Sauna vs Steam Room – Pros, Cons, Comparisons and Costs
In terms of relaxation and well-being sauna and steam room are two of the most popular choices. Although both provide the same benefits, they differ in a few ways. We’ll look at the pros and cons of both, as well as the comparisons and prices of steam and sauna to help you select the most suitable choice for your needs.
Sauna
The sauna can be described as a heating room that usually makes use of electric or wood stoves to warm up stones or rocks. They release heat into the space. The temperature of saunas is usually that range from 160 to 200 degF, with low levels of humidity.
Pros:
- Dry heat can unblock pores and cleanse the body by sweating.
- It can help ease stiffness and muscle pain.
- Relaxation can help and decrease stress.
- Improve the cardiovascular health by increasing the blood flow and heart rate.
Cons:
- Dehydration can occur, particularly when not enough fluids are consumed prior to and following use.
- Temperatures that are high may not be appropriate for everyone particularly those who have medical conditions or who are taking certain medicines.
- Saunas aren’t the best option for people suffering from respiratory problems because the dry heat could exacerbate symptoms.
Comparisons:
- Saunas typically operate with higher temperature and have lower levels of humidity than steam rooms.
- The sauna’s dry heat are more effective at sweating out toxins from your system over steam rooms.
Costs:
- Home sauna kits can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.
- A sauna session in a public place usually costs about $15-40 for a session.
Steam Room
The steam room can be described as a moist enclosed space that creates steam through the pouring of water over heated coils or rocks. Steam rooms generally operate between 110 and 120 degF with high levels of humidity.
Pros:
- The humid environment can soothe the skin and ease respiratory problems.
- Steam helps relieve tension and relax muscles.
- Can help improve cardiovascular health and circulation.
Cons:
- A high level of humidity can cause a shortage of oxygen, which makes breathing difficult for some people.
- Steam rooms are not appropriate for people suffering from medical conditions, such as excessive blood pressure, or heart conditions.
- They may not be as effective as saunas at cleansing the body by sweating.
Comparisons:
- Steam rooms typically run at lower temperatures as well as humidity levels than saunas.
- The moist environment in steam rooms is beneficial to those suffering from respiratory ailments.
Costs:
- Steam room kits for residential use range between a few hundred and thousands of dollars.
- Going to a steam room that is open to the public usually costs about $15 to $40 per session.
In the end both the sauna and the steam rooms provide similar wellbeing and relaxation advantages, however they do have some distinct distinctions. The saunas typically be more heated and have less humid levels which makes them more efficient in sweating out toxins from your body. However steam rooms are operated in lower temperatures as well as greater humidity levels, which is why they are better for people suffering from respiratory conditions. If you are deciding between these two options, think about your individual preferences, medical issues and budget. Talk to a medical professional for any questions or concerns.