If you belong to a modern gym, chances are you’ve used or at least heard about infrared saunas. In recent decades, they’ve enjoyed a surge in popularity over traditional saunas. Many upscale homeowners are even installing them for personal use in their private home gyms and spas.
What is Infrared?
Infrared radiation (sometimes referred to as IR) is emitted by nearly everything around us, even our own bodies, although it’s released at different levels depending on the source. Infrared heaters make use of a special type of infrared radiation called far infrared (FIR). Newborn babies are warmed by IR incubators in hospitals, and today’s infrared saunas garner their energy sources from this far infrared technology.
How are Infrared Saunas Different than Traditional Saunas?
Back when the earliest saunas were introduced, they used primitive methods of heating rocks and stones in an enclosed, wood-lined room. Water poured on the hot rocks generated steam, which warmed the air and, in turn, the bodies of the people inside the room. Later versions of these “rock saunas,” also known as “Finnish saunas,” began to use more advanced methods of heating the stones, such as wood burning stoves or electric heaters. Electrically heated saunas are the most common variation today, although they still rely on rocks and stones as a “middle man” to convey heat to the air first, and then to the body. In a traditional rock sauna, temperatures are escalated to anywhere from 169F to 200F to induce sweating. Rock sauna sessions are often followed by cool-downs in a pool or chilly shower.
At first glance, infrared saunas may look very similar to rock saunas, as they are usually contained in a small wooden room or enclosure to simulate the feel of a traditional sauna. However, with an infrared heated sauna, a special infrared heater is used to convey far infrared heat waves directly to the body through a process called conversion, where traditional saunas heat the air first. Infrared home saunas don’t need to generate the same high temperatures as rock saunas, usually topping out at 130F. Due to their lower temperatures, infrared saunas can be used for longer sessions than traditional saunas.
Traditional vs. Infrared Saunas: At a Glance
Traditional saunas use hot water and rocks to generate steam, which warms the ambient air before warming the body. They heat only the surface of the body while generating temperatures up to 200F. A hot rock sauna generally requires a large space or dedicated room and a large amount of energy to power the heaters. If not maintained properly, they can pose a hazardous bacterial breeding ground.
Infrared home saunas use special far infrared heaters to penetrate directly into the body, without the use of steam. The far infrared rays penetrate up to 1.5 inches into the body, heating the core as well as the surface of the body at much lower temperatures (up to 130F). FIR saunas can be used in smaller, more portable freestanding enclosures, making home installations easier and less expensive. Another plus is that infrared or FIR saunas operate at a much more cost-effective rate, costing only pennies per hour in energy consumption. They are generally more hygienic and sanitary.
Are Infrared Home Saunas Safe?
There has been no research to show that saunas using infrared heaters are unsafe. Indeed, the radiant energy produced from an infrared heated sauna is even safer than the heat generated by the sun, as it contains none of the potentially harmful ultraviolet rays.
Health Benefits of FIR Saunas
In today’s hectic, fast-paced environment, infrared saunas provide a safe, effective way to relax and unwind after a long, hard day. Besides the obvious stress-busting advantages, FIR saunas have been linked to a wide range of health benefits to increase our overall well-being:
The heat from infrared saunas penetrates deep into the body, helping to loosen the toxins that are then emitted from the body through sweating
Infrared heat has been effectively used as therapeutic treatment for arthritis, joint stiffness, back pain, and deep tissue injuries
They have been linked to improved circulation, which promotes a healthy heart and overall improved fitness levels
Infrared personal saunas are much more cost-effective to operate than traditional saunas, costing just pennies an hour
They have been linked to accelerated weight loss, burning up to 1,000 calories an hour
Saunas using far infrared heaters are preferred by many athletes as a way of aiding in muscle recovery after strenuous workouts
Home infrared saunas are the most popular saunas sold today. Infrared electromagnetic waves are entirely safe and provide great health benefits with virtually no side effects.