Let’s talk about saunas. You’ve probably heard about traditional saunas and infrared saunas, but what’s the difference? More importantly, how do you choose which one is right for you?
A traditional sauna heats the air around you, usually using a wood stove or electric heater, to create a hot environment. It’s the classic experience—think of the heat that surrounds you, making you sweat deeply. You can also pour water on hot stones to create steam, or löyly as it’s traditionally called. That steam fills the room, intensifying the heat and creating a more immersive, almost meditative experience.
Infrared saunas, on the other hand, don’t heat the air. Instead, they use infrared light to heat your body directly. The experience is milder—less intense heat, and there’s no steam. Some people like it because the temperatures are lower, and you still sweat, but it’s a different feeling. Instead of surrounding your body with heat, it’s like the warmth is coming from within.
So, what’s the real difference? It comes down to what kind of experience you’re after.
The Power of Steam: Why Traditional Saunas Stand Apart
Now, let’s get into why steam is so important in a sauna session. You see, in a traditional sauna, the ability to pour water on the hot stones to create steam is what makes the experience unique. That steam not only makes the air feel hotter but also opens up your pores, helps with detoxification, and adds a layer of relaxation that’s hard to describe until you’ve felt it yourself.
Steam, or löyly, is like the soul of the sauna. It fills the room with a dense heat that envelopes your body, making every breath feel purposeful. This is something that infrared saunas just can’t offer. Without steam, the experience becomes more one-dimensional—it’s warm, sure, but it lacks the depth that a traditional sauna brings.
There’s a reason why, for centuries, people have used traditional saunas to not only relax but also cleanse their bodies and minds. The ritual of adding steam, of sitting in that intense heat, connects you to something ancient and deeply calming. It’s not just about sweating—it’s about how the heat moves through you, how the steam opens you up physically and mentally.
Why We Lean Toward Traditional Saunas
While infrared saunas have their place, especially if you prefer a less intense session, there’s something irreplaceable about the traditional sauna experience. The steam, the intense heat—it’s all part of a time-honored practice that helps you unwind, detoxify, and reconnect with yourself.
In an infrared sauna, you miss out on that essential element of steam. You lose the ritual, the connection to something older and deeper. That’s why, for many, a traditional sauna is more than just a way to sweat—it’s a complete experience. It’s about being fully immersed in the heat, allowing the steam to do its work, and walking out feeling rejuvenated in a way that infrared saunas can’t quite replicate.
So, whether you’re looking for a lighter, warmer experience or the full, enveloping heat of a traditional sauna, it’s important to know what you value most in your sauna sessions. For those who seek the full effect, including the benefits that come from steam, a traditional sauna is hard to beat.