With the new year comes renewed determination to get fitter and healthier but did you know that incorporating regular sauna bathing sessions as part of your new healthy regime can have serious performance and recovery benefits?

In this post, we will take a look at some of the benefits of using a sauna for athletes (or indeed anyone taking regular exercise). We will also discuss different types of saunas, how to use a sauna during exercise, and tips for getting the most out of a sauna.
Introduction to Saunas for Athletes
Saunas have been used for relaxation and to aid in the healing of muscle soreness and stiffness for centuries and are popular in many different cultures around the world.
The temperature in a sauna can range from 60 to 90 degrees Celsius, depending on the type of sauna, and this heat helps to increase blood flow, relax muscles and improve circulation which helps to improve athletic performance.
In addition to the physical benefits of using a sauna, there are psychological benefits as well. Studies have shown that spending time in a sauna can help to reduce stress and anxiety, which in turn can improve focus and concentration during workouts. Better focus produces better results!

How Saunas Can Help with Stress Relief

It's well documented that spending time in a sauna can help to reduce stress and anxiety, which should be fairly noticeable to any regular sauna users. By relaxing both body and mind, sauna sessions soothe stress and improve your mental clarity.

What's more, sauna bathing can also help to improve sleep quality by promoting a deeper, more restful sleep. Naturally better sleep leads to better results in all areas of daily life, whether at work or play.
How Saunas Can Improve Cardiovascular Endurance
This is one of the primary reasons saunas are so popular among professional athletes and can be commonly found at gyms and health clubs. Using a sauna can help to improve cardiovascular endurance in several ways. Firstly, that heat-induced increased blood flow leads to increased heart rate, which pushes your heart to bolster its endurance.
What's more the release of hormones help to increase energy levels and improve stamina whilst the heat in a sauna helps to increase the production of endorphins. These endorphins help to reduce fatigue which also improves endurance.
How to Use a Sauna During Exercise
When using a sauna during exercise, it is important to stay hydrated and take regular breaks. Understandably the heat in a sauna can cause dehydration, so it is important to drink plenty of water before, during, and after using a sauna.
It is also important to take regular breaks from the sauna to cool down and allow the body to recover. These breaks form part of the traditional Nordic/Baltic sauna ritual, following stints within the heat with short bursts of cold such as by jumping into icy water or taking a cold shower.
Most gym users will consider a sauna session at the end of a workout, for the recovery benefits, but it can be just as useful taking a sauna before a vigorous exercise session and if you can, do it before, during and after!
Different Types of Saunas
There are many different types of saunas available, including traditional wood-fired saunas, infrared saunas, smoke saunas and outdoor saunas.
Traditional saunas are usually made of wood and are heated by a stove or heater whilst infrared saunas use infrared light to generate heat. The steam generated by a traditional sauna stove tends to offer a more authentic sauna experience but infrared saunas can be suitable for those with a more limited budget.
Garden saunas are a great option for athletes who want to enjoy the benefits of a sauna without having to go to a gym or spa. Wildhut’s range of luxury outdoor saunas are perfect for anyone looking to improve their athletic performance and come with a variety of optional features including wi-fi connected adjustable temperature control, outdoor rainforest shower and your choice of wood-burning or electric stove. Find out more about the Wildhut range of luxury outdoor saunas today.

Popularity of Home Saunas in Europe

The popularity of home saunas has been on the rise in Europe in recent years, with many people investing in outdoor saunas for their homes for many of the reasons given above. In Finland, the birthplace of the sauna, pretty much every home has access to a sauna and they are seen as an essential part of everyday life rather than a luxury. In Estonia, sauna use is also deeply ingrained in the culture, with many households having a traditional smoke sauna in their garden.

 

In other parts of Europe however, the trend of outdoor home saunas is also gaining momentum. In the UK, for example, outdoor saunas are becoming more popular as people seek ways to improve their physical and mental health while enjoying the great outdoors. There has been a phenomenal growth in the number of outdoor saunas for public use on beaches and in parks across the country, encouraging people to experience outdoor sauna cabins for themselves, either communally or in private. This has in turn given more people a taste of the outdoor sauna experience and prompted increased enquiries for saunas for the home.

 

In fact statistics have shown that Europe has the fastest growing home sauna market in the world, despite being its birthplace! Though Finland, Estonia and other parts of the Nordics are saturated with saunas, western and southern Europe has shown huge appetite for more at home sauna bathing!

 

What's Driving the Growth of the Home Sauna Boom?

There are several factors influencing the growing demand for home saunas in Europe and beyond, including:

  1. Increased Awareness of the Health Benefits: With more research being conducted on the benefits of sauna use, people are becoming more aware of the positive impact it can have on their health.

  2. Shift Toward Wellness: As more people focus on their health and wellbeing, the demand for products that promote relaxation and self-care is increasing.

  3. Desire for Outdoor Living Spaces: With the pandemic shifting people's priorities toward outdoor living spaces, home saunas have become a popular addition to gardens and outdoor spaces.

  4. Wider Enjoyment of Sauna Culture: Scandi Noir and the Danish concept of Hygge are two recent trends from the Nordics that show no sign of slowing down and embracing sauna culture looks to be the latest to be embraced.

The Future of Wellness: How Home Saunas Will Continue to Shape the Industry

The Year of the Sauna is a celebration of the cultural significance and health benefits of sauna use. As more people prioritise their health and wellness, the popularity of home saunas is only expected to grow yet further.

Whether it's embracing home sauna use to improve athletic performance or wanting to get closer to friends and loved ones by hosting your own garden sauna sessions, it's not hard to see why everybody's talking about saunas right now!

 

Investing in a luxury outdoor sauna is a smart choice for those seeking relaxation, detoxification and social connection. As the sauna industry continues to innovate and evolve, we're excited to see what new trends emerge and how home saunas will continue to shape the future of wellness. What's more you can be sure Wildhut will be celebrating the Year of the Sauna all year long and beyond!