Traditional Sauna or Infrared Sauna - Which is Best?
We need to settle this once and for all: the clash of the century — the mighty Traditional Sauna versus the flashy new Infrared Sauna. On one side, you've got the old, dependable, steam-churning behemoth that’s been helping us humans sweat for centuries. On the other, there’s this glitzy, futuristic contraption that promises all the heat with none of the steam. So, let’s dive into this heated debate.
Round One: The Heat
Traditional saunas are like an angry Viking encampment. They crank the heat up to 90°C you sit there, drenched, panting, and wondering if you’ve accidentally stumbled into the pits of Hades. But, my word, you come out feeling like you’ve just survived an epic quest. With traditional saunas, there’s the heat and that glorious steam and it doesn’t half make you feel great after.
Then you’ve got the Infrared Sauna. Now, these things are slick, silent, and claim to “heat you from the inside out” using, well, infrared light. No scorching air, no lung-singeing steam. It’s like being out in the sun abroad. Instead of feeling like you’re being slow-roasted over coals, you feel more like a potato being politely baked in a rather mild oven which is rather cosy, yes and if you have trouble breathing in the sauna, as I do, then this might suit you better.
Round Two: The Health Claims
Both saunas can claim they’ll turn you into a new person. Traditional saunas? They’re all about the heart-thumping, sweat-drenched release. It’s said to boost circulation, improve endurance, and work out every ounce of moisture your body’s ever had. Finish a traditional sauna, and you’ll swear you’ve just conquered Everest with nothing but a towel.
But Infrared saunas? They’re whispering sweet nothings about “detoxification,” “muscle recovery,” and “anti-aging.” If this is true, you’ll leave looking like a younger, shinier version of yourself, without even breaking a sweat.
Round Three: The Set-Up
Here’s the thing: building a traditional sauna is a full-on, wood-lined commitment. It’s got to be thick enough to hold the heat, there’s the rocks, the bucket of water, and it usually smells like a Swedish lumberjack took up residence. Meanwhile, an Infrared Sauna just needs a plug. Yes, you heard that right. You plug it in, like a toaster or one of those plug-in air fresheners. Not very Scandinavian, is it? But then again not everyone wants a Volvo.
The Verdict
So, which one’s the winner? Well, it depends on whether you want to feel like an old-school Viking or a gently warmed dinner roll. The traditional sauna is a classic, like a roaring V8 that bellows and shouts, while the infrared is more of a smooth hybrid — effective, efficient with the promise it will knock years off you.
