Saunas: It’s all about wellness

by Sally Bouorm | January 1, 2010 2:24 pm

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By Keith Raisanen

Interest in saunas, at both the trade and consumer level, is as high as it has ever been. Although saunas have been around for thousands of years, in some circles, they are not considered a new fad. So what is creating this newfound buzz?

The recent increase in interest can be attributed to many factors, including improved designs and materials, increased popularity of infrared (IR) saunas and higher awareness of health benefits. Today’s consumers associate saunas with wellness—and this is driving the strong interest, even during tough recessionary times.

However, the increased interest all raises questions, such as where did saunas come from, where is sauna design and the industry today and where is the product category heading? Design changes have been dramatic in recent years making for an exciting time in the industry.

Evolution of sauna design

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The most ancient saunas were simple, underground earthen rooms with hot rocks heated by wood-burning fires. Underground saunas were replaced by smoke saunas (savu saunas in Finnish), simple log structures with massive amounts of rocks heated with a chimney-free wood-burning fire.

Smoke saunas evolved into wood-burning saunas, similar to those seen today at cottages throughout North America and Europe (e.g. free-standing outdoor saunas with modern chimneys and wood-burning stoves). Recent design changes include improved efficiency and aesthetic changes, such as glass windows in firebox doors, which gives the sauna a fireplace effect.

Indoor sauna design has several emerging trends. Long relegated to a corner of the basement, modern saunas are much more upscale and often moved upstairs into a bathroom suite or home workout area.

Traditional vs. infrared saunas

While the trend to more upscale design is evident, it must also be noted there is a simultaneous movement toward simple, portable, lower-priced saunas. The IR sauna category typically comes in at a lower price point (though IR saunas can also be fully loaded with upgrades), but simple plug-in traditional saunas are also gaining popularity.

Under the general category of ‘heat bathing,’ there are multiple sauna types:

Traditional Finnish sauna

A wood-lined room, typically with two bench levels, heated by a wood-burning stove or electric heater containing a mass of stones. This type is most often thought of when using the word ‘sauna.’ The typical temperature range for these systems is 65 to 82 C (149 to 180 F), but can be set lower or higher depending on how much steam the bather prefers. A traditional Finnish sauna is the only bath in the world where the user controls both temperature and humidity.

Wet or dry sauna

This terminology also typically refers to the traditional Finnish sauna. Most safety-listed sauna heaters are designed to be used wet or dry. ‘Wet’ refers to using the sauna the Finnish way, whereby water is sprinkled on heated rocks to create steam. This enhances the experience by increasing the humidity in the sauna room by 20 to 40 per cent, depending on the bather’s preference. ‘Dry’ simply refers to using the sauna without adding water to the rocks. When used in this manner, relative humidity can drop below 10 per cent.

IR sauna

Unlike the traditional sauna, an IR unit has no rocks and steam is not part of the experience. These units utilize IR heating systems comprised of multiple heaters positioned throughout the sauna room. They typically use ceramic or stainless steel heating tubes or carbon panel heating systems. IR waves are part of the invisible electromagnetic spectrum, measured in microns. IR is often subdivided into ‘near IR’ (0.076 to 1.5 microns), ‘mid IR’ (1.5 to 5.6 microns) and ‘far IR’ (5.6 to 1,000 microns). The general consensus on the optimal wavelength for maximum health benefits is between seven and 14 microns—sometimes referred to as the ‘vital range.’ A digital control panel is used to adjust the temperature in an IR sauna, but there is no humidity control.

Combination saunas

These units combine traditional and IR technology in one sauna. These systems are relatively new to the industry, but are gaining popularity, especially for families who like both sauna types, but do not want two separate units. Per Canadian and U.S. safety standards, the two heating systems can not be used at the same time; however, users can easily select the heating method they want via digital control.

Steambath

Sometimes called a Turkish bath, steambaths are not actually saunas. They are heated by steam that is introduced by a steambath generator located outside the room. Steambath interiors are constructed of waterproof materials, such as ceramic tile, stone, glass or acrylic. The temperature range is typically 43 to 49 C (109 to 120 F), with humidity levels of 100 per cent. Bathers can adjust the temperature via digital controls, however, humidity can not be controlled.

Modular vs. custom design

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All sauna types are available in modular form (prefabricated) or custom-built on-site (pre-cut or custom cut). Newer modular saunas have the same upgrade options as custom-built saunas and the appearance of each type can be equally luxurious.

Half of the traditional saunas sold are prefabricated, while the remaining half are custom-built models. IR sauna models have historically been 100 per cent prefabricated with a limited range of fixed models. However, recent IR product development includes custom capabilities where IR technology can be incorporated into custom-built units.

Indoor or outdoor

Though the majority of saunas sold are for indoor/residential use, outdoor saunas can be the perfect complement to a backyard pool. Outdoor saunas can be as simple as a two- or three-person unit with a roof kit, installed on a poolside deck. Some include change rooms, showers and toilets and can play a dual role of sauna and pool house. Many enthusiasts consider the ultimate sauna bathing experience is one that is followed by a cool swim. One advantage of having a poolside sauna is the ability to extend the pool season, as cool pool water, which is unheated in the spring and fall, is ideal for a post-sauna swim.

Choice of materials

There is a broad range of wood available for sauna construction. The materials selected are more so the homeowner’s preference rather than a performance issue. Typically, the interior walls and benches are constructed of softwood, while the exterior can consist of virtually any material. Western Red Cedar, Nordic White Spruce (with Abachi benches), Canadian Hemlock, European Alder and Aspen are all good choices to use in sauna interiors.

Some newer sauna designs use two wood types of contrasting colours to create a different look. For example, benches can be constructed of cedar combined with white-coloured Abachi to create a beautiful colour contrast, giving the interior a contemporary look.

Sauna benefits

Sauna use, and its link to health benefits, has been part of medical research for over 40 years, particularly the use of traditional models in Scandinavia and Germany.

A special issue of Annals of Clinical Research, which focuses on saunas, includes results from 18 different sauna studies and shows an increasing number of medical practitioners using sauna therapy with their patients.

The most commonly cited benefits of sauna bathing include:

1. Relaxing muscles;
2. Relieving aches, pains and stress;
3. Inducing a deeper sleep;
4. Flushing toxins from the body (detoxification);
5. Improving cardiovascular performance; and
6. Fighting illnesses (e.g. common flu and colds).

A heightened awareness to the medical benefits of saunas combined with upgrades in materials and accessories, such as lighting and sound systems, make the sauna a product that not only looks good, but is also functional.

TRENDS TAKE SAUNA SECTOR BY STORM

• The increasing use of glass, including full glass walls and large windows. • Discreet low-voltage lighting incorporated into valances or LED lights built into backrests. • Colour light therapy. • Audiovisual systems (e.g. CD/DVD players, waterproof iPod docks, in-sauna flat-screen monitors and marine-grade speakers). • Interior design upgrades, such as a full, middle platform that wraps around the heater, rather than a standard lower bench. • Programmable digital controls to replace older mechanical versions.

 

Keith Raisanen is president of Saunatec Inc., a Cokato, Minn.-based manufacturer of Finnleo, Helo and Amerec brand saunas, steambath products and infrared heat therapy rooms. He has been in the industry for 25 years. He can be reached via e-mail at kraisanen@saunatec.com[4].

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/saunas-its-all-about-wellness/

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