Im just wondering how many of you have been in a sauna, or do you know what a sauna even is? I have ofcourse been and go there every saturday, but what a about you? It would be intresting to hear your opinion of sauna.

I havent been in a sauna, but I have been in a hot spring. It was around 45 degress celsius, It was fun.

About once a week for the whole of my life.

Yeh, the mother of a close friend of mine owns the gym where I work out meaning I can spend some extra time there with my friend after it's closed. They have a little sauna build in, it's not that bad to sweat the nastyness out of your body now and then.

As for a public sauna with lots of nekkid old men, no.

My dad actually built a wood stove-heated one a few years back so now whenever I visit him we fire it up to about 180 degrees Fahrenheit and get in there. Yes, naked. Then we pour water all over the stove to steam it up and really get sweating, and take turns going out and dunking in a stock tank full of ice cold water. :D Saunas are awesome.

'Billy, have you ever seen a grown man naked?'

Saunas are fantastic devices that are regularly used in addition to exercise for weight-loss and aid in the clearing of acne and blackheads in the skins because you're sweating so goddamn much your pores can't keep the dirty shit in there ^^

Yeah trust me, they're awesome. Need to do it on a regular basis to see weight-loss effects, and normally you should only be in a sauna for around 20-30 minutes at a time, but they are very relaxing. Don't fall asleep ^_^

Dont they only affect weight-loss by dehydration?

sammyfreak:
Dont they only affect weight-loss by dehydration?

No, theres many, many more benefits you can get from sauna. Like, your sperms quality gets better ^^.
E: Seriously.

Cool, relaxation and placebo are powerful things when mixed.

Any weight-loss theory is bullshit. When having a sauna, keep yourself hydrated.

Finland almost certainly has the most saunas per capita and we're also the second fattest, right after you guys. There may be some slight health benefits, but the number one reason for having a sauna is that it's relaxing as hell.

I've been in once a long while ago and didn't really enjoy it. I like my coldness (which is strange for being an Australian). But hearing that it clears pimples and makes your sperm better has made me think otherwise bout them. Might try it again.

If it makes our sperm better, how come we have such a low birth-rate? :p

PurpleRain, it's unlikely you got to try a proper sauna. Even if you did, I expect it takes some getting used to like all the good things in life (except chocolate). p1ne had the right idea. 180F is not overblown at all.

I thought cold temperatures make your sperm better. Then again, I am basing this off an episode of King of the Hill where Hank had a low sperm count and he had to wear shorts and sit on a cooler.

Anywho, I like saunas, but I've only been in public ones. And only about 2 or 3 times in my life.

I go every other day or so, after an indoor workout. And while i don't know about weight loss; it's definitely good for the skin and relaxes tense muscles after a workout.

My friend has one in her basement that I go in sometimes. I don't like public ones though, as they seem to always be home to the hairiest old men conceivable.

brkl:

Finland almost certainly has the most saunas per capita and we're also the second fattest,

That'll be all the alcohol. Never met a Finn who wasn't a massive drinker.

Saunas are good for you though. Good for circulation, and good for helping resistance against some viruses and bacteria which breed more slowly at higher body temperatures.

Ugh. I can't stand the heat. Seriously, if it hits 30 degrees I'm a puddle of melting flesh, squealing to whatever Gods happen to be pretending to exist for mercy.

I like the cold. Give me my -20 winters any day. Heck, -20 is still 't-shirts and shorts' weather to me. The very very low end of it, granted, but nice weather none the less.

It was not a very good sauna.

But I would like to try a better sauna in the future. I like heat...and relaxing...

Mmmm.... steamy toastness ideal for streching and yoga....
Necromancerius Strikes again!

one time I was over weight for a wrestling match that was the next day so I somehow managed to lose 10 pounds in 12 hours. This involved running ten miles to my friends house waring every article of warm clothing I owned and then working out in my friend sauna until about 12 at night then running home. the next day I made weight, was 1% body fat, severally dehydrated, and won my match

this was not exaggerated at all

Mmmm. Saunas - I'm part Swedish, so am familiar with them from family tales, though we are lacking proper ones in the US.

In the sense that relaxation and de-stressing can help weight loss in a variety of health-improving ways (lower cortisol, more restful sleep), saunas can help weight loss. But yes, hydration very important with saunas, and really, for weight loss in general. The water you consume allows your body to process more waste through the kidneys, freeing up your liver to more efficiently metabolize the fats you consume.

Um, I'm gonna go have a glass of water.

I've been in one before. It was nice, but I don't think I'll go back anytime soon.

Tried it. Prefer jacuzzis. While a sauna is nice, especially in the wintertime when there's glass doors and you can see all the cold motherfuckers outside, I'm just not that attached to the activity of sweating. Rather hate it, in fact. A jacuzzi with bubble jets I can set to jackhammer strength is like a sauna without the sweating and a continual massage included as a bonus. This is the most relaxing thing.

I've been rather interested in trying a sensory deprivation chamber, though. Any of you nerds live in Toronto and willing to brave some serious me time with me? :p

Saunas aren't too bad. I don't go in them all the time, but every so often is nice.

Random sauna story:

At one of the skydiving clubs my family frequents the pilot light for the gas heater went out so someone tried to light it with a cigarette lighter. It sort of blew up in his face and pushed him back. Anyway, my dad and one of his mates drew the outline of a body on the floor and used silicon to glue a lighter where the hand was. The funny thing was, the lighter glued to the ground still worked so when their own lighters ran out of fuel, they'd go into the sauna and bend down and use it to light up.

Andraste:
In the sense that relaxation and de-stressing can help weight loss in a variety of health-improving ways (lower cortisol, more restful sleep), saunas can help weight loss. But yes, hydration very important with saunas, and really, for weight loss in general. The water you consume allows your body to process more waste through the kidneys, freeing up your liver to more efficiently metabolize the fats you consume.

Um, I'm gonna go have a glass of water.

I think I will too.

I probably wouldn't specifically choose to go into one, but all the same they aren't too bad, a lot better than I was expecting, considering the searing heats.

Do you guys like films about gladiators?