"Steam Rooms Are Not Hot Enough". "My Gym Sauna Is Hotter at 180 F". "110-120 Fahrenheit is Not Hot Enough"
These are all things that we have heard over and over and there are some huge misconceptions that we want to clear up about steam rooms vs. saunas (wet heat vs. dry heat) and why steam rooms world-wide are kept between 110-120 Fahrenheit.
Many people think that 120 Fahrenheit is not hot enough "compared to their gym sauna". This is simply not true. Gym saunas are typically dry saunas, which are a completely different type of spa.
Firstly, Temperature: Although steam rooms are kept at a lower temperature than dry saunas (120 vs 180 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively), the hot wet air makes it seem much hotter and as a result, you can spend much less time in a steam room. You will find yourself sweating much faster in a wet steam room and generally this is easier on the body as well. Most users only last a maximum of 10 minutes in our Signature Steam Spa.
While entering a 180 degrees Fahrenheit dry sauna is ok, entering a steam room at 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius) would be extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening. The human body is not designed to withstand such high, wet temperatures, especially in a humid environment like a steam room.
Here are some of the potential consequences of entering a steam room at 180 degrees Fahrenheit:
Burns: The high temperature in the steam room could cause burns to the skin or respiratory system, especially if the person stays in the room for an extended period. You would not be able to breathe in a steam room kept at 180 Fahrenheit. Gym saunas around the world that get to this temperature are dry saunas. Do not confuse this!
Heat exhaustion: The body's core temperature would rapidly rise, and the person may experience symptoms of heat exhaustion, such as nausea, dizziness, weakness, and headache.
Dehydration: The high temperature and humidity would cause the body to lose fluids quickly, leading to dehydration. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including dry mouth, thirst, and dark urine.
Heat stroke: If the body's core temperature continues to rise, the person may experience heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. Symptoms of heat stroke include confusion, rapid heartbeat, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
It's important to note that steam rooms typically operate at lower temperatures, usually between 100 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit (38-49 degrees Celsius). These temperatures are safer and can provide health benefits when used correctly. However, it's crucial to always follow the recommended guidelines for steam room use and to consult with a healthcare professional before using a steam room, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions.
In all, while you think your gym sauna gets "much hotter" than 120 Fahrenheit and that this temperature is not hot enough for you, there is a good reason why steam rooms around the world, including our Signature Steam Spa are maxed out at this temperature. You will find that while you can last upwards of 30+ minutes of 180 degrees in dry heat, you will only be able to last 10 minutes in 120 degrees of wet steam heat. There is also many other benefits of wet saunas over dry saunas that you can read more about here.
Happy sauna-ing!
