Infrared saunas have been gaining popularity ever since it was introduced as an in-home sauna unit. However, there are a lot of different types of saunas and in this article, we will look at most of them and their functions.

Traditional Saunas

The first saunas that came to existence came from Finland and they are mostly made inside caves or pits that served as refuge during winter. The idea is very simple, stones were heated to a very high temperature and water is thrown at them to produce steam. This will lead to a hot temperature that in turn makes you sweat.

Over the years, the heating method for saunas evolved to the point where we can now enjoy them at the comfort of our own home.

Infrared Saunas

Infrared saunas are the most popular when it comes to home sauna units. A lot of factors contribute to this but it is mostly due to the health benefits from infrared and the fact that they are not as expensive as other types of saunas.

Infrared saunas use light and heat to make your body sweat. Your body will warm up just like when you are sunbathing but without the danger of UV rays.

Portable Saunas

Portable saunas are exactly how they sound, saunas that you can bring with you anywhere. They are very popular due to their portability and most importantly, they are very budget friendly.

A lot of people that are unsure whether they want to purchase a full sauna unit start with portable saunas because they are not that expensive. You can enjoy all the benefits that you will get with full sauna kits with portable ones so there really is no cons to owning one.

Wet and Dry Saunas

If a sauna makes use of water as the agent to create steam, it is classified as a wet sauna and if it doesn’t, it’s a dry sauna.

That’s the only major difference between the two and the benefits are the same. Which one you will choose will depend entirely on your preference.

The main reason why you are thinking of buying an infrared sauna is the fact that it offers a lot of health benefits that can really improve your well-being. Here are the benefits that you will enjoy once you have your infrared sauna at home. For a complete guide on how to buy an infrared sauna, head on to Choicesaunas.com.

• Detoxification

Sweating while using an infrared sauna helps our body detoxify and get rid of hundreds of pollutants that we carry in our bodies everyday. All you have to do is sit inside the sauna and do what you like such as reading, listening to music or whatever and your body will be detoxified.

• Weight loss and Metabolism

One of the reasons why using the sauna can improve your metabolism and help you lose weight is that it raises your heart rate and this allows you to burn calories while relaxing. The increase in heart rate is similar to when you are exercising.

• Anti-aging

One of the effects of far infrared is apparent in your skin. It increases the production of collagen and elastin, both of which are essential in maintaining a glowing and healthy skin.

• Rest and Relaxation

If you just want to relax at home after work, there’s no other perfect way to do so than using a sauna. It helps the brain release the “feel good” or happy neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin.

• Muscle Soothing

Lastly, one of the best ways to relieve aches and pain in your muscles is via an infrared sauna. Infrared heat penetrates the body and it affects the muscles, increasing the flow of nutrients such as amino acids, glucose and oxygen. This allows your muscles to relax and relieve you of your pain.

 

If you are thinking of buying a sauna, you already know that it is a luxury that can be very expensive and that you should treat it as an investment that can have a lot of benefits for your health.

An infrared sauna is not something that you buy on a whim, you need to take a lot of factors into consideration when you buy one because it’s quite expensive and if you happen to buy the wrong one, it can be a huge pain to deal with.

Having said all of that, here are the different factors that we consider to be very important.

Wood Quality

Good quality wood is a must when you buy an infrared sauna. Quality wood and construction means that the unit has good insulation, efficiency and durability. This will become more and more important the longer you use the unit.

The Brand

A good sauna manufacturer have been and will be in business for a long time. A lot of manufacturers usually fold within 5-10 years of starting and this means that if you buy from them, the warranty will no longer be honored and if you end up with a unit that needs to be repaired or replaced, you’re out of luck.

A good brand should be on top of your list when shopping for a sauna even if they are more expensive because nothing beats having peace of mind while enjoying your sauna, knowing that if you ever have problems with the unit, the company will be there to honor their warranty.

Warranty

The length of the warranty is not as important as what’s covered in it. A lifetime warranty will be useless if, first, the manufacturer folds or, second, if the warranty does not cover the essential parts of the sauna such as the wiring, the heaters and the wood.

A short warranty such as 5 years can be more valuable if it covers the important and expensive parts.

The Heater

The heaters should be efficient so that it can penetrate the body faster and you will feel the benefits of the sauna.

If the heater is not efficient, then you might as well not be using an infrared sauna because you won’t enjoy the benefits.

Another thing that you should consider is the EMF levels. EMF stands for electromagnetic fields. Anything below 3.0mG is considered safe as per the standards set.

Lastly,

Capacity and Design

Are you going to use the sauna by yourself? Or do you need 3 person saunas so that you can enjoy it with family or friends?

This will depend on who and how many will be using the sauna. It’s entirely up to you. Also, the design depends on your preference as well.

Well, that’s all the factors that you need to consider if you are thinking of buying an infrared sauna. You should do your research before buying one and you shouldn’t buy one on impulse because even if they all look alike, the small differences in design and/or functionality can make a very big difference.