Steam vs. Infrared Sauna: What’s Better for Your Health?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 มิ.ย. 2024
- Sauna bathing is an ancient practice that dates back thousands of years. The traditional steam sauna has been a part of Finnish culture for at least 2,000 years, and possibly even longer. Infrared saunas, on the other hand, are a relatively modern innovation that have been around for several decades and started gaining popularity in the United States in the 1980s and 90s.
While sauna bathing has several scientifically-proven health benefits, sauna enthusiasts often debate whether traditional steam saunas or infrared saunas are more effective.
I’m a huge fan of intentional heat exposure and own both a full-spectrum infrared sauna and a steam sauna, so I figured it was time to compare both sauna types side by side based on scientific evidence and my hands-on experience.
If you’re looking to add a sauna to your home but are undecided about whether a steam or infrared sauna is best, watch this video so you can make an informed decision.
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Sunlighten Solo Infrared Sauna
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Sunlighten mPulse Infrared Sauna
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Sun Home Saunas Infrared Sauna Blanket
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[Chapter Markers]
0:00 - Intro
1:06 - What Is Sauna Bathing? (How It Works)
3:48 - Infrared Sauna vs. Steam Sauna: Health Benefits
5:31 - Benefit #1: Improves Cardiovascular Health
7:32 - Benefit #2: Speeds Up Recovery
9:11 - Benefit #3: Promotes Healthier Skin
10:18 - Benefit #4: Boosts Your Immune System
11:43 - Benefit #5: Improves Your Respiratory Health
12:41 - Benefit #6: Enables Healthy Hormone Production
14:13 - Benefit #7: Promotes Weight Loss
15:36 - Benefit #8: Relieves Stress and Tension
16:30 - Things to Consider When Choosing Your Sauna
20:22 - EMF Exposure
21:12 - Off-Gassing
21:39 - Emissivity
22:18 - My Closing Thoughts
[Links]
- 11 Infrared Sauna Benefits: michaelkummer.com/health/infr...
- Steam Sauna vs. Infrared Sauna Blog Post: michaelkummer.com/health/stea...
- Sunlighten mPulse Infrared Sauna Review Video: • Sunlighten mPulse Beli...
- Sunlighten mPulse Infrared Sauna Review Blog Post: michaelkummer.com/health/sunl...
- Sunlighten Solo Infrared Sauna Review: michaelkummer.com/health/sunl...
- Redwood Outdoors Steam Sauna Review Video:
• Redwood Outdoors Panor...
- Redwood Outdoors Steam Sauna Review Blog Post:
michaelkummer.com/health/ther...
- Benefits of Using Sauna and Ice Bath Together: michaelkummer.com/health/ice-...
- Red Light Therapy Benefits: michaelkummer.com/health/red-...
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While that doesn't change my editorial integrity, it helps make this channel happen. If you’d like to support me, please use my affiliate links or discount code.
[Medical Disclaimer]
The information shared on this video is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dietitians (which I am not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan, or overall health.
#InfraredSauna #SteamSauna #Biohacking
Check out the description for discount codes you can use to purchase any of the saunas mentioned in this video.
Amazing informative presentation... Awesome work @Michael K.!!!
Thanks, I appreciate it!
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!!!!
You are so welcome!
Brilliant video. I have been regularly using both dry and IFR saunas for about a decade now. Dry sauna is better for relaxation, overall mood, and moderately good for a host of other things. Nothing compares to my small IFR sauna though. I sweat about 4x as much in an IFR sauna after 35 minutes than in a dry sauna and feel AMAZING after. Key point: Always cold plunge/cold shower after, makes it even more beneficial.
Thanks for sharing!
Which sauna did you buy?
@@robinschroth7413 infrared.
I’ve heard about taking a cold shower after a sauna session, will skin pores open then and then cold water can come in body and make you ill?
@@feiwong70 No, the skin does not let water through. So cold water after a sauna will not make you ill.
Great breakdown Michael! Nice job
Appreciate it!
Thanks so much sir, this helped me a lot! I love the Sunlight inferred sauna as well and I was blessed to know that the EMF is low with this type. Thanks 🎉
You're most welcome!
Love the video! The only suggestion I would request is to add actual case studies. This would give us nerds that like statistical breakdowns, a better apple-to-apple comparison.
Great point!
I cannot thank you enough, this was so helpful.
You're very welcome!
Sunlight I don't like companies/websites that don't list prices for their products, have to send email or call to get super high pricing
well done. thanks for this video, it has helped me to make a decision.
Glad I could help! What type of sauna did you decide on?
Absolutely love your video and comparison information….. I love sauna and steam .. steam for my hair and sauna for my cardiovascular system .. I in total spend 3hours 1steam 2sauna I have ice water and have cold showers also I sit at the lowest point .. the heat therapy helps my osteoarthritis triggered by a fall onto my knees during a sporting event … I have read that the steam has an advantage re immune health as it increases white blood cells hence why soo many with viruses migrate into the steam rooms more 🤷🏽♀️
Thanks so much for the feedback, I really appreciate it!
Thank you 👍🏼
No problem 👍
Hi! Thank you for the video! How often do you do each type of sauna?
I don’t have a fixed schedule but have been using the IR sauna more often lately than the wet sauna.
Been using my Infared Sauna for a few years. Top temp is only 158 deg. I stay in for 30 min hoping to get the benifits you describe. My Clearlight heaters are all above my shoulders while sitting, so EMF is NOT directly into the head.
Thank you for the great content! I see your IR sauna has a cover on it. Is it an "indoor" model that you're protecting from the elements with the cover or an "outdoor" model and you're just doubling up weather protection?
I've seen indoor models with features I like but I'm interested in placing it next to my house where it would be exposed to rain. Suggestions?
It's an outdoor model, but Sunlighten has the speakers and amps under the ceiling, so you need a cover. If you have an overhang or porch, you don't need the slip-on cover, but ours is in the open.
Thank you!
This video is great! I love my IRS and it’s nice to hear this since it motivates me to use it more! In your opinion, how many times a week and how long should the sessions be to see the benefits discussed?
You'll get most benefits from 57+ minutes per week (or 2x 30 mins). But some studies show that the more often you use it, the more benefits you get (as far as longevity is concerned). So I try to use it 3-4x per week.
What are your feeling about the Radiant Health Elite Series? Thank you for your informed deduction on Stream vs Infrared Sauna. I am looking to punch a Infrared Sauna in January.
I don't have any hands-on experience with that brand and couldn't find any test reports of their EMF/VOC claims on their webpage or mention of their heaters' emissivity.
Thank you for your reply.
I have a 3x3 tent with a 4l steamer gets up to 120f in the tent
Nice mine says 140 f but I don't know if I believe it wish I had a thermometer
21:51: what's this one called, where you're lying down and it's like a long shell? It looks more relaxing than the ones where you sit.
That's the Sunlighten Solo - see michaelkummer.com/health/sunlighten-solo-review/
@@MichaelKummer Thank you!
Great video , whats a good temp. For health results, i like it up to 140 degrees
As hot as you can handle or as hot as you can get the sauna. For me that’s 150F (IR) and 215F (wet).
@@MichaelKummer thank you that definitely helped me I can go a Lil hotter for sure
What do you think of costco's traditional (not infrared) saunas ? Based off your video the infrared saunas they have aren't as great as say, clearlight or sunlighten, but how do their traditional with electric heater models compare ?
Thanks
I haven't looked into those but would recommend to ask for test reports to make sure they don't off-gas (VOCs...). Most of their models are cheap imports from China and they contain toxic glues and stains that off-gas.
@@MichaelKummer Appreciate the reply. That's good to know and yea that's not desirable. Opposite of good health.
(Would be nice if Costco's models were of good quality).
Do you know where else to look ? Any brand recommendations?
Thanks again.
@@jakec5618 Redwood Outdoors has good wet saunas as well as Plunge. See th-cam.com/video/HwVAq3VcygI/w-d-xo.html
Costco’s steam saunas are Almost Heaven that are made in the U.S.?
@@MichaelKummer Will check it out, appreciate it.
Why not use an oral thermometer to check core temp and heat stress?
Because my heart rate tells me everything I need to know :)
What is your opinion about health club steam rooms and dry saunas? Would you be more likely to get sick from someone in the room via breathing?
Heat kills most pathogens so as long as the steam room or sauna is hot enough, there isn't a high probability of getting sick.
You are more likely to get sick. When someone is sick opens that door, coughs or sneezes in or near a steam sauna, those pathogens will get carried into the air more efficiently and you can get sick. Also, hot air doesn’t necessarily kill pathogens.
The potential problem with public steam and saunas is cleanliness. There’s nothing worse than a stinky steam/sauna where dozens of people have sweated and no one cleaned it. That’s why a home unit is preferable. That is if your public sauna is dirty.
@@IcelanderUSer If they're hot enough, the heat kills all germs. So I wouldn't be too concerned about germs in public saunas.
@@IcelanderUSer That's why I have always had saunas at home, that way I don't have to deal with other people and also their germs. LOL
9 kilowatts costs $4.50 an hour in California during the day. My Costco sauna is not cheap, but it’s probably quite a bit cheaper than yours. Have you tried a Costco sauna?
4.50 for 9 KW! Crazy. 1.50 for me….wow
Liberals alway make things hard.
That if a ruff situation buddy.
Which sauna did you buy from Costco?😊
@@robinschroth7413 I purchased a 3 person FIR sauna about 10 years ago, If I recall it cost around $1200. I use it every evening for an hour.
I’m thinking of trying the Costco route. The Dynamic Gracia 1-2 person looks good. If I have an issue, I think can haul it into Costco and get a refund without spending a fortune on shipping which would be a huge benefit.
What about the Almost Heaven steam sauna from Costco?
Looks pretty good on paper!
so did you mention the difference between dry and wet saunas? Also, I build my sauna myself and used propane as the heat source and I love it. I think you should comment on these items. Cause I think you left them out.
I have a video coming up that compares those. If you subscribe, you'll get notified when it airs. Probably in the next two weeks.
Which one is better for mold and metal toxins? Do you happen to know?
Either one will do the trick.
steam conducts the heat instead of direct ir radiation. Not sure about the depth of penetration thing, but I know traditional Steam does it for me, the IR not so much. Those plug it in the wall jobbies have to be inferior... I'll go with picnic table construction outside with a 220V 50A service.. for a 3 per.. different strokes.. Looking into an ice shower,, 3 gals per minute, so a 30/40 gallon buffer would be ideal. The recycle rate for 40F water is the question.
how did infrared get a rating for respiratory? 4:45 sort of answered at 12:35
What about emf for infrared?
Pick a model that has low/no EMFs, such as the Sunlighten sauna we have. Ask for test reports, if in doubt. See michaelkummer.com/health/infrared-sauna-buying-guide/ for details on how I purchase IR saunas.
What about a propane boiler steam sauna? Is this a thing?
Never heard of that.
I can't understand why more studies around infrared sauna benefits haven't been done... I would buy one, if there were studies to support HGH/Cardiovascular/Stress benefits for infrared.
I don't know why there aren't more studies done other than the general acceptance that heat stress from IR is the same as heat stress from hot air. But you can conduct those tests yourself. Just find a local gym that has an IR sauna and use a chest strap to measure your heart rate during the sauna session. You could even get a HGH test done after sauna bathing via Quest or Labcorp. Not that I think about it, I might just do that.
Here's my take on it, I have had two houses with steam saunas but in my current house I have an infrared sauna and honestly I don't like it that much. I am about to build a steam sauna again. Whenever I used my steam saunas I just always came out really invigorated and felt great. I will just have my steam sauna next to my infrared. LOL. I used to have a steam shower too at one house and going to build another one again.
I just want to know which one will make you sweat more.
That depends. Do you consider the water that accumulates on your skin from the humid air and steam part of sweating? If so, the steam sauna adds more water to your skin. But if you're only concerned about the sweat that exists your body, either sauna will do the trick.
Humidity doesnt open airways for asthmatics. Actually it triggers mine.
What`s you opinion on $1.5k Relax Far Infrared Sauna (ceramic semiconductors that excludes near and middle infrared energy) in comparison to wood IR Saunas?
The Therasage 360 is a much better and less-expensive choice, if you're looking for a personal sauna. See th-cam.com/video/udxsVzUk2tQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=nq1Fy6fMMFXpx2lI
What’s the like 700 calorie difference in the first clip showing the heart rate?
Obviously, I wasn’t in both saunas at the same time. In other words, those clips were recorded on different days and times.
It might be that people who are prone to conditions like congestive heart failure would have a negative impact to their lungs in the steam sauna. The additional moisture in the air could worsen their condition.
If you suffer from a heart condition, I'd recommend talking to a knowledgable medical professional (if you can find one) before using a sauna.
@@MichaelKummer For sure.
@MichaelKummer I like your channel BTW. Very informative.
looking for barrel steam sauna for outside, under$3000, ? 4:39
I haven't come across a quality barrel sauna with a heater for that price.
IR saunas are also way cheaper
With skin health, I'd say Finnish sauna is noticeably better. My skin looked so good that I actually had a colleague randomly say to me one day "Wow you skin looks so good". My skin on my face from IR sauna simply doesn't look as good compared to when I use Finnish
That's because your face is usually not close to the heaters in an IR sauna :)
Please tell me that you are using purified water, preferably distilled in the steam sauna, may also be getting a dose of chlorine fluoride and who knows what else😮
Yes, we have a whole house filtration system. No chlorine in any of our water.
You call it a team sauna , a Sauna is not really powered by Steam , it’s just heat.
You might pour a scoop or two of water on the rocks, but it’s not really classed as a steam sauna.
A Steam room on the other hand its a room full of steam .
A Wood fired Sauna would typically be between 80c and 100c
A Steam Room is probably about 50c and 60c
A wood fired Sauna is a dry heat
I'm used to pouring a bucket of water over the hot stones over the course of 30 mins. That leads to a significant increase in humidity and steam. Calling that a dry sauna would be ridiculously inaccurate. That's why I call it steam sauna (not steam room).
But a steam room is totally a different thing. It’s like a boat is not a car.
So, are you claiming that infrared for 30 minutes burned 1200 calories? Or is this just post workout?
Nope, the section of the video was about heart rate. The calorie information on the overlay was my active calorie burn on that day before I jumped into the sauna and you can ignore that.
@@MichaelKummer got it. I was about to 100% opt for the infrared😂😂
my sauna is all natural, cedar wood, fire, water, stones, air , essential oils, linens, its outdoors, for me its the only way a true sauna can be, esp. when its raining or snowing i have to be outside
Right on. Did you build your sauna yourself?
yes i did, right before covid hit, we never got sick, haven't been in years, total gamechanger
@@MichaelKummer
Infrared does not get hot enough but I think dry traditional is the best and I think the wood re radiating infrared of a traditional sauna is also a important factor.
Have you actually watched the video before typing this comment? I'm pretty sure I addressed the "IR saunas aren't hot enough" myth.
@@MichaelKummer Yes, I did but the "research" regarding sauna is far too imprecise regarding the definition of a sauna. So the benefits from "sauna" are all suspect since the data may be describing heat stress not a sauna experience. Then there is dry sauna versus steam sauna. The heat capacity of water is 4 x that of air. It is not even possible to talk about the temperature of a sauna since radiant energy does not really heat air but the wood and bodies in the room.
If you have solar panels you are getting lots of emf is those solar panels are near you home or on the roof. It’s actually danger levels of solar if near your home or on roof
I don't know who told you that but I can tell you that our EMF levels haven't changed with the addition of solar panels.
Why do you keep saying steam sauna when you mean dry sauna?
It's because I don't mean dry sauna. Pouring water over the rocks in the barrel sauna produces a lot of steam and increases the humidity dramatically. I wouldn't call that a dry sauna. I can see how the infrared sauna could be considered a dry sauna, but using the term "infrared" is more accurate imho.
@MichaelKummer Oh I see but this makes little sense to me as a European. We don't touch the rocks it add extra humidity at all. We make it so hot we don't need to . If we wanted humidity I'd use or make a steam room.
@@BRECKDOGI don't know where in Europe you're from. I grew up in Austria and pouring water over the sauna rocks is a common practice there but I understand not everybody does it that way. It's certainly optional if you like the extra humidity and heat (which I do).
Heat = Jitter of elements or matter. The type of elements or materials that's vibrating is also important.
I have no idea what you're trying to say.
Your heart rate is roughly 10% higher in traditional sauna. Depending on the temp and humidity of your sauna you can probably get 20% higher heart rate than your infra red. I have owned both types of saunas and traditional
sauna is more superior on all accounts. Infra red studies like to piggy back on traditional sauna studies .
Infra red is not sauna .
My highest-ever recorded sauna HR was 119 the other day in my new IR sauna. So I have to disagree.
I also disagree I just got out of mine feeling like I ran for a few miles afterwards.
How about making a hybrid?
Are you getting paid to promote sunlighten products, or are they really superior with proof to back it up from third party on all elements?
I'm an affiliate of Sunlighten (as indicated in the video description) but they do have an excellent product. I also own and have tried a few other saunas I can recommend -- see michaelkummer.com/health/best-infrared-saunas/
What about an infrared sauna blanket?
Not the same thing. See michaelkummer.com/health/sun-home-infrared-sauna-blanket/
Traditional dry saunas always seem to be out of order and they use lots of electricity. Do yourself a favor and get an infrared.
Never had any issues with my sauna heaters. But you can also get a traditional wood oven and avoid all potential outages.
Suomessa tuo sun sauna on mökki sauna ei oikea sauna
Not sure what that means.
According to scientific evidence you are excruciatingly hot. Sauna or not. 🥵
Finnish sauna isn't a steam sauna. Finnish sauna is dry heat.
All the Finnish saunas I've tried got steamy real quick once we started pouring over the hot stones.
Thank you for the video. I disagree on one point. If you count calories, you will loose weight. I know it's not healthy, but I lost 50 pounds by eating complete garbage junk food one time a day and counting calories.
I should have been more specific and said "sustainable, healthy weight loss." Of course you can lose weight eating junk food while maintaining a caloric deficit but it's neither sustainable, nor healthy and utterly misguided imho.
no hiphop
If it isn't steam, it is not a sauna. Look it up. No steam, no sauna.
I don't know what you're talking about or if you're splitting hair. But thanks for the comment.
to much rambling. just get to the point. don't drag it all out. Drag it out afterwards if you want.
A lot of people like my soothing voice ;)
Before I watch, I'm gonna say the infrared is better.
Have you changed your mind after watching?
sry bud i only take sauna advice from ppl whos name i can't pronounce, got a tooth knocked out playing hockey, and are a little drunk off longdrink.
You definitely seem drunk. Maybe get some sleep instead of wasting time on TH-cam.
The science disagrees with you. If you eat less calories, you lose weight. That is without question the most important factor.
While energy balance certainly plays a role, it's not quite that simple and it's certainly not the most important factor. Just consider that the body utilizes 100 calories worth of steak completely differently than the same amount of calories from a doughnut. For example, protein and fat are used for more than energy while carbs are only used for energy. That's why you can lose weight by eating more calories of meat than what your body needs (as an example).
Great comparison 👍 it was exactly the information I was looking for.
@@MarkOsgood-ld2kxThanks, man!
@@MichaelKummer Well said
@@MichaelKummer Why sauna at all if you are going to eat alot of meat? And if that meat hasn't screwed you yet, you just aren't old enough. Everything in moderation ESPECIALLY red meat.