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Does anyone do "serious" sauna bathing?

Posted on 6/25/25 at 10:53 pm
Posted by Cali 4 LSU
GEAUX TIGERS!
Member since Sep 2007
6670 posts
Posted on 6/25/25 at 10:53 pm
What I mean is, do you do sauna nearly every day at temps of 140/150 or above?

If so, what protocols do you follow and do you supplement with anything besides electrolytes? I see alot of information on toxin binders but know nothing about them. Also, supplements such as glutathione may be beneficial...?

Please help with any experiences/advice.
Posted by Mingo Was His NameO
Brooklyn
Member since Mar 2016
35835 posts
Posted on 6/25/25 at 10:57 pm to
quote:

If so, what protocols do you follow


I get in the sauna
Posted by Cali 4 LSU
GEAUX TIGERS!
Member since Sep 2007
6670 posts
Posted on 6/26/25 at 1:50 am to
No toxin binders or multivitamin? I’ve used the sauna before but never with strict regulatory like I’m trying to do now.
Posted by AbitaFan08
Boston, MA
Member since Apr 2008
27878 posts
Posted on 6/26/25 at 9:13 am to
I do 15 minutes 6-7 days a week after exercising. Temps are usually 160-180. Not sure if that's considered "serious" or not, it's more of my post-workout ritual at this point.

There's not much to do in terms of protocols. Just bring in a bottle of water to drink, don't go past 20ish minutes. Don't oversoak the rocks with water - just add a little bit at a time if you want.

Not sure what the benefits are other than I feel great after a 15 minute sauna followed by a cold shower.
This post was edited on 6/26/25 at 9:15 am
Posted by ks_nola
Bozeman
Member since Sep 2015
718 posts
Posted on 6/26/25 at 11:17 am to
140-50 is fine if that’s all you have access to but my understand the “benefits” happen more at the 180 range.
Sip water throughout the 15-20 min period and hydrate after but not by chugging. 3-4 days a week is a good fit
Posted by stoov
Atlanta, GA
Member since Oct 2010
636 posts
Posted on 6/26/25 at 1:43 pm to
Workout 4 days a week. Sauna after every workout. I use LMNT with creatine during my workout and top off the water before going in and sip on it while reading a book. Been doing that for about 3 years now. Absolutely love it and won’t become a member of a gym without one
Posted by Yewkindewit
Near Birmingham, Alabama
Member since Apr 2012
21554 posts
Posted on 6/26/25 at 1:57 pm to
I will say it feels great in the sauna. I can feel the toxins leaking out of my pores. At one time I worked up to 30 mins at 175-180 and even dozed off. I tapered off but feel Ike I need to get back to at least 10-15 mins per gym visit.
Posted by Cali 4 LSU
GEAUX TIGERS!
Member since Sep 2007
6670 posts
Posted on 6/26/25 at 2:42 pm to
Thanks guys! So far no one uses supplements, other than electrolytes so I guess it's OK to just skip them.

Posted by Cali 4 LSU
GEAUX TIGERS!
Member since Sep 2007
6670 posts
Posted on 6/26/25 at 2:46 pm to
quote:

140-50 is fine if that’s all you have access to but my understand the “benefits” happen more at the 180 range.



Research shows >19mim in >170 degrees for 4-5 days per week. This is from Rhonda Kirkpatrick & Andrew Huberman. I suppose I could check out their podcasts to see if they recommend toxin binders or supplements.

I hear you on the water. I usually do 16oz with electrolytes before exercise & then sometimes another 16oz plain water during exercise and before sauna. My sauna sessions are always after exercise.

I gotta say, cold plunges make me feel better but I love sauna and it's use is backed by research.
Posted by stoov
Atlanta, GA
Member since Oct 2010
636 posts
Posted on 6/26/25 at 3:14 pm to
Prob an autocorrect you meant Dr Rhonda Patrick. Thats where I found all the great studies on 20min sessions 4 days a week. She drops emails every couple weeks with awesome studies and info. Always learning from them.
Posted by bdavids09
Member since Jun 2017
1323 posts
Posted on 6/27/25 at 10:50 am to
quote:

I do 15 minutes 6-7 days a week after exercising. Temps are usually 160-180. Not sure if that's considered "serious" or not, it's more of my post-workout ritual at this point.

I been doing same routine. It really feels good after a workout. It helps muscles relax and recover
Posted by Ace Midnight
Between sanity and madness
Member since Dec 2006
94583 posts
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:46 pm to
quote:


What I mean is, do you do sauna nearly every day at temps of 140/150 or above?


I mean, not every day (and I sauna less now that it is so hot), but I've definitely gone 4 - 5 days, several weeks in a row. I do not do much steam, pretty much do the dry sauna, about 160 degrees is the hottest I can get mine and I go 20 to 25 minutes.

quote:

If so, what protocols do you follow and do you supplement with anything besides electrolytes?


I make sure I'm hydrated and eating properly. I'm not sure there is much else to it, but I definitely backed off when I was on an extended fast (during which I was also supplementing with electrolytes).

Posted by SquatchDawg
Cohutta Wilderness
Member since Sep 2012
18912 posts
Posted on 6/28/25 at 3:43 pm to
What are the benefits of doing this?

Because recently I can sit on my back porch in ridiculous humidity sweating my arse off. It’s not very fun.
Posted by Ace Midnight
Between sanity and madness
Member since Dec 2006
94583 posts
Posted on 6/28/25 at 4:21 pm to
quote:

What are the benefits of doing this?



There are a myriad of health benefits to traditional Finnish-style sauna.
Posted by Ghost of Colby
Alberta, overlooking B.C.
Member since Jan 2009
14796 posts
Posted on 6/28/25 at 8:00 pm to
Whenever I hear the word “sauna, I envision this scene (PG version):

Posted by BatonrougeCajun
Somewhere in Texas
Member since Feb 2008
7368 posts
Posted on 7/1/25 at 12:33 am to
I have one in my garage that gets up to 150. I do 30 mins every other day. I can’t explain how exactly it makes me feel other than I feel great when I use it and sluggish when I don’t
Posted by Neauxla
New Orleans
Member since Feb 2008
33965 posts
Posted on 7/1/25 at 3:31 pm to
quote:


There are a myriad of health benefits to traditional Finnish-style sauna.
what about infrared?
Posted by Bigdawgb
Member since Oct 2023
3202 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 9:18 am to
quote:

what protocols do you follow


Take your glasses off otherwise the metal will burn the shite out of you
Posted by Ace Midnight
Between sanity and madness
Member since Dec 2006
94583 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 1:22 pm to
quote:

what about infrared?


The science is younger and less solid on infrared. I just don't think it (IR) compares well, overall, to traditional Finnish. The temps are lower, to begin with. This may work for folks who just cannot handle traditional Finnish temps. That's probably it's only advantage (maybe convenience?). Something they have studied with infrared is improvement of chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms. Otherwise, improvement in pain, workout recovery time, etc., would be similar (and likely better with traditional) in both modalities.

By reports, the sweat isn't typically as good from infrared. I have only limited knowledge of infrared, basically just from researching the issues myself.

This post was edited on 7/2/25 at 1:23 pm
Posted by Anemone
New Orleans
Member since Feb 2016
125 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 1:26 pm to
Toxin binders are snake oil. Use of sauna and cold plunge change nothing. It's a mindset. Just do it if you enjoy the experience. Eat well, run, lift and sleep.
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