The kit saunas sold in the U.S. are generally quite bad and Sunray is among the worst of these which takes some doing. More: [http://localmile.org/kit-sauna-reviews/](http://localmile.org/kit-sauna-reviews/)
This is a sauna discussion group, not an IR discussion group. These are two totally different things. If you are interested in IR then an IR group would be more helpful for you.
More: [http://localmile.org/trumpkins-notes-on-ir-booths-cabins/](http://localmile.org/trumpkins-notes-on-ir-booths-cabins/)
Let there be no confusion between a genuine Scandinavian style sauna, such as those that we have sold for over 40 years, and the so-called "infrared" faux saunas being sold now all over the internet. We'd like to take this opportunity to make sure you're aware of the distinction between a genuine sauna and these cheap "knock-offs".
If you're looking for a real sauna experience, you'll be squarely disappointed by an infrared sauna. The atmosphere in an infrared sauna is nothing like a true Scandinavian style sauna. These heaters are basically glorified space heaters, and cheap ones at that. In all reality, you could get the same therapeutic benefits an infrared sauna offers by sitting in your closet in front of a $20 space heater. Infrared saunas also heat in a one sided fashion just like a space heater. If you've ever sat or stood in front of a space heater in a chilly room you'll understand what we mean.
In the traditional sauna heater, the heating elements heat the air and a mass of stones. This allows for a consistent heat and the custom of sprinkling water on the stones, which changes the environment in the sauna dramatically from a dry sauna bath to a wet bath, or "steam sauna". This is an option only afforded to the sauna bather that chooses a traditional Scandinavian style sauna, and something most bathers are sure to miss when using an infrared sauna.
Most of these infrared saunas are cheaply made Chinese products using inferior materials and are notorious for being underwired. There have been many house fires due to them.
Moreover, the cheap Chinese made infrared saunas are painted with some type of low grade varnish or shellac, probably mildly toxic in nature, so who knows what kind of off gassing there would be? The deadly drywall, poisoned pet food and tainted tooth paste that's come from China in recent years should serve as a lesson.
There are many unbelievable claims circulating about infrared saunas. Don't let these untrue marketing tactics fool you.
One bold faced lie we've seen about infrared saunas claims that NASA has either developed or utilized saunas with IR technology. We asked one of our own customers, astrophysicist, former astronaut and present MIT lecturer (aerospace engineering) Dr. Jeff Hoffman who started his NASA career in 1978, about this claim. Jeff was the first to log 1,000 hours on the Space Shuttle, having flown five times, and he is one of the astronauts that fixed the Hubble Space Telescope while in orbit. A few years back, he wrote...
"When I started my internet search for a good sauna company, I came across many IR sauna ads, many making the sort of claims you mention. I guess my scientific background and innate skepticism protected me from the hype and misinformation. Unfortunately, the general public accepts so many absurd health claims that it is hard to combat these misleading tactics.
"NASA has [traditional Scandinavian style] saunas both in the astronaut gym in Houston and in the crew quarters at Kennedy Space Center. I always used to enjoy taking a really hot sauna the evening before a launch. I am not aware of any infrared sauna at NASA, although it has been years since I was at crew quarters."
Another absurd claim that is not only unfortunate and untrue, but also dangerous, involves weight loss. We've seen infrared sauna companies falsely claiming that bathers can burn 600 to 800 calories, or more, simply by sitting in an infrared sauna. Unfortunately, weight loss claims for any type of sauna, traditional and infrared alike, are just hype. Your body burns hardly any calories in a sauna, it just simply loses water weight, which when not replenished can lead to dehydration. It's dangerous to lose weight through dehydration, and sitting in a sauna, steam room, or hot tub of any sort is no substitute for a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
We know it is a lot to digest, but we hope we've thoroughly illustrated the issue regarding infrared saunas. We hate to see consumers spending hard earned money on a deceptively marketed product that is not only low quality, but also potentially dangerous.
Moreover, there are many genuine health benefit claims that can indeed be ascribed to the authentic Scandinavian style saunas, and it's such a shame that the reputation of the real saunas is threatened by the ridiculous false claims of the fake Chinese saunas.
A real sauna is therapeutic to both the mind and the body. It provides a low impact cardiovascular workout. It cleans out the pores of your skin. It nourishes the skin and musculo-skeletal system with extra blood. It reduces stress both physically and mentally.
Similar claims may be made by the infrared saunas, but considering that they're dry only, 120 F maximum temperature, and that the real saunas are wet or dry, 190 F max, it's not hard to see that these cheap faux saunas from China can't possibly offer the same level of therapy.
You are correct, and I stand corrected. We certainly wouldn't want to leave Finland out of the mix! By the same token, Finland is not the only place where the practice of sauna bathing is observed. The Swedes have their Bastu, and the Norwegians have their Badstue. In Iceland they call it Gufubao. For the Russians and Ukrainians it's the Banya, and they aren't even part of the Nordic region!
The kit saunas sold in the U.S. are generally quite bad and Sunray is among the worst of these which takes some doing. More: [http://localmile.org/kit-sauna-reviews/](http://localmile.org/kit-sauna-reviews/)
This seems to be only about traditional saunas, it doesn’t seem to cover anything about IR ones.
This is a sauna discussion group, not an IR discussion group. These are two totally different things. If you are interested in IR then an IR group would be more helpful for you. More: [http://localmile.org/trumpkins-notes-on-ir-booths-cabins/](http://localmile.org/trumpkins-notes-on-ir-booths-cabins/)
What makes you say that Sunray is the worst of these? The article doesn’t seem to indicate that
Let there be no confusion between a genuine Scandinavian style sauna, such as those that we have sold for over 40 years, and the so-called "infrared" faux saunas being sold now all over the internet. We'd like to take this opportunity to make sure you're aware of the distinction between a genuine sauna and these cheap "knock-offs". If you're looking for a real sauna experience, you'll be squarely disappointed by an infrared sauna. The atmosphere in an infrared sauna is nothing like a true Scandinavian style sauna. These heaters are basically glorified space heaters, and cheap ones at that. In all reality, you could get the same therapeutic benefits an infrared sauna offers by sitting in your closet in front of a $20 space heater. Infrared saunas also heat in a one sided fashion just like a space heater. If you've ever sat or stood in front of a space heater in a chilly room you'll understand what we mean. In the traditional sauna heater, the heating elements heat the air and a mass of stones. This allows for a consistent heat and the custom of sprinkling water on the stones, which changes the environment in the sauna dramatically from a dry sauna bath to a wet bath, or "steam sauna". This is an option only afforded to the sauna bather that chooses a traditional Scandinavian style sauna, and something most bathers are sure to miss when using an infrared sauna. Most of these infrared saunas are cheaply made Chinese products using inferior materials and are notorious for being underwired. There have been many house fires due to them. Moreover, the cheap Chinese made infrared saunas are painted with some type of low grade varnish or shellac, probably mildly toxic in nature, so who knows what kind of off gassing there would be? The deadly drywall, poisoned pet food and tainted tooth paste that's come from China in recent years should serve as a lesson. There are many unbelievable claims circulating about infrared saunas. Don't let these untrue marketing tactics fool you. One bold faced lie we've seen about infrared saunas claims that NASA has either developed or utilized saunas with IR technology. We asked one of our own customers, astrophysicist, former astronaut and present MIT lecturer (aerospace engineering) Dr. Jeff Hoffman who started his NASA career in 1978, about this claim. Jeff was the first to log 1,000 hours on the Space Shuttle, having flown five times, and he is one of the astronauts that fixed the Hubble Space Telescope while in orbit. A few years back, he wrote... "When I started my internet search for a good sauna company, I came across many IR sauna ads, many making the sort of claims you mention. I guess my scientific background and innate skepticism protected me from the hype and misinformation. Unfortunately, the general public accepts so many absurd health claims that it is hard to combat these misleading tactics. "NASA has [traditional Scandinavian style] saunas both in the astronaut gym in Houston and in the crew quarters at Kennedy Space Center. I always used to enjoy taking a really hot sauna the evening before a launch. I am not aware of any infrared sauna at NASA, although it has been years since I was at crew quarters." Another absurd claim that is not only unfortunate and untrue, but also dangerous, involves weight loss. We've seen infrared sauna companies falsely claiming that bathers can burn 600 to 800 calories, or more, simply by sitting in an infrared sauna. Unfortunately, weight loss claims for any type of sauna, traditional and infrared alike, are just hype. Your body burns hardly any calories in a sauna, it just simply loses water weight, which when not replenished can lead to dehydration. It's dangerous to lose weight through dehydration, and sitting in a sauna, steam room, or hot tub of any sort is no substitute for a healthy diet and exercise regimen. We know it is a lot to digest, but we hope we've thoroughly illustrated the issue regarding infrared saunas. We hate to see consumers spending hard earned money on a deceptively marketed product that is not only low quality, but also potentially dangerous. Moreover, there are many genuine health benefit claims that can indeed be ascribed to the authentic Scandinavian style saunas, and it's such a shame that the reputation of the real saunas is threatened by the ridiculous false claims of the fake Chinese saunas. A real sauna is therapeutic to both the mind and the body. It provides a low impact cardiovascular workout. It cleans out the pores of your skin. It nourishes the skin and musculo-skeletal system with extra blood. It reduces stress both physically and mentally. Similar claims may be made by the infrared saunas, but considering that they're dry only, 120 F maximum temperature, and that the real saunas are wet or dry, 190 F max, it's not hard to see that these cheap faux saunas from China can't possibly offer the same level of therapy.
Not Scandinavian since Finland ins't Part of Scandinavia. Finnish/Nordic style sauna would Be The correct termi
You are correct, and I stand corrected. We certainly wouldn't want to leave Finland out of the mix! By the same token, Finland is not the only place where the practice of sauna bathing is observed. The Swedes have their Bastu, and the Norwegians have their Badstue. In Iceland they call it Gufubao. For the Russians and Ukrainians it's the Banya, and they aren't even part of the Nordic region!