Should You Do Steam or Sauna First?

Use a dry sauna first before workouts to loosen muscles and reduce joint stiffness ( 3 ). Use a steam room post-workout first to reduce the effects of DOMS ( 12 ). Alternatively, use either before and after workouts to achieve and maintain a higher heart rate to burn more calories ( 15 , 9 , 18 ).

Why Use a Steam Room Over a Sauna?

Use a steam room over a dry heat sauna if you’re protecting your skin from aging, as infrared radiation can damage the skin but steaming water clears pores and detoxes the skin’s cells ( 7 , 17 ). Also, choose a steam room over a sauna to reduce DOMS after a workout ( 12 ).

Is it Okay to Steam Sauna Every Day?

Australian researchers found that daily dry sauna bathing for ten days resulted in peaked plasma volumes after four days but returned to baseline after seven days of ending the ritual ( 3 ). Daily dry sauna bathing could improve blood circulation, making it a safe daily habit for those that do not have preexisting conditions that would negatively impact their time in a sauna.

How Many Calories Do You Burn in a Steam Room for 30 Minutes?

How many calories you burn depends on the temperature, time spent in the steam room, and your body weight. Typically, a sedentary person weighing 140 pounds will burn 30 calories in a 110°F steam room in 30 minutes, or it climbs to 29 calories in 130°F ( 10 ).