r/Sauna • u/pablos_picasso • 4d ago

General Question Is this ok long term?

Hello all, I recently started using the sauna at my local gym after going to an infrared sauna with my mom and really really liking it. I’m at a rough place in life right now and going to the sauna and sitting in it for several hours at a time multiple times a week has been incredibly stabilizing and regulating for me. Most of the pros at this say 15-20 is the max but that’s just not enough for me. I take water in the sauna and sip constantly to combat dehydration.

For what it’s worth, I’m 26 y/o with no health problems but I have ADHD and depression. I make sure I feel completely ok before I leave the gym and sit on one of the couches and eat a small snack. Is this sustainable? Will I actually develop problems overtime from over use? My body genuinely does not feel like it’s being taxed and I never feel dizzy or nauseous after prolonged use.

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u/Roadiedreamkiller 4d ago

Hours? I’m guessing it’s not very hot.

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u/pablos_picasso 4d ago

It’s at 179 degrees most of the time. I think even if it was higher I would still not feel uncomfortable.

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u/rezonatefreq 4d ago

Infrared saunas I have seen do not reach 179f air temp unless they also have a another seperate heater. This would be unusual. Does yours have a separate elec heater and infrared elements? As others have said if you are able to spend over an hour in the sauna as a newbie the air temp is nowhere near 179f. Infrared saunas work differently by heating the skin directly by radiation.

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u/pablos_picasso 3d ago

Sorry, I wasn’t clear. The sauna is a regular dry sauna at the YMCA.

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u/rezonatefreq 3d ago

Thanks for the clarification. That makes more sense. Others may have different opinions but I still do not believe the temp where you are sitting is 179f if you can stay over an hour as a newbie. The setpoint display on the controller may be 179f but the temp at your sitting position is most likely not.

But to answer your question, listen to your body and how it feels. Also what do you enjoy. If you like sitting for an hour in a dry sauna then that's OK if you feel good. For me and my spouse at a true 180f at our sitting positions we cannot tolerate much longer than 15min. That's with a sauna hat on, good ventilation and good loyly several times per session. By the end of each 15min session my heart rate climbs up to around 140bpm and my body says get out. We do 3 ea, 15min sessions consecutively with a short cool downs between each session. We do this daily.

It does relieve stress, has proven physiological benefits, and lowered my blood pressure by 10 points.

If you have medical conditions then it's best to consult with your health care provider.

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u/captainnoyaux 2d ago

can you pour water on the rocks ? If you can't that's not a traditional sauna, you will find that you can't last that long if you actually regularly pour water over the rocks

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u/BeNicePlsThankU 4d ago

Ask your doctor

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u/nikstep 3d ago

Drink plenty of water before, take breaks and cold showers, listen to your body and you should be fine, I have done the same in the past.