Do you use a steam room or dry heat room at the gym?

[April]

If so, what are they for? I honestly don't know what benefits can be reaped from these facilities. I'm a member of Bally's, and I would like to feel like I'm getting my money's worth by taking advantage of all they have to offer (which is appropriate for me, of course).

[April]

I forgot to ask if you shower before or after using these things, and if they leave you lethargic.

[April]

Also, what do you wear in there?

[IamJen]

I use the sauna at the Y. I was reading some articles..I forget where, that said time in a sauna/steam room is supposed to better equip you to fight off illnesses.

Mostly, though, I just enjoy the experience - very relaxing and sensual. I shower before going in since I'm usually doing so after I work out and well, that's just not a pretty smell. :D

[zoebird]

if it's a co-ed sauna or steam room in the US, a bathingsuit, or shorts and sports bra are a good idea--though in europe and in some other places, co ed saunas and steam rooms are nude places (with towels).

saunas are great for sweating, but you want to be hydrated before and after (which may be why one would feel lightheaded after). The sweat supposedly burns off impurities and thereby strengthens the organs and immune system. it's great when you have a cold or some other problem because the dry heat helps fight the cold. THe steam room is more about the lymphatic system. it clears airways (usually, the steam room is sented with menthol), sinuses, etc, and allows those to drain comfortably (usually after you leave the steam room). supposedly the steam and sweat cleanses the skin, providing good moisture as well, and then also burns off impurities.

i prefer saunas because you can add a bit of steam. steam rooms tend to get moldy, so you have to be careful of that when you use them. saunas tend not to get moldy so you don't have to worry about breathing those things in.

after sauna, i don't shower as the sweat is usually "clean" after your first five or seven minutes. if you smell bad, then by all means, but i usually don't smell at all. After a steam, i always take a cool shower to rinse off anything that may have been in the steam, or in the steam room.

[misq17]

Just make sure you don't stay in there that long. Ours actually has a sign that you shouldn't spend more than 15 minutes in there because of dehydration etc.

I just think that they're fun, I wasn't aware they had an actual use.

[zoebird]

20 minutes gives theraputic benefit, but you need to hydrate before. it's often difficult to hydrate during, as the water heats up a lot and is tough to drink. :)