How hot should a 20 minute sauna be?

Author: Valerie Pagac  |  Last update: Saturday, September 27, 2025

Most experts recommend maintaining a sauna temperature between 150°F and 175°F. This range is ideal for most users, providing effective heat while still being safe.

Is 20 minutes in the sauna too long?

Limit time spent in a sauna: Do not spend more than 20 minutes at a time in a sauna. First-time users should spend a maximum of 5 to 10 minutes. As they get used to the heat, they can slowly increase the time to about 20 minutes.

What is the 200 rule sauna?

The "Rule of 200" in a sauna is a fundamental principle that combines temperature (measured in degrees Fahrenheit) and relative humidity (measured as a percentage) to achieve an optimal sauna environment. According to this rule, the sum of the sauna's temperature and the relative humidity should not exceed 200.

Is 120 degree sauna hot enough?

Key Takeaway: Traditional saunas are best between 155-195°F (70-90°C); infrared saunas are effective at 120-140°F, adjusted for personal preferences and health. Sauna use enhances relaxation, detoxification, circulation, skin health, and immune function.

What is the best temperature for a sauna?

  • Optimal Comfort: The ideal temperature range for a sauna session typically falls between 70 to 90 degrees Celsius (158 to 194 degrees Fahrenheit).
  • Effective Experience: The chosen temperature should create an environment that induces sweating and promotes relaxation.

The ULTIMATE Guide to Saunas & Heat Exposure | Dr. Rhonda Patrick

What temperature kills bacteria in a sauna?

Sauna and COVID-19

Such viruses are relatively resistant to cold and therefore are more likely to cause sickness in winter months. However, the protective lipid envelope is destroyed if the temperature is held between 55–65°C (131–149°F) for 15–30 minutes. Only one minute will do if the temperature is 80°C (176°F).

What is the best sauna temperature for weight loss?

Experts estimate that the high heat of a sauna (around 150 degrees) will boost your metabolic rate by roughly 20%. This effect will last while you are in the sauna and for a couple of hours afterward. To keep the fat burning effects going, try to work up to a 30 minute sauna every day.

How hot are gym saunas?

Or let tension melt away in the sauna, which is typically heated between 160 and 180 degrees F. Choose dry heat for a pre-workout warm-up.

Can I bring my phone in a sauna?

The short answer is that it's generally not recommended to bring your phone into a sauna. The high temperatures and humidity levels can cause damage to your phone's internal components, and the risk of overheating or even explosion is not worth the convenience of having your phone with you.

Is a 130 sauna beneficial?

For infrared saunas, the ideal temperature for health benefits ranges from 130°F to 145°F. At these levels, you'll experience a variety of positive effects, including: Improved circulation: The heat causes your blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow and oxygenation.

Should a sauna be humid or dry?

In a sauna, the level of humidity should be between 5-10%, rising briefly only after water is poured over the hot stones. In a sanarium, humidity is between 40 and 55 %, whilst in a steam bath, it is generally 100%. Humidity is measured by a hygrometer.

How many pounds of sweat can you lose in a sauna?

The infrared from infrared saunas can burn 400–600 calories within 30 minutes, according to a 2017 article. The same article suggests that a person of average fitness can lose roughly 1 pound (lb) of sweat during each treatment.

Does sauna burn fat?

Saunas themselves do not directly burn fat. The weight loss observed after a sauna session is primarily due to water loss through sweating, which is temporary and regained upon rehydration. With that being said, there are a few ways that saunas can have indirect benefits that may support weight loss or body mass loss.

Does sauna help detox the liver?

But, if you're reading online about using an infrared sauna for liver detox, you're probably reading a quite misleading explanation of what is truly happening. A sauna doesn't detox the liver directly - instead, it helps detoxification processes become more optimal by removing toxins from the equation!

Should I shower after a sauna?

STAGE TWO COOLING DOWN

According to the classic Finnish method, there is a short bath in ice-cold water, which can be replaced by a shower in cold or lukewarm water, waiting at least two minutes after leaving the sauna.

What is sauna etiquette?

Shower Before You Enter

Not only is this hygienic—rinsing off sweat, body oils, and any cosmetics—it also preconditions your body for the heat. Don't: Use heavy soaps or fragrances before entering. The hot air intensifies smells, and you don't want to overwhelm your fellow sauna-goers with a potent scent.

Can I wear AirPods in a sauna?

Don't swim with or otherwise submerge your AirPods. Don't put AirPods in the washing machine or dryer. Don't wear AirPods in a sauna or steam room. Don't expose AirPods to high-velocity water, such as while water skiing.

Where is the hottest place to sit in a sauna?

The higher up you sit in the sauna, the higher the temperature. You may either sit or ly down while you are in the sauna. (It is most effective to sweat briefly but violently on the upper benches. If you don't have sauna experience yet, it's best to start with a middle or lower bench.)

Do you sit on a towel in the sauna?

Silence is the best course of action in order to allow everyone to unwind and relax while enjoying the sauna. Sit on a Towel: for hygienic purposes, please sit on a towel (no bare skin on the wooden benches).

Should I sauna before or after a workout?

In some cases, a pre-workout sauna might alleviate a little joint or muscle stiffness before exercise, but preliminary studies point to greater recovery benefits from post-exercise saunas. “Based on current research, sauna bathing is a possible tool to accelerate recovery and ease muscle soreness,” Ahokas says.

Is it okay to sauna everyday?

To achieve a positive effect, up to three sauna sessions are recommended per week. For healthy people, there is nothing to stop them from even taking a sauna every day. However, it should be noted that if you visit the sauna several times a week, you should reduce the number of sauna sessions per day.

How long does it take to lose 2 pounds in a sauna?

How long in a sauna to lose 2 pounds? A. You can potentially lose up to 2 pounds per session, depending on how much you sweat and the duration of your sauna session. Your sauna session can be 5-10 minutes if you are new to this and 15-20 minutes if you know what you are doing.

Will sauna reduce waist size?

Only Sunlighten saunas have a third-party study on our saunas: A study of diabetic patients attending three 20-minute sauna sessions per week over three months showed a decrease in waist circumference, suggesting benefit to regular sauna use.

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