How should you sit in a steam room?

Author: Garfield Rolfson MD  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Sitting on a towel here is an absolute necessity, not only for reasons of etiquette, but to avoid the germs and bacteria which breed in moist heat. It's also a good idea to wear shower shoes. Limit your time in a steam room to 10 or 15 minutes.

How to get the best results from a steam room?

Do the steam room after every workout for 5-10 minutes. Then (MOST IMPORTANT) make sure you put your shower on cold for the last 20-30 seconds. This will close up your pores, tighten you up, and make you feel extremely refreshed- like you didn't even workout.

How long should I sit in the steam room?

The sauna/steam room should be used “2-3 times a week for no more than 10-20 minutes at a time,” Jay says. Some individuals like to opt for intervals. “You can do 15 to 20 minutes inside the room, take a 5 minute break outside the room, and then go back inside, repeating this for 3-4 cycles.”

What not to do in a steam room?

Don't wear metal jewelry. It's going to get hot! Take off all metal jewelry or hooks, or anything you might be wearing which could hold in the heat and burn you. You don't want to be thinking, for the whole time you're in there, 'ouch!

Should you sit on a towel in a steam room?

Although it is customary to sit on a towel in every other type of sauna, steam rooms are the exception. Although you can keep your towel with you, it will get very wet so it is best to leave it hanging outside the steam room.

Boost Metabolism: Steamroom vs. Sauna - Which is Better? - Thomas DeLauer

What should I sit on in my steam room?

Sitting on a towel here is an absolute necessity, not only for reasons of etiquette, but to avoid the germs and bacteria which breed in moist heat. It's also a good idea to wear shower shoes. Limit your time in a steam room to 10 or 15 minutes.

What is steam room etiquette?

Steam room etiquette is the practice of MAINTAINING a polite and respectful environment in a steam room while still having an ENJOYABLE experience in the hot steam. This includes wearing the APPROPRIATE attire, such as a towel or bathing suit, and respecting the wishes of others regarding nudity or personal space.

What toxins does a steam room remove?

Saunas, with their dry heat, and steam rooms, with their moist heat, both ramp up your sweat game, helping to remove heavy metals, alcohol, nicotine, and any other unwanted substances from your body. Science backs this up, too.

Does bacteria grow in steam rooms?

A steam room also provides the ideal environment for certain bacteria and germs to grow and spread.

Do I need to shower after steam room?

The recommended duration of time to spend in the steam room is between 10-15 minutes. Hydrate before, during and after using the steam room by drinking plenty of water. After exiting the steam room, it's important to shower off any sweat that may have built up.

Can I take my phone in a steam room?

Steam rooms, renowned for their high humidity and elevated temperatures, are not ideal environments for electronic devices like phones. The combination of moisture and heat can lead to irreversible damage, such as corrosion and circuit board wetting. Even phones with water-resistant ratings can be susceptible to harm.

What is better, sauna or steam?

Saunas, with their dry heat, are renowned for improving circulation, promoting detoxification through sweat, and inducing muscle relaxation. On the other hand, steam rooms excel in respiratory benefits, providing relief for conditions like asthma and sinus congestion due to the moist, steam-filled air.

Is it OK to go steam room everyday?

Using steam therapy every day can lessen the benefits that the therapy offers you, so using one every day is not recommended. You should also always check with a doctor or any other wellness professionals to see if it will be safe and healthy for you to make use of a steam room.

What should I do immediately after steam?

7 Things To Do After a Steam Bath
  • Benefits of Steam Baths. According to many research studies, it's been proven that steam can help with your physical and mental health. ...
  • Drink Plenty of Water. ...
  • Take a Shower or Bath. ...
  • Stretching. ...
  • Moisturizing. ...
  • Drink Herbal Tea. ...
  • Meditate. ...
  • Sleep.

How to use a steam room correctly?

The optimum use of the steam room or sauna is between 5-15 minutes. If you would like to benefit from hot and cold therapy combined, have a cold shower afterward, let your heart rate return to normal and wait at least 10-15 minutes before re-entering.

How long should you sit in a steam room to detox?

How Long Should You Sit in a Steam Room to Detox? The duration of time you SHOULD spend in a steam room depends on your individual health needs. Generally, most people BENEFIT from spending 10 to 20 minutes at a time in the steam sauna, although this can be adjusted DEPENDING on how your body responds.

How many calories do you burn in a steam room for 30 minutes?

There are different estimates as to how many calories you can burn in a sauna, with some being as high as 300 calories in 30 minutes and others with estimates as low as 25 calories in the same time period. Let's be clear in saying that your body is burning calories all the time.

Do you wear a bathing suit in a steam room?

Yes, wearing a swimsuit in a steam room is perfectly acceptable and common practice in many facilities. It provides a comfortable level of modesty and is suitable for steamy conditions as long as it's made of appropriate, quick-drying fabric.

How do you sit in a steam room?

While inside the steam room, just lie or sit back and relax on the stone, wood or marble benches. You can also enjoy the dimmed lights which provide the maximum calming experience. However, there are some considerations you need to make before stepping inside.

Are you supposed to sit on a towel in a 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).

How to steam a Virginia?

An at-home treatment involves filling the steamer with hot water and natural herbs. (Rosemary, mugwort, basil, and wormwood are common herbs used with the practice.) And people often wrap a towel around their waist to contain the steam while they sit over the basin for around 20 to 45 minutes.

What should you not do when steaming?

Don'ts:
  1. Don't steam your face for too long or too frequently, as it can lead to skin dryness or irritation.
  2. Don't use boiling water for steaming, as it can cause burns. ...
  3. Don't apply too much pressure or scrub your skin aggressively during or after steaming, as it can damage the skin's protective barrier.

How long should you sit in a steamer?

Steam rooms operate at a lower temperature, ranging between 110°F to 120°F, but the humidity makes the heat feel more intense. Because of this, steam room sessions should generally be shorter than sauna sessions—aim for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Previous article
What color is best for dark hair going grey?
Next article
What is the easiest hairstyle to maintain for a female?