Why is it so important to wear flip-flops in the locker room or sauna at the gym? Locker rooms, saunas, indoor and outdoor pools and any other damp, warm public places are breeding grounds for the fungus that causes Athlete's Foot. This foot infection is not only painful, but it is also highly contagious.
Flipflops, crocs, etc are completely fine, especially in public saunas. You don't want to get or spread any nasty fungus and the floors are often slippery because public establishments have different kinds of needs than private saunas.
Ideally, wearing shoes in a sauna or steam room is a no-no! The whole idea is to expose as much skin as possible, meaning you're better off without closed shoes in a sauna or steam room. Flip flops are more acceptable in the sauna and steam rooms than shoes.
In public saunas, check the rules. Some places may encourage footwear for hygiene reasons, while others prefer barefoot. At home, it's your call. Some people love the freedom of bare feet, while others prefer lightweight shower sandals, sliders, or flip-flops.
Typically, sauna-goers are encouraged to wear minimal clothing, such as a bathing suit or towel, to allow the skin to breathe and sweat freely, facilitating the body's natural cooling process. Wearing natural fibers like cotton can be more comfortable and less irritating to the skin compared to synthetic materials.
Respect Personal Space
Do: Choose a spot that's a comfortable distance from others. If the sauna is particularly crowded, it's okay to sit closer, but always be conscious of personal boundaries. Don't: Engage in prolonged eye contact or stare. A sauna is a shared space, and it's important to respect everyone's privacy.
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.
Footwear: Socks and sneakers are not allowed in the sauna as they can track dirt and other contaminants in from outside. Additionally, heat and moisture inside the sauna create a breeding ground for bacteria.
Wear Flip-Flops
To prevent infections like athlete's foot or warts, always wear flip-flops in the shower. This simple precaution is one of the most effective ways to maintain personal hygiene.
Before entering the sauna
In fact, the only rule is that you enter the sauna with clean, showered and preferably dry skin. You can go to the swimming pool first, but it is necessary to dry well afterwards, before entering the sauna, so that the sweating effect starts earlier and is stronger.
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.
A 2019 study revealed that four 10-minute sauna sessions, interspersed with 5-minute cooldowns, led to a loss of 0.65 kg, primarily from water loss. An average of 73-134 calories burned in the sauna for 10 minutes was recorded, totaling a minimum of around 200 calories burned in an infrared sauna over 30 minutes.
Avoid wearing shoes in the sauna. Not only are they going to trek in outside dirt, but it's also considered rude, especially if you place them directly on the bench. By all means, wear shower shoes around the spa area to avoid slipping on the tiles, but leave those shoes outside the sauna door!
“While flip-flops are perfectly fine – and far better than going barefoot – in a number of settings, they do have some drawbacks,” said Christina S. Long, DPM, a podiatrist and instructor in orthopaedic services at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. “They really don't offer too much support or protection.
Nicotine and alcohol should be taboo during the sauna bath. No sporting activities between sauna sessions. This would put unnecessary strain on the heart and circulatory system.
Cold showers after sauna sessions enhance blood circulation, reduce muscle soreness, and support muscle recovery by alternating between hot and cold temperatures.
While the optimal duration may vary depending on individual factors and sauna types, a general guideline of 15-30 minutes per session, 2-4 times per week, is a good starting point.
So, always make sure you're well-hydrated before and after your sauna or steam room sesh. You may be at risk if you've recently had a heart attack or any other cardiovascular issues, like high blood pressure, adds Dr. Parikh. Overall, it is generally considered safe to use a sauna every day, says Dr.
Flip-Flops or Shower Sandals. Although some people prefer not to wear footwear when in the sauna, it's not a good idea to do so. That's because saunas' floors are full of germs in most cases. Therefore, wearing a pair of shower sandals or flip-flops in the sauna can provide considerable protection.
Heat Damage: Smartphones are sensitive to extreme temperatures. The intense heat of a sauna can damage your phone's battery and internal components, potentially leading to reduced battery life or total malfunction.
While it's generally best to go barefoot, there are a few situations where wearing socks in a sauna might be acceptable: Foot conditions: If you have a foot condition that requires protection or if you're particularly concerned about foot hygiene in public saunas, you might consider wearing thin, breathable socks.
Saunas are high-temperature, high-humidity environments that can be damaging to electronic devices, including AirPods. Therefore, it's not advisable to wear AirPods or bring any type of electronic devices in a sauna.
Still, if you do want to hop in the sauna before or after a workout, experts typically suggest doing so afterward. 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.
Audio in the sauna creates that next level experience. Whether it is the sauna or steam room at your home or in a wellness center. Listening to a relaxing playlist, nature sounds, singing whales or an interesting podcast provides even more relaxation.