Sauna or Steam??

[extra-vert]

[han-grrl]

I like the sauna but i discovered steam here

http://www.lenordik.com/index_f.php

which was awesome BUT - the thought of the drips on the ceiling

but the steam room smelled like eucalyptus which was nice.

i think i still prefer the dry heat of the sauna...

[Tuckervill]

Neither. They both make me feel like I'm suffocating!

Karen

[indysteel]

For what purpose? If you're looking to ease muscle pain, neither. Heat makes it worse. For relaxation, I like a sauna but only for a few minutes.

[Crankin]

I'm with Tuckerville . The sauna makes me feel like I'm going to stop breathing and the steam I can take for about a minute before I need to get out.

[extra-vert]

Well, I ask because I prefer sauna by far! But you're always hearing contradicting reports on what is good or bad for you and/or which one is better that the other. I enjoy the sauna simply because it's a nice relaxing treat after a hard workout at the gym. Also I feel like, perhaps I'm purging toxins from my body and sweating off just a few more calories, (15 minute session). So I thought I'd just take a poll, and see if anyone has anything to lend to the argument that I haven't heard before.

[RedCanny]

I recently read something about saunas being good for endurance performance:
http://peakperformance.runnersworld....nurmi_kne.html

I prefer saunas to steam, as well, though probably just because my YMCA doesn't have a steam room. I usually don't last longer than 5 minutes, though. Mostly because I've got someplace to be, than because it's too hot. It's a good opportunity to just relax, if I have the time!

[bmccasland]

I live in steam, outside, pretty much any summer day, hot and humid.... all provided for free!

That probably isn't what you meant.

[shootingstar]

Admittedly don't like either. I have suffficient natural oils in my face and hair (though thankfully my sebaceous glands produce less oil over past decade or so), so heat doesn't seem to make me feel better to have those glands in hyperaction.

Warm-hot whirlpools are better feeling and more therapeutic for me, followed by a cooling shower.

[Jolt]

Definitely sauna, and only for warming up after freezing my derriere off teaching swim lessons. The steam room makes me feel like I can't breathe!

[OakLeaf]

Sauna, but only in the winter time. Now that I have a winter home, pretty much never. Used to be the sauna was the only place my toes weren't blue in February.