Guides

Short, practical and sourced where it matters.

• Sauna etiquette by type: Finnish, infrared, Korean spa, banya
  How to behave at a traditional sauna, an infrared studio, a Korean spa and a banya: showering, towels, swimsuits, steam, phones and quiet.
• What to expect at a Korean spa (jjimjilbang)
  A first-timer's walk-through of a US Korean spa: check-in, lockers, the gender-separated baths, the clothed heated rooms, scrubs, food and the rules that trip people up.
• Cold plunge and contrast therapy: a practical guide
  How contrast therapy (hot, then cold) works at a bathhouse, how cold a plunge usually is, how long people stay in, what research says so far and who should check with a doctor first.
• Infrared vs traditional sauna: what is the difference?
  Infrared saunas and traditional Finnish saunas compared: how they heat, how hot they get, what a session is like and which kind of public venue offers each.
• Sauna safety: heat, hydration and who should check with a doctor
  Practical sauna safety: how long to stay in, water and alcohol, signs to get out, and the conditions where you should ask a doctor before using a sauna, steam room or hot tub.