Infrared Sauna vs Traditional Sauna: Which Is Better for You in Granada Hills?
Saunas have been used for centuries to relax, recover, and improve overall wellbeing. Today, you’ll often see two options: traditional (steam/heat) and infrared sauna. At Awaken Wellness and Recovery in Granada Hills, clients ask us which one is “better.” The truth: they work differently—and the best choice depends on your goals.
Table of Contents
- How Each Sauna Works (and What That Means for Your Body)
- Key Benefits: Infrared vs Traditional
- Which One Is Right for Your Goal?
- Pro Tips: Pairing Sauna with Other Services
- Safety, Hydration & How Often to Use
- Memberships & Packages for Consistency
- Book an Infrared Sauna in Granada Hills
How Each Sauna Works (and What That Means for Your Body)
- Traditional Sauna — Heats the air around you, usually 160–200°F. This raises your skin temperature first, causing your body to sweat as a cooling response. It’s excellent for relaxation, surface detox, and the classic sauna experience, but the heat primarily works on the outer layer of the body rather than deeply penetrating tissues.
- Infrared Sauna — Uses infrared light waves to gently heat your body directly at lower air temps (120–150°F). Instead of just heating the skin, infrared penetrates several millimeters beneath the surface, warming muscles, joints, and tissues. This deeper effect can support circulation, aid muscle recovery, provide a deeper detox from the cellular level, reduce stiffness, and may help burn more calories compared to traditional sauna.
Why choose infrared? Because the heat works internally, many clients report greater long-term benefits for muscle recovery, joint comfort, and overall wellness. Traditional saunas are fantastic for surface-level sweating and relaxation, but infrared gives you a deeper therapeutic effect without the overwhelming heat.
Key Benefits: Infrared vs Traditional
- Detox & Circulation — Both promote sweating and circulation. Infrared can feel gentler while still producing a deep, satisfying sweat.
- Muscle Recovery & Joint Comfort — Heat relaxes muscles and may relieve stiffness; many athletes rotate sauna with cryotherapy for a hot/cold recovery cycle.
- Stress Relief & Sleep — The ritual of heat + breath work lowers stress; many clients report better sleep on sauna days.
- Skin & Glow — Increased circulation can support a healthy glow. Infrared’s comfortable temps are popular for longer, consistent sessions.
Which One Is Right for Your Goal?
- Relaxation & Stress Relief — Both are excellent. Traditional sauna offers that classic “steam room” vibe; infrared is gentler if you dislike very high heat.
- Recovery After Workouts — Try an alternating routine: cryotherapy to reduce inflammation, then infrared sauna for relaxation and circulation.
- Comfort & Tolerance — If high heat feels overwhelming, infrared is usually easier to tolerate while still offering benefits.
Pro Tips: Pairing Sauna with Other Services
- Infrared Sauna + Red Light Therapy — Gentle heat plus red light therapy can support recovery and skin health.
- Cryotherapy + Sauna — Cold exposure (cryotherapy) reduces inflammation; sauna promotes relaxation and circulation for a balanced hot/cold routine.
- Compression Therapy — Add compression therapy post-sauna to support lymphatic flow and muscle relief.
Safety, Hydration & How Often to Use
- Hydrate before and after. Bring water into your session and sip slowly.
- Start with 15–30 minutes; build up as tolerated. Infrared’s lower temps help many clients stay comfortable longer.
- If you feel lightheaded or uncomfortable, exit and cool down. Listen to your body.
- Most people benefit from 2–4 sessions per week, depending on goals and schedule.
Memberships & Packages for Consistency
Results compound with consistency. Explore memberships and packages to save on regular sessions. Want to share wellness? Give a gift with our gift cards.
Book an Infrared Sauna in Granada Hills
Ready to experience a gentler, deeper sweat? Learn more and reserve your session here:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is infrared sauna better than traditional sauna?
It depends on your goals. Infrared saunas heat your body directly for a gentler experience, while traditional saunas heat the air for a classic, hotter session. Both improve circulation and relaxation. - How often should I use a sauna?
Most people benefit from 2–4 sessions per week. Always listen to your body and stay hydrated before, during, and after. - Can I do sauna and cryotherapy on the same day?
Yes. Many clients combine cryotherapy with sauna for a hot/cold recovery cycle. Cryo reduces inflammation, while sauna promotes circulation and relaxation. - Which sauna burns more calories?
Infrared sauna sessions may burn up to 400–600 calories in 30 minutes due to increased circulation and core temperature, while traditional saunas primarily focus on relaxation and sweat. Both support recovery, not weight loss. - Is infrared sauna safe for everyone?
Infrared sauna is safe for most people, but check with your doctor if you’re pregnant, have cardiovascular conditions, or other health concerns before starting regular sessions.
