When it comes to wellness and relaxation, saunas have long been a favored choice for their numerous health benefits. But what if you could experience the benefits of both infrared and traditional saunas in one? The combination of infrared and traditional sauna features offers the best of both worlds, creating a unique experience that can elevate your self-care routine and enhance your overall well-being.
In this blog, we’ll explore the features and benefits of combining infrared technology with traditional sauna heat, and why this hybrid sauna option might be the perfect choice for your home or wellness center.
An infrared sauna combined with a traditional sauna features both infrared heaters and conventional sauna elements. Typically, this setup includes infrared panels that emit radiant heat directly to the body and traditional heaters (such as a stove or hot rocks) that heat the air around you. This hybrid sauna allows users to enjoy both types of heat at different times during a session, offering a more versatile and customized sauna experience.
The goal of this combination is to provide the benefits of both sauna types: the deep penetration of infrared light and the intense, high-heat environment of a traditional sauna.
The most prominent feature of this type of sauna is the dual heating system. The infrared panels use infrared light to heat your body directly, while the traditional sauna element heats the air around you. This gives users the option to enjoy either heat source, or a combination of both, depending on their preference or the wellness goal they wish to achieve.
A hybrid sauna lets you tailor your experience to suit your personal needs. You can choose to begin your session with infrared heat for a gentler warming and deep tissue relaxation, and then switch to traditional heat to enjoy the high temperature and intensity of a Finnish sauna. This combination allows you to get the most out of both heating methods, depending on your body’s response and preferences.
Infrared saunas are generally more energy-efficient than traditional saunas, as they require less time to heat up and consume less power overall. However, if you're someone who enjoys the intense heat and atmosphere of a traditional sauna, the hybrid model allows you to toggle between a more energy-efficient infrared heating system and the full-power intensity of a traditional sauna.
The hybrid sauna offers a broader range of health benefits compared to either sauna type used alone. Here’s what you can expect from each:
Infrared Heat: Infrared saunas penetrate deeper into the skin, promoting detoxification, pain relief, improved circulation, and muscle relaxation. The gentle heat can be beneficial for those seeking targeted treatment for chronic conditions like arthritis or sore muscles.
Traditional Heat: Traditional saunas provide intense heat and promote heavy sweating, which helps flush toxins from the body. The high heat environment helps open pores, promoting better skin health and offering intense relaxation. It’s also great for improving cardiovascular health, as it increases heart rate and improves circulation.
By combining both, you can take advantage of the deep heat from infrared therapy while also enjoying the intense, cleansing effect of the traditional sauna environment.
Since the infrared system warms up faster than traditional saunas, you can start your session more quickly. This means you won’t have to wait long for your sauna to be ready. In many hybrid models, the infrared panels are pre-heated quickly, allowing you to enjoy a deeper heat almost immediately, while the traditional heaters will take a bit longer to warm the air, giving you the option of adjusting the temperature as you go.
Hybrid saunas are often designed for both personal and space-saving use. Whether it’s for home use or a small wellness center, many infrared and traditional sauna combos are compact and designed for one to two users. This means you can enjoy the sauna experience at your convenience, without needing a large, cumbersome setup.
To make the most of an infrared + traditional sauna combo, here are some tips:
Since infrared heat penetrates the skin more deeply, starting with this option can help relax your muscles and improve circulation. It’s a great way to prepare your body for a more intense heat session in the traditional sauna part.
Once you feel the infrared heat has relaxed your muscles and opened your pores, switch to the traditional heat for a more intense sweat. This can help flush out toxins and provide a cleansing effect on the body.
A typical session in a hybrid sauna lasts 20-40 minutes. If you plan to use both infrared and traditional heating systems, consider alternating between the two. You might start with 10-15 minutes of infrared heat and then move to 10-20 minutes of traditional sauna heat.
Sauna sessions promote sweating, so it’s important to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before and after your sauna session to help your body detoxify and keep your skin moisturized.
Both infrared and traditional saunas offer the opportunity to enhance your experience with essential oils. You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oils (such as eucalyptus, lavender, or peppermint) to the sauna stones or place them in a diffuser to help promote relaxation and improve respiratory function.
The combination of infrared and traditional sauna features offers the best of both worlds—deep tissue therapy and high-heat detoxification. It’s an ideal option for individuals looking for a customizable sauna experience that can cater to a variety of needs, including relaxation, muscle recovery, detoxification, and skin health.
Additionally, hybrid saunas can be a more space-efficient option for those who don’t want to commit to a single type of sauna but want the flexibility to enjoy both heat therapies. It’s perfect for anyone who’s interested in experimenting with different sauna therapies and discovering what works best for their body.
Combining infrared and traditional sauna features allows you to enjoy the full spectrum of sauna benefits, from deep heat therapy and detoxification to relaxation and skin rejuvenation. With a hybrid sauna, you get the flexibility to enjoy both gentle infrared heat and intense traditional sauna heat in a single, customizable session. Whether you’re looking to relax, recover, or detoxify, the combination of these two sauna styles offers a well-rounded experience that can enhance your overall well-being.
Investing in an infrared + traditional sauna combo is a fantastic way to take your wellness routine to the next level—giving you a versatile, energy-efficient, and powerful tool for improving your health. So, why settle for one when you can enjoy the best of both worlds?