bgsm1th

Are there any actual benefits to your body when sitting in a steamroom or dry heat sauna?

I sit in the steamroom for about 10-12 minutes after my work-out, 3-4 times a week. Helps me relax and makes me a little less tense...

Are there any actual benefits to this physically, or does it just feel good?

Whiskers

Sweating does cause some weight loss (not much and mostly water weight). The steam is also good for your muscles.

Ken1997TL

Its also good for your skin

ric

The finns swear by the benefits of the sauna as a dry heat. Great for joint pain, improves circulation, and the sweating "clears the skin pores", according to common belief. There is some belief that the intense sweating helps remove toxins from the body. In Minnesota, near where I grew up, it was not unusual for one to take a sauna, then go dive into a frozen lake in which a hole had been cut, or just roll around in the snow.....

Gotta remember to rehydrate after a sauna, and going in after having hoisted a few brews or a glass of wine is not recommended....

SpeedyV6

Other than a few anecdotes relayed by the Finns are the purported benefits of a steamroom or sauna real? Also, if these benefits exist, which is better for you, the sauna or steamroom?