I've been spending some time at my local LA Fitness sauna to reap the health benefits of regular heat exposure. After reading Dr. Rhonda Patrick's work about the cardiovascular, muscle, health, and cognitive benefits, I've been making sauna use a regular part of my routine. With the way it makes me feel, the quiet, meditative time, and potential health benefits, it's a no-brainer.
However, I've run into a problem that leads to almost daily frustration. It seems that almost no one understands basic sauna etiquette. If it was a one-time or occasional issue, I could look past it, but poor behaviors in the sauna are everyday occurrences. I wonder why no one taught these women about common courtesy or manners.
Because blogging is my therapy, writing about my frustrations helps me process and deal with them, so thank you for indulging me in dealing with this, what some would undoubtedly call a first-world-problem: Oh poor gym lady, is annoyed while relaxing in a sauna.
Before I get into my sauna etiquette, I thought I'd first describe the types of people I regularly experience in the sauna. Again, if this were an occasional transgression, it wouldn't be a big deal. These are people I encounter daily in my big box gym sauna.
Plays Headphones Too Loud
This person is playing music so loud through their headphones that I can hear the music they are listening to as if it was coming through the speakers. Not only is this rude in a small space meant for relaxation, but it is also terrible for your ears. Turn the music down. Save your ears, save my sanity.
Watches Videos on the Phone with Sound On
When this happens, I am always shocked by the person's lack of situational awareness of appropriate behavior. Do they not realize I am sitting a foot away? Do they not care? Sometimes I politely ask them to turn it down (with fear they will kick my ass in the parking lot later); sometimes, I plug my ears.
Loud Talker
I understand if you are in the sauna with a friend, chatting can help pass the time, and I am ok with that, but voice levels in the sauna should be like in a library or church. Loud conversations are disrespectful of the other people in earshot, especially when confined in a small hot box.
When I first started going, there were a couple of ladies speaking Spanish, and it wasn't until I encountered the English speaking loud-talkers did I realize I much prefer not to understand what they are saying. Quiet talking is appropriate; no one wants to hear the details of your problems.
Groaner
The sauna gets hot and uncomfortable, but if you can't maintain your composure, it's probably time to cool off. There is always that girl that lets out a loud groan, sigh, or moan every few minutes. In a place that is for relaxation and meditation, random loud sounds are distracting and rude.
Cell Phone Scroller
It amazes me when I am sitting in a packed sauna, and every single person has their phone out, scrolling social media. Of all the sauna transgressions, it is the least of my complaints because at least they are quiet. But heat is bad for electronics, and if you stay long enough, your phone will overheat. Take advantage of the quiet time to let your mind wander, meditate, or relax. Are we really at the point in society that we can't put our phones away for 15 minutes?
Cell Phone Talker
I'll end on the worse offense, the girl that talks on her phone in the sauna. Again, bad for your phone and bad manners. If you have to take a call, take it out of earshot of the other six people in a small hot box. No one wants to hear your side of the conversation.
I use the sauna to relax and meditate, and other people's rude behavior often ruins my experience. I fantasize about making a sign of sauna rules and hanging it on the wall in the sauna (and signing it, management) since the gym doesn't enforce or suggest any guidelines at all.
Sauna Etiquette
Please be as quiet as possible. Keep your voice at a whisper.
Leave your cell phone out of the sauna or keep it put away. Turn your ringer off.
Keep the volume on your headphones at an appropriate volume.
Never use speakers that others can hear.
Rinse off before entering the sauna.
Wear a towel, swimsuit, or appropriate clothing. A big box gym in the US is not a Swedish bathhouse.
Don't use the sauna to workout; join the hot Yoga class instead. It's distracting to the other participants; it's awkward in a confined space, and you risk splashing sweat on another person. Light stretching is appropriate.
Keep moaning, grunting, and sighing to a minimum.
Make room for new people entering the sauna.
Generally, be aware and respectful of how your actions affect the people around you.
Am I too harsh? It all seems like common sense to me, and shouldn't need pointing out. Am I off base? Have you ever had a similar experience? I wonder if most of these people don't realize they are acting inappropriately, or if they don't care.
I can't help but wonder if the men's sauna has similar issues or if this is a female behavior problem? Men, can you chime in?
Do you share any of my frustrations? Would it be inappropriate to print this blog post and leave it all over the gym? Haha.
Is it time for me to invest in one of those home hot saunas for the ShredShed? With a private home sauna, I would get all the benefits of heat exposure without the frustrations of dealing with the public.
In the end, I have decided to make the most out of it by using these experiences as lessons, to learn and practice how to not let other people’s behaviors affect my experiences and well-being. At this rate, I’ll get lots of practice!
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Questions? I’d love to help.
