Wouldn’t that be nice? No, all saunas are not the same.

*Pricing for private room bookings is variable separate from single session bookings.

Every single health benefit of sauna listed on the Framework website was demonstrated in a quality, published scientific study. Those studies reference the use of a traditional sauna—otherwise known as a dry sauna, Finnish sauna, or a Nordic sauna—where a wood or electric heater heats the air in the room to approximately 175°F. 

It’s commonplace for many companies and businesses to promote the same health benefits of traditional saunas for infrared cabins—colloquially referred to as ‘infrared saunas’—which heat your body through the use of far, near and mid-wave infrared radiation. The air temperature is typically between 100 and 140°F, and the air is only incidentally heated by the radiation. It is unproven which, if any, of these health benefits of sauna are also applicable to infrared cabins. 

In fact, a 2009 Canadian study demonstrated ‘limited’ and ‘weak’ evidence for many claimed health benefits of infrared cabins—and most other cited benefits have not been studied.

Plus…it just feels great to toss some water on the rocks and soak in all that warm steam!

A traditional sauna, like the ones used at Framework—are otherwise known as a dry sauna, Finnish sauna, or a Nordic sauna. A wood or electric heater heats the air in the room to approximately 175°F, and the baseline humidity is low, likely 10% or less. The room is typically wooded and the heater typically has rocks on it—adding water to the rocks can raise the humidity to 10-30% and induce additional waves of heat, as well as make the air more comfortable to breathe. The ‘rule of 200’ suggests making the approximate standard temperature setting of 170-180°F plus 20–30% humidity an effective, health-rich sweat.

Infrared cabin, also referred to as ‘infrared sauna’, uses far, near and mid-wave infrared radiation to penetrate the body’s skin directly and induce heating. The temperature is typically 120-140°F and the room humidity typically mirrors the ambient conditions, typically between <10%. Steam rooms use a heater to heat water, produce steam, and thus warm the room. The temperature is typically between 100-110°F with nearly 100% humidity. Note, steam rooms tend to comply with the rule of 200, while infrared cabins fall short.

When you look at the numbers, it’s far from the same thing.

Every single health benefit of sauna listed on the Framework website was demonstrated in a quality, published scientific study. Those studies reference the use of a traditional sauna—otherwise known as a dry sauna, Finnish sauna, or a Nordic sauna—where a wood or electric heater heats the air in the room to approximately 170°F. That’s why Framework only has traditional dry sauna – in many different sizes, shapes and colors!

It’s commonplace for many companies and businesses to promote the same health benefits of traditional saunas for infrared cabins—colloquially referred to as ‘infrared saunas’—which heat your body through the use of far, near and mid-wave infrared radiation. The air temperature is typically between 100 and 140°F, and the air is only incidentally heated by the radiation. It is unproven whether, if any, of these health benefits of sauna are also applicable to infrared cabins. 

In fact, a 2009 Canadian study demonstrated ‘limited’ and ‘weak’ evidence for many claimed health benefits of infrared cabins—and most other cited benefits have not been studied.

They’re quite different. Cold plunge uses 40–60°F water to cool you, while cryotherapy uses -200°F or colder air to cool you. Water conducts temperature 23 times better than air—or rather, absorbs heat from your body 23 times faster—so you will feel much colder, much faster in water. It’s simpler. It’s cheaper. Plus, on those days you can’t make it into the studio? Throw some ice in the tub or take a cold shower to keep those benefits coming.

Dose dependent means that the listed benefit was found to increase with more frequent usage. For example, in this study by Laukenan, et al demonstrating the benefits of frequent sauna usage on lowering cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, participants who used the sauna 2-3x per week were found to have 22% lower risk of CVD risk (compared with those using the sauna 1x per week) while participants who used the sauna 4-7x per week were found to have a 63% reduction in CVD risk (compared with those using the sauna 1x per week). In addition to CVD risk, his dose dependent benefit is present in the the studies we reference for was found to be present for stroke, and high blood pressure as well.