Renee Wants to Know

Left: Each session includes a private sauna room. Middle: Sweat + Salty recently opened in Birkdale Village. Right: Staying hydrated during a recent sweat session.

Sweat Working Up a

What are the benefits of an infrared sauna?

by Renee Roberson | photography courtesy of Renee Roberson

It’s been years since I used a sauna, and that was during college when I had a membership at a health club. Sitting in the extreme heat wasn’t something I particularly enjoyed in my late teens, so I never made it part of my health regimen.

But as I’m now in my mid-40s and focusing more on my mental and physical health, I was intrigued when I noticed Sweat + Salty Infrared Sauna Studio had opened in Birkdale Village.

An infrared sauna operates at a lower temperature than a traditional sauna so you can experience a more intense sweat at a lower temperature. Owner Cynthia Wagner first explored infrared saunas as an alternative treatment for her daughter’s Lyme disease. She developed the concept of allowing others to take time for themselves in a clean and relaxing environment while also enjoying benefits such as improved circulation, pain relief, stress reduction, detoxing and faster recovery time for sore muscles.

Sweat + Salty provides everything you need for your sweat session, from water bottles available for purchase (you can also bring your own), clean towels, and a private room with a lock on the door. Each session lasts 40 minutes and the sauna also includes an iPad that you can use to select soothing music or watch a program via a streaming service to help pass the time. On my visit, Wagner took the time to go over what to expect in my private infrared sauna room. I used the remote located inside the sauna to select a light therapy (also known as Chromotherapy) that can adjust body vibrations to target different physical symptoms. I selected a green light for my session, which helps reduce symptoms of depression, stress, insomnia and can help fight infection.

It took me about 10-15 minutes before a good sweat started up, although Wagner says this is different for everyone, and I liked having a cold washcloth waiting for me immediately after my session to help cool down my core body temperature. After the session, I was more relaxed, and my skin did not have the tight feeling I remember from the traditional sauna.

You can schedule your first sweat session for $29 and membership packages are also available for customers. Anyone on active duty, such as firefighters and police officers as well as veterans can receive 10 percent off stand-alone services with a valid ID.