I know that many here have purchased saunas and I've looked at past posts, but am wondering which models/companies seem to be highly favored? There are a lot on the market--all claiming to be the best!
Looking to buy a free-standing, two-person model, not portable.
Thanks!
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I have a Sunlight Sauna (I think they're called something like Sunlighten now), and I love it. I have the three person model which gives me room to lie down. One of the panels was defective and they replaced it with no hassle to us. Easy. Good quality.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
quote:Originally posted by sixgoofykids: I have a Sunlight Sauna (I think they're called something like Sunlighten now), and I love it. I have the three person model which gives me room to lie down. One of the panels was defective and they replaced it with no hassle to us. Easy. Good quality.
What kind of wood is your sauna? I have heard that if you have chemical sensitivities that poplar is best and sunlighten has basswood, hemlock and cedar.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I have cedar. I love the smell. Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :
I have a west coast sauna. I also have a 3 person in Hemlock. This wood does not out-gas and is similar to poplar.
I chose them because they have a patented Carbon Wave system that uses 20 organic materials for the heating surface instead of ceramic which isn't as efficient. Their systems also operate at the frequency closest to the human body.
Also know that I am not associated with them at all however I do have a contact over there that can usually save a couple hundred dollars.
I have had mine for about a year and use it weekly. Definitely has been a large part of my recovery. If I am feeling bad I hop in for about 20-30minutes and after usually feel much better.
Fuel
Posted by lada (Member # 32618) on :
May I ask what in the heck is a fir sauna and what does it do?
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
And may I ask WHERE does one keep this sauna? I just cannot visualize this thing. But I am interested. Thank you!
Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :
It is an infrared sauna. Instead of heating rocks and sitting around them to work up a sweat, the infrared penetrates the body up to 1.5 inches.
"Infrared radiation (IR) is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than that of visible light, but shorter than that of radio waves. This radiating energy penetrates the body and heats it directly and more efficiently through a process called conversion"
I have mine in the corner of my basement Here is the one I have only in Hemlock
Hmmm... we don't have basements in CA so I wonder if it go inside my garage?? It is easy to set up, take apart and move around though??
Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :
Depending on the model you get, I think they all need their own outlet. Thats about the only requirements.
It comes in about 3 boxes and about 5 total pieces. Takes a little over an hour to assemble.
Don't see why you could not put it in your garage.
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
We have this one. Found it 'barely used' on Craigslist.
It's the size of a wardrobe and sits in the corner of our second bedroom.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
There's different kinds of saunas, ranging from the cabinet kind to portable tents to a biomat that simply lays on the floor. The latter two are easy to set up and take up when done.
I just made a post this week about my miracle turn-around from sweating on a FIR biomat once a week for an hour for six months -
after six months, finally my MCS - multiple chemical sensitivity - has lessened due to my sweating toxins out. I can now handle chemical smells and touch chemicalized materials for the first time in years. I will need to do more, but I am grateful that it does work!
Fuel, do you know anything more about the difference between tents that use carbon vs ceramic heating?
Posted by sk8ter (Member # 8671) on :
If you have multiple chemical sensitivities then the ONLY wood you should be using is basswood. It has no smell or toxic natural gassing like cedar does.
Posted by FYRECRACKER (Member # 28568) on :
I have a Sunlighten model (solo) but i've heard their stand alones are great too
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
Any biomat users?
Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :
Sorry a little forgot to subscribe to this...
Robin - I know that carbon has a much larger surface. There are quite a few differences see link below for more details.
I like it much better than the traditional hot sauna - never could take breathing that hot air.
We bought a West Coast Sauna, Del Mar model - which has hemlock. The wood is gorgeous - my spouse is allergic to the cedar. It fits two comfortably, three very cozy. We put it in an upstairs room - it takes up a good chunk of space, but is worth it. It was relatively quick to setup, but did require some strength to move panels and get it all connected.
The company was very good to work with - we had an issue with a part and it was quickly replaced (no charge of course). They were responsive when we called and very apologetic about the mistake.
The sauna works great!
Posted by PhillyLyme (Member # 26468) on :
How much can one expect to pay for a 2 seater?
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
Where do you all put these stand alone sauna? I only have room in my patio or master bedroom. How easy is it to move it?
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
I have one of those portable tent kinds - wanted to go cheap to make sure I could tolerate it.
Four years later I'm still using it! I love it because I can't breathe hot air but I still sweat from head to toe. I always feel better after a sauna and if I do several per week it makse a HUGE difference.
I go 138 to 140 degrees for 45 minutes.
The summer has been so hot that I went two months without a sauna and I could really tell the difference. I did 3 this week and it's been helpful.
I paid $180.00 for mine but they are about 230 or so now (Infr read with ceramic heater)
Posted by twicebitten (Member # 5412) on :
mojo,
so the portable tent saunas work good too? I have looked into getting one. I didn't know if they worked like the big ones, or say the biomat?
If I could stand this heat I'd just get outside for awhile, as I imagine I'd sweat plenty, but it just drains all my energy.
It's been over 100 degrees here for a record length of time, if I could recall the number of days I'd tell you. Over 2 months..
Its been running about 113 most days recently.
I guess that's still not 140, but it feels it.
So if yours has lasted 4 years, they must be pretty good. Do you take it down and put it back up often? Have you transported it many times? ever had to replace anything on it? Thanks
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
I've seen this on ebay and it's affordable for us but I'm having a hard time finding reviews on it.
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
Wow Mojo that's really hot!! I don't know if I can handle that! Perhaps I should try the portable tent just to be sure. What is the brand that you have? Where did you buy yours?
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Well, I handled 158 degrees just fine, with the biomat.
Re the portable tent, does it matter whether it's ceramic or carbon?
And would tents outgas in the beginning?
Posted by bearlythere (Member # 31973) on :
I purchased mine on EBAY for under two hundred dollars. It's a portable tent model and is small enough to set up an any room.
Even my husband uses it to ease his sore muscles after work.
Posted by twicebitten (Member # 5412) on :
They have several models on Amazon too. I've been looking at the one that looks like a sleeping bag. Anyone ever use that one? Seems so easy to set up and put away. I don't have much room in this house for anything.
Does anyone know if this is the same as the Fir sauna or blanket, biomat, etc..Wonder if it does the same thing?
They would put the pads on my feet and legs and run the machine for like 40 min. or something.
THese machines are expensive, but it seemed to help me then.
Posted by Rene (Member # 4870) on :
I love my tent model. Always feel better after using it. The $200.00 I spent on my sauna is the best money spent in 8 years of this illness!!
Posted by DolphinLady (Member # 6275) on :
Several llmds recommend the Biomat. It penetrates 6 inches into the body. It combines 3 complementary healing technologies (infrared saunas focus on a single technology, infrared rays), infrared heat, amethyst crystals (deliver rays more effectively into the body) and negative ions which relieve stress & depression while producing a pleasant state of euphoria and peace during treatment.
The Biomat is portable and versatile. I take it with me when I travel and sometimes sleep on it too. It does what a sauna does and much more. I've never heard anyone credit a sauna with helping them achieve remission. The Biomat on the other hand has helped many, including me, achieve remission.
Its been well worth the investment; I'd never want to be without it!
[ 08-12-2011, 11:23 PM: Message edited by: DolphinLady ]
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
Rene, could you give a link to a tent model like you have so I can see what you're refering to? Thanks!
Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :
I also as Racer bought a Westcoast Sauna ... the 3 person model in Hemlock.
Hemlock will have minimal outgassing. It is a beautiful wood.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND DO YOUR RESEARCH
You can't just go and buy any suana you get a good deal on. Many of the cheap models use partical board fillers with toxic glues that will outgas as they heat.
The whole purpose of a sauna is to cleanse and detox. What is the point of being in an environment where you are absorbing more toxins than you are releasing.
Things to remember: Research the wood... Hemlock, basswood .. Research the contruction and reviews.. Research the technology and data
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