A History of Sauna
A traditional Finnish Sauna	Origins The first known saunas were simply pits dug into a slope in the ground, which were primarily used as dwellings during winter. These saunas featured a fireplace where stones were heated to a high temperature, and then water was thrown over them to produce steam, which in turn heated the immediate area. This practice would raise the temperature so high that people could take off their clothes even in the coldest season. Evolution Eventually the sauna evolved into above ground wooden dwellings, with the use of a metal woodstove with a chimney, and air temperatures now averaged around 70-80 degrees Celsius (160-180 degrees Fahrenheit) but sometimes exceeded 90 °C (200 °F). As with the earlier saunas, steam vapor was created by splashing water on the heated rocks.
Modern saunas Today saunas are common in public health and fitness centers, swimming pools and even private homes. Currently infrared saunas are very popular, particularly for home users, coming in a wide range of pre-built kits.