Fogo Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 After my run today, I headed into the locker room to change, and found a cluster of meatheanderthals. (What would be the proper term for a group of those guys?) This cluster was forming a line about 10-15 deep for the showers, meaning I had plenty of time I'd have to kill before I could get my turn. Rather than hang out with them, I headed out to the pool area, and wandered into the steam room.I've never really spent much time in there, so I figured I'd give it a shot while I waited for the cluster to thin out a bit. Sure, I managed to sweat a ton (or collect some condensation - who knows - either way I was soaked), but I'm not sure why someone would really want to hang out there everyday.So, long story short, what's the point of a steam room? Any reasons to make it part of a routine, or avoid it like the plague? Quote Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. Fitocracy | About.me Fogo STR: 6 | DEX: 5.25 | STA: 7.25 | CON: 4 | WIS: 3.75 | CHA: 4.25 Fogo's <CREATIVE_CHALLENGE_NAME> Challenge [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to comment
andygates Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 A good sweat is (generally) good for your skin and leaves most folks feeling energized afterwards. If you combine it with a cold plunge pool or a cold-blast shower, well, ask the Finns and Russians, it's a cult over there. Feels awesome. (Disclosure: recent holiday had a spa area with a cold bucket on a chain. I had to be dragged away from hot-cold-hot-cold...) Quote Link to comment
Gainsdalf the Whey Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 One of my favorite things to do when it's available is hop from hot tub to swimming pool and back over and over. It's really invigorating. Quote Massrandir, Barkûn, Swolórin, The Whey Pilgrim 500 / 330 / 625 Challenges: 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 34 35 36 39 41 42 45 46 47 48 49 Current Challenge "No citizen has a right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. What a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without ever seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable. " ~ Socrates "Friends don't let friends squat high." ~ Chad Wesley Smith "It's a dangerous business, Brodo, squatting to the floor. You step into the rack, and if you don't keep your form, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." ~ Gainsdalf Link to comment
Marlowe Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 I agree w/others -- I love going into the whirlpool and then the steam room after a workout at the gym, before taking a shower and getting back to my work day. I'm sure there are studies that will show some medical benefits, but more than anything, it's for people who get relaxation out of it and it works akin to a sorbet or buffer between your workout and 'real' life. I like the feeling of getting the sweat out and I feel relaxed and energized after it.But if it's not your thing, no worries.... I think it's one of those personal preference dealios. Quote Link to comment
bigm141414 Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 It helps to open up and clear out your pores after sweating. At least that's what I've been lead to believe. Quote "Pull the bar like you're ripping the head off a god-damned lion" - Donny Shankle Link to comment
Corbab Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 There's some group somewhere in Scandinavia that spends time in super-cold (like, -10º) rooms for the health benefits. I don't go to a gym with any kind of fancy stuff like that, but now I'm wishing I did... Quote Never think of pain or danger or enemies a moment longer than is necessary to fight them. -Ayn Rand Amongst those less skilled you can see all this energy escaping through contorted faces, gritted teeth and tight shoulders that consume huge amounts of effort but contribute nothing to achieving the task. Link to comment
Gainsdalf the Whey Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 There's some group somewhere in Scandinavia that spends time in super-cold (like, -10º) rooms for the health benefits. I don't go to a gym with any kind of fancy stuff like that, but now I'm wishing I did...It's a thing among some athletes too. It's like 60 seconds. It's supposed to kick start the healing process. Quote Massrandir, Barkûn, Swolórin, The Whey Pilgrim 500 / 330 / 625 Challenges: 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 34 35 36 39 41 42 45 46 47 48 49 Current Challenge "No citizen has a right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. What a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without ever seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable. " ~ Socrates "Friends don't let friends squat high." ~ Chad Wesley Smith "It's a dangerous business, Brodo, squatting to the floor. You step into the rack, and if you don't keep your form, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." ~ Gainsdalf Link to comment
Rivanariko Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 The B&B that my husband I stayed at last summer boasted about their super-fancy steam shower. I tried it out and couldn't figure out why it was fun. It must be aimed at people who have never lived in humid climates, because I just felt like I was sitting outside in Carolina in August minus the bugs. Quote "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that leads to total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." -Frank Herbert, Dune Link to comment
WizardTrip Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 Years ago, I use to follow up my workouts with:15 min Hot Tub60 sec Cold Plunge15 min Sauna60 sec Cold Plunge15 min Steam RoomShower and go homeSo relaxing!!! Quote Level 6 Wizard of Beer Warrior STR 21.25 | DEX 5.75 | STA 7.75 | CON 3.50 | WIS 9.50 | CHA 3.25 Twitter | Epic Trip | Current Challenge Previous Challenges: 1 2 3 4 5 *the warrior formerly known as icedtrip and former dothraki god of thunder furyan* Link to comment
Rosie Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 I really dislike steam rooms and saunas. Just the thought of sitting there sweating and dripping all over the place but not actually doing any exercise.... bleugh. If I want to sweat, I go to my monday Zumba class where the A/C is broken in the dance studio. Hot tubs are a different story though, just try and keep me away from one of those! One a weekend away with some friends I hadn't even packed a bathing suit and I still couldn't stay away, just got in with my bra and pants on! Quote [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Twitter Blog Attributes: Strength (STR): 3 Dexterity (DEX): 1 Stamina (STA): 4 Constitution (CON): 2 Wisdom (WIS): 3 Charisma (CHA): 2 Link to comment
bigm141414 Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 Hot Tub + Cold Snowy Night + Bottle of Good Tequila = A Very Happy BigMThis is the only situation in which snow is acceptable. All other times it can go jump off a cliff.... I hate snow. Quote "Pull the bar like you're ripping the head off a god-damned lion" - Donny Shankle Link to comment
Rosie Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 +1 what BigM said, hate snow. Especially as I'm the only one that makes it into the office when it snows and everyone else stays home! Quote [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Twitter Blog Attributes: Strength (STR): 3 Dexterity (DEX): 1 Stamina (STA): 4 Constitution (CON): 2 Wisdom (WIS): 3 Charisma (CHA): 2 Link to comment
shutterpillar Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 Hot Tub + Cold Snowy Night + Bottle of Good Tequila = A Very Happy BigMThis is the only situation in which snow is acceptable. All other times it can go jump off a cliff.... I hate snow.I concur. Quote "resistance is futile." Link to comment
saretta Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 Steam rooms are supposed to be good for sweating out toxins. I go to a local spa occasionally where you rotate time in the "hammam" or Turkish bath with rubbing yourself down with ice. Sounds horrible, but feels great, especially if followed by a massage! ;-) Quote Link to comment
Sloth the Enduring Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 A long time ago I worked out in gym in the heart of downtown, not too far from the red light district (now razed). The point of the steam room seemed to be to give the guys a place to service each other. I went in once, backed out slowly, and haven't been in another one since. Quote “We might as well start where we are, use what we have and do what we can." – Caitlin Rivers Sloth: The Man with the Hammer battle log Link to comment
sashi Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 The B&B that my husband I stayed at last summer boasted about their super-fancy steam shower. I tried it out and couldn't figure out why it was fun. It must be aimed at people who have never lived in humid climates, because I just felt like I was sitting outside in Carolina in August minus the bugs.The couple of times I've been in a sauna, I felt the same way. Quote ________________________________________________"The truth is rarely pure and never simple." -- Oscar WildeBattle Log Old Battle Log Link to comment
wildross Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 The B&B that my husband I stayed at last summer boasted about their super-fancy steam shower. I tried it out and couldn't figure out why it was fun. It must be aimed at people who have never lived in humid climates, because I just felt like I was sitting outside in Carolina in August minus the bugs.Or Houston, TX Quote Warriors don't count reps and sets. They count tons. My psychologist weighs 45 pounds, has an iron soul and sits on the end of a bar Tally Sheet for 2019 Encouragement for older members: Chronologically Blessed Group; Encouragement for newbie lifters: When we were weaker Link to comment
Oogiem Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Laughing about the folks who think it' like living in a humid area. Having never lived anyplace where humidity was a problem I love steam rooms. They are especially good when I'm having an asthma or allergy attack. Great for clearing out my sinuses. Steam room followed by cool shower is heaven, I sometimes try to turn our regular shower into a mini steam room. On a sunny day we can get 165 degree water out the tap so it's close. Quote Oogie McGuire Black Sheep Shepherdess STR 4.25 | DEX 4.5 | STA 3.75 | CON 3 | WIS 4.75 | CHA 1 Link to comment
bigm141414 Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Or Houston, TXThe only place I've lived that it is 100% humidity and not a darn cloud in the sky. Quote "Pull the bar like you're ripping the head off a god-damned lion" - Donny Shankle Link to comment
AKLulu Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 I grew up taking a lot of steam baths (basically a wet sauna) in rural Alaska. They're great for clearing out your pores and all that, but mostly we just found them to be really relaxing and enjoyable (it was also very social for us). It was also great to be able to put a metal bowl on the stove with water and a little eucalyptus oil when you needed to clear your head while sick. I do find public saunas to be slightly disappointing because they're never as hot as I'd like, but I still like to relax in one when I get a chance. When I have my own property someday, I'll definitely be building a steam bath. I guess if it's not something you're accustomed to, it would be a bit difficult to get into the culture of (especially these wussy gym saunas). Quote Lulu : one that is remarkable or wonderful (it's in the dictionary, it must be true) Battle Log | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram Link to comment
aj_rock Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 I remember having ice baths available during training for football. Like a cold pack, helps to reduce inflammation (which you get lots of in contact-heavy sports >.>)As for the steam room, it's a relaxant. Ever notice how people just seem to move... slower, in warm, humic climates? Your body just relaxes in the presence of warm humidity, in order to reduce chances of overexertion/over-heating. Quote Why must I put a name on the foods I choose to eat and how I choose to eat them? Rather than tell people that I eat according to someone else's arbitrary rules, I'd rather just tell them, I eat healthy. And no, my diet does not have a name.My daily battle log! Link to comment
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