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Stop Using Your Devices in the Sauna
rachsoderberg
Posts: 55 Member
The United States seems to be the only place where the sauna is not enjoyed as a meditative and restorative part of your routine. People show up in their sneakers and fully clothed with headphones blaring, scrolling facebook and instagram, instead of taking some time to unplug and just enjoy the moment (and let the people around them do the same).
I go to the sauna after my workouts to meditate and have some quiet thinking time to allow my body to enter a recuperative parasympathetic state... but I have yet to have a dry sauna session where there isn't at least one person in there listening to loud headphones, possibly even tapping their feet to the beat.
So I'm making a call to everyone - leave your devices in your lockers. Not only is it better for you to unplug and get used to some "unentertained" time (seriously, it's only 15mins for the average person), it's not putting unnecessary heat wear on your device. It's also considerate to the people who have to share the sauna with you.
I go to the sauna after my workouts to meditate and have some quiet thinking time to allow my body to enter a recuperative parasympathetic state... but I have yet to have a dry sauna session where there isn't at least one person in there listening to loud headphones, possibly even tapping their feet to the beat.
So I'm making a call to everyone - leave your devices in your lockers. Not only is it better for you to unplug and get used to some "unentertained" time (seriously, it's only 15mins for the average person), it's not putting unnecessary heat wear on your device. It's also considerate to the people who have to share the sauna with you.
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Replies
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The sauna is just a sauna. It works just as well as intended if someone is on their device as if they are not on their device. My phone can be washed under water in the sink and turn out fine. I imagine it would hold up in the sauna pretty well. I agree that you should be respectful of others (meaning that you shouldn't be singing out load to your music or anything), but I think peoples own business is their business, and them using devices shouldn't be a problem for you gettng whatever you are trying to get out of the sauna.22
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There was a man loudly singing gospel in the sauna once... Gotta love mass chain gyms.4
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The sauna is just a sauna. It works just as well as intended if someone is on their device as if they are not on their device.
It works as well as intended if your only intention is to sweat. You are correct there! But staring at your device won't give you the same lovely meditative qualities and it's possible your body won't enter a deep parasympathetic state as if you focused solely on your breathing (at least, not as quickly).
But perhaps I'm silly to assume people want more from saunas than just to sweat. I may be the odd ball out with that one. Personally, it's one of the few moments I have where I could have the opportunity to sit in absolute silence with no disruptions or responsibilities, and it's frustrating to have that stolen from me.
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Agreed. I just joined a gym that has saunas, and this is annoying. I love my phone and my social media, but it would never even occur to me to bring it into the sauna. I also don't know how it would be remotely relaxing or comfortable to be in a sauna wearing the clothes you just worked out in and your trainers/sneakers. I'm hoping it's mostly the January crowd.
https://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/equipment/sauna-etiquette-dos-and-don-ts-for-the-steam-room.html9 -
Is this already covered by policy? I can't imagine the owners being ok with any sort of recording device being used in a locker room or sauna.
The acoustics however are awesome.13 -
I agree somewhat. I mean I wouldn't care if someone was scrolling on facebook in the sauna, that has no effect on me, but if they are listening to music so loud I can hear it, or they are tapping their foot or humming etc. that is annoying. As a side note, I'm jealous. There are no gyms near me that have saunas or steam rooms
I used to live near a Lifetime fitness. I miss it. 6 -
Actually on second thought I definitely would care if someone was on their phone in the sauna. You really shouldn't be using your phone with a camera in the locker room or sauna/steam room in the first place and all the gyms I've gone to have a rule stating that.21
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I end my workout in the sauna and steam room. Hard to see the screen and the phone gets to hot. I leave mine in the locker. Still it can be a distraction so you can make your goal time.1
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Is this already covered by policy? I can't imagine the owners being ok with any sort of recording device being used in a locker room or sauna.
The rules do state that you're not allowed to take video or photographs in the locker rooms and saunas, but sometimes they get wishy washy when it comes to just the device itself being present. "Well as long as they're not taking pictures they're fine" tends to be the answer. I guess it would be impossible to regulate anyways, without someone actively monitoring the area.2 -
jeepmanromero wrote: »Still it can be a distraction so you can make your goal time.
I imagine that's why most people do it, and I suppose I understand, but part of the experience (for me at least) is learning to stand a bit of discomfort - both having to live with being warm, and bear being unentertained for x amount of time.
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Sadly, most people can't go 15 minutes without looking at their phones these days. Where I work, it seems like the majority of people can't even walk from Point A to Point B without looking at something on their phone. I sympathize, but I don't see it getting any better.7
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And sometimes, you have no idea when someone is recording your conversation. Blind trust with blurred lines. Mmm hmm.4
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I am that one who wear the headphones, scroll through Facebook etc... I do turn down the music after I realized how loud it was in such a confined space. I will continue to wear my headphones, Facebook in the sauna. That is MY relaxation. I am fully clothed in the sauna as it is a coed sauna. There are people in there that exercise situps, pushups whatever that is THEIR thing.
I wouldn't expect everyone in a public sauna to abide to what I want them to do. If I have issues I would build my own private sauna.24 -
That is MY relaxation. I am fully clothed in the sauna as it is a coed sauna. There are people in there that exercise situps, pushups whatever that is THEIR thing.
I wouldn't expect everyone in a public sauna to abide to what I want them to do. If I have issues I would build my own private sauna.
It's not so much the scrolling or device in hand that bothers me (I close my eyes most of the time), but the sound of the person's headphones. Some people you can make out the full lyrics it's so loud, while others a quiet bump bump bump beat is just as annoying. I do appreciate that you realized how loud it can seem in such a silent enclosed space and turned yours down! I wish more people could be that considerate!
The sauna I go to is co-ed as well, but it's still strange to me to be in more clothes than you'd be wearing on a hot day or at the pool. Seems incredibly uncomfortable!
As for building my own sauna... If only that were a feasible option for the majority of people
I wish every day that I could, but I guarantee my landlord would not allow it lol
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rachsoderberg wrote: »That is MY relaxation. I am fully clothed in the sauna as it is a coed sauna. There are people in there that exercise situps, pushups whatever that is THEIR thing.
I wouldn't expect everyone in a public sauna to abide to what I want them to do. If I have issues I would build my own private sauna.
It's not so much the scrolling or device in hand that bothers me (I close my eyes most of the time), but the sound of the person's headphones. Some people you can make out the full lyrics it's so loud, while others a quiet bump bump bump beat is just as annoying. I do appreciate that you realized how loud it can seem in such a silent enclosed space and turned yours down! I wish more people could be that considerate!
The sauna I go to is co-ed as well, but it's still strange to me to be in more clothes than you'd be wearing on a hot day or at the pool. Seems incredibly uncomfortable!
As for building my own sauna... If only that were a feasible option for the majority of people I wish every day that I could, but I guarantee my landlord would not allow it lol
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Personally, it's one of the few moments I have where I could have the opportunity to sit in absolute silence with no disruptions or responsibilities, and it's frustrating to have that stolen from me.
[/quote]
Isn't that what the toilet is for☹?13 -
rachsoderberg wrote: »Is this already covered by policy? I can't imagine the owners being ok with any sort of recording device being used in a locker room or sauna.
The rules do state that you're not allowed to take video or photographs in the locker rooms and saunas, but sometimes they get wishy washy when it comes to just the device itself being present. "Well as long as they're not taking pictures they're fine" tends to be the answer. I guess it would be impossible to regulate anyways, without someone actively monitoring the area.
My gym had a similar policy, but one woman (friend of mine) noticed some unusual activity and reported another woman in the family changing rooms. She quietly told someone to get management and they confronted her and secured the phone.
https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/woman-pleads-guilty-in-secret-video-case/article_8cc24161-e295-5e78-a572-bcf3f13075ae.html
Not saying this happens everywhere, but it happens more often than we like to believe. Be careful.4 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »Personally, it's one of the few moments I have where I could have the opportunity to sit in absolute silence with no disruptions or responsibilities, and it's frustrating to have that stolen from me.
Isn't that what the toilet is for☹?[/quote]
Social media goes everywhere. Everyone's thumbs need a rest. Sigh. Someone did record my conversation on the sly. Quite the sneaky-snake and we are done. The end. 1 -
I don't use sauna at my center, the hot tub is plenty warm for me and I leave phone in locker when I use that and pool. I have phone when I walk but to play music or audiobooks.0
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rachsoderberg wrote: »The sauna is just a sauna. It works just as well as intended if someone is on their device as if they are not on their device.
It works as well as intended if your only intention is to sweat. You are correct there! But staring at your device won't give you the same lovely meditative qualities and it's possible your body won't enter a deep parasympathetic state as if you focused solely on your breathing (at least, not as quickly).
But perhaps I'm silly to assume people want more from saunas than just to sweat. I may be the odd ball out with that one. Personally, it's one of the few moments I have where I could have the opportunity to sit in absolute silence with no disruptions or responsibilities, and it's frustrating to have that stolen from me.
I haven't use a sauna in years but seems like when I did if anyone was in it, there was conversation. So even without electronics there wasn't silence.5 -
Diatonic12 wrote: »And sometimes, you have no idea when someone is recording your conversation. Blind trust with blurred lines. Mmm hmm.
Yeah, this would be my concern.
A few years back I asked two girls (looked to be in the 12 to 14 year old range) who were taking selfies in the mirror to stop, because it was disrespectful of the privacy of other people who were undressing in the background, and they looked at me like they had no idea what I was talking about. I asked management to post a sign prohibiting the taking of photos or video in the locker room, but that never happened.
Recently my gym posted a sign on the sauna asking people not to be totally naked in the sauna, which some people used to do (I usually draped a towel over myself because I didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable). After reading this thread, I'm wondering if the sign is management's way of trying to push responsibility on the gym members for not getting pictures taken of themselves naked in the sauna.1 -
@lynn_glenmont I've been lingering long on this one and mulling it over. I think you've hit the nail on the head. I can't help it. I'm leery. More clubs/gyms will be thinking about the liability as time goes by.0
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rachsoderberg wrote: »Is this already covered by policy? I can't imagine the owners being ok with any sort of recording device being used in a locker room or sauna.
The rules do state that you're not allowed to take video or photographs in the locker rooms and saunas, but sometimes they get wishy washy when it comes to just the device itself being present. "Well as long as they're not taking pictures they're fine" tends to be the answer. I guess it would be impossible to regulate anyways, without someone actively monitoring the area.
My gym had a similar policy, but one woman (friend of mine) noticed some unusual activity and reported another woman in the family changing rooms. She quietly told someone to get management and they confronted her and secured the phone.
https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/woman-pleads-guilty-in-secret-video-case/article_8cc24161-e295-5e78-a572-bcf3f13075ae.html
Not saying this happens everywhere, but it happens more often than we like to believe. Be careful.
did i know you were in kenosha?
i'm in mke1 -
I don't think it's good because everything gets hot. I am not sure it's good for phones or headsets. I wish there were Zen or meditative playing inside the sauna. But really anything goes in the gym I attend. It's not a spa, it's a working person's gym.0
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I'm sure someone already said this, didn't read the whole thread, but for the OP, how about some earplugs for yourself?
I've found it impossible to control other people and that my energy and time is better served finding solutions to things like this.
Surely there are other times and places to find a quiet meditation moment?9 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »rachsoderberg wrote: »The sauna is just a sauna. It works just as well as intended if someone is on their device as if they are not on their device.
It works as well as intended if your only intention is to sweat. You are correct there! But staring at your device won't give you the same lovely meditative qualities and it's possible your body won't enter a deep parasympathetic state as if you focused solely on your breathing (at least, not as quickly).
But perhaps I'm silly to assume people want more from saunas than just to sweat. I may be the odd ball out with that one. Personally, it's one of the few moments I have where I could have the opportunity to sit in absolute silence with no disruptions or responsibilities, and it's frustrating to have that stolen from me.
I haven't use a sauna in years but seems like when I did if anyone was in it, there was conversation. So even without electronics there wasn't silence.
This is exactly why I wear a waterproof MP3 player, never blasting though, it discourages people from making small talk with me, I don't want to talk to people in the sauna/pool, it's my peaceful time. For me it's the music that makes the experience meditative.
OP have you ever tried just asking people to turn it down if it's so loud you can hear the lyrics, I'd be surprised if anyone was intentionally listening to it so loud it bothered others.1 -
If you want a controlled environment, don't use shared spaces - people don't care about you or your preferences. If you chose to use shared spaces, accept that not everyone is using them the same way you are.14
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Must be a pretty tame sauna if the devices can withstand them. The Finns crank saunas up to 100 centrigrade.4
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Theoldguy1 wrote: »rachsoderberg wrote: »The sauna is just a sauna. It works just as well as intended if someone is on their device as if they are not on their device.
It works as well as intended if your only intention is to sweat. You are correct there! But staring at your device won't give you the same lovely meditative qualities and it's possible your body won't enter a deep parasympathetic state as if you focused solely on your breathing (at least, not as quickly).
But perhaps I'm silly to assume people want more from saunas than just to sweat. I may be the odd ball out with that one. Personally, it's one of the few moments I have where I could have the opportunity to sit in absolute silence with no disruptions or responsibilities, and it's frustrating to have that stolen from me.
I haven't use a sauna in years but seems like when I did if anyone was in it, there was conversation. So even without electronics there wasn't silence.
The sauna at my gym is where the majority of the socializing goes on. People are done with their workouts and don't mind a little chit chat. People are usually fully clothed unless coming from or going swimming. I admit I don't see how the people in full sweats and jackets can stand it. I usually have to at least shed my shirt. Lots of people also workout in there or stretch. I'll use it to do hot yoga sometimes.0 -
I am that one who wear the headphones, scroll through Facebook etc... I do turn down the music after I realized how loud it was in such a confined space. I will continue to wear my headphones, Facebook in the sauna. That is MY relaxation. I am fully clothed in the sauna as it is a coed sauna. There are people in there that exercise situps, pushups whatever that is THEIR thing.
I wouldn't expect everyone in a public sauna to abide to what I want them to do. If I have issues I would build my own private sauna.
There is etiquette though, just like gym etiquette. Exercising in a sauna is ridiculously against etiquette. I don't expect everything to be as it would be in a resort spa, but there is still etiquette. Not racking weights is bad etiquette in the gym and annoying, but I don't really see anyone saying, "well go build your own gym if it's annoying."
My sauna is also coed...a lot of people wear bathing suites and flip flops, including myself. Being fully clothed and in sneakers just seems really weird to me.
I have to amend my original comment somewhat as I realized last night that at my gym if you download their app your membership bar code can be pulled up on your phone and you have to use your bar code to get into certain parts of the gym with restricted membership access...so it makes sense to me now why people would have their devices with them in the sauna...they're using them to scan themselves in. I was just using my card which I will continue to do as I also like to take a dip in the hot tub and I don't want to just leave my phone laying around.
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