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Stop Using Your Devices in the Sauna
Replies
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I go to a gym in NYC and use the steam room and sauna all the time - love the relaxation - for what it’s worth - I’ve never seen anyone on their device. 🤷♀️ It’s through the locker room so women only - never noticed anyone doing much chit chat or exercising in there .... just laying around in towels or in the buff “chillin” (or not haha)
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at my Y devices are banned from sauna and steam areas. You can lose priveledge if caught outrachsoderberg wrote: »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.
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lynn_glenmont wrote: »
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.
Weird he only way to sauna or steam is naked imo. Now at my Y it is a premium change room limited to same sex adults (. Women have their own) I have seen Facebook comment from teens who sneak in complain8ng about naked old men. Lmao when I first went to the y with my great uncle guy in 1973 or so even the pool was clothing free. At that point it was Mycenaean and there was a separate ywca of course1 -
My gym has saunas in the locker rooms and a steam out by the pool. I often see folks come in to the sauna before they play racquetball. I think they are just getting their bodies warm to play, not a full sauna session. Never in the steam.
I see folks bring in their music, and I can't imagine it's very good for the device at 120 degrees F. It's kind of amazing how much abuse people put these amazing (and expensive) devices through. I tried an experiment one time. I left my device in my locker, but I brought in my ear buds. They got really hot, and I took them back out and put them in my locker.
The sauna is DEFINITELY a place people chat in my gym. When I go at times that it's not busy, it's really nice to have the room to myself, but I have no expectation of it. There's almost ALWAYS at least one other person in the steam. When I have time, I do both.
Since the sauna is not co-ed, some folks opt not to wear shorts. Totally fine. Policy is no skin on the benches, so bring a towel to sit on. I think it's kind of sad that our culture creates some kind of shame associated with nudity. We're all born that way, and we all have bodies. There's nothing shameful. I've also noticed that most people shower without clothes on
Doesn't seem to be an issue. The steam is co-ed, so everyone is clothed. Definitely a great way to warm up before a swim, and a great way to relax after. It's actually the steam room that attracts me to pay the premium price of this particular gym since it's not really conveniently located for me. 1 -
One woman started singing oldies in the shower and we all joined in at the Y. I don't take any electronics to the club since they get stolen.5
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One woman started singing oldies in the shower and we all joined in at the Y. I don't take any electronics to the club since they get stolen.
I can't even imagine this happening, but if it did, I hope it would be a fun song. Mostly in my gym folks are just showering to clean off. There is this ONE guy who turns on TWO showers and stands in between both of them for a LONG time just wasting water. I hate that!0 -
Part of the reason is the cultures in the US. It is a melting pot so you get many cultures with different norms and very localized cultures depending on where you are.
I like Japan because it is a high respect culture. They have signs everywhere reminding people to be considerate and respectful of others. Here's one in a train... There are downsides to these types of cultures, but overall it made for a very pleasant experience. Upon returning to America and stopping in Chicago it was like a punch to the face.
We have signs reminding people about manners too.
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So I'm really curious as to whether this is just a US thing, or whether people have had it happen in other places, too?
I'm not American, and I've never, ever seen anyone on their phone in the sauna. I've rarely even been present for people chatting there- maybe a hello and some short pleasantries, but then people tend to just go back to being quiet.
Like, it hadn't even occurred to me that anyone would ever even think to bring their phone in there! But I get it, cultures differ and so does what's normal in different places.
Have any other non-Americans noticed this, though?1 -
BeGrandLike wrote: »So I'm really curious as to whether this is just a US thing, or whether people have had it happen in other places, too?
I'm not American, and I've never, ever seen anyone on their phone in the sauna. I've rarely even been present for people chatting there- maybe a hello and some short pleasantries, but then people tend to just go back to being quiet.
Like, it hadn't even occurred to me that anyone would ever even think to bring their phone in there! But I get it, cultures differ and so does what's normal in different places.
Have any other non-Americans noticed this, though?
I'm from the UK and live in Ireland, I've never seen people with phones in a sauna either at home or when I've travelled around Europe/Middle East, but have seen others (like myself) using waterproof MP3 players.1 -
I use the sauna after working out and almost everyone brings their phone in with them. It doesn’t bother me at all. But I would imagine it bothers the original poster like it bothers me when I go for a massage and I can hear people talking outside or music with lyrics.😠 It’s supposed to be relaxing!
As a side note, I always change out of my workout clothes and into swimwear and I always sit or lie down on my towel because I don’t want other people’s sweat on me.😝0 -
Not everyone shares your goals. I rarely go there, but when I do, it's to relax my muscles, not to meditate. Meditation does weird things to my brain. I have a relative who uses it as a social outlet and often goes there with a group of friends, so here's another example of someone whose goals don't align with yours. I hate talking to people in the sauna so I have my headphones on. Makes my time there more mentally relaxing, too, as I get to enjoy my audio entertainment with little to no interruptions. Live and let live.6
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BeGrandLike wrote: »So I'm really curious as to whether this is just a US thing, or whether people have had it happen in other places, too?
I'm not American, and I've never, ever seen anyone on their phone in the sauna. I've rarely even been present for people chatting there- maybe a hello and some short pleasantries, but then people tend to just go back to being quiet.
Like, it hadn't even occurred to me that anyone would ever even think to bring their phone in there! But I get it, cultures differ and so does what's normal in different places.
Have any other non-Americans noticed this, though?
I’m American - I’ve never seen this in the states! Might just be my gym where we are anti social lol (Well, it is NY - we just want to be left alone.) 😉3 -
Ironwoman2219 wrote: »I use the sauna after working out and almost everyone brings their phone in with them. It doesn’t bother me at all. But I would imagine it bothers the original poster like it bothers me when I go for a massage and I can hear people talking outside or music with lyrics.😠 It’s supposed to be relaxing!
As a side note, I always change out of my workout clothes and into swimwear and I always sit or lie down on my towel because I don’t want other people’s sweat on me.😝
Someone else's sweat would be one of my lesser worries.0 -
Devices don’t bother me. What bothers me are the jerks who use the dry sauna to dry their swim trunks or to dry off after swimming. The purpose of a dry sauna is dry heat. Evaporating the water from your smelly swim trucks into the air defeats the purpose.1
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allother94 wrote: »Devices don’t bother me. What bothers me are the jerks who use the dry sauna to dry their swim trunks or to dry off after swimming. The purpose of a dry sauna is dry heat. Evaporating the water from your smelly swim trucks into the air defeats the purpose.
I doubt the moisture from swim trunks is any worse than the moisture from sweat. Maybe thinking about it that way will help you feel less annoyed. People can use the sauna for whatever they want as long as they're being respectful and mindful of others.4 -
I'm Belgian (Europe) and I am truly gobsmacked reading this thread. A sauna is naked (even co-ed), just no skin on the benches. It is also quiet unless for a brief hello when entering.
Fully clothed?
With phones?
That would be so against etiquette here that you would lose your membership (not a spa, just a regular gym).
So I guess it is a cultural difference.
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Nope, I usually listen to sports talk radio on a little walkman (yes, they still have those).
If that bugs you, sorry.0 -
BeGrandLike wrote: »So I'm really curious as to whether this is just a US thing, or whether people have had it happen in other places, too?
I'm not American, and I've never, ever seen anyone on their phone in the sauna. I've rarely even been present for people chatting there- maybe a hello and some short pleasantries, but then people tend to just go back to being quiet.
Like, it hadn't even occurred to me that anyone would ever even think to bring their phone in there! But I get it, cultures differ and so does what's normal in different places.
Have any other non-Americans noticed this, though?
I thought it was weird when I started up at my gym and saw people with their devices in the sauna. I later realized that my gym has an app that when you download it, you get your gym pass bar code on your phone which gives you access to the areas of the gym for which you are authorized at your membership level. The sauna area is restricted to "premium" memberships and up, so people are using the app on their phones to access that area.1 -
Safari_Gal_ wrote: »
I’m American - I’ve never seen this in the states! Might just be my gym where we are anti social lol (Well, it is NY - we just want to be left alone.) 😉
I haven't either, but the only saunas I've been to in the US were at my current and prior gyms. The current one is single sex, small, and accessed through the women's locker room. There's usually no one else in the sauna during the times I use the gym (which is off prime time hours), or maybe one other person, and the door has a list of rules, including no cell phones.
My prior gym was similar, and also it was before smart phones were common that I was a member (which makes me feel old!).1 -
mom23mangos wrote: »
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.
This^^
This is when we do socialize because we are done working out. I myself do not talk while I am working out and don't mind some chit chat in the sauna.
I was in the sauna this morning and a gym goer I know was fully dressed with a jacket on before her workout because she said it helps to loosen up b4 here workout. I thought to myself I would would pass out. LOL
To each their own.4 -
Honestly I use my phone in the sauna, headphones in (not loud) and normally watch 15 or so minutes of a TV show while I am in there, it is one of the most relaxing parts of my day, so I would say that as long as im being mindful of others I have no reason not to use my device in the sauna.
I also do go in fully clothed, maybe thats weird I dont know.1 -
This^^
This is when we do socialize because we are done working out. I myself do not talk while I am working out and don't mind some chit chat in the sauna.
I was in the sauna this morning and a gym goer I know was fully dressed with a jacket on before her workout because she said it helps to loosen up b4 here workout. I thought to myself I would would pass out. LOL
To each their own.
My gym has rules posted going into the sauna...no gym attire, no sneakers, no exercise, no wet clothing. There's never a gym attendant back there to enforce the rules, so people just do whatever they want which is annoying.
Also, being fully clothed in an infrared sauna is kind of silly since the sauna uses infrared light that penetrates deeper into the skin to relieve pain and tension. You still benefit from sweating, but not from the deep penetration of infrared light.1 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »
My gym has rules posted going into the sauna...no gym attire, no sneakers, no exercise, no wet clothing. There's never a gym attendant back there to enforce the rules, so people just do whatever they want which is annoying.
Also, being fully clothed in an infrared sauna is kind of silly since the sauna uses infrared light that penetrates deeper into the skin to relieve pain and tension. You still benefit from sweating, but not from the deep penetration of infrared light.
My gym rules for sauna
Spend no more than 10 mins at a time
No pregnant women
No newspaper/magazines allowed
Absolutely NO shaving (thought that was interesting when I first saw that. They have that many people shaving enough to post a rule for it. Yikes)
Of course every gym is different.1 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »
I doubt the moisture from swim trunks is any worse than the moisture from sweat. Maybe thinking about it that way will help you feel less annoyed.
Wow! That worked. I’m cured.amusedmonkey wrote: »
People can use the sauna for whatever they want as long as they're being respectful and mindful of others.
Agreed. I personally use it to sell my homemade body spray and breed dogs.
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cwolfman13 wrote: »
My gym has rules posted going into the sauna...no gym attire, no sneakers, no exercise, no wet clothing. There's never a gym attendant back there to enforce the rules, so people just do whatever they want which is annoying.
Also, being fully clothed in an infrared sauna is kind of silly since the sauna uses infrared light that penetrates deeper into the skin to relieve pain and tension. You still benefit from sweating, but not from the deep penetration of infrared light.
My gym does the same thing. No wet clothes is a big one for me. It makes the air too humid. I’ve never sweated enough to get my clothes as wet as when I exit the pool. If someone can sweat that much, they are a better man than I.0 -
allother94 wrote: »
My gym does the same thing. No wet clothes is a big one for me. It makes the air too humid. I’ve never sweated enough to get my clothes as wet as when I exit the pool. If someone can sweat that much, they are a better man than I.
You're clearly missing out (or something...). My t-shirt is saturated with sweat when I erg and I know plenty of people who sweat more than I do. It's not really an issue of how hard you're working so much as individual variation.3 -
allother94 wrote: »
Wow! That worked. I’m cured.
Agreed. I personally use it to sell my homemade body spray and breed dogs.
Favorite post of the day right here. Too funny.3 -
Why must everyone who enters a sauna do so to meditate? Or stare blankly at an electronic screen? What's wrong with just sweating? If others in the sauna aren't bothering you, why so worried about what they do or how they do it? Seems some people are just looking for something to gripe about.10
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It's much more relaxing to me to listen to some music, and not be in complete silence. So my phone goes into the sauna with me (and steam room, cuz its waterproof).0
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I’ll stop using my headphones when other stop drying their swimsuits by the heater and/or carrying on a conversation. Bottom line is that if there is no rule posted against a behavior, it’s ok. And a rule like “be considerate of others” is too vague.2
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