The sauna has been essential to Finnish life for centuries, offering far more than just warmth. Rooted in tradition and ritual, Finnish saunas have served as spaces for relaxation, healing, and connection, shaping both daily routines and cultural identity. From their humble beginnings as earth pits to today’s beautifully crafted wood-burning and modern electric saunas, these steamy sanctuaries have evolved while maintaining their timeless appeal.
In this article, we’ll explore the rich history of Finnish saunas, their cultural significance, and the etiquette practices you can implement into your own self-care routine.
What is a Finnish Sauna?
A traditional Finnish sauna utilizes the power of dry heat. Unlike steam rooms or wet saunas, a Finnish sauna keeps moisture low. Finnish saunas were often simply heated caves or pits when they first originated. However, the style has now evolved into a cozy wood-lined room complete with seats for relaxing. Today, the traditional Finnish sauna features a wood-burning stove with rocks on top, creating a steamed effect when water is thrown on them. Normally, Finnish saunas are kept at a temperature of 176–230℉ and around 5–20% humidity. The low humidity levels and high temperatures set the traditional Finnish sauna apart.
The 3 Types of Finnish Saunas
Nowadays, the traditional Finnish sauna has evolved into something much more than a heated pit. A defining feature of Finnish saunas is the pile of hot stones heated by a specific heat source, ultimately determining the type of sauna.
Here are the 3 primary types of heat sources that define the different varieties of Finnish saunas:
1. Wood-Burning Sauna
Many consider the wood-burning sauna to be a “traditional Finnish sauna.” A popular choice in Finland, these heated rooms can be ready in at least 30 minutes with the proper techniques. Due to the smoke it produces, wood-burning saunas are recommended for outdoor use. Wood-burning saunas are heated by fire, with individuals consistently stoking the fire to heat the stones that maintain the space’s temperature. Water can be poured onto the rocks to create a steamed effect as desired.
2. Electric Sauna
A twist on the classic Finnish wood-burning sauna: these heated rooms use electricity to power heaters that control the space’s temperature. With low humidity and high temperatures, they are similar to wood-burning saunas but have a more modern feel. Some people prefer electric saunas since they can be installed indoors and outside as long as a dependable electric hookup is nearby.
3. Smoke Sauna
The smoke sauna or “savusauna” is the oldest and rarest variety of Finnish sauna. Although they’re not as well known anymore, smoke saunas are still a voted favorite among Finnish people. Preparing these heated rooms takes around 2 hours, but they’re well worth the time. To begin the process of heating a smoke sauna, a fire is lit, and the room is intentionally filled with smoke that coats everything in soot. Next, the sauna is aired out to clear the smoke completely, and the benches are wiped down. When you enter the sauna, the burning embers from the fire keep the room at a heated temperature. Smoke saunas are cooler than the other Finnish saunas, only reaching about 140℉. However, with their higher humidity levels, smoke saunas feel just as hot as wood-burning and electric varieties.
What About the Infrared Sauna?
While not part of traditional Finnish sauna culture, infrared saunas have become a modern alternative. Instead of heating the air, infrared saunas use infrared light to warm the body directly, offering a milder heat experience with temperatures typically around 120-150℉. This gentle heat makes them an appealing option for those seeking a more accessible and relaxing way to enjoy the benefits of sauna therapy.
The Origins of the Finnish Sauna Culture
Finnish saunas date back several thousand years when locals made heated pits in the ground. While there’s no written history of how the first Finnish sauna originated, stories about this widely practiced wellness tradition have been passed down. During its start, the Finnish sauna was a pit dug into the side of a slope and heated with hot rocks. The covered entrance helped keep the heat inside so people could bathe and keep warm in the harsh winters. Remnants of these original Finnish saunas have been found dating back as far as the Stone Age.
Eventually, locals began building saunas above ground, often making them the first structure of a home—a testament to the sauna’s integral role in Finnish culture. Back in the day, turf or animal hide was used for the roof, and rocks were heated by a fire to maintain the cozy atmosphere. Finnish saunas were considered sacred spaces at the time, often serving as places for childbirth or cleansing the dead before burial. Saunas were incorporated into Finns’s weekly life, helping ease life’s stresses and dividing the busy work week from the relaxing weekend. The sauna also became a place to relax and socialize, helping residents find their place among the community and feel at home.
At present, about 90% of Finns take a sauna every week, maintaining the tradition that’s been passed down through generations. Perhaps the Finnish sauna culture contributes to locals’ happiness—Finland has reached the top of the World Happiness Report for the last 6 years. In modern times, electric saunas are commonly used in place of the wood-burning room. Still, the Finns swear by the traditional route, believing it provides a more authentic experience with a softer, more natural heat.
How to Incorporate Finnish Sauna Etiquette into Your Next Sweat Session
Do you want to go to the sauna like the Finns do? Here’s how to integrate Finnish sauna etiquette into your sauna routine:
- Chat it Up With Other Sauna Users: Social sauna-ing is the way to go for the Finns. If you’re using a communal sauna or are inviting others to join you for a sweat session at your home wellness room, make it a space for quality time with strangers and friends alike. The Finns see saunas as their space to catch up with loved ones, have deep, candid conversations, meet strangers, or even strike a business deal. If you’d like to sauna the way the Finns do, make an effort to embrace the relaxed atmosphere, leave your inhibitions behind, and focus on connection, presence, and the rejuvenating experience.
- Go All Natural: Nudity is the norm in Finnish sauna culture. When the practice began, going nude was a way to keep the sauna clean and pure—a tradition Finns have carried on to this day. Shedding your clothes is seen as a symbolic act, representing the release of everyday roles and responsibilities and placing everyone on equal footing within the shared space. With that in mind, you’re unlikely to attract odd looks even if you want to wear a swimsuit. Saunas are about making everyone feel comfortable and at their most relaxed, whatever that looks like.
- Let the Sauna Speak for Itself: Nowadays, it’s common for people to add essential oil diffusers and soothing music to their sauna session. If you’d like to sauna the Finnish way, keep it simple. Avoid adding the bells and whistles like aromatic fragrances and meditative music. Instead, opt for a quiet and simplified place where you can fully unwind and take in the sauna’s heat.
- Alternate Between Hot & Cold: Finns commonly alternate their sweat sessions with dips into cold water or a quick roll in the snow if the heat is too much. While some may see this as crazy, the Finnish sauna culture embraces it as an invigorating ritual that boosts circulation, strengthens the immune system, and refreshes and revitalizes you. We recommend dipping into a cold plunge between your sauna sessions for a safe experience that strengthens you mentally and physically.
Add the Finnish Sauna Culture into Your Routine With Tubzz
Do you want to try out Finnish sauna culture for yourself? Whether you’d like to experience the alternation between hot and cold or embrace going all-natural, Tubzz offers a selection of state-of-the-art saunas to help you recreate this authentic and rejuvenating tradition in the comfort of your own home. From traditional wood-burning to electric heaters, our saunas provide an authentic taste of Finnish sauna design while delivering benefits like an elevated mood, improved circulation, and deep relaxation. Our customized cold plunge tubs can also be added to your wellness routine, offering an invigorating contrast therapy experience inspired by Finnish traditions. Schedule an appointment at our showroom in Northern Utah to discover firsthand what the Finns have cherished for thousands of years—pure relaxation, revitalization, and balance.
