Alright, so I’ve been meaning to share this little experiment of mine. Been hearing a lot about saunas, or sweat steaming as some call it, and the magic numbers for the temperature. The big question I had, and maybe you do too, was about 70 degrees Celsius. Is that a good temperature? Too low? Too high? Well, I went and found out for myself.

My First Go at 70°C

So, I decided to hit up a local place that has a traditional Finnish sauna. I’m not talking about those fancy infrared rooms that are, you know, a bit cooler. I wanted the real deal, the kind with hot rocks. When I got there, I checked the thermometer on the wall inside the sauna room. Sure enough, it was sitting pretty right at 70°C. My first thought was, “Huh, 70. Is that gonna be enough to get a good sweat going?” I’d read online that the sweet spot for many is higher, maybe around 80°C or even 90°C for the hardcore folks. But 70°C is apparently a common starting point for traditional saunas, often ranging from 70°C to 90°C.

I stepped inside. The heat wrapped around me, but it wasn’t like walking into a furnace. It was a dry heat, a bit intense at first, but not unbearable. I found a spot on the wooden bench, a bit lower down, thinking I’d ease into it. Smart move, I reckon, for a first proper try at this specific temp.

The Experience Unfolds

I just sat there, trying to relax. Focused on my breathing. After about five minutes, I could feel the sweat starting to bead up. It wasn’t an instant flood, more like a slow, steady warming from the inside out. I decided to stay for about 10-12 minutes for my first round. I’d heard it’s good to listen to your body, and that felt like enough to start.

Here’s what I did next:

• Stepped out, took a cool shower. Not ice cold, just refreshing.
• Sat down outside the sauna for about 10 minutes, drank some water. Super important, that hydration part.
• Then, I decided to go back in for a second round at the same 70°C.

The second time in, the 70 degrees felt a bit more intense, but in a good way. My body was already warmed up. This time, I even dared to sit a bit higher on the bench where it’s usually a tad hotter. I lasted another 12 minutes or so. The sweat was really flowing by then. It felt like I was properly detoxing, you know? Getting all the gunk out.

So, is 70°C Okay? My Take.

Absolutely, yes. For me, 70°C was actually pretty good. It was hot enough to get a really good sweat going, especially on the second round, but it wasn’t so overwhelmingly hot that I felt like I was fighting for air or couldn’t relax. I’ve heard some people say that anything below 80°C isn’t a “real” sauna, but honestly, bodies are different. What works for one person might not work for another.

I remember years ago, I tried a steam room that was probably only 45°C or 50°C, and while that was steamy, this 70°C dry sauna felt like a different kind of heat, more penetrating somehow. I also read that infrared saunas often run cooler, like 38°C to 65°C, so 70°C is definitely a step up from that and squarely in the traditional sauna zone.

After my two sessions, I felt incredibly relaxed. My muscles felt loose, and I just had this overall sense of well-being. Slept like a baby that night too, which was a big bonus. I wasn’t aiming to break any endurance records or push myself to the absolute limit. I just wanted a good, cleansing sweat and a bit of relaxation, and 70°C delivered that perfectly for me.

I think for someone new to traditional saunas, or if you’re not looking for extreme heat, 70°C is a fantastic temperature to start with, or even stick with. You can always work your way up if you feel like you want more intensity later. But for a comfortable, effective session? Thumbs up from me for 70 degrees. I’ll definitely be doing it again.