Optimal temperature and humidity in the bath: Russian steam room, Finnish sauna, Turkish hammam. Temperature in the steam room of a Russian bath Optimal temperature for a sauna

There's no name for a bathhouse in Russia! In Russian folklore, she is both a “native mother”, and a “healer”, and “a savior from seven troubles”. Semyon Gerasimovich Zybelin, a student of M.V. Lomonosov, the first Russian professor at the Faculty of Medicine at Moscow University, wrote in his book “On Bathing, Baths and Baths” about the process of washing in a bathhouse as a pleasure. And he called the state after the bath a revival of strength and renewal of feelings. Not only doctors, but also everyone who studies the properties of the bathhouse in one way or another still turn to his works.

There are a lot of works about the bathhouse in general and specifically about the Russian bathhouse. Among those who studied how the Russian bath affects the human body were the scientist, academician Ivan Tarkhanov (1846–1908) and his contemporary Professor Vyacheslav Manassein. Thus, Tarkhanov wrote that it is enough to lightly prick a steamed person with a pin, and blood will immediately come out in drops. This, according to the scientist, is due to an increase in body temperature when a person steams. The blood thickens, hemoglobin increases. However, in order for the blood to return to normal, it is enough to drink 1-2 glasses of water. At what temperature did Tarkhanov’s subjects steam, if his further findings indicate a decrease in body weight at this time from 140 to 580 grams, an increase in chest circumference and a decrease (envy, women!) in abdominal circumference?

There is no point in talking about specific traditional temperature and humidity in a Russian bath. In numerous works of Russian scientists - A. Fadeev. V. Godlevsky, V. Znamensky, S. Kostyurin, N. Zasetsky and many others - they talk about a bath with different temperatures. So, in a classic Russian bath, the temperature ranges from 40 to 60 degrees Celsius and the humidity is kept at approximately the same percentage level (40–60). In such a bath the body heats up very slowly. A person can sit in a steam room for up to an hour. With such a combination of temperature and humidity, medical scientists note a very high inhalation effect of the procedure.

But try to lure a real steam bather into such a bathhouse. He won't understand you. The steam must be strong. That is, the temperature is higher - the humidity is lower. Such baths warm up to 70–90 degrees, and the humidity there does not exceed 35 percent. If the temperature reaches 100 degrees or higher, and the humidity drops even more, then we're talking about about the bathhouse, which we call “sauna”. However, from the works of the already mentioned scientists, it is not difficult to trace that long before they became acquainted with the Finnish sauna, there were always lovers of high temperatures and very low humidity in the steam room in Russia.

The temperature and humidity in a Russian bath largely depend on the design of its stove. If an open water container is used in the steam room, then when the temperature rises, the water evaporates - and the bathhouse is provided with increased humidity. The temperature of the stones in the heater in such a bath does not rise above 300 degrees Celsius. If you pour water on stones, so-called heavy steam is formed. It hangs in the form of a mist and adversely affects the respiratory tract.

On the contrary, a closed container, and even remote from the oven, does not release moisture at all. The stones in such a steam room can heat up to 700 degrees. It is enough to pour a ladle of water onto the heater, and the liquid instantly turns into dry steam, which is also called light or dispersed. This means that water molecules and air molecules are mixed in it

Teachers and students of the First Moscow Medical Institute, having studied modern Russian baths, came to the conclusion that they are universal. The baths are built in such a way that the temperature and humidity there change depending on the place where you are. So, in the dressing room the temperature will be 20–25 degrees with very moderate humidity; in the washing room it reaches the lower level of a classic bath - 30–35 degrees with a humidity of 40%; and in the steam room it will increase depending on the preference of the steamer. If you don't pour water on the heater, the temperature will probably remain no higher than 80 degrees with a humidity of 25-30 percent. If you want a vigorous sauna, splash one or two buckets of water on the heater, and the classic sauna is ready.

The main principle of the Russian bath, which is noted by all scientists without exception: there is no maximum humidity or temperature in it. Otherwise, it’s not a bathhouse, but wandering with a broom in the fog.

A sauna is a great way to strengthen your immune system, cope with a variety of ailments and relax after a hard week of work. But let’s cool your ardor: this effect is achieved only with strict adherence to the rules for visiting the steam room. Main mistake, which beginners admit - the desire to turn up the heat more - often leads to undesirable consequences. How to choose the optimal temperature regime?

Temperature differences between different types of baths

Depending on the design features buildings, there are several types of steam rooms:

  • Russian. In such a bathhouse, the stone backfill is always located inside the wood-burning stove. If you need to add steam, open the door and pour hot water over the stones.
  • Turkish (hamam). In its classical design, it is a luxurious palace built of marble, decorated with stained glass windows and mosaics. A modern hammam is a round room made of stone. There are always several swimming pools for ablutions.
  • Japanese (ofuro). It consists of two wooden barrels: the first is filled with heated sawdust, medicinal herbs And essential oils; the second - sea pebbles, providing a massage to the entire surface of the body.
  • Finnish. In this bathhouse, the stones are in an open state, and the modern stove is most often electric. Often such buildings are complemented by a swimming pool or shower.
  • infrared sauna. This is a small wooden cabinet with thin walls and a glass door; IR emitters are located under the seats. The design eliminates steam formation, so it is quite easy to carry.

The type of construction directly affects the principle of operation of the steam room and the effect it has on the body.

Russian bath: temperature regime

This steam room has a low heat level (60-70 degrees). In order to prepare the room for the future ceremony, it is heated from one to several hours, depending on the size and type of stove (stone or metal). If there are any defects in the building - rotten crowns, leaky floors - it is very difficult to achieve the desired temperature regime.

Additionally warm up all muscles, joints and internal organs you can use brooms. They create a massage effect, and natural oils of juniper, oak, and fir increase the overall tone of the body.

Optimal temperature and humidity in a Russian bath

The wish for “light steam” before the start of such a ceremony is not accidental. Russian bathhouse is different high level humidity (up to 90 percent). The thick steam generated when water is applied to hot stones cleanses the skin, accelerates blood flow, and improves metabolic processes in tissues.

The general rule: if the humidity in the bath is high, the temperature should be lowered.

You can regulate the heat load yourself: on the upper shelves it is always higher. The lower steps are suitable for a short rest; They are also recommended for beginners and people in a weakened state. If you are participating in a bath ceremony for the first time, limit yourself to five minutes to begin with.

Advice: you should not stand in the steam room - this can lead to heat stroke.

The temperature of the stove in a Russian bath is determined simply: just pour water over it. If you hear a sharp bang and a cloud of steam forms quickly, it means the stones are well heated. Comfortable temperature in a Russian bath it is 45-60 degrees with a humidity of 50-60 percent. In order not to harm the body and control the procedure, there are various devices - bath thermometers, hourglasses.

Remember: the first 10 minutes of being in the steam room provide warming of the skin, the next - the internal organs.

In addition, it is important to comply with the correct climate regime in all rooms:

  • 26°C, 61% humidity – for the locker room;
  • 28°C, 78% humidity – for the waiting room;
  • 55-90°C, 72% humidity – directly in the steam room.

The difference between the largest and lowest value should not exceed 41 degrees. Also, if you decide to turn up the heat, do it gradually.

The temperature of the pool water in the bathhouse (font) should be 15-25 degrees. By alternating between bathing and visiting the steam room, you will increase the elasticity of blood vessels and strengthen the immune system.

Maximum temperature in the bath

If you are visiting the establishment in the company of friends, it is better to agree in advance at what temperature the sauna is heated to. For people with poor health, women and children, high temperatures are contraindicated.

Have a good time for your body and peace of mind In winter it is best to go to the steam room. But which one should you choose? How to set the temperature there correctly to really improve your health?

Comparison of steam rooms (temperature, humidity)

There are many types of different pairs. Almost every nation has contributed something of its own to the art of washing the body using steam. The most common today are the Russian steam bath, Turkish hammam and Finnish sauna. New infrared saunas are gaining great popularity. Below is more information about how many degrees in the bathhouse, sauna and hammam and what Maximum temperature in sauna.

Of course, this is the optimal temperature suitable for almost all categories of people. Experienced bathhouse attendants, as a rule, prefer it hotter. The comfortable temperature for them in a Russian bath is in the range of 90-120 degrees Celsius. When you come to a public bathhouse, where these seasoned bath attendants usually gather, be prepared to encounter exactly this temperature.

Russian steam bath

It’s not for nothing that the Russian bathhouse is called a steam room. Its big advantage is that there is no big difference between the humidity in the bathhouse and outside the window. Optimal temperature in the bathhouse, 60-90 degrees are maintained by a heater or stove, onto which water is poured to achieve the desired level of humidity.

The optimal temperature in a Russian bath is in the range of 60-90 degrees. Experienced bath attendants can feel comfortable at temperatures up to 100-120 degrees Celsius.

The Russian bathhouse is the only steam room with such interesting tradition like a massage with a broom. The temperature and humidity in a Russian bath are considered optimal for removing toxins in the absence of a strong load on the body. During one visit you can stay in the Russian steam room 2-4 times for 15-20 minutes.

Finnish sauna

The Finnish sauna is completely different from the Russian bath. The temperature here is much higher - about 70-110 degrees, and the humidity is much lower - 5-15%.

It is optimal to visit the steam room no more than 2 times for 5-10 minutes per session in the Finnish sauna. A break of at least half an hour.

It is believed that the normal temperature in the sauna is 90-100 degrees, but if you feel unwell, then get out of there as soon as possible. Air that is so dry is simply not suitable for you. Try a Russian steam room or hammam.

Many people like to visit the steam room. But in order to relax, get a positive result from the procedure, and at the same time not harm your health, you need to know what the optimal temperature in the bathhouse is. It is also necessary to take into account the degree of air humidity and the quality of steam.

Types of baths

The human body feels heat more strongly with high air humidity. IN different types The microclimate of bathhouse buildings is different, so it won’t hurt to understand their features, as well as find out how best to steam. Let's look at the main types of baths that are popular.

When figuring out how many degrees the bath should be, take into account the type of steam room:

  1. Russian bath. The air here has high humidity, but the heat is insignificant. To regulate the humidity in the steam room, water is poured onto the hot stones that are heated in the oven. The higher it is, the more difficult it is for the body to cope with such a microclimate. The temperature in a Russian steam bath reaches 60-70 degrees with a humidity of 90%. But high humidity has its own advantages, for example, a person’s muscles, joints, and internal organs warm up efficiently. In the Russian version of the bathhouse, it is also customary to use brooms, which are like a massager. When visiting a steam room, blood circulation improves, the pores on the skin open, muscles relax and, as a result, harmful metabolic substances are eliminated.
  2. Turkish bath. It will be interesting to know how many degrees there are in the hammam. The temperature and air there are noticeably different from the conditions in a Russian bathhouse. The body gets tired here less, and the atmosphere is better tolerated. The air warms up to 50 degrees, and the humidity reaches 100%. Despite the lack of intense heat, the steam is thick. You can stay in such a bathhouse for a longer time compared to a Russian wood-burning bathhouse.
  3. Finnish sauna. In this place, the air humidity is noticeably lower than in other types of baths. The temperature remains high and the air is dry. This atmosphere is not well received by everyone - dry mouth appears, and a burning sensation occurs in the nose. Temperatures average close to 90 degrees, but can sometimes even exceed 110 degrees, and humidity is only 10-15%.

The effect of heat on the human body

As blood circulation accelerates, pressure rises. The bath is useful for people who suffer from blood stagnation in the extremities. However, for those who have problems with the heart and blood vessels, the steam room can be harmful.


But some diseases can, if not get rid of, then significantly alleviate their course, provided that you regularly take procedures in the steam room.

These include:

  • frequent colds;
  • obesity;
  • allergy;
  • circulatory disorders.

Temperature and humidity

The bathhouse consists of three zones: a locker room, a dressing room and a steam room. In the first of them, the temperature is about 25 degrees and the humidity is 60%, in the dressing room it is 27-29 degrees and 80%, respectively. The temperature in the steam room of a Russian bath is 50-90 degrees, humidity is approximately 70%. The degrees increase gradually and the body has time to get used to the heat. The water in the reservoir should be cool, in the range of 10-25 degrees, so that the contrast with the steam can be felt.

A study was conducted to find out what temperature and how long the body can withstand.


According to it, they came to the conclusion that the higher the temperature, the less time the visitor can be present in the steam room:

  • 71 degrees – 60 minutes;
  • 82 degrees – 49 minutes;
  • 93 degrees – 33 minutes;
  • 104 degrees – 26 minutes.


In the sauna and bathhouse, you must definitely monitor temperature conditions and air humidity. For this purpose, appropriate devices are installed in the room. If there is not enough humidity, you can pour water on the stones; when there is a lot of it, open the door slightly. When it gets hot, it is recommended to sit further from the stove and, preferably, on the lower shelf.

When the humidity level is between 90-100%, the temperature should not be more than 70 degrees. If the steam room is visited by elderly people or those in poor health, it is recommended not to exceed 55 degrees. This is the maximum temperature in the bathhouse for them. At low humidity levels this parameter may be higher. More intense sweating occurs in dry, hot air.

How to visit the bathhouse

Having found out what temperature should be in the steam room of the bath, you need to pay attention to how to properly attend the procedures. First of all, this needs to be done regularly, not occasionally.

  1. A person visiting the steam room for the first time should not stay in it for more than 5 minutes. There is no need to use brooms right away. When no problems arose during the first visit, gradually, each time, the time of stay can be increased by a couple of minutes.
  2. Those who often visit the bathhouse know that it is highly undesirable to stay in the steam room for more than half an hour. But this does not mean that you need to sit until the end - if you feel uncomfortable, you should leave it.
  3. You should not stand in the bathhouse, as you can get heatstroke. The position of the body should be such that favorable conditions are created for the outflow of lymph - you need to lie with your legs elevated. Thanks to this, the load on the heart is reduced. If it is impossible to lie down, it is recommended to sit so that your legs are at the level of your torso.
  4. To warm up the body, you should change postures. You only need to breathe through your nose.
  5. There is no need to stand up suddenly, as you may lose your balance and fall.
  6. Regardless of the temperature of the Russian bath, you are allowed to enter the steam room 3-4 times. Moreover, after each visit, the time spent in it or the locker room should increase.
  7. Between visits to the steam room, contrasting procedures are needed. It is better to start tapping with brooms after the second visit to the steam room.
  8. When the body warms up, you can do a massage. But before this, it is not advisable to go into other rooms or drink cold drinks. After completing the massage, take a warm shower and wash.
  9. The visit to the bathhouse ends after the body has dried and cooled down - there is no need to immediately go outside.


Besides:

  • visit the steam room at least 1.5 hours after eating;
  • no need to sweat it high temperature or feeling unwell;
  • no smoking;
  • You should remove metal objects from yourself to avoid burns;
  • no need to wash your hair in the steam room;
  • you need to remain calm and not make sudden movements;
  • you cannot go to the bathhouse on an empty stomach and drink alcohol;
  • Before going outside, you should cool down and rest;
  • You should use a broom only on a steamed body;
  • You need to wash only after the steam room;
  • when visiting the steam room, do not immediately lie down on the top shelf;
  • You don't need to create a lot of steam on your first run.


You need to take bath accessories with you:

  • sheet and towel;
  • soap and shampoo;
  • brooms;
  • head cap and slippers;
  • robe;
  • comb
  • drinking water.

Arrangement of ventilation and thermal insulation

The level of heat and its preservation depend on how well the thermal insulation is done and how the bathhouse is built. To keep the heat longer, a heat insulator is placed between the walls during construction. Only then can the optimal temperature for a Russian bath be maintained.

The steam room must be built in such a way that heat cannot escape. For this purpose, the doors are made low and the thresholds high. It is better to place the stove near the door, then the steam room will warm up evenly. To keep the floor surface warm, flooring laid in several layers.


Ventilation in the sauna is needed to maintain equal pressure inside and outside. As for the Russian version of the bathhouse, the air pressure in it is increased, so steam must be supplied carefully so that the doors do not blow out. Bath with high humidity leaves condensation on all surfaces, so dry cleaning and long-term ventilation are required after visiting.



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