Steam Rooms
 

What are the benefits and/or disadvantages to steam rooms, if any?

They're relaxing, some claim they'll help clean pores.

You have to be careful how long you're in them, they can dehydrate you rather fast.

I personally love going in them after a good workout or swim.

they're a great place to get some stretching done, too. It just sucks that on most military bases you have to take a shower before entering.

Is it ever a good idea to go into a steam room pre-workout? Would this help to loosen up muscles or just make you more fatigued?

I don't know that it would be a bad idea, but if you're looking to do it for warm-up, you're probably better off doing light sets with weights, a short, easy jog (~5 min), jumping jacks, etc., since this will also get your heart pumping and the blood flowing, which will prep your muscles for the workout. A sauna will just get you hot and dilate your capillaries.

why's that bad? seems sanitary to me... if you go in dirty, anything you bring in is gonna love it there, it's the perfect environment for bacteria and other super tiny nastiness.

Also if you can take in some Eucolyptios into the Steam Room, it will make your experience much more worthwhile

Its funny you mention that slushi, I'm a big fan of the steam room at my gym after a hard workout. The other day I'm in there and a guy comes in and is like, "you mind if I put some Eucalyptus Oil in the steamer?" I'm like sure, go ahead.. It was awsome. Cleared out my sinouses and just made it that much better.

I love the steam after a long run. Seeing the sewat pour down my body, awesome...and great to shave in....

I dont think going in pre-workout is a good idea, because you feel pretty drained when ya get out...but then ya take an ice cold shower...exhilarating!

I love the steam room, especially with eucalyptus...

Steam rooms are wonderful. And dammit, take a shower first. We don't want your gunch floating around!!

I love to hit the steam room for ten minutes, another 10 in the sauna and a final ten in the hot tub - all after a hard workout. I sleep like a baby that night....after I crawl home.

I am big steam room fan myself, the more steam the better I find---worse pet peeve is when some guy goes in there and sit butt-naked. Everytime, I had to ask the offender to get a towel. Gee, imagine sitting on some one's butt juice-that's why I always hosed down the place (if no one's there).

I tried the steam-stretch warm-up but I find that my muslces tighten up after.

Now can someone tell where I can find a co-ed steam room? :D

Your gym doesn't have a coed steam room?

My gym has one, guess I'm lucky :D (But sometimes not so lucky :p)

What gym do you go to!!!??? I wanna know!

Us Canucks like our steam rooms, it seems. Anything to keep us warm I guess.
:)

warm up before you go in