Long week, tight shoulders, stress clinging to every muscle sound familiar? You know you need a reset, but even choosing a sauna feels like another task on your to-do list. Infrared or traditional, which one actually helps you unwind?
Infrared saunas deliver a gentle, deep warmth that melts into your muscles, while traditional saunas offer that classic steamy heat and wood-lined escape. Both work wonders, but each body responds differently and figuring out your perfect fit can feel like its own sweaty experiment.
At Bionik Wellness, we’ve helped Aussies in Surry Hills unwind with tech-powered recovery built for real life. We’ll guide you to the perfect fit so every session works with your body – not against it.
Comparing Infrared and Traditional Saunas
Overview of Each Sauna Type
Imagine stepping into a gentle, soothing warmth that melts into your muscles versus a burst of hot steam wrapping around you as soon as you enter the room. That’s the contrast between infrared and traditional saunas.
Infrared saunas use targeted light to warm your body from the inside out. There’s no steam or heavy air, just a calm, dry heat that eases tension, soothes sore muscles, and promotes deep relaxation.
Traditional saunas heat the air around you, using hot rocks and water to create rich, therapeutic steam. It’s the classic sauna experience, enveloping, invigorating, and designed to help you sweat, detox, and reset.
At Bionik Wellness in Surry Hills, we offer both styles in thoughtfully crafted premium spaces, built with high-quality timber and ergonomic design for pure comfort and a truly restorative escape.
Heat Delivery and Temperature Levels
With infrared saunas, the warmth is subtle yet surprisingly deep, typically staying between 40 to 60°C. Traditional saunas send temperatures soaring from 70 to 90°C, heating the air first before warming your skin. Even though the room feels cooler in an infrared session, the heat dives deeper into tissues. That means you sweat from within without needing to crank the heat sky-high – perfect for those new to saunas.
Experience and Suitability
If you prefer longer sessions without feeling overwhelmed, infrared is your match. The lower heat is more forgiving. Traditional saunas suit those who enjoy a short, intense heat blast with maximum humidity.
Some love the dry infrared glow, while others find comfort in the rich wooden scent and steam-filled air of traditional setups. At our centre, both experiences are built to soothe, offering relaxation tailored to how your body responds.
Health and Wellness Benefits
Detoxification and Skin Health
Sweating’s a natural way to support skin health, and both sauna types promote it with purpose.
Infrared heat can travel deeper, potentially loosening stored toxins in connective tissues. Traditional heat draws toxins to the skin’s surface.
The result? Open pores, clearer skin, and a refreshed post-session glow – especially when followed by our in-house showers and refreshments.
Muscle Recovery and Pain Relief
Infrared is favoured by many athletes at Bionik Wellness for its deep-tissue appeal. The light gently eases strained muscles.
Traditional saunas also work well by boosting overall circulation, helping muscles recover across the whole body.
Whether bouncing back from a workout or a desk-strained neck, both have helped our clients move with less discomfort.
Cardiovascular and Mental Health
The gentle rise in heart rate during sauna use mimics light cardio, supporting heart health and circulation. Meanwhile, as the heat wraps around you, your mind tends to slow down. Endorphins kick in, and anxieties often melt away.
Many visitors pair their sessions with Float Therapy next door for a full mental reset.
Practical Considerations
Setup, Energy Use, and Maintenance
Infrared wins for quick heat-up, low-power use, and less clean-up since it lacks high humidity. Traditional saunas take longer to get hot, cost more to power, and need extra maintenance to prevent mould and wear.
If you’re curious about EMFs, some infrared sauna models have shields to reduce exposure. We’ve selected ours with safety in mind.
Personal Use and Accessibility
For a home or private setup that doesn’t need much space, infrared is often the go-to choice. You’ll often see traditional saunas in gyms, spas, or public centres simply due to their size and design needs. Whether you use ours solo or with a mate, don’t forget the basics: hydrate well, wipe down surfaces, and respect everyone’s silence.
Pros and Cons Breakdown
Advantages of Each Sauna
Infrared gives you gentle, consistent heat, making it ideal for daily recovery or soothing pain. It’s also easier to install, making it popular among wellness clients in tight city homes. Traditional saunas create a heavy sweat atmosphere, perfect for those who find cleansing within intense heat. With natural timber interiors and stone heaters, they offer a timeless experience for sauna purists.
Limitations to Consider
Early research into infrared saunas is promising, though some of the more advanced therapeutic claims are still being explored. A small number of people also prefer to be mindful of low-level EMF exposure from the heating panels.
Traditional saunas, on the other hand, can feel overwhelming for those who are sensitive to high heat or find it harder to breathe in warm, humid environments.
At Bionik, we help guests personalise their sauna sessions by adjusting time, temperature, and intensity so they can enjoy each experience safely, comfortably, and in a way that suits their bodies best.
Making the Right Choice
Lifestyle and Health Goals
If your body craves daily tension release or you’re recovering from performance strain, infrared ties in seamlessly. Its heat goes where you hold stress, making it popular for sleep quality and stress relief. Those looking to flush out toxins through strong, full-body sweating often lean towards the traditional version.
Some of our long-time clients grew up with steam rooms and love how traditional brings that nostalgic heat.
Frequency and Budget
If you plan daily or frequent use, the efficiency and sustainability of infrared may make more sense financially. Lower energy bills, quicker sessions, and less prep work make it a go-to for time-poor users. That said, for those who value heritage, intensity, or cultural rituals, traditional offers an experience well worth the investment.
Our combo packages make mixing both possible – one week you sweat it out, the next you go infrared soft-and-easy.
FAQs
1. Are infrared saunas safe during pregnancy?
We recommend avoiding both sauna types during pregnancy unless cleared by your doctor. Early-stage overheating can pose risks. Always consult your health provider and listen to your body’s limits.
2. What health studies compare infrared and traditional saunas?
Infrared studies suggest benefits in circulation and chronic pain. Traditional saunas have long-term data on cardiovascular health. Both are being explored in greater depth, but each offers reliable benefits tied to personal comfort and needs.
3. Which is better for fat burning or weight loss?
Neither sauna burns fat directly, but both raise heart rate and cause heavy sweating. Pairing sauna use with active routines does help improve metabolism and serve weight-loss goals.
4. Do saunas help with sleep or athletic recovery?
Yes, many of our clients use both after gym sessions or before bed. The heat softens muscles and calms the mind. We often suggest combining sauna and float therapy as a powerful evening ritual to reset the body and nervous system.
Feel the Heat or Sink into the Steam?
Comfort, consistency, and how your body responds, that’s what really determines your winner. Everybody craves warmth differently, and the best choice is simply the one that helps you feel better, faster.
If deep muscle relief and shorter, more efficient sessions fit your routine, one style may easily become your go-to. But if you’re drawn to tradition and love that full-sweat, soul-cleansing release, then you already know which heat speaks your language.
At Bionik Wellness, we offer both options, so you can feel it out firsthand. Stop by our Surry Hills studio and book your session today.
