Luxury infrared studio Rimba Sweat has recently opened the doors to its biggest and most luxurious studio on Sydney’s north shore. Rimba Sweat Neutral Bay is double the size of their Rimba Sweat Manly studio and houses Sydney’s first-ever communal contrast therapy room, aka remedy room, complete with a custom-made traditional Finnish sauna, two ice baths and pail shower all in the same room.

Rimba Sweat offers everything you need to chill, from private infrared sauna suites to Chromotherapy — Colour Light Therapy allows you to select a colour of choice, such as blue to promote rest & relaxation or red which is known to be energising and great for muscle recovery and experience the healing power of light —. 

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Infrared Sauna vs Traditional Sauna
Credit: Katie Rose Epper

Rimba Sweat was founded by Lauren Wright, who had been in the corporate media world her entire career and wanted to create a business that would allow her to spend time with her family. Having felt the therapeutic benefits of infrared saunas herself — Infrared therapy cleared up eczema and psoriasis that Lauren had suffered from her entire adult life, as well as greatly improved her mental wellness—, She saw an opportunity to share her positive experience of infrared therapy with the wider community, with the aim to create a space to allow Sydneysiders to escape, where they can find a moment of stillness, quiet and healing in their busy lives. 

Infrared Sauna vs Traditional Sauna

If you’ve only ever done a traditional sauna, Lauren says the main thing you’ll notice being in an infrared sauna is that there is no steam:  “Infrared Saunas emit dry heat. The Infrared Sauna doesn’t use water poured over hot rocks like traditional saunas do, but rather electricity and infrared waves to create heat. The Infrared heat penetrates your skin, muscles and joints, getting deep into a cellar level and really shaking things up, activating your cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune systems and increasing blood circulation. In turn, raising your body temperature from the inside creates a deeper level of detoxification. It is a much more tolerable heat, which means that you can spend a longer time in the sauna and get greater benefits.”

Another key difference of being in an infrared sauna, says Lauren, is how you can personalise your experience. “In a large sauna you’re often with groups of people, in bright fluorescent light, and might need to step in and out. Our adjustable temperature controls mean you can make your level of heat a personal choice. You can also choose the colour of light you want and experience with chromotherapy (colour light therapy), and have music playing through our premium entertainment options – you might want to put on a meditation track or even watch something on Netflix to help you relax. You’re in full control of your own experience.”

What are the benefits of infrared sauna?

  • Infrared therapy can do wonders for mental health. Just a few minutes in the gentle warmth of an infrared sauna brings great calm and peace to the mind.
  • Infrared therapy helps the body release serotonin and increase dopamine levels in your brain, much like the natural high you get after a workout and improve feelings of happiness. 
  • Improved sleep is another benefit; using an infrared sauna before bed calms the mind and body, promoting restful sleep. A calmer mind sleeps better for longer than a restless one. Over time, this therapy will improve natural melatonin and other sleep-related hormone levels to help you get better rest naturally.
  • There are some fantastic immunity benefits.
  • The deep heating from the infrared heaters raises the core body temp, inducing an artificial fever. A fever is the body’s natural mechanism to strengthen and accelerate the immune response, as seen in the case of infection. An enhanced immune system, combined with improved elimination of toxins and wastes via intense sweating, increases overall health and resistance to disease.

What you should know before trying infrared sauna?

One of the most important ways to prepare for your infrared sauna session is to hydrate. Drinking enough water before, during and after your sauna session to avoid dehydration.  Rimba Sweat also recommend eating a light meal before your session to avoid feeling faint or light headed as the sauna will activate the cardiovascular system and increase your heart rate, much like going for a slow jog. 

Another good thing to know is that it’s best to wear loose gym clothes or bathers as your body gets hot and sweaty.

Before you book you infrared sauna, you could also think about what time of day suits you best. Some users find the session will relax them, preparing them for a good night’s sleep and they enjoy the sauna in the evening. Others are invigorated by the session and like to enjoy the renewed energy to start the day. You will learn quickly what time of day you enjoy the best!

Also, you can start on a lower heat setting and slowly let your body readjust, Rimba Sweat saunas allows to control the temperature yourself. You may like to build your way up to higher temperatures across multiple sessions. You can always open the glass door to your sauna, too, if you need a breather. This releases heat from the sauna.

They also suggest to complete your sauna experience with contrast therapy and step into a cold shower or take a dip in the ocean to help continue the benefits of improved blood flow, reduced inflammation and a calm nervous system. Or better yet, try their new Remedy Room at Neutral Bay, where you can rotate between sauna and ice bath in the same session.

Any risks?

Just be careful not to dehydrate! At Rimba Sweat they provide complimentary filtered water, just bring along your own drinking device. You have just flushed out a lot of toxins, so be sure to replenish and rehydrate.

When to avoid saunas?

  • Avoid saunas if you’ve been drinking. Alcohol dehydrates the body and the heat makes you even more prone to dehydration.
  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding you should avoid using the infrared sauna.
  • Anyone under the age of 18 or anyone over the age of 55.
  • Anyone with cardiovascular conditions.
  • Individuals prone to bleeding.
  • If you suffer from chronic health conditions, it is always best to consult with your physician prior to use.
  • If you have any concerns or are unsure about using an infrared sauna, it is best to consult your GP or physician prior to use.

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