Saunas are heating up as the latest wellness trend this year — but is all the hype worth it? In this blog, we’re digging into the research and sharing how some of our team members use saunas in their health routines.
Are saunas just a wellness fad?
Nothing could be further from the truth. Sauna use in countries such as Finland dates back as far as 7000 BC. Of course, the maintenance and size of original saunas don’t suit modern-day lifestyles and homes.
Thankfully, technology has evolved, and electric infrared saunas now offer efficient solutions for people who want the convenience of a home sauna.
With a simple flick of a switch, your Freedom Wellness sauna can be heated and ready for use within 15 minutes.
What are the established benefits of a sauna?
Imagine sleeping deeper, thinking clearer, and recovering faster—all from sitting in a warm room.
We know it sounds too good to be true, but the research is clear. The established benefits of regular sauna use include:
Improved exercise endurance
Improved sleep
Improved cardiovascular health, including decreased risk of stroke or heart attack
Improved cognitive health with a reduced risk of dementia
Improved mental health
…and the list goes on. It’s no wonder that longevity experts like Dr Peter Attia are jumping on board and supporting use for health and longevity.
And I think I’m now at the point where I kind of want to have a sauna, frankly, in the tool kit for longevity.”
Dr Peter Attia, MD, longevity expert
How often should I use a sauna?
The research is clear—more frequent sauna use (30-minute sessions, 3-4 times weekly) leads to a marked increase in health benefits.
It’s no wonder that home saunas are becoming so popular for those who are truly invested in their health, given their convenience and economy.
How do our team use the sauna?
When we asked our team for their favourite wellness rituals, the sauna was high on the list for many members. The varied responses demonstrate how versatile sauna is for a range of people looking for a range of benefits.
Grace saunas for recovery
Freedom On-Demand Pilates instructor Grace leads a busy life, juggling Pilates teaching, managing our customer service and logistics, and committing to her own fitness goals. It’s no wonder she relies on wellness rituals to help her manage her load.
“I love to get in the sauna to have ‘me’ time, disconnect from the day-to-day, put some chill music on and really zen out. But I also love it for recovery and complementing it with the ice bath. I usually do 22 minutes in the sauna, 2 minutes of ice bath, and 2 rounds. It feels so great for the muscles, relieving the lactic buildup from a big week of training.”
Cam saunas for improved exercise endurance
Our head of marketing, Cam, loves challenging himself through extreme exercise events such as Hyrox. So, it was no surprise that he had to try it when he heard that using a sauna directly after a run can increase his endurance and stamina.
The verdict?
“It was so good. Because I jumped in the sauna with an elevated heart rate, it stayed elevated for another 30 mins – it was like extending the cardio benefits of my run but without overtraining my muscles and joints”.
Cath saunas for stress relief and longevity
Cath, Clinical Pilates instructor and founder of the Freedom Health Group saunas in very different ways to the rest of the team (a reflection of her age and health challenges). She first introduced sauna as a mental health and stress relief tool during recovery from a significant injury.
“This injury significantly impacted my ability to exercise, and since exercise was always my go-to for stress relief, I had to find new tools. As a bonus to stress relief, the sauna is one way that I can safely get some cardiovascular benefits without the risk of flaring my symptoms. It is hands-down one of the best investments I’ve made”.
Sauna deserves its title as the hottest wellness trend.
So there you have it. After hundreds of years of use, much research, and many more happy sauna users, the sauna certainly deserves its title as the hottest wellness trend of 2025 (and beyond).
