The famed American designer of haute couture bridesmaid and wedding gowns collections Vera Wang had aptly related the essence of a refreshing hot water bath. This is what she said: My evening really begins when I take a long, hot bath. I light a candle, and I turn on the news and try to catch up. It’s when I can breathe from the day to the night, and that means a lot to me. And such a warm gentle feeling, regarded as an ideal anodyne for physical and mental stress is best experienced in a sauna. This particular bath of therapeutic values has relevance that dates back to the historical Egyptian, Greek and Roman era.
Of course the resourceful ones in those feudal times had all the time and space to indulge in such luxury, which in the present day has become a compact entity of suitably designed steam bath equipment with tags of various makes and brands. On this score there is a joke on a make named Finnish Sauna. This witty quip is that Finnish people never speak to strangers but they would never mind going with them in ‘birthday suit’ for a sauna bath!
With the change of scenario and lifestyle over the past century, the makers of these systems have risen to the occasion by designing compact systems incorporating supplementary gadgets and assorted value added facilities. Right from the pre-determined layout, these range from sauna cabin with infra-red rays (IR), heaters and steam generators. Thus there is a wide choice for quality steam bath equipment in India, depending on the end utility like whether it is for a health club, a gymnasium or one’s own home. Apart from the design and model, the aspects of optimum performance and quality of corrosion resistance must be ensured at the time of buying a Sauna Bath.
As for an IR sauna, it is advisable to procure this from certified manufacturers or companies and agencies of fitness and health aids. For instance, the New Delhi-based Cardio Fitness with outlets in major Indian cities offers sauna and steam units alongside whirlpool baths, massage chairs and bathroom fixtures, fittings and accessories with brand name celebrate life. These imported systems are reported to be brands designed as per European Medical Devices Act, bearing the CE mark. One of the brands is Helo, regarded as the pioneer in sauna and steam bathing. Of Finish origin dating back to nine decades, this system was further modified by American designers about 40 years ago and since then it has been in the most popular sauna bath.
There are also sauna bath modules that are made with pine wood which are quite popular in hotels, resorts, spas and even homes. Apart from the corrosion and termite resistant qualities, the following aspects must be borne in mind while opting for a sauna bath:
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High performance and low maintenance
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Strength and durability
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Perfection in finishing touches to the module
With the advancement of technology, there are also sauna bath systems that have digital steam and control panel including equipment for filtration.