5 Simples Rules of Sauna/Steamroom Etiquette

I've been working out (off and on) since I was 19-years-old. There is nothing more muscle relaxing than sitting in the sauna or steamroom, and the feeling of a less sore body the next day after an intense workout. Not only does it relax your muscles, but it works wonders on clearing up your skin and giving you a nice natural glow. Although it can be a nice relaxing experience, there are practices done by people that can make it not-so-cozy. Today, I've decided to blog about what I feel are 5 simple rules to make everyone have an enjoyable experience.

1. Don't SPIT on the sauna rocks!

You'd think this would be common sense, but you have no idea how many people hack up a loogie and glaze it on the sauna rocks. Not only is it tactless but now everyone is inhaling your spit vapor. It's just like having someone spit in your drinking water. If you got an excess of mouth water: walk out, relieve your mouth, and come back.

2. Get permission before you crank up the heat!

There are many tricks to fooling the heat to make the sauna or steamroom get hotter, such as covering the thermostat with wet paper towel or duncing the thermostat constantly with cold water. Although this will bring on a good sweat, others may not be ready to take on the heat. Some people can only handle a certain temperature, then some a-hole decides to make it an inferno forcing that person to leave. Unless you own the gym, be polite and ask everyone if it's okay.

3. Hurry up and close the door!

The purpose of the sauna or steamroom is that IT'S HOT! The more people walk in and out, the more you're letting essential heat out of the room (especially for places with smaller areas). What's even more unnerving is that guy who opens the door ALL the way, takes 5 seconds to decide he doesn't wanna come in, and walks away without quickly closing the door. It isn't a refrigerator, don't stand there and gawk! When you're leaving and entering, opening the door just enough to let yourself through is all you need. And even when doing that, make it quick!

4. Don't wear street shoes!

Every now and then you have the one guy who wants to get a little warmed up before he plays basketball, or just doesn't realize sauna/steamroom attire. Well this one is for that guy! Street shoes have been on "the street" and now you're bringing all that dirt and god-knows-what into a closed hot environment where germs can thrive. Not to mention the increase in chances of foot fungus and athelete's foot for those who decide not to wear flip-flops (which I highly recommend).

5. Never sit bare bottom!

This has always been the golden rule of nudist etiquette and absolutely goes the same for sauna and steamroom etiquette. You sweat from every nook and cranny of your body and that all goes onto the wooden bench or tile. What makes you think someone wants to sit in a puddle of your booty juice? Gyms have copious amounts of towels; Use them! They're free! It doesn't take lots of skill to lay it out before you rest your applebottom.

So there you have it, my personal rules. Feel free to share your comments or add more.