Hot Time in Wisconsin Saunas

Like the idea of working up a sweat but not the idea of vigorous exercise? Well, good news. It’s sauna season in Wisconsin.

Sauna culture has been part of life in the Nordic countries of Europe for generations and came along with Scandinavian immigrants to the Upper Midwest in the 1800s, but it has seen a surge in popularity in recent years.

Saunas have been popping up all over the region, and people are sweating it out in tranquil, isolated surroundings as well as more lively communal settings. Paired with a cold plunge, it’s an invigorating shot and a chaser for those keen on wellness or those hearty souls who prefer slow dancing with Old Man Winter.

As any saunaphile will tell you, the health benefits include reduced blood pressure, muscle recovery, and increased circulation, as well as improved skin health, stress reduction, and better sleep. Peer-reviewed research backing those claims is hard to find, but why ruin the fun with science? Everybody strip and jump in the cedar-lined room.

It is unfortunate that prime sauna time follows so closely on the heels of the holiday season since most are coming off an extended run of eating, drinking, and being merry. Even if you haven’t given up on your resolution to get back to your fightin’ weight yet, your newfound commitment to keepin’ it tight has barely had a chance to take hold, and suddenly, it’s swimsuit season in January. But whatever. The people who care most about that sort of thing are off taking selfies on a beach somewhere, not sweating it out in the northern latitudes.

Both Midwest Living and the New York Times have featured swanky saunas around the region recently, including several in Wisconsin. There’s even a floating sauna on the, ahem, outskirts of Superior. It’s right in the Duluth harbor and offers a cold plunge in Lake Superior. Of course, this entails a border crossing. As always, the Drink Wisconsinbly Week in Review advises readers to visit Minnesota at their own peril.

And speaking of risks, be sure to check with your doctor before you decide to commit fully to the Sweat Life. It’s not for everyone. You’d hate to find out the hard way you’ve got some rare condition that makes you explode after prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

With anywhere from two to five months left of winter in Wisconsin, there’s still plenty of time to become a sauna guy or gal. We can’t tell you about your nearest saunaplex since we don’t know where you live. Check the internet. You can find almost anything on there.