The Finnish sauna has been in existence for at least 2,000 years. In its early days, the sauna was regarded as a place to bathe, but for a time it became something of a multi-purpose room as people also used the sauna as a place to give birth and care for the sick.

While the people of Finland remain the nationality most closely associated with hot saunas, different versions of the sweat bath can be found in the histories of other cultures. Close equivalents include the Russian banya, the Roman thermae or public bath, the Turkish hammam or steam bath, and the Native American inipi or sweat lodge.

Experts contend that the first Finnish saunas were dug into hills or embankments. These evolved into above-ground saunas made from wooden logs. The hot air came courtesy of a collection of rocks heated by a wood fire set in a stone fireplace. Once the resulting smoke raised the air temperature to the desired level, the smoke was released from the sauna and the actual sauna bath could begin. From this method, the savu sauna or smoke sauna was borne.

Further evolution saw metal wood stoves and chimneys replace the original heating system. Additional elements that were introduced included steam vapor, produced by splashing water on the heated rocks, and bundles of leafy birch twigs, with which bathers slapped their skin to augment the cleansing process. The Finnish people named the steam and birch bundles loyly and vihta, respectively.

As time passed, the sauna changed in even more astounding ways. Electric sauna heaters debuted in the mid-20th century, followed several years later by far infrared saunas. Also known as infrared heat therapy rooms, far infrared saunas utilize far infrared energy to warm the sauna bather more directly than traditional Finnish-style saunas allow. While sauna enthusiasts remain somewhat divided on which type of sauna is superior, very few deny that the far infrared sauna has had an overwhelming impact on the worldwide sauna industry.

Today, facilities catering to fans of both traditional and far infrared saunas can be found in abundance. Because many health benefits are associated with regular sauna use, saunas are common amenities in health clubs, spas, clinics, and luxury resort hotels around the globe. As well, because saunas and sauna kits are available in good supply at affordable prices, saunas have also found their place in the basements, bathrooms and backyards of many homes throughout the world.

In other words, folks far and wide continue to warm to the age-old delights and benefits of the hot sauna.