“Wow, how good!”, “Washed - how born again” - such or similar phrases, exclamations can be heard from a person who has just left the steam room. It is no wonder that after visiting a Russian bath, a Finnish sauna or a Turkish hammam, a person experiences cheerfulness, lightness in the body, a surge of strength: their healing, tonic effect has long been scientifically proven and substantiated. And our ancestors, even before the baptism of Rus', sincerely believed and associated pagan beliefs with the healing properties of the bath.
The history of these structures dates back to ancient times. For example, the first mentions of baths in chronicle sources date back to the 5th century AD. They called it in those days Lazna or Soap. When Rus' began to pursue an active foreign policy, the rumor about the Russian Lazne spread far beyond the borders of the Slavic lands. In other countries, different peoples of the world also had prototypes of such structures.They differed not only in their external design, but also in the methods of heating, methods of use: humid or dry air, for ablution or soaring. This is one of the ancient and useful traditions that have survived to this day. Let us consider in more detail how a bathhouse differs from a sauna, what is their use, whether everyone can visit them, and also consider the best baths and saunas in Novosibirsk in 2022.
What is the difference between a bath and a sauna?
The moment has come when you decided to go for the first time to warm up: on your own, or maybe with your family or a friendly company. In the modern service market, you can find many different offers, but where to stop your eyes, and how for an uninitiated person to figure out what is the difference between a bathhouse and a sauna.
Just as our peoples have a common ancestor in their blood, so both of these constructions come from a Russian wood-burning bathhouse, which was heated “blackly”. It was a wooden structure without a chimney. When melted, the smoke came out through small cracks, spread throughout the room - hence the corresponding name.
Modern bath looks different. It can be built from wood, brick, foam blocks.It has several rooms (dressing room, steam room, rest room), good ventilation system. The sauna, as a rule, is adjacent to a room in which you can rinse (in the sauna itself, unlike the bath, no one is washing): a shower, a mini pool, a relaxation area.
Main differences
- Air humidity. In the sauna, air humidity is maintained from 5 to 25%, in the steam room - up to 90%;
- Air temperature. In a Finn, the air temperature ranges from 100 to 130 degrees, in a Russian bath the temperature is two times lower - 50-60 degrees. At low humidity, the thermal conductivity is lower, the air warms up gradually, evenly, the sweat that has come out on the body immediately evaporates. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to pour water on stones in the sauna - this can lead to severe burns;
- heating method. In Finca, the heating element is an electrical appliance with natural stones. You can independently set a favorable, comfortable temperature. The stones themselves are not covered by anything. In the bath, the stones are inside the oven, behind the closed door. To add heat, you need to open the door and splash some water on them. The heat stays this way much longer.
- In the bath, it is customary not only to warm up, but also to bathe with the help of brooms, wash, in the sauna you can only sit or lie down. Any other activity can have a harmful effect on health.
What are the benefits for the body?
The healing power of the bath and sauna has been valued since ancient times. In the old days, people believed in the healing power of water, fire, stones, so the bathhouse was not just a place for washing, but also a place for spiritual purification. Today, the benefits of visiting are a scientifically proven fact.
- Regular attendance is a good workout for the human cardiovascular system.Warming up, the heart rate of the body increases significantly: by about 50% percent. Improves blood circulation throughout the body. If we add a contrast shower to this, rinsing in the pool, in which heart contractions sharply decrease, will be doubly effective;
- By improving blood circulation in the body, ventilation improves. Breathing becomes deeper and more frequent. The effect on the lungs is similar to inhalation. In such conditions, it is useful to use aromatherapy, infusions of medicinal herbs, decoctions;
- Removal of emotional, muscular tension. An increase in blood flow to the internal organs, reduces it in the brain, due to which relaxation occurs. But precisely for this reason, you can stay there for a strictly allotted time.
- Heat therapy reduces stress, has a positive effect on getting out of depressive states, helps to relieve physical fatigue;
- In diseases of the joints, arthrosis, some types of rheumatism (according to the doctor's indications), bath procedures will have a positive effect;
- Together with sweat, excess copper, uric acid, and lactic acid are excreted from the body;
- Stimulates cell regeneration in the body. It relieves itching in dermatitis, has a therapeutic effect in acne, psoriasis;
- The water-salt balance is normalized. Metabolism is regulated;
- Improves sleep, appetite;
- During breastfeeding - increases lactation;
- A good helper in the fight against chronic cystitis, with nephritis.
To whom baths and saunas are contraindicated?
“Everything useful should be in moderation”: artificial vitamins are an indispensable assistant to a person, but in large quantities they are harmful, even natural berries and fruits, if consumed excessively, can cause indigestion and dermatitis.This appeal can also be safely attributed to bath procedures. Abuse can cause serious damage to health, so it is important to know your body, not to risk your health.
- Any inflammatory diseases with purulent abscesses, abscesses, sinusitis. A warm environment favorable for cell division will turn a small abscess into a huge abscess with the need for surgical intervention;
- Pregnancy with pathologies. With a normal, healthy course of pregnancy from the end of the first trimester, you can visit such institutions, but without fanaticism. With such pathologies of pregnancy and childbirth, for example, as thrombocytopenia, this is a risk to the life of the mother and child;
- At high temperature. Do not listen to comrades who give advice on how useful it is to warm up in baths or saunas in case of acute respiratory viral diseases. This is possible only at the stage of recovery, when the temperature subsided with residual symptoms;
- After surgical or other surgical interventions, as there is a risk of bleeding, suture divergence, abscess formation, fever;
- During an exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, some types of diseases of the urinary tract;
- With some lung diseases. If you are worried about a cough of unknown origin, do not rush to run to the bath procedures - consult your doctor. For many types of diseases, visiting an institution is strictly contraindicated;
- Chronic cardiovascular diseases;
- With epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, myasthenia gravis, severe disorders of the nervous system.
How to go to the bath and sauna?
To visit a bathhouse or sauna, you must prepare in advance.There should be a special cap in the presence, if you are in a bathing suit, then there should be no metal elements. To visit the bath or sauna, you will also need slates, towels or sheets, brooms. It is worth taking off jewelry in advance, preparing a hot drink in a thermos if such a service is not provided by the service. It can be teas, decoctions of chamomile herbs, rose hips, mint. For a bath, you can purchase aromatic oils of eucalyptus, pine, lavender or citrus.
How to choose a bath to visit?
Below are the main criteria that you should pay attention to when choosing:
- The purpose of the visit: the type of institution that you should choose depends on this. There are public city or private saunas and baths that are more suitable for the purpose of independent regular visits for recovery. Standalone or within the club: if you do not want to meet with other clients of the club, it is better to give preference to the first option. Consisting of one room or a whole complex (with an antique or outdoor pool, a fireplace room, with a Turkish room - a hammam, a greenhouse and other amenities and additional services), and accordingly - for a different wallet;
- The safest thing to do is to rely on customer reviews, but you also cannot deny the fact that some opinions can be subjective and biased. The most reliable information is word of mouth. It is in this way, as a rule, that the place with the most impeccable reputation is determined. In the modern world, when there is high competition, each institution tries to justify the trust of the client;
- Operating mode. There are complexes with a variety of operating modes: around the clock or working until the evening, without a day off, with days off, days of prevention;
- Location address.Some clubs and complexes are located in popular areas of the city, there are suburban options. If you do not plan to move outside the city center, the first option will be much more comfortable, since there is no need to take care of transport;
- The average price for a one-time individual visit to a bath or sauna varies from 600 to 1000 rubles, complexes - from 1700 rubles;
- Facilities for children. In the event that a family vacation with children is planned, it is better to find out in advance whether there is a children's playroom, a children's corner or a playground, whether there are necessary amenities so that the rest for parents does not turn into animation for children;
- The presence or absence of parking. Many clubs provide free parking for customers. But there are places where parking is paid. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is better to find out about this in advance;
- Service quality. How often and how the premises are cleaned, the pool is cleaned, how quickly and professionally the employees work;
- The presence or absence of additional services for leisure activities (billiards, recreation room, board games, karaoke, etc.).
Rating of the best baths and saunas in Novosibirsk
Bathhouse "Siberian character"
Address: Novosibirsk, st. Korchagina, 8-1
Phone: ☎ +7 383 383-50-30
10 km from the city center, in the bosom of nature, there is a bath complex in the authentic style "Siberian Character". The area of the complex is quite extensive. Rent of separate houses is provided, where you can cook your own grill or barbecue. The complex offers inspiring views of the river and the natural landscape. Free parking spaces.There are different types of steam rooms: two baths (one cedar, more compact, for small companies, the second is large in area with a large pool), a sauna, a Japanese bath-bath - ofuro.
Baths are heated on firewood. If desired, you can order the services of a masseur, a professional bather. All the necessary things for a steam room can be purchased on the spot: from cosmetics to clothing. When renting, free wireless internet, karaoke, video room, hairdryer, board games, swimming pool are provided. Discount promotions are held regularly in honor of the holidays. For the price: the minimum rental amount is 1800 R/h.
Advantages:
- Wide range of services;
- Parking is free;
- There is an online booking service;
- Own kitchen;
- With fragrant cedar barrel;
- Great location.
Flaws:
- There is no children's area.
Slavic house "Zhykharka"
Address: Novosibirsk, st. Moscow, d.252, building 1
Phone: ☎ +8 383 213-54-35
The unique family bath complex "Zhykharka" is famous for its originality: everything is done in accordance with ancient Russian traditions. Handmade furniture, handmade children's toys, the premises are decorated with many elements of arts and crafts with a long history. The club offers a choice of several ready-made programs: "Family Bath", "For Beauty" and others. In addition to the steam room, you can rent living rooms. There is a cafe, video room, internet, telephone, board games, children's corner, font. You can buy the necessary bath accessories on the spot. The bath itself is equipped with an original stove stove, heated with firewood. Here you can try a variety of herbal infusions and teas, jam from pine cones.The services of masseurs with a large selection of massages, bathers are offered. There are master classes for children. Prices range from 2000 R/h.
Advantages:
- Unique original atmosphere, design;
- Programs for children;
- Own kitchen;
- Wide range of services.
Flaws:
- The complex is small;
- There are more budget options.
Active Recreation Center "Kuzminsky Bani"
Address: Novosibirsk, st. Station, 28-2
Phone: ☎ +7 913 375-27-03
This is a huge sports and health club with a sauna, a bath, a large 25-meter swimming pool, a sports and gym. Inexpensive option: from 700 r / h per person. In the presence of three saunas of different sizes with a capacity of 8 to 4 people. The club has professional workers, professionals in their field: swimming instructors, coaches. There is a solarium, sharko shower.
Advantages:
- An excellent option for regular wellness treatments for health;
- Good value for money;
- Modern interior;
- Best value option for a budget holiday.
Flaws:
- There is no possibility of accommodation for the night;
- No kitchen;
- There are no facilities or services for children.
Weekend Cottage "Zolotaya Podkova"
Address: Novosibirsk, st. Nemirovich-Danchenko, 11
Phone: ☎ +7 383 286-62-54
A classic option for outdoor recreation with family, friends, for celebrating small celebrations, as there is a beautiful outdoor terrace. In addition to the sauna, there is a kitchen where you can cook, a fireplace room, billiards, several bedrooms, a banquet room, a terrace, a jacuzzi, a small pool, a barbecue, free parking spaces.
Advantages:
- An excellent option for a secluded holiday;
- It is possible to stay overnight;
- It is beneficial to have a rest with a big company.
Flaws:
- No facilities for children;
- There are no additional services: a cook, a massage therapist, a bather.
Health complex "All the baths of the world"
Address: Novosibirsk, st. Vatutina, 44
Phone: ☎ +7 383 207-87-17
A diverse range of health services is offered by the All Baths of the World complex. There are several rooms: Greek room, Russian bath, Finnish sauna, Turkish hammam, Egyptian room. Ready-made spa programs have been developed for various purposes, there are services of a cosmetologist, masseur, bath attendant. The complex has a shop with the necessary accessories, a bar, power showers, pearl baths and hydromassage.
Advantages:
- Wide range of additional services;
- On the spot you can buy the necessary paraphernalia.
Flaws:
- It is not so much the baths of the world themselves that are presented, but the corresponding surroundings are simply made;
- There is no children's area;
- There is no kitchen, only a bar.
Public baths "Parovozov"
Address: Novosibirsk, st. Dusi Kovalchuk, 20a
Phone: ☎ +7 383 246-00-46
Spacious bath complex "Parovozov" is distinguished by its unique thoughtful interior in retro style. These are public baths, divided into two zones: male and female. Each of them has its own large steam room, relaxation room. Massage and beautician services are provided to clients for an additional fee. For lovers of unusual sensations, there is a sauna trailer. The complex is finished with high quality materials
Advantages:
- There is parking;
- A wide range of additional services;
- There is a terrace, an outdoor pool;
- Unique interior.
Flaws:
- Quite high prices for additional services.
Spending your leisure time in the sauna complex or diversifying your weekly health and wellness procedures with the help of a sauna or bath is a great solution for the whole family.One has only to feel this atmosphere on oneself, how heat penetrates the whole body, how much pleasure a person receives, but there is nothing to say about the health benefits.