Floating sauna experience in Oslo – all hype, or worth the money!?
Have you tried sauna life on Oslo Fjord? Well, we believe it is an experience like no other! The combination of the natural beauty of the Oslo Fjord and the warmth of the sauna, creates a sense of relaxation and well-being that is hard to match. If you visit Oslo, you will see that the sauna culture inNorway has exploded in popularity in the last 5 years. This is due to new compelling research being published about the incredible health benefits of regular sauna use. Now Oslo visitors and residents have this amazing activity within easy reach. After being on holiday in New Zealand recently, I now see that that Sauna life in Oslo should not be taken for granted!
Oslos floating sauna history
It just so happens that Oslo Kommune (Oslo City Council) has for a long time worked to connect Oslos residents to the fjord, with healthy, active and social activities – it looks like they are finally succeeding in their mission! Their mandate which was named “Fjord Byen” (Fjord City) was started in the early 2000s and was still far off from being achieved until some creative folks made a floating sauna out of scraps left over from a music festival. After being chased around the fjord for a year or so by the powers that be, they finally allied with some ice bathing diplomats and got the required permits – so just take a moment to think, if they had followed the “rules” then we would not have the sauna city that everyones loves today. Read more about the Fjord Byen mandate here.
The health benefits of regular sauna use
The health benefits of sauna use are well-documented, and regular sauna use can help improve cardiovascular health, lower stress levels, and boost the immune system. The heat of the sauna causes the body to sweat, which can help remove toxins and impurities from the skin. The increase in heart rate and blood flow that occurs during a sauna session can also help improve cardiovascular health.
But sauna life on the Oslo fjord is not just about the heat, it’s also about the ice. Ice bathing, also known as cold water immersion, is the practice of immersing the body in cold water after a sauna session. The contrast of heat and cold has been shown to improve circulation, boost the immune system and provide a sense of overall well-being. The cold water immersion after a sauna session can help to reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery time after exercise.
When you combine the heat of the sauna with the invigoration of ice bathing, the result is a truly unique and rejuvenating experience. The sauna and ice bathing experience on the Oslo fjord is also a great way to relax, unwind and improve your overall health, fitness, and wellness. So are you ready to try Sauna life in Oslo yet?!
The different types of saunas
There are different types of sauna, each one with its own set of benefits. Infrared sauna, for example, uses infrared heaters to create a deep penetrating heat that can help to relax muscles, improve circulation and reduce stress. Finnish sauna is a traditional type of sauna, that uses heat from hot stones. Steam sauna, uses hot water vapor to create a moist heat that can help to open up the airways and improve respiratory function.
Sauna services on Oslo Fjord
When it comes to sauna rental and sauna sessions, there are many options available in Oslo. Sauna companies in central Oslo offer a variety of different sauna options. Some concentrate on private sauna rental for parties or team building, while others focus on providing public sauna sessions for all to join. Most sauna businesses in Oslo can be found in the city center but there are some to be found on the outskirts, such as “Fjord Tokt Badstubåt” in Lysaker and Badstuvogna in Grønlikaia
Our favourite saunas in Oslo
On the top of list we have Mad Goats sauna in Tjuvholmen and Oslo Fjord Sauna in Bjørvika which is run by the Fjord CleanUP non-profit organisation. To read more about other saunas in Oslo we recommend Visit Oslos article that you can find here.
To finish, I would just like to say, if you are ever feeling down or stressed, then a sauna is the best remedy, at least in my experience. For this reason I have come up with the saying “if in doubt, sweat it out!” – works every time!
Catch you in the sauna!
Author, Tomas Hansson, Founder and CEO of Mad Goats AS (a kayaking, paddle boarding and sauna company in Oslo)