Sauna Boom: The dream came true. The dream of producing an infrared sauna for home use has resulted in a sauna boom. Now "everyone" wants Siw's saunas.
– The development since I started has been enormous. Not only in Norway, but in Europe, says founder and mother of two, Siw Hansson Kaulbach. She has also been contacted by football players in the USA, who want saunas for recovery after tough matches and training sessions. – They were surprised when I told them I had to send the saunas from a warehouse in Norway, she says with a little laugh.
The Norwegian brand Radiant Health was established eight years ago. Siw enthusiastically stood on the quay as her first fifty self-produced saunas were transported ashore by boat. Little did she know that it was the beginning of a sauna universe. Today, she has produced fifteen different portable variations, where quality, design, and user-friendliness are key.
Wonder Machine
Her bestseller is the IR SaunaPod Active. Satisfied customers describe the sauna tent as a wonder machine, as it contributes to better health and well-being. The heat is around 65 degrees Celsius and is more effective than the heat in a traditional Finnish sauna.
– In a traditional sauna, the air around you is heated first. In an infrared sauna, the heat rays penetrate deeper into the body, warming the body from the inside. The heat is natural. It is the same type of heat that humans radiate themselves. It is the same heat that comes from the sun. The heat rays have nothing to do with UV rays, she emphasizes.
IR Sauna Blanket – the new health trend
Other products that have boomed this year are the IR Therapy Mat and the IR Sauna Blanket.
The sauna blanket is now available in 2 versions: IR Sauna Blanket Breeze and IR Sauna Blanket Breeze Maxi.
– The therapy mat and sauna blankets with therapeutic stones provide an extra deep heating effect. The IR Sauna Blanket was also named one of the top ten health trends for 2021 by The Times, which is incredibly exciting.
Siw recommends the sauna blanket for anyone who wants to lie down and relax, rather than sit. Her goal is to adapt her products to customer needs. While some want to lie down for maximum relaxation and meditation, others prefer to sit in the sauna tent watching a series on Netflix.
– We are all different, with varying preferences. In the sauna blanket, the heat can be regulated up to 80 degrees Celsius. You can choose whether you want a proper "workout" with high heat, where metabolism increases and sweat flows. Or you can use lower heat for pain relief, meditation, and improved circulation. Generally, you will notice better skin quality, more energy, and better sleep.
The infrared therapy mat is specifically designed for those who want deep heat into the body while relaxing, meditating, or seeking pain relief. It can be used on a mattress or massage bench. It is used, among other things, in physical treatment by several physiotherapists and naprapaths.
Infrared Foot Sauna
One of the latest products in Siw's sauna universe is the infrared foot sauna.
– The foot sauna increases blood circulation in the legs and is wonderful for sore knees, calves, and feet. It's especially lovely to put your feet in the foot sauna after a long walk in the woods and fields. Or after countless trips on the asphalt to drop off and pick up children from kindergarten, she laughs.
Improves health and quality of life
Decades of research show that infrared saunas and the use of infrared heat are a safe form of treatment with positive health effects, mainly helping the body to heal itself. Infrared heat therapy relieves pain, strengthens the immune system, and can reduce inflammation in the body. Studies have also shown that infrared rays provide better sleep quality and can alleviate depression, as well as contribute to a better quality of life for the elderly. Regular use of a sauna also reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's.
In the assortment, you will also find an infrared yoga mat which is fantastic for HOT YOGA or for workouts where you need extra warmth.
– The most significant thing for me is the positive feedback I receive from satisfied customers. Rheumatics report less pain. My doctor lost five kilos in a month without changing his lifestyle other than taking regular infrared saunas. People experience softer skin and better sleep. Top athletes say they use the sauna for recovery. That makes me incredibly happy and motivated, says Siw.
Many also take infrared saunas simply to de-stress and to set aside time for themselves in a busy daily life.
Immediate improvement with infrared sauna
For Siw personally, infrared sauna has been one of her best health investments. The idea of producing her own portable sauna came when she herself was ill and was recommended by a friend to try infrared sauna for pain relief and detox. She visited a spa in Oslo. While sweating, she noticed immediate improvement.
– The first time I heard the words infrared sauna, I looked like a question mark, and the first time I tried an infrared sauna, I had an epiphany. It was like flipping a switch. Everything eased. I had less pain, more energy, and my sleep improved. It was fantastic.
She started searching online for an infrared sauna for home use, but couldn't find any that met her needs.
– Either they were too big, or I didn't feel confident about the quality. I decided to design my own dream sauna.
Hobby has become work
Today, the founder herself takes an infrared sauna three to five times a week. Most often, she sets herself up in the living room and lets the sweat flow while watching a series.
– It doesn't look sexy, but I feel like a new person afterward. The sauna has significantly improved my quality of life. I am completely addicted.
Siw sometimes has to pinch herself when she thinks about the journey that has led her to where she is today. A lot of good has come out of what was a difficult life situation.
– I feel lucky to be able to work with my hobby. I love what I do. The plan now is to create a sauna revolution, she says, laughing.
