Choosing which Clearlight Sauna You Want for Your Home Gym or Wellness Space is the Hardest Part

I will take an infrared sauna fix anywhere I can get it: at a yoga class, at my local infrared sauna studio, or even wrapped up in an infrared sauna blanket. But having a sauna at home is the real dream. And I can’t recommend Clearlight Saunas enough. Not only because we are authorized distributors, but also because Jim and I have taken the plunge and got one for ourselves.

Clearlight Saunas use True Wave heaters, which blend ceramic and carbon infrared heaters for the best of both worlds. (Ceramic heaters produce hotter heat, and carbon ones produce infrared waves that penetrate deeper. Together, they’re calibrated to a specific level of heat that’s intended to optimize how the body heats up and sweats.) 

The furniture-grade Canadian cedar and basswood exteriors are treated with non-VOC finish. And the saunas come with Bluetooth and AUX inputs which mean you can safely play music or your favorite guided meditations from inside the cabin. You can even turn on your sauna from your phone so that it preheats while you’re coming home from work or set it to be ready to go by the time you wake up in the morning. Each sauna comes with a lifetime warranty. They’re beautiful to sit in, too.

So if you’re lucky enough to be in the market, the challenge becomes choosing the exact right model for your space and your needs.  Here are three of my favorites:

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The Compact Infrared Sauna

The Clearlight Sanctuary 1 plugs into a standard wall outlet, and because it measures less than four feet by four feet, you can make room for it even in tighter spaces. Despite its smaller size, it feels very open; you can thank the glass front wall and the skylight for that. It features two types of heaters pumping out far and full-spectrum infrared heat, which can get intensely hot if you’re into that. (Far infrared covers a narrow range of longer infrared wavelengths that penetrate deeply into the body and aren’t crazy-hot. Full-spectrum infrared includes a wider range of wavelengths that includes far infrared as well as mid and near infrared, and it may provide a wider range of benefits than far infrared alone.) You can customize your experience with color therapy: Every Sanctuary model includes ninety-six LED lights with twelve color options.

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The Infrared Sauna for Movement

The Sanctuary Y is made for those who want to move. (The “Y” stands for “yoga.”) Sure, you can hang out on the two benches with some pals. Or you can remove the benches entirely—they’re lightweight enough that it’s easy to move them around—roll out a mat and stretch, foam roll, or down dog to your heart’s content. Which we highly recommend: The heat has a way of breaking up stiffness and getting you out of your head and into your body. This model includes both far and full-spectrum infrared and the full suite of color-therapy lights. (Note: Watch video below to get a better idea of what this sauna is all about.)

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The Backyard Infrared Sauna

If you don’t have room to work with in the house but you do have a place in your yard where you could imagine yourself sweating it out (with a view, perhaps?), the Sanctuary Outdoor 5 could be a great fit. It’s built into a wooden cabin designed to hold up to the elements, and the floor-to-ceiling dual-paned glass windows help lock in heat without obstructing your line of sight. There’s plenty of room to lie flat in this one—it seats up to five people—and the bench transitions into a recliner, too. (This one has a limited warranty on the exterior cabin, but all the interior parts are under lifetime warranty.)

ICYMI (Because somehow I did): DIOR VIBE TAKES LUXURY FITNESS NEXT LEVEL

Since it’s actually old news, I’ll keep it short. But French Maison Christian Dior has partnered with Italian luxury fitness company Technogym to create a limited edition line of workout equipment, Dior Vibe.

Designed by Dior’s artistic director Maria Grazia Chiuri for the recent 2022 Cruise Show, it marks a turning point for both the fashion label and Italian brand. It will be the first time that Technogym partners with a luxury fashion house to create a signature line of equipment.

The pop-up in New York’s SoHo.

The limited edition range includes Technogym’s connected treadmill and a multifunctional weight bench in classic white with navy detail and featuring the Dior star, the lucky charm for Christian himself.

Fashion has always been about looking good and Dior’s ability to do that with its garments is a given. So you could assume that it was only a matter of time before brands really started to offer a full vertical offering of product that would let you look and feel your best. What better time than now when a workout station has become the latest must-have designer item for the home.

Thanks to stay-at-home orders, home fitness has become the latest peg to hang luxury fixations on. Gone are the days of pastel coloured gadgets that hide under the bed or inside the closet. Now, equipment is made with precision detail that goes beyond function and adds emphasis to form. 

It makes sense that Dior would partner with a brand like Technogym that has collaborated with architects and designers to ensure that their equipment looks more like a piece of art or designer furniture than something you’ll spend 45 minutes raising your heart rate on.

The Italian brand, which presents itself more as a wellness concept rather than just pure fitness, is built on an ideology that the pleasure of design should be as much a part of the health experience as the end result.

There’s still plenty of time to make sure your home is ready to accommodate a Dior x Technogym upgrade: the Dior Vibe line still has pieces available. The biggest question is are you interested? And who will be the next big collaboration?

Fitness has never been so chic.

Mastering Foam Rolling: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Foam Roller

Let's dive into the world of foam rollers, your personal masseuse disguised as a simple fitness tool. Foam rolling, or as the pros call it, "self-administered myofascial release" (SMR), is like having a deep-tissue massage at your fingertips. By leveraging your body weight, you can target those tight muscles, giving them the TLC they deserve.

If you've ever given foam rolling a try, you might have a bit of a love/hate relationship with it. Yes, it can feel like a challenge at times, but the magic it works on those pesky knots—also known as trigger points or myofascial adhesions—is worth a little discomfort. Athletes rave about the benefits: increased flexibility, boosted blood flow, and quicker recovery times. Sounds like a win, right?

When you're on the hunt for the perfect foam roller, keep these three musketeers in mind: density, surface texture, and size and shape.

Foam Roller Density: The Goldilocks Principle

Not too soft, not too hard—it's all about finding that just-right density. A roller that's too soft might feel like it's not doing much, while one that's too firm could leave you with bruises rather than relief. Starting with a softer roller is wise if you're new to the foam rolling game. As you get more comfortable, you can graduate to a denser roller for a deeper massage and longer-lasting durability. And here's a fun fact: the color often hints at the density, with white being the softest and black the firmest, though this can vary by brand.

Foam Roller Surface Texture: Smooth Operator or Textured Technician?

Smooth rollers offer an even, consistent pressure, perfect for beginners or those who prefer a gentler touch. They're also usually more wallet-friendly. Textured rollers, with their ridges and knobs, are like the skilled hands of a masseuse, targeting those tight spots with precision. They're fantastic for digging into those deeper knots.

Foam Roller Shape and Size: One Size Doesn't Fit All

From long rollers ideal for back massages to short ones for targeting specific areas, there's a size for every need. And let's not forget about diameter—most rollers are 5 or 6 inches across, providing a comfortable height for most. For those seeking a deeper, more focused massage, smaller diameters are your best bet. And for an extra twist, half-round foam rollers are great for stretching and soothing foot aches.

So, whether you're a seasoned foam rolling aficionado or new to the game, understanding the nuances of each type can transform your relationship with this versatile tool. It's not just about rolling; it's about unlocking a world of mobility, recovery, and well-being. Ready to roll into a more flexible future? Your foam roller awaits!

And hey, if you're still on the fence about joining the foam rolling bandwagon, maybe it's time to give it a whirl. Who knows? It might just roll its way into your heart (and sore muscles).