Last night while the Kleiner was intently watching his Jets pull through to beat the Chargers in their playoff game (this is a large outpouring of football knowledge on my part, work with me) I decided that I would try out the Washington Sports Club at Dupont Circle. Discovering that a passport membership was only $5 more than a membership to the Columbia Heights gym, I purchased one but mostly use it between C-Heights and the gym near my office. Recently I noted that the Dupont Circle Washington Sports Club had recently installed a Hammam in their basement and decided that a good long gym session would be the perfect Sunday night football activity. Hammam, Sauna, Steam -- around the world from Russia, to Korea, to Finland, to Sweden to Latvia and beyond are some of the most popular ways for men and women to get together, relax, talk socially and for business. In Belgium, where I once lived, almost every woman went for the sauna after their work out, it was a ritual -- and I'm glad to see it becoming one in the U.S. too!!
I was pleasantly surprised to find the co-ed Hammam in sparkling condition. It has two cold showers with 'light therapy', a large co-ed sauna (three heaters), an enormous hammam (that no one really appeared to use), and a large steam room. I find that the hot, cold, hot, cold spa rotation is a great anti-dote to sore muscles, cold weather, rainy days and pretty much anything that gets you down, so I was elated to discover a good one included in my gym membership. Its co-ed, so everyone is wearing a bathing suit and at 7pm on Sunday the people enjoying the sauna were reading books and doing the rounds between hot and cold rather than going in like they do in Columbia Heights, sometimes in their gym clothes! Overall, its a great addition, and I will probably start working out significantly more at Dupont Circle (except no pool....) just to take advantage of the Hammam.
My history with the spa is long, I absolutely love European/Turkish style spas. A massage or something else is nice, but, the heat baths (sauna, steam) have a really natural, really positive effect on us. Benefits include strengthening immune systems, alleviating joint pain and stress ;) My favorite spa is the Scandinave Spa in Mont Tremblant. Its rotation of hot and cold includes suanas, outdoor hot tubs, outdoor cold waterfalls, and a cold plunge into the river!! I did this spa in December, in near 0 F freezing weather and was warm enough to make it through. I also really liked the Hotel Jurmala spa in the old Latvian spa town of the same name, Jurmala. My favorite one of recent times was located within the Standard Hotel in Miami. It was simple, but very high quality, cedar sauna that smelled of cedar and got about 50% hotter than the Washington Sports Club sauna, aromatherapy steam room, very warm hammam, and gorgeous outdoor pool looking over Biscayne Bay.
What are your favorite ways to relax?? Any better hammam spas in DC? I have read a write up in the Washington Post about the Korean Spa World in Centreville --- have any of you been there? It looks interesting: Spa World.
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There is nothing better than a sauna bath, especially a Scandinavian style one, though a genuine steam bath can be great too. The only thing better than belonging to a gym that has a sauna/steam room is owning one yourself.
ReplyDeleteYou sound so enthusiastic, I thought I should warn you that if you ever are looking into buying your own sauna stay away from the infrared versions. They aren't anything like a genuine Scandinavian style sauna, though they've increased greatly in popularity recently (presumably because some of them can be purchase so cheaply - after all they're just glorified space heaters).
We've had countless customers call, wishing to make their infrared sauna more like a genuine Scandinavian style sauna, and 99% of the time it's just not possible. I'd hate for anyone to spend money and be disappointed, especially when they're as excited about steam rooms and saunas as you seem to be.
Either way, congrats on finding the awesome place to relax!
Great read! I went to Germany last summer and feel in love with the saunas in Europe...used them every night to relax and unwind. Wish there were more Scandinavian style saunas in the states; its been one of the most relaxing things I have done in years!!!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I have time, I try to visit my favorite spa once a month to relax. As it was advised, people who do nothing but work must at least have a once a month body massage to loosen your muscles and straighten your veins for better blood flow. I always feel renewed whenever I step out of the spa. Going in a 4 Person infrared sauna with my friends always loosen my stress weight. I felt so clean and light after I have tried it.
ReplyDeleteThe Shvitz in Cleveland, Ohio..The best in the U.S. 216-561-0578 Tell them Vinny sent you. Open Oct-May Hottest steam/sauna-cold pool,massage,platza, and fantastic rib steaks that are cut ON A BANDSAW s.m.L.xL.xxL.xxxL etc..Sword fish also. A unique treasure from the past.BYOB.
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