Saunas are small rooms designed as places to experience dry or wet heat. Some saunas use fireplace, where stones are heated to a high temperature, while others are heated by electricity. Depending on a establishment, saunas can either accommodate both genders or can be exclusively used by one sex, usually for the sake of privacy. If both men and women share the facility, individuals need to wear swimming trunks and wrap themselves with a towel around their shoulders.
Saunas are small rooms designed as places to experience dry or wet heat. Some saunas use fireplace, where stones are heated to a high temperature, while others are heated by electricity.
Depending on a establishment, saunas can either accommodate both genders or can be exclusively used by one sex, usually for the sake of privacy. If both men and women share the facility, individuals need to wear swimming trunks and wrap themselves with a towel around their shoulders.
Most people find it normal for both sexes to mix up in the sauna or steam rooms but others find it uncomfortable and prefer single-sex facilities.
Before entering the saunas and steam parlors, there are some rules one should follow.
According to Denis Munezero, ICT officer at Smart TV, he does not mind mixing up with women in any sauna or steam facility as long as he wraps a towel around his waist.
"I do not feel uncomfortable in mixed saunas because a sauna session is a social affair where we interact with the people of opposite sex, this makes it a less boring place,” he says.
Claudine Nyinawumwami, an entrepreneur, states that mixed saunas and steam rooms make her feel shy because of the men she usually finds in there. She says, they ogle her naked body in a disconcerting manner.
"I just feel extremely uncomfortable being part naked in the presence of strangers and despite my body being wrapped in a cloth men staring at me makes me feel restless,” she says. "I don’t have issues with my weight or anything. I just don’t feel comfortable revealing my body parts for the world to see.”
Wilberforce Ngabo, a gym attendant at Seven Lakes Fitness Center says that, no one has time to stare at each other’s body during sauna sessions.
"I find it normal mixing up with ladies in the sauna and steam room because people mind their own business during the session and on top of that our privates are covered,” he explains.
Whether or not a sauna and steam room is mixed, the experience allows people to cleanse their bodies of toxins and relax.