Benefits Stories

Gold Medal Olympian, Gwen Jorgensen, Uses Her Sauna for Health, Workout Recovery and Family Time

Gwen Jorgensen has accomplished many amazing feats including winning 2016 Olympic Gold in the triathlon in Rio and being the World Champion Triathlete in 2014 and 2015. Adding to her athletic title, Gwen became a mother to Stanley in 2017. Just months after her son’s birth, Gwen announced her fearless new goal of winning Gold in the marathon at Toyko 2020 Olympics (which are now postponed to 2021).

As a working mom, professional athlete and wife to Patrick Lemieux, Gwen has a busy daily routine of prioritizing health and remaining in peak condition with a heavy training schedule. Part of her routine is sauna bathing. Gwen finds importance in taking saunas to keep healthy, stay mentally strong, boost her red blood cells and to support her high-altitude training.

With spending more time at home this year, and limited or no access to her gym sauna, Gwen wanted a sauna at home to use in her daily training schedule and with her family. In cooperation with Finnleo, Gwen recently added a Euro Patio outdoor sauna to her backyard. Not only will the sauna be used in her performance training regimen, but it will also provide a great way to provide quality time and health benefits with her family as well.

Below Gwen talks about her passion for sauna, its health benefits and how she incorporates sauna into her triathlete training routine and family life.

What motivated you to get a sauna at your home?
I’ve been using a sauna as part of heat training for three years now. I saw not only health, but also performance benefits from sauna training. When Covid-19 hit, all the gyms closed and I was without a sauna. I never thought an at-home sauna was an option until my father-in-law installed a Finnleo sauna in his home. I immediately started researching how we could get a sauna too so that I could continue to train at the highest level in preparation for the Olympic Trials in June of 2021.
How do you use your sauna?
I use my sauna daily, for 20 minutes at a temperature above 160 degrees Fahrenheit. It helps increase my red blood cells, improves my sleep and health, and is a great way to relax after a tough session. I find that the sauna relaxes my muscles after a tough workout and if I sauna post workout, I’m not as sore the following days. Since adding a sauna at home, I’ve realized what a blessing the sauna is for my family. At nighttime, my husband, son, and I enjoy device-free quality time in the sauna (at a lower temperature that my son can withstand). It is some of the most intimate moments with my family and I can’t imagine life without my sauna and family time.
What is important in the sauna to you?
I love the Euro Patio sauna. It has the SaunaLogic2 control which allows me to turn on the heater before a run so that when I return home it’s on, hot and ready. Safety is the most important feature of my Himalaya heater as we have a three year old son. I love how Finnleo has created a sleek, comfortable sauna that is also safe to use.
Why do you like to sauna?
Life these days can be hectic and uncertain, but I can always rely on my Finnleo sauna. I love being able to go in the sauna and disconnect from the world. It’s a great way to relax and recharge.
What do you do during your sauna heat bathing sessions?
My favorite sauna sessions are when my husband and or son are able to join me. We talk, listen, and enjoy each others’ company. When I am in the sauna alone I either sit and visualize my race tactics, I read, or I completely shut off my mind.
How did you find out that sauna bathing is good for you?
My sponsor, Skratch Labs, is owned by Dr Allen Lim. Allen started telling me about the benefits of heat training and I was immediately hooked. Dr Lim explained how the science works and although I can’t regurgitate with accuracy the how's and why's of sauna science, I fully believe in the research after hearing Dr Lim.
Do you prefer having a sauna by yourself or with someone?
My love language is quality time, so anytime my husband, Patrick, can join me in the sauna I’m very happy.
What have you been able to achieve since using your Finnleo sauna?
When I train super hard, my sleep is often impacted negatively, however, taking a sauna seems to help boost my sleep. I feel more energized and focused when I take saunas.
What do you like the most about your sauna?
I love how quickly the Finnleo heats up but I also love the lights feature. The lights were not something I thought about before I got a sauna, but when I go to take a sauna at night I see the green glow and feel like I am in Norway under the Northern Lights. It feels like a getaway oasis in my own backyard!
What were your thoughts about design and materials?
I saw pictures of the Euro Patio Sauna before I got it and thought it looked nice, but once it arrived I was blown away with how sleek the sauna looked. The cedar smells amazing and the sauna looks better than I could have ever expected. Pictures don’t do its justice.
How did you decide where to put your outdoor sauna?
We struggled to decide where to put our sauna, and changed locations a few times before deciding to put it in an unused garden bed. The area gets no sunlight in our backyard so we haven’t been able to grow anything successfully in the spot and it looks out to a beautiful Sequoia tree. The placement of being able to look out and see that massive tree makes me smile every time I’m inside.
What do you like about the Himalaya Rock Tower heater?
The Himalaya heater is so quick to heat up and yet doesn’t take up a lot of space in the sauna, making it ideal.
What do you like about the SaunaLogic2 Control and Mobile App?
I love being able to turn my sauna on even when I’m away from home. I like taking a sauna after my workouts, but often don't know what time I’ll be home. I just log in to the mobile app and turn on my sauna after a workout and by the time I get home, it’s ready to go!
Did it turn out the way you had expected?
No, it turned out so much better than I expected! I still am in awe of how beautiful the Euro Patio Sauna is!
Would you recommend Finnleo?
Finnleo is the best on the market, the gold standard. If you want a sauna that is safe, fast, effective, and beautiful Finnleo is the way to go!
What would you tell someone who is considering a Finnleo sauna?
Do it! All of my friends ask if having a sauna is really worth it and you cannot wipe the smile off of my face as I respond. You won’t regret it! It’s only been a few weeks since we got our sauna, but I can’t imagine a home without a Finnleo sauna.
Is there anything else you would like to comment on?
The customer service of Finnleo is top-notch. They go above and beyond to make sure everything is better than expected.