Sang Mu Sauna

I guess I should consider renaming this blog "Korean Sauna" at this point due to the surplus in relevant posts, but what can I say? I freaking love the sauna. We had a mishap this week and lost some money. We aren't sure where or how exactly. Our guess is it fell out of Jack's pocket or it may simply be lost in the abyss masquerading as my dirty laundry hamper. As such, we are saving money this week. I couldn't bring myself to pay the 6,000 won each way to go to the sauna I am aquainted with in Kumho Dong. Thus I went on a new search. After searching around a bit for a sauna closer to our neighborhood, I discovered their is actually one hidden behind the coffee shop across form our building.

The sauna I went to today is located behind Tom and Tom's in Sang Mu. It is attached as part of SM Fitness, a very overpriced gym in Sang Mu. The sauna itself is not huge my any means, but the layout is nice. As you enter you remove your shoes, grab a locker, and pay the desk clerk for your scrubber and day at the spa (roughly 5,000 won/ $4.85) You go to the second floor, find your locker and strip. I looked around the sauna and it had all the stops. Varying temperature dry saunas as well as a plethora of hot tubs to soak in after you are finished. The scrubbing stations mirror those of almost every sauna. Comfy little seat accompanied by a regular spicket and hand held shower head. I enjoyed the tubs at this sauna much more the location in Kumho Dong. There is a cold one for swimming and it has a spout that shoots down at phenomenal speeds for a great back massage effect. There are two other pools. They are 39 and 42 degrees Celsius respectively. The saunas also range in temperature. The two I saw were 70 and 76 degrees Celsius. For my American friends who don't know the conversion rate, just know that is boiling hot. You break a sweat almost as soon as you enter.

It was great. After about 15 minutes of sweating away the pounds and internal toxins, I jumped to the regular showers lining the right side of the sauna and then took the plunge into the various pools. After another 30 minutes or so of soaking I headed to the scrubbing station and wrapped up my day at the sauna. I definitely think this is going to be the thing I miss most about living in Korea. I have already mentally integrated a sauna-esque portion into the home I want to build someday. I love it!

For the foreigners who may be a bit standoff-ish, dont be a coward. This might be the best thing you do while you are in Korea for yourself. The cultural barriers will have to fall quickly, but when they do, you will be glad you took the risk. :)