From Science to Self-Care: Why Dietitian Leanne Ward Chose an Elevate Outlook Sauna for Her Home

What happens when one of Australia's most trusted dietitians gets serious about sauna science? She discovers that the benefits of traditional sauna bathing go well beyond simply having a relaxing sweat.

Saunas have become one of the biggest conversations in the health, fitness and wellness world – and for good reason. From cardiovascular health and exercise recovery to stress management, sleep and longevity, the science behind heat therapy is attracting increasing attention.

But don't just take our word for it.

Australian Accredited Practising Dietitian, nutritionist, health coach and podcaster Leanne Ward has been exploring the science behind sauna bathing, and she's taken her interest one step further by bringing a traditional cedar sauna into her own backyard.

As an Elevate Saunas ambassador and proud owner of the Outlook 4-Person Traditional Cedar Sauna, Leanne is a great example of someone who has gone beyond the wellness trends to understand the research, experience the benefits and make an informed investment in her health and lifestyle.

So, what does the science actually say, what did Leanne discover, and why did she choose Elevate Saunas?

Let's take a closer look.

 

Sauna science: Leanne Ward gets to the heart of heat therapy

In November 2025, Leanne dedicated an episode of her popular Leanne Ward Nutrition podcast to one fascinating topic:

Episode 152: Sauna Science – How Heat Supercharges Recovery, Heart Health & Longevity.

Joining Leanne was Professor Julien Périard, a leading researcher in environmental and exercise physiology at the University of Canberra.

Together, they unpacked what really happens inside the body during a sauna session, exploring the physiological responses to heat and the potential benefits of making sauna bathing a regular part of a healthy lifestyle.

It's an especially interesting conversation because it moves beyond the usual claims about sweating and relaxation and looks at the science happening beneath the surface.

Some of the key topics discussed included:

• Cardiovascular health: Heat exposure increases heart rate and blood flow while encouraging blood vessels to dilate. This creates a cardiovascular response that shares some similarities with light-to-moderate exercise.
• Exercise recovery: Research is exploring how passive heat exposure may support recovery, particularly when athletes are unable to train or load certain muscles following injury.
• Heat-shock proteins: These specialised proteins are activated in response to cellular stress, helping protect cells and maintain normal cellular function.
• Stress and mental wellbeing: Heat exposure can promote relaxation and positive post-session feelings, with research investigating its relationship with stress hormones and mood.
• Sleep: The relaxation and subsequent cooling process following a sauna session may help support a more restful evening routine.
• Longevity: Long-term Finnish population studies have identified associations between frequent traditional sauna bathing and lower cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risks.

One of the most interesting takeaways from the discussion was that sauna bathing can create some cardiovascular responses similar to exercise, but it should complement rather than replace physical activity.

For anyone interested in health optimisation, recovery and healthy ageing, it's a fascinating conversation.

 

What actually happens to your body in a sauna?

Professor Périard explains that the body's first response to sauna heat is an increase in core temperature.

Your body recognises this temperature change and activates its natural cooling mechanisms.

Two important responses occur:

1. Increased skin blood flow: Blood vessels near the skin dilate, allowing more blood to circulate towards the body's surface.
2. Increased sweating: Your body produces sweat to help regulate temperature through evaporation.

Your heart also works harder to circulate blood, resulting in an increased heart rate and cardiac output.

This is why a traditional sauna session can feel surprisingly demanding, even though you're sitting still.

Professor Périard describes the cardiovascular response as comparable in some respects to light-to-moderate exercise, depending on the temperature and duration of exposure.

However, it's important to understand that sauna bathing doesn't deliver all the benefits of exercise. It doesn't replace the muscle loading, movement, strength development and other adaptations that come from physical activity.

Instead, it offers another way to introduce a controlled heat stimulus into your wellness routine.

Why traditional saunas are getting attention

An important part of Leanne's sauna journey was understanding the difference between traditional and infrared saunas.

While both expose the body to heat, they work differently.

Traditional saunas heat the surrounding air using an electric heater and hot stones. Temperatures commonly range between 70°C and 100°C, creating the familiar Finnish-style sauna experience.

Infrared saunas use infrared panels to heat the body more directly, typically operating at lower air temperatures.

Both can provide a relaxing heat experience, but an important distinction is that much of the long-term cardiovascular and longevity research discussed in Leanne's podcast comes from traditional Finnish-style sauna bathing.

This was one of the factors that influenced Leanne's own decision.

After researching the evidence and trying regular sauna sessions, she decided that a traditional sauna was the right choice for her home.

 

Why Leanne Ward chose Elevate Saunas

For Leanne, choosing a home sauna wasn't simply about finding something that looked good in the backyard.

As a dietitian who prioritises evidence-based health advice, she wanted to understand the research, experience sauna bathing for herself and choose a product that would fit into her lifestyle.

In her September 2025 article, The Science of Sauna: Benefits, Risks and How to Use Them Safely, published on her own website, Leanne shared the reasons behind her decision to purchase an Elevate Outlook Traditional Cedar Sauna.

Her considerations included:

1. Australian-owned expertise and local support

Elevate Saunas is an Australian family-run business based in Brisbane. Having access to local advice, support and delivery was an important consideration when investing in a large outdoor wellness product.

2. Premium Canadian cedar

Leanne was drawn to the natural beauty, durability and aroma of Canadian cedar. Beyond its beautiful appearance, Canadian Western Red Cedar is naturally resistant to moisture and decay, making it particularly well suited to outdoor sauna environments.

3. A traditional barrel design

The Outlook's curved design helps circulate heat throughout the interior, creating an authentic traditional sauna experience.

4. An expansive glass front

One of Leanne's favourite features is the full glass front wall and door. Rather than feeling enclosed in a small wooden cabin, the Outlook creates a light-filled, open experience that connects the sauna with its surroundings.

5. Comfortable, versatile seating

The tiered seating gives users flexibility to sit upright or stretch out and relax. The additional internal height also makes the Outlook feel spacious and comfortable.

6. Practical running costs

Leanne also considered the everyday practicality of owning a sauna. The Outlook's efficient heating performance and relatively low running costs made it an appealing long-term investment.

Ultimately, it was the combination of traditional sauna performance, quality materials, thoughtful design and local support that made Elevate the right choice.

Meet the Outlook: The sauna Leanne chose for her home

<Outlook 4-Person Traditional Cedar Sauna>

The Elevate Outlook is designed for people who want more than just a sauna. It's an opportunity to create a dedicated wellness space at home.

Combining traditional Finnish-inspired sauna bathing with contemporary outdoor design, the Outlook brings together functionality, comfort and natural beauty.

What makes the Outlook special?

• Premium Canadian Western Red Cedar: 38mm thick cedar construction, selected for its natural durability, insulation and beautiful aroma.
• Full tempered-glass front: A striking glass wall and door that create an open, panoramic experience.
• Spacious four-person capacity: Plenty of room for individual sessions, couples or family use.
• Versatile tiered seating: Choose your preferred seating position and heat level, or stretch out and unwind.
• Powerful Harvia heater: The standard 6kW Harvia Vega heater provides traditional sauna temperatures of approximately 70–90°C and above, depending on conditions.
• Authentic steam experience: Pour water over the hot stones to create that familiar burst of traditional sauna steam.
• Efficient heating: Reaches approximately 70°C in around 20 minutes under suitable conditions.
• Designed for Australian outdoor living: A beautiful addition to a backyard, poolside area or dedicated outdoor wellness retreat.

With its combination of generous internal space and a relatively compact footprint, the Outlook is a particularly appealing option for homeowners who want a premium sauna without dedicating an entire room or large section of their backyard to it.

Explore the Elevate Outlook Sauna.

 

How often should you use a sauna?

One of the most practical parts of Leanne's podcast discussion was the focus on consistency.

Like many aspects of health and wellbeing, the potential benefits of sauna bathing are associated with regular exposure rather than occasional sessions.

Professor Périard discusses how repeated heat exposure can lead to physiological adaptations over time, with research suggesting that consistent use over several weeks is important.

For someone starting a sauna routine, a sensible approach is to:

• Start with shorter sessions and moderate heat exposure.
• Gradually increase the duration as your body becomes accustomed to the heat.
• Prioritise hydration before and after each session.
• Allow time to cool down comfortably.
• Stand up slowly after sitting in the heat to minimise the risk of dizziness.
• Build a realistic routine that you can maintain.

There is no need to push yourself to extreme temperatures or prolonged sessions to enjoy a sauna.

People with cardiovascular conditions, kidney issues, those taking medications that affect blood pressure or temperature regulation, and pregnant women should seek appropriate medical advice before using a sauna.

The goal is to make sauna bathing a sustainable addition to your lifestyle, not another health challenge to conquer.

Bringing the wellness experience home

Perhaps the biggest appeal of owning a sauna is the convenience of having a dedicated space to slow down.

No gym membership, no travelling to a wellness centre and no waiting for a session to become available.

Instead, your sauna is right there in your backyard.

Imagine finishing a workout and enjoying some quiet recovery time. Or stepping outside after a busy day, leaving your phone behind and spending 15–20 minutes unwinding in the warmth of natural cedar.

It can become a shared experience with your partner, a relaxing weekend ritual or simply a little time for yourself.

And that's what makes a home sauna such an interesting lifestyle investment.

It's not just about the time spent inside the sauna. It's about creating an environment that encourages you to prioritise your wellbeing more consistently.

For Leanne, that combination of science, practicality and everyday enjoyment was what made the Outlook such a natural choice.

From Leanne's podcast to your own backyard

We love that Leanne's approach to sauna bathing starts with curiosity and evidence.

Her conversation with Professor Julien Périard highlights why traditional sauna use is attracting so much attention, while her own experience demonstrates how a well-designed home sauna can make regular heat therapy more accessible.

At Elevate Saunas, we believe great wellness products should combine genuine performance, quality craftsmanship and thoughtful design.

That's why we're proud to have Leanne Ward as an Elevate Saunas ambassador and an Outlook sauna owner.

Whether you're interested in exercise recovery, cardiovascular health, relaxation or simply creating a beautiful backyard retreat, the Outlook is designed to make traditional sauna bathing part of everyday life.

Ready to create your own home wellness retreat?

Explore our collection of traditional outdoor saunas, the Elevate Outlook 4-Person Traditional Cedar Sauna and discover why Leanne chose Elevate.

You can also listen to Leanne's podcast episode:

Episode 152 – Sauna Science: How Heat Supercharges Recovery, Heart Health & Longevity (with Professor Julien Périard).

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts.

Elevate Saunas – Real Cedar. Real Heat. Real Recovery.

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About Leanne Ward

Leanne Ward is an Australian Accredited Practising Dietitian, nutritionist, health coach and podcast host. Known for her practical, evidence-based approach to nutrition and wellbeing, Leanne helps her community make informed decisions about their health. She is also an Elevate Saunas ambassador and owner of the Outlook 4-Person Traditional Cedar Sauna.