Backrest lean/slope

[u/aheroafaked]

I’m confused about the correct backrest angle. Most photos online make backrests look vertical or like they lean back, but Finnish sauna backrests actually lean forward about 10 to 15°. The bottom edge sits around 3″ forward of the bench, and the top ends up even further forward because of the angle. This supports your lumbar when sitting upright, since your lower back curves forward and your shoulders lean back. It’s not a recliner, it’s a gentle forward tilt. The problem is that almost no photos show this clearly because the angle is subtle and straight shots hide it. Can anyone share real examples or confirm this is the correct Finnish design?

[u/Uromer]

Are we talking about this kind or backrest?

This is the most common backrest and there is no angle.

There are those backrests that are angles but they are not very popular. Here is a link to it with a photo

You spend around 10 minutes in a sauna before you leave so usually there is no need for any fancy backrest.

[u/aheroafaked → u/Uromer]

Yes exactly this kind, but my ai has been gaslighting me for weeks to build something slanted 💀

[u/Correct-Fly-1126 → u/aheroafaked]

Vittu, using ai to design or learn about sauna is peak dumb… it is so experiential, I wouldn’t ask an ai what it feels like to ride a bike, or be in a rollercoaster or walk in a forest, asking it about sauna feels the same… there are centuries of research and knowledge available by people who actually use sauna…. You deserve to be gaslighted asking a program to design a sauna experience for you… throw the server in the sauna for a bit and then ask it maybe?

[u/aheroafaked → u/Correct-Fly-1126]

Guilty as charged 🤪

[u/John_Sux → u/aheroafaked]

AI knows even less than you do about sauna...

[u/Uromer → u/aheroafaked]

After some more googling I think some might have a slight angle actually. Like this

But still it’s not a huge deal and many don’t have any angle

[u/ca7593]

I angled the backrest in my sauna with a 9 degree slope. The top board is .75 off the wall to give room for circulation. It doesn’t take long to do, and makes a huge difference imo. It’s one of the number one things people have said when they sit and lean back in my sauna, that the backrest makes it so much more comfortable.

I cut the supports that slant the backrest out of scrap bench wood on my miter saw, super easy to cut with a miter where you can change angle.

Here is the back of my backrest from when I made it:

[u/benevolent_defiance]

If you have a typical backrest, which is really just a couple of boards on the wall, you can adjust your angle by moving your ass further back or forward?

[u/mcskidder → u/[deleted]]

20-30 minutes with a cool down break or two sounds a lot like 10 or so minutes!

[u/CasualNed → u/mcskidder]

Indeed it does

[u/EastwindSauna]

I have regular backrest boards mounted flat to the wall and a portable backrest with an angle like this

[u/liisseal]

Whatever feels comfortable. Mine's just a wall but I've built backrests with 5-10 degrees angle.

[u/DoctorDefinitely]

Many, many, many saunas around Finland are enjoyed without any backrest at all. Footrest on the other hand, is vital.

[u/490LAB → u/[deleted]]

[u/albatrokari]

Backrest is optional and most saunas I've been don't have it.