Introducing the Tepidarium

Posted by Elaine Moore Sep 7, 2008

The Tepidarium is a feature appearing increasingly more often at American and international spas. Originating in ancient Rome’s celebrated bath houses, the first tepidariums were warm bathrooms or centralized halls leading to the other bathing rooms.

The Roman Baths

In building their homes and bath houses, the ancient Romans demonstrated remarkable engineering skills. Their sophisticated plumbing and water storage systems or aqueducts enabled the wealthier citizens to enjoy indoor plumbing. These skills also enabled cities to build colossal public bathing complexes. Like health clubs today, these public baths served as gathering places where citizens could socialize and relax.

Boasting heated floors, the tepidariums in these ancient Roman baths served two purposes: providing a place for guests to acclimate to the different temperatures of the baths and providing a place where guests could wash before entering the other baths.

The ancient Roman tepidarium was typically used by visitors after their sessions in steam rooms, before they headed to the hot baths (caldarium). Guests also visited the tepidarium after their hot bathing sessions before moving on to the warmer baths or the cold baths. Historical records show that the ancient tepidariums were highly decorated rooms or barreled vaults crafted of mosaic tile and marble.

The Modern Tepidarium

An integral component of some early European spas, the modern tepidarium is a warm bathing or seating area where guests can relax before, between and after their spa therapies. Maintained at 38 degrees C, the tepidarium is designed to restore the body to its normal temperature of 37 degrees C.

Tepidariums today may consist of low temperature saunas or lounges warmed by radiant heat featuring low or natural lighting. The term tepidarium as it is used today also refers to a heated lounge chair or thermal couch that guests can sit or recline, in before and after their spa sessions.