Hello WHOOP Team,
I’d like to suggest adding Banya as a separate activity in WHOOP.
At the moment, sauna and similar heat activities do not accurately represent a traditional Russian banya. It is a distinctly different practice, both in terms of the thermal environment and the physical experience.
A traditional Russian banya combines moderate-to-high temperature (a physiologically favorable temperature range of 40–60°C) with significant humidity and actively controlled steam. One of its defining elements is venik parenie — a traditional technique using bundles of leafy branches (usually birch or oak) to direct and circulate hot steam around the body, combined with rhythmic movements and contact with the skin.
Unlike a dry sauna, the experience involves active manipulation and movement of steam, repeated changes in heat exposure, and a physical component that can noticeably affect heart rate and circulation. It is also very different from a hammam, where temperatures are generally lower and humidity is close to saturation.
For WHOOP users, these differences matter because a Russian banya session can create a physiological load that is quite different from simply sitting in a sauna or steam room.
It would be wonderful to see Russian Banya / Banya (Venik Parenie) added as its own activity, so users can track these sessions separately and WHOOP can eventually distinguish their physiological response from other forms of heat exposure.
If, for regional or product-related reasons, WHOOP would prefer a more internationally neutral activity name, it could simply be called Banya, Steam Banya, or Steam Bath with Venik. The important point is not the geographical name, but the ability to distinguish this particular combination of temperature, humidity, actively manipulated steam, and venik parenie from both dry sauna and hammam.
Thank you for considering it!