I usually sauna after a swim but I don’t like the chlorine smell on my skin even after I take a shower (not with soap); it still lingers sometimes.
You may be the first person to ask this question… never have I heard of sauna before swimming. And I’ve been to Finland.
Blai said:
You may be the first person to ask this question… never have I heard of sauna before swimming. And I’ve been to Finland.
Bumping to your comment, because Finland got mentioned 
If you sauna before swimming: Sauna will remove gunk from your skin quite well. Wash yourself after that, and there will be less gunk in the pool = keeps chlorine levels normal.
And wash yourself BEFORE and after going to the sauna. Chlorine that evaporates from your skin will not be dangerous but it will stink up the sauna and possibly wear the wooden planks more. It’s also one reason why you don’t go to sauna wearing your swimming suit.
In Finland, you are not strictly obligated to go to sauna before swimming in the swimming halls, but it might be heavily suggested in some places.
Sincerely, a Finn
@Maddox
Here in Estonia, most swimmers go to sauna and then shower BEFORE swimming, like our northern neighbors. But not all. It does keep the pool cleaner, with less chlorine, which is a blessing.
BE SURE TO HYDRATE well if you sauna and then swim. You’ll be losing more fluids than you realize!
@Zenith
Yes 
I would say most people do shower, sauna, and shower again, before pool. I go to sauna before unless I’m in a time crunch. Always after.
@Maddox
I stayed with this odd Finn named Hank near Savolinna. We were there at Midsummer, we all had to go out and observe him raising the Finnish flag and then drink some weird alcohol that tasted like fermented pine needles. He made me go into his sauna, which I thought was weird in the summer. He told me, “you must understand, the sauna is essential to the Finnish experience. It keeps us healthy, clean and sane during The Long Night. We are born in the sauna and frequently conceived there. When we die, our bodies rest there. The sauna is the crucible where the Finnish soul is forged.” Hard to argue with that.
@Blai
Wow he sounds like a character. That is very poetically said.
There is a legend on how Finns managed in the Winter War against Russian offensive: Sauna and cold plunges (or snow baths) that made our boys hardened to tolerate the weather.
Another quick Finland fun fact: with over 160k lakes, it can be quite crucial to know how to swim. 
@Maddox
I was gonna go to the store to buy booze and Hank told me it’s impossible to buy alcohol on Midsummer in Finland. Why’s that I asked, I thought it’s a big holiday. Well, he explained, people kept getting drunk and drowning in the lakes. So there you go.
Blai said:
You may be the first person to ask this question… never have I heard of sauna before swimming. And I’ve been to Finland.
Some people like the rush of being hot and then cold. I was in the sauna the other day with someone who did it that way.
Blai said:
You may be the first person to ask this question… never have I heard of sauna before swimming. And I’ve been to Finland.
It seems I’m the only one in this thread so far who does both: I swim, I sauna, I get thrown around in the hot water bubble pool, then I swim some more.
@Sonny
I swim in the mornings when it’s not crowded and then lunch with The Gentlemen Who Lunch. We have a jacuzzi and sauna at home so the wife and I do wellness in the evenings.
Can’t believe I used to go to an office. I mean, who has the time with all the swimming, lunching, and wellnessing? Sheesh.
If you are swimming at any decent intensity, definitely after. But tbh, I struggle to cool down as it is.
I don’t do sauna, but I do the hot tub before my swims to loosen my muscles and help me warm up faster. It’s a game changer if you deal with tightness to any degree.
Indie said:
I don’t do sauna, but I do the hot tub before my swims to loosen my muscles and help me warm up faster. It’s a game changer if you deal with tightness to any degree.
I’ve been experimenting with hot tub before my swims and I definitely notice a difference on the days I hot tub first.
Used to do after, but my chilly early AM swims I have tried and am true to before. Warms me up as I stretch in the sauna and feel so much looser for my swim. I love it. Hot tub afterwards.
Dry and wet sauna before and after when I’m able. Only issue I’ve noticed is that too much time in sauna before swim tires me out a bit. Usually not an issue once I get in the water and start swimming. Not entirely sure about the benefits, but I like to think while I’m in there.
If the pool at the YMCA is crowded, I’ll sauna/steam room before. This allows me to get warmed up while I wait for a lane to open up and allows me to get straight to my set so I can be efficient with my time in a crowded pool.
If it’s not too busy, I’ll grab a lane, swim 200 to 300 yds slowly to warm up, swim my set, then I’ll sauna/steam room to wind down afterwards.
Both before and after if I have time.
I’m one of those crazy ones that actually goes into the sauna before I swim. I stay in there 15 minutes to get my heart pumping then I take an electrolyte tablet and start my swimming session which is between 1600m-3000m.
I often do after a swim but I haven’t tried it before. Might feel strange. But I’d give it a go! lol