FAQ

what should i expect?

When you arrive at the studio, you will check in at the front desk and sign a waiver. After check-in, one of our studio assistants will take you to the locker room or your suite, where you can get undressed. The sauna will be set to run for 45 minutes, and you will have an extra 15 minutes in your room to allow for time to undress and get dressed again. Each sauna is equipped with Bluetooth speakers that you can connect your phone to, or you can stream videos and music through the in-suite TV. You will be able to adjust the temperature and light options in your sauna to your liking.

When your sauna session is over, your core body temperature will gradually come down as you go about your day. If you’d like to allow your body to continue to purge, just towel off and get dressed. If you’d prefer, you can cool down much faster by taking a shower immediately after your session in our fully stocked locker rooms.

What do you do in the sauna?

How you choose to spend your time in the sauna is up to you. If you’d like, you can enjoy some time to sit or lie quietly and contemplate. You can also read, stretch, or chat with a friend. For those looking to unwind with some entertainment, you can use our TVs or your phone to stream shows, movies, podcasts, music, or guided meditation. We also have small hand weights available if you’d like to do some simple exercises while in the sauna. Whatever you choose to do, just remember that you will be sweaty and temperatures will be high, so exercise caution with electronic devices.

Are there negative effects?

Infrared saunas are generally considered safe to use for most healthy individuals. However, there are a few precautions to take before, during, and after your session. You’ll be sweating quite a bit during your session, so drink plenty of water beforehand and continue to drink water during and after your session. Avoid consuming alcohol before your session, and exercise caution when consuming alcohol afterward; dehydration causes you to feel the effects of alcohol much faster than you ordinarily do. Finally, be sure to listen to your body if you feel that you are overheating. You can step out of the sauna at any point during your session to cool down.

For those with chronic health conditions, we encourage you to talk with your doctor to make sure you are cleared for sauna use beforehand.

What is the recommended visit frequency?

You can use infrared saunas as often as you like, even on a daily basis. To achieve meaningful benefits, we recommend customers come in at least once or twice a week as part of a healthy lifestyle routine.

Is it suitable for pregnant women? Children?

Sauna use is not recommended for pregnant women or small children. Children between the ages of 12 – 17 are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult to use the sauna. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to use the saunas or the cold plunge. The core body temperature of children rises much faster than adults. This occurs due to a higher metabolic rate per body mass, limited circulatory adaptation to increased cardiac demands, and the inability to regulate body temperature by sweating. When using with a child, operate at a lower temperature and for no more than 15 minutes at a time.

Will you tan?

No. Ultraviolet rays cause tanning and burns, and infrared saunas use only infrared wavelengths. Though your body will feel warm and you may look flushed, that will fade as your body cools down when you leave the sauna.

What should you wear in the sauna?

You should wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable. Many people like to go nude during their session. If you are joined by a friend or family member, you can wear swimsuits or cover up with a towel. If you are more comfortable remaining clothed for your session, we recommend wearing loose athletic attire, as you will be sweating a lot.

For the day of your appointment, arrive in loose, comfortable clothing. You’ll be hot and sweaty after your session, which makes pulling on form-fitting clothing like leggings or jeans challenging.

How much will I sweat?

The amount you sweat depends on your experience level with saunas and how much water you’ve consumed. If you’re using an infrared sauna for the first time, you may not sweat as much as you’re expecting. As you use the sauna more regularly, you’ll gradually sweat more and experience more of the benefits of sauna use.

What does your studio provide for customers? What should I bring?

We’ll provide you with towels for during and after your session, a cold essential oil hand towel to help you cool down, and filtered water. We also have bottled water, merchandise, and refreshments for sale. All rooms have smart TVs and a place to hang your clothing, and the saunas are all Bluetooth enabled. After your session, you can freshen up in our fully stocked locker rooms.

How hot does the sauna get?

We recommend that users set the sauna temperature to between 120-150°F. If you are newer to sauna use, you should set the temperature at the lower end of that range as your body may need to take several sessions to work up to the higher temperatures. As your tolerance builds, you can gradually increase the sauna temperature. Regardless of what temperature you choose, you will still get a very beneficial sweat. The positive effects of infrared heat are based more on time in the sauna rather than the degree of heat, so choose whatever temperature feels right.

Why should I cold plunge?

There is both empirical and anecdotal evidence that a regular cold plunge practice is associated with improved physical well-being. Some of the reported benefits include a reduction in joint and muscle pain and alleviation of muscle soreness. It boosts mental and physical resilience, elevates the mood, reduces inflammation, aids the immune system, assists in maintaining a healthy metabolism and digestion, and leads to increased energy levels.

What is contrast therapy, and how does the cold plunge complement my sauna session?

Contrast therapy, also called hot and cold therapy, involves immersing the body in extreme temperature changes in quick rotation. Contrast therapy gives you all of the same benefits of the sauna and cold plunge individually, but it takes it a step farther when it comes to training your body to withstand the stress of the extreme temperatures. The physical and mental fortitude training that contrast therapy provides is thought to help with anxiety and depression. Additionally, if you deal with chronic pain or injuries, contrast therapy is a form of rehabilitation. It forces the body tissues to adapt to sudden change and gives your body a “workout” without the stress and movement of exercise, resulting in a reduction in swelling, better circulation, and an improvement in pain and soreness.

What should I wear in the cold plunge?

You can choose to go with or without clothing in the cold plunge. Since our plunges are in common areas (there is one in our men’s lounge and one in the women’s lounge), you may choose to keep your clothes on. If so, we suggest you wear gym clothes, such as leggings, shorts, and a fitted t-shirt or sports bra.

How cold will the cold plunge be?

Our cold bath is set to maintain a temperature of 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit.

How long should I remain in the cold water?

If it’s your first time experiencing a cold plunge, it may take you a few tries to work up to a total submersion for any length of time. We recommend easing into the sensation by giving yourself 30-second cold blasts while in the shower or taking a full cold shower first. Once you are ready to transition to the cold plunge, the goal is to stay submerged in the cold water up to your shoulders for at least three minutes. Again, it may take some time to work up to this. It is not recommended to stay in the cold plunge longer than 10-15 minutes.

How can I train myself to withstand cold water?

Learning how to control your breathing is the key to building up resilience to the cold water. We suggest learning more about the Wim Hof method. This article also gives some helpful pointers to those new to cold water immersion.