Every day, people are sharing social media posts about jumping into cold water, and Google Trends shows that the term “cold plunge” has surged in popularity since 2020. 

Cold water has been used to promote health for hundreds of years but Dutch fitness influencer, Wim “The Iceman” Hof, can largely be credited with popularizing cold water bathing since he came to public attention more than a decade ago. Thanks to Hof, who invented his own method using breathwork, meditation, and cold exposure, which he says are the secret to physical and mental health, the cold plunge has been on the wellness trend radar for a few years now. And in the last year or so it appears to have tipped into mainstream popularity. 

It feels like every day, people are sharing social media posts about jumping (or stepping gingerly) into cold water, and Google Trends shows that the term “cold plunge” has surged in popularity since 2020.

The Wim Hof method typically involves soaking in an ice bath or a cold shower, but some people have adopted a more active version. The New York Times reported in February 2022 that Mental Health Swims, a nonprofit that organizes cold-water swimming throughout the UK, had grown from one meet-up group to more than 80 over three years. 

Proponents of the benefits of a cold plunge reportedly say it leaves them feeling invigorated, clear-headed and better able to cope with stress, and some say that it has helped them with anxiety, grief, depression, and other mental health challenges. Also according to the NYT, research findings suggest that cold-water swimming can improve mood and wellbeing, and might help treat some mental illnesses. The reasons are unclear but there’s the idea that cold exposure may trigger the release of endorphins and stress hormones, and some suggestion of an increase in mood-regulating brain chemicals and activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which relaxes your body after stress or danger and may calm inflammation. Studies have also found positive links between cold water swimming and brown adipose tissue, the “good” cold-activated body fat.

Research is inconclusive, as many studies are small or present challenges, like an obvious inability to compare against a placebo effect, but it has been called promising.

Cryotherapy is another well-known way of immersing oneself in the cold, also popularized by athletes and influencers. And another option is contrast bath therapy, which involves alternating hot and cold water treatments. Switching between cold and hot water is said to cause alternating vasoconstriction and vasodilation and changes in heart rate, which may aid healing from injury, reduce inflammation, and decrease fatigue. 

Some examples of destinations offering wellness experiences that involved cold therapy, cold plunges, or contrast therapy include:

Mohonk Mountain House (New Paltz, New York)

The Lakeside Immersion experience in Lake Mohonk promises “the benefits of cold therapy, providing endorphin release, blood flow stimulation, joint and muscle pain relief, and an immediate energy boost.” The cold plunge is followed by hot cider or tea, guided yoga stretches, and a warm ginger inhalation therapy in a lightly heated Spa Motion Room.

Remedy Place (Los Angeles, New York City)

Among the wellness offerings at Remedy Place are Ice Bath Classes, in which students experience “the ultimate adaptation training with 10 minutes of guided holotropic breathwork followed by up to 6 minutes submerged in 38° F water.” More options include a cryo chamber and a private contrast suite with a private group infrared sauna and double ice baths. 

Unbounded Well (Ontario, Canada)

Unbounded hosts Cold Camps in “the heart of Ontario’s frozen wilderness” two hours outside of Toronto. The camps feature frozen lake plunge pools, cold exposure classes, breathwork journeys, hot/cold sessions, and meditation and movement classes. The experience and lifestyle brand is also opening an outdoor wellness playground in downtown Toronto from November 2022 to April 2023.

Spa Executive is published by Book4Time, the leader in guest management, revenue and mobile solutions for the most exclusive spas, hotels, and resorts around the globe. Learn more at book4time.com.

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Stress and anxiety combined with a desire to optimize immunity in the wake of 2020’s pandemic shutdowns make wellness more important than ever in 2021. 

Wellness is more important than ever in 2021.

Consumers are in search of wellness solutions to cope throughout the year as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitality companies that rise to meet that need may be better positioned for success than those who don’t. Here’s why:

Stress and anxiety are at an all-time high

As discussed in our trends report for 2021, stress and anxiety are at a high. Research released in the fall found that symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders had more than tripled among U.S. adults compared to the same time last year. Another study by the International Committee of the Red Cross (IRCR) found that over half — 51% — of respondents surveyed across seven countries said that the global crisis has negatively impacted their mental health, and a survey conducted in Canada, found that two out of five respondents reported worse mental health in the pandemic, a number that rose to 54% among those who had to isolate with COVID-19 symptoms. Insomnia is also at peak levels.

This matters because it affects not only our mental health but our physical health as well, which in turn affects our quality of life and life expectancy, and taxes our health systems, economies, and society as a whole.

Another study in the journal Cardiology found that the pandemic is exacerbating existing stress levels to the point where doctors are seeing an increase in stress-related heart disease. Psychological stress is associated with all kinds of negative health outcomes, including heart disease, depression, diabetes, and infectious diseases. According to research conducted at Carnegie Mellon University, this may be because chronic psychological stress is connected to loss of ability to regulate the inflammatory response, which may promote the development and progression of disease. People suffering from psychological stress are more susceptible to developing common colds, the symptoms of which are not caused by the virus but are actually a “side effect” of the inflammatory response triggered by the body to fight infection. “The greater the body’s inflammatory response to the virus, the greater is the likelihood of experiencing the symptoms of a cold,” said a research brief.  

The brief also states: “Because inflammation plays a role in many diseases such as cardiovascular, asthma and autoimmune disorders, this model suggests why stress impacts them as well.”

Consumers want to optimize immunity

Moreover, even with a vaccine rolling out over the next few months, there’s still a lot of uncertainty around what the future looks like with tiered distribution and new emerging virus strains. People are prioritising their physical health with supplements, and food and drink, with ingredients purported to protect against illness, benefit the immune system, and improve overall health and wellness.  

Research company, New Hope Network, reported that, in 2020, sales of cold, flu and immunity supplements saw a 51% increase over 2019, and surpassed 5.1 Billion USD for the first time. The number of Google searches related to immune-boosting foods also grew during the spring lockdowns. And a consumer survey by Innova found that one in three global consumers say their concerns about immune health increased in 2020 over 2019 and 60% are looking for products that support immune health.

Spa & hospitality is uniquely positioned

Wellbeing support and wellness offerings are more important than ever, and spa and hospitality — from hotel and resort groups to wellness retreats to independent, boutique hospitality companies — are in a unique position to meet this need, which will in turn help sustain businesses while the industry recovers.

Wellness can be a revenue booster. According to HotelManagement.net, “At Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ 2018 brand conference, Danica Boyd, at the time the company’s senior director of operations for full-service brands, said that health-conscious travelers spend as much as 130 percent more on hotel amenities than other guests.” Also, the GWI reported that the global spend on wellness tourism was $639.4 billion in 2017 and that the sector grew 6.5 percent per year from 2015 to 2017, more than twice the growth rate for general tourism. In 2017, international wellness tourists, on average, spent 53% more than general tourists while domestic wellness travelers spent 178% more than the general domestic tourists.

How spa treatments improve health outcomes

Here is some evidence to demonstrate how hospitality wellness and spa treatment offerings can meet the demand for wellness among consumers in 2021:

Massage: 

• Numerous studies have demonstrated that massage is associated with decreases in stress, cortisol, and pain.
• Massage is also associated with increases in immune function and production of serotonin and dopamine.
• One study found that people who received a 45-minute massage had an increased number of lymphocytes (white blood cells that play a role in defending the body from disease).
• Massage is correlated with lower depression levels and lower job stress scores.
• 30-minute massage sessions over five weeks is correlated with lower blood pressure, less anxiety, less depression and hostility, and decreased cortisol (the stress hormone).

Saunas: 

• Frequent sauna bathing is associated with lower death rates from cardiovascular disease and stroke, as well as all-cause mortality.
• Men who went to the sauna four to seven times a week were 66% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia, and 65% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, than those taking a sauna once a week.
• Taking a sauna four times a week cut the risk of pneumonia by 40%.

Spa bathing: 

• Taking a hot bath improves health and can burn calories.
• In one study, bathing resulted in about as many calories being burned as a half-hour walk (around 140 calories).
• Research suggests that repeated passive heating may contribute to reducing chronic inflammation.
• A hot bath a couple of hours before bedtime may lower core body temperature and lead to better sleep.

Virtual, touchless, and hybrid experiences

The way in which wellness services are offered has been changing and will continue to change. Companies will add virtual and touchless experiences, and hybrids of these. Fitness classes, for example, can be kept small onsite and those same classes be made available in virtual form with a membership fee sold at a lower cost. Other types of classes and programs for onsite guests can also be similarly made available to people in their homes with memberships. We will see a rise in virtual wellness consultations. Touchless energy healing experiences like reiki and sound vibrational therapy will become more popular, and in-room wellness, from workout and meditation videos to sleep optimization will increase the appeal of any getaway location.

2021 is off to a difficult start for many but it’s also a time of opportunity. The more ready hospitality companies are to deliver what guests want, the more successful they will be.

It’s time to look into our crystal balls and predict the future for the year ahead. Subscribe to our newsletter and download our special report on the trends we’ll be watching: Nine spa and wellness trends for 2021. Download here.

Spa Executive is published by Book4Time, the leader in guest management, revenue and mobile solutions for the most exclusive spas, hotels, and resorts around the globe. Learn more at book4time.com.

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Take a look at this communal sauna, which opened recently in Tampere, Finland, the international “sauna capital of the world.”

The sauna is designed by Studio Puisto and is called the Tullin Sauna, which translates to “customs sauna.” Constructed in what was formerly a warehouse for the nearby railway station, Tullin Sauna is a public sauna that functions as a related extension to Dream Hotel, also designed by Studio Puisto Architects, and located across the street.

Designed to be a reprieve from the bustle of urban life, the Tullin is tucked in the heart of a former industrial red-brick neighborhood. The project’s name takes root in local customs, and the purpose is to create a gathering place for residents and visitors.

Tullin is designed to serve as a  korttelisauna, or “neighborhood sauna.” The 19th century was a time when space in Finnish cities was limited and many homes were too small to have their own washrooms. So, korttelisaunas were built to serve as communal bathing areas. These ultimately took on the role of gathering places where people came together to bathe and socialize.

The building also houses a co-working space and a bistro, and serves as a communal space for locals, as well as the guests of the Dream Hotel.

One of the most prominent materials is natural, warm Finnish pine to contrast with the cooler, rougher concrete textures of the warehouse. The building features traditional wood-burning Finnish saunas constructed by local craftsmen.

To keep the feel of the space, including the bistro and co-working space, true to the ritualistic calm that it represents, one of the log saunas physically cuts into the reception and bistro with a small but tinted window offering a peek inside. Adding to this effect, the exterior windows are given a soft and milky appearance to make it seem like they are fogged up from by the sauna’s steam.

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Do you or your guests get bored and lonely in the sauna? It doesn’t have to be that way.

Sauna Aufguss, an involved and somewhat complex sauna ritual, has been identified as one of this year’s “hottest wellness trends,” and was tagged in 2017 as part of a larger trend of sauna entertainment by the Global Wellness Institute.

The idea of Aufguss is that sauna can be a bigger, more engaging experience than simply sitting around and sweating.

The GWI wrote at the time.

“Saunas, spaces built for intense dry or wet heat sessions, are standard fare at hotels, spas and gyms worldwide. But when it comes to how sauna “gets done” there has been a serious disconnect between Northern, Central and Eastern Europe, where sauna-going is a way of life…and the rest of the world. In countries like Finland (where saunas were born 2,000 years ago), Italy, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, etc., the rituals and facilities are often creative, deeply social and fabulous. But the sauna experience outside Europe can frankly be rather “meh”: an uninspired, lonely experience in a spa or condo basement ‘box.’”

A large part of this fabulous, creative experience is Aufguss. More than a mere custom, Aufguss has a whole culture surrounding it. There are schools, and for serious aficionados, competitions and events throughout Europe.

While Aufguss isn’t exactly exploding in the non-European world, there is evidence of its emergence in North America. Minneapolis’ Hewing Hotel, for example, offers Aufguss, as does Canada’s Thermea, by Nordik Spa Nature, which has the only two Sauna Meisters in Canada.

Curious about this popular European ritual? Spa Executive spoke with Marianne Trotier of Groupe Nordik; and with Riccardo Marzi, of Aufguss.it, an Italian association that offers training and is passionate about spreading the knowledge of Aufguss.

Read on to learn more, and to see videos of training and competitions.

What is Aufguss?

Aufguss (a German word for “infusion) is a wellness / purification / entertainment ritual performed in the sauna, usually by an  “Aufgussmeister” or “Sauna Meister.”

The ritual involves pouring water mixed with essential oils onto the hot stones of the Finnish sauna stove, after which the Aufgussmeister directs the hot, scented steam towards the bathers using rhythmical movements of a towel and sometimes dance, accompanied by music.

Riccardo Marzi explains that the practice “creates an intense and enjoyable multi-sensory experience,” and adds that there are different types of experiences.

“A ‘classic’ Aufguss is more dedicated to relaxing and health benefits, a ‘show’ Aufguss is more entertainment, and a ‘standard’ Aufguss is a mix of the two,” he says. “Creating the perfect mix of these is the key for a spa.”

At Nordik, the Sauna Miesters use music and instead of liquid, snow balls infused with oils are placed on the stove.

“Each Aufguss is unique and different,” says Marianne Trotier.  “The music, the choice of essential oil, the Sauna Meister’s movements;  Each of them have a different style. Our guests will sweat, but also their five senses will be stimulated but the temperature, the smell, the music, and the dance of our Sauna Meisters.”

The ritual is followed by a dip in the cold. Trotier explains that this is “in order to create a thermal shock, which will release adrenaline.” She goes on: “After that step, our guests will look for a cozy spot to rest so the adrenaline secretion can make its way for endorphins.”

Where did Aufguss originate?

Aufguss is thought to have originated from the need to replace the air inside the sauna every hour or so by opening the doors. To quickly restore temperature and humidity, water is poured and the steam and distributed. It’s thought to have evolved from there into the contemporary entertainment ritual of today.

Now Aufguss is performed mainly in Europe. Marzi says that “Northern European Countries, mainly Finland, are more focused on classic Aufguss, also known as Loyly, in a ritualistic and almost religious way.”

How does one become an Aufgussmeister?

Aufguss training can be handed down to a novice by an experienced Aufgussmeister. And in countries where the ritual is popular, there are Aufguss Training Schools, such as Aufguss.it.

According to Marzi, “the training consists of waving techniques, use of essential oils, history and tradition of Aufguss, verbal and non-verbal communication, and safety.”

Nordik Group, meanwhile, regularly invites European professional Sauna Meisters to train their North American teams.

Skills that make a successful Aufgussmeister are the ability to connect with people, and physical stamina – since you’re moving quite energetically in 140-160 degree heat.

Aufgussmeisters may have a job in one spa, or travel around from place to place.

Aufguss events and competitions

As we stated above, there are events and competitions. The largest of these is the Aufguss World Championships, for which there are qualifying rounds such as the Italian Championships.

At these, says Marzi, an expert jury evaluates competitors on criteria including professionalism, heat distribution, fragrances, waving techniques, emotions, theme and show elements, team spirit and Syncro (for team Aufguss).

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Taking frequent saunas is correlated with a lower risk of stroke, according to a study published in the new online issue of Neurology. 

These new findings add to the evidence that saunas are practically magic. Recent discoveries have also been made that saunas dramatically decrease the risk of hypertension, heart disease, Alzheimer’s dementia, and all-cause mortality. Those earlier findings all resulted from research led by Jari Laukkanen at the University of Eastern Finland.

This more recent research also involved Laukkanen, but differs because the previous study involved only male subjects, and this one also included women.

The study was conducted in Finland, where there are an estimated two million saunas for a population of 5.3 million. Or about one sauna for everyone two and a half people.

The study involved 1,628 men and woman with an average age of 63 and no history of stroke. Participants filled out questionnaires about how often they took saunas. The surveys also asked about other factors that might affect stroke risk, such as physical activity, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and alcohol use.

Subjects were followed for an average of 15 years during which 155 people had a stroke.

According to the media release, those who took a sauna four to seven times a week were 60 percent less likely to have a stroke than people who took only one sauna per week. The results were the same after researchers adjusted for the other factors that could affect risk.

“These results are exciting because they suggest that this activity that people use for relaxation and pleasure may also have beneficial effects on your vascular health,” said study author Setor K. Kunutsor, PhD, of the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. “Sauna bathing is a safe activity for most healthy people and even people with stable heart problems. More research is needed to confirm this finding and to understand the ways that saunas affect stroke risk.”

The study is observational, and only shows a correlation, not a cause-and-effect relationship between sauna use and lower stroke risk.

Saunas will save your life, basically, says science

Spa Executive magazine is published by Book4Time, the world’s most innovative spa, salon, wellness, and activity management software. Learn more at Book4Time.com

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File this under research we wish had been conducted before we got pregnant:

A new review study suggests that pregnant women can enjoy hot baths and saunas without worrying that the rise in temperature could harm the unborn child (via the Telegraph).

Current health advice states that pregnant women should avoid exposure to intense heat such as  from saunas, hot baths, and exercise in hot weather, because it risks taking their core temperature beyond 102F/39C.*

Every woman who has ever known the unfulfilled longing for a hot bath while with child knows this all too well.

This new study, however, suggests that this advice is overcautious.

The research was led by Ollie Jay, Associate Professor and Director of the Thermal Ergonomics Laboratory in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney, and the results published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Jay expressed concern that few expectant mothers meet recommended activity levels, particularly in hot weather.

According to the Telegraph, the researchers compiled the results of 12 studies involving 347 women and found across all studies that sitting in a sauna, taking a hot bath, or exercising did not elevate any woman’s core temperature above 102F/39C.

Jay reportedly wrote in the Journal, “Health guidelines for pregnant women unanimously state that hot water immersion or sauna use should be restricted due to the elevated risk of maternal hyperthermia and the consequent potential impact on fetal development.

“However, our results suggest that heat stress risk is low.”

The researchers say the findings suggest that, irrespective of pregnancy stage women can safely engage in:

— up to 35 minutes of high intensity aerobic exercise (at 80-90 percent of their maximum heart rate) at air temperature up to 77F/25C with 45 percent relative humidity.

— water immersion (including aqua-aerobic exercise) in less than 92.12/33.4C for up to 45 minutes.

— sitting in hot baths (104f/40C) or hot/dry saunas (158F/70C; 15 percent relative humidity) for up to 20 minutes.

The researchers note however, that there are limitations to the review, and state the requirement for further research before changing recommendations.

Saunas have been making the news lately as research has shown major benefits from their use by men. We await similar research on women.

Saunas will save your life, basically, says science

*In the Western World, that is. We’re not clear on whether these guidelines apply everywhere.

Spa Executive magazine is published by Book4Time, the world’s most innovative spa, salon, wellness, and activity management software. Learn more at Book4Time.com

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We’ve recently reported on study findings that those who frequently take sauna sessions have lower incidence of heart disease, pneumonia-related lung infection, and Alzheimer’s dementia. But that usually involves sitting. What about wearing your sauna around as a suit?

A new study finds this may also have benefits. The study conducted by Lance Dalleck of Western State Colorado University found that wearing a “sauna suit” made by Kutting Weight helped subjects obtain their fitness goals by increasing their metabolism and burning more calories.

In November 2015 Dalleck and a team performed the study using Kutting Weight sauna suit clothing to determine the fitness benefits, if any, of wearing the sauna suit.

According to a media release, the researchers found that subjects wearing the suit burned up to 13% more calories than a control group. They also said that wearing the suit while exercising increased metabolism by 20.8% and weight loss by 40.4%. Interestingly, they also found sustained increases in metabolism: “after subjects removed the sauna suit, their bodies continued to burn up to 22% more calories and fat for hours.”

“The most important finding of this study is that it provides scientific evidence to support the notion that exercise with the Kutting Weight® sauna suit clothing contributes to a significantly increased metabolism (20.8%) and facilitates greater weight loss (40.4%) when compared to exercise performed under similar conditions with no sauna suit clothing.”

Kutting Weight sauna suit clothing purports to safely increase a wearer’s core body temperature. According to the release:

“In response, his or her body will begin to work harder, using more calories to regulate and control the internal temperature. A higher metabolic rate and greater work demand placed on the body mean an excellent and proven way to safely and effectively shed body fat.”

Related:

Saunas will save your life, basically, says science

Spa Executive magazine is published by Book4Time, the world’s most innovative spa, salon, wellness, and activity management software. Learn more at Book4Time.com

(Image: Kutting Weight)

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Taking a sauna at least twice a week could significantly reduce the risk of infections, including pneumonia. A recent study conducted at the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Bristol found that men who regularly visited saunas were almost 30% less likely to develop pneumonia, while taking a sauna four times a week cut the risk by 40%.

The study, published in the European Journal of Epidemiology, also found that saunas reduced the chances of developing asthma and other chest ailments.

The UK Telegraph reports that the researchers studied a population of 1,935 men aged from 42 to 61, tracking their health over 25 years.

Subjects were asked how often they used a sauna, and researchers tracked how many were admitted to hospital over 25 years for severe asthma attacks, pneumonia, and complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or COPD.

Three hundred and seventy nine of the men received hospital treatment for respiratory illnesses during the study period. Those who took a sauna two to three times a week were 27% less likely to have done so than men who rarely or never used saunas. And those who took four or more sauna sessions a week were 41% less likely to develop pneumonia.

The Telegraph quotes the researchers as saying, “These findings add to the accumulating knowledge on the beneficial effects of sauna baths on both acute and chronic health conditions. Sauna bathing is an enjoyable and relaxing activity. It has a good safety profile and is well-tolerated by most people.”

This is just more good news on the subject of saunas.

Back in March we reported on research findings from the University of Eastern Finland that men who take frequent saunas have a much lower risk of developing dementia-related illnesses than those who don’t. Men who went to the sauna four to seven times a week were 66% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia, and 65% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, than those taking a sauna once a week.

More findings from the same study were published recently in the American Journal of Hypertension. These results found that frequent sauna bathing reduces the risk of elevated blood pressure.

According to a media release, the risk of developing elevated blood pressure was nearly 50% lower among men who had a sauna four to seven times a week compared to men who had a sauna only once a week.

The same researchers, led by Jari Laukkanen, have also previously shown that frequent sauna bathing reduces the risk of sudden cardiac death, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.

This research has all been conducted on middle-aged Finnish men, and more should be done on both sexes as well as on other nationalities and age groups, researchers said.

Saunas are a big part of the national culture in Finland.There are an estimated two million saunas in Finland, for a population of 5.3 million.

Spa Executive magazine is published by Book4Time, the world’s most innovative spa, salon, wellness, and activity management software. Learn more at Book4Time.com

(Image: petejau / 123RF.com)

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Sauna culture is so compelling that we just can’t stop looking at these hot boxes.

We posted five amazing saunas here — and pretty much immediately found five more.

Enjoy these, and we hope you also get to enjoy sitting in some intense heat today!

Floating sauna, Rosendahl, Norway

Another floating sauna. This one, by Casagrande Laboratories, is transparent, so everyone can see you while you sauna. (It’s also the one featured in the above image.)

Summer is coming. Are your saunas floating already? #architecture #sauna #marcocasagrande #floatingsauna #summer #norway #venicebiennale @b_arkitektstudio

A post shared by Casagrande Laboratory (@casagrandelaboratory) on Apr 23, 2016 at 8:00am PDT

Agora Sauna, Oslo, Norway

The Agora sauna is reportedly the largest in the world, and apparently an “insulated fish rack” that functions both as an amphi-theatre and a sauna, with a capacity of up to 120 people.

Four large wood-burning stoves provide the heat, while a glass wall offers views of the ocean and sky. There’s also a bar inside with a 100-person capacity.

The sauna was constructed for Salt, a nomadic art project currently situated on Oslo’s shoreline. “The project brings together arts, music, food and architecture in four wooden constructions inspired by the traditional Norwegian racks for drying fish.”

The Agorasauna features a panoramic view of the Arctic Sea and Norwegian landscapes @fubiz #norwegianbeauty #beautyrituals

A post shared by MAYAWATER (@mayawater) on Sep 6, 2017 at 4:18pm PDT

The Tram Sauna, Milan, Italy

The Tram Sauna is located in an old tram sitting in QC Terme Milano by the ancient Spanish walls of Milan.

The designers reportedly said the idea is to “show commuters that public transport needn’t always be stressful.”

#trammilano #tramsauna #qctermemilano #milano

A post shared by Marco Dizzo (@dizzo75) on Aug 13, 2016 at 12:16am PDT

Underwater sauna, Gothenburg, Sweden

The underwater sauna is at Astad Vingard. The walls are made of glass and you go down a ladder for a view that is reportedly “breathtaking,” and often features underwater life.

Två “fula fiskar” utanför vår undervattensbastu!?!? #sinnenasspa #ästadvingård #astadvingard

A post shared by Ästad Vingård (@astadvingard) on Aug 6, 2015 at 7:46am PDT

Bike Sauna, Portland, Oregon

We’re not clear on the full story here but this sauna that is trailed on a bike was built by Simon Lyle of Portland, Oregon. Because who doesn’t need a sauna you can take with you literally anywhere you can get to on your bike?

#saunabike #saunavelo #portland #love #cedarsauna #bicycle #bornandraisedconstruction #pedalpalooza is that you #tinyhouse ? No it’s my Sauna!! But I can lay down in it if I want.

A post shared by Simon Lyle (@s.lyle) on Jun 21, 2017 at 7:18am PDT

Go back and read:

Five incredible and aspirational sauna designs

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Saunas are wonderful. We love them. We also love the opportunities they present for playing with innovative and experimental design.

There are many incredible and aspirational sauna designs around the world (many in Scandinavia, of course), by renowned architectural firms, by artists, and by laymen.

Here are five of the most beautiful and/or intriguing sauna ideas and designs we’ve seen.

Solar Egg, Kiruna, Sweden

Stockholm-based artist duo Bigert & Bergstrom created an amazing sculptural chamber in the form of an egg-shaped sauna and installed it at Luossabacken in Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost town. The sculpture was created in response to economic developments affecting the area and townspeople.

“In the arctic climate of Lapland the sauna occupies a key position, as a room for warmth and reflection.”

The temperature inside the egg varies between 75° and 85° Celsius.

Amazing Egg-Shaped Sauna in Kiribati by Bigert & Bergström #solaregg #kiruna #sweeden #fubiz #inspiration Mention @fubiz if you want to be featured on our Instagram

A post shared by Fubiz (@fubiz) on May 14, 2017 at 5:39am PDT

Sauna Gondola, Ylaas, Kolari, Finland

The amazing Sauna Gondola starts from the top of Yllas and takes four people at a time on a 20-minute tour in a gondola lift.

At the top of the lift there is another sauna, as well as a fireplace, Jacuzzi and showers.

Remember those windy, freezing cold days of you chattering your teeth whilst the chair makes its slow climb to the summit? Well those days are officially over with the Sauna Gondola in Yllas.. Yes it is exactly that – a sauna in a Gondola. Where else but Finland! Visit velvetescape.com for details. #velvetescape #Yllas #SkiYllas #SkiFinland #SaunaGondola #ski #powder #snow #Snowboard #toasty #Alpine #alpinelife #thealpineway

A post shared by The Alpine Way (@thealpineway) on Oct 13, 2014 at 5:06am PDT

Ice sauna, Kuusamo, Findland

This incredible sauna is at Rukan Salonki, and is made of ice cubes from the nearby Lake Salonkijärvi. The temperature reaches 60° Celsius. The steam is apparently “softer and wetter than in a regular sauna” where temperatures typically reach 80° Celsius.

The ice sauna seats up to 10 people, drinks are served, and there’s a hole in the ice for winter swimming next to it should you wish to take the extreme temperatures thing further.

One for the bucket list: the ice sauna in northern Finland. Read about this exotic steamy experience in Finnair’s blog. Find the direct link to the blog from feelfinnair’s bio. Photo by Rukan Salonki #feelfinnair #finnair #bluewings #inflightmagazine #kuusamo #ruka #rukansalonki #sauna #icesauna #instatravel #travel

A post shared by Finnair (@feelfinnair) on Feb 18, 2016 at 11:18pm PST

wa_sauna, Seattle, Washington

The floating sauna – a.k.a. wa_sauna – was funded by community and by a crowdfunding campaign, and created by GoCstudio, with a focus on “primal concepts of fire, water, and community.”

wa_sauna can be seen regularly on Lake Union and Lake Washington, and is a registered vessel, powered by a battery-powed motor and heated by a wood burning stove.

According to the studio website, “Boaters and kayakers can venture out and tie off to the surrounding deck, allowing for the sauna tradition to take place on Seattle’s lakes.” (Also featured in the above image)

The recent winner of a @aianational Award – WA Sauna by @go_c_studio is a Floating Sauna on Seattle’s Lake Union, and provides a year-round community space for up to 6 people to warm up before plunging into the cold lake! Encouraging engagement of the local waterways, and following a trend among architects to look for ways to build on water, the project was created through crowd funding site @kickstarter | Photo by @k7scott

A post shared by The Design Traveller (@thedesigntraveller) on Jul 13, 2016 at 6:38pm PDT

Sauna building, Gotherburg, Sweden

Berlin-based architects Raumlabor created this sauna which sits in the harbour at Gothenburg’s Frihhamnen port.

It features a rough exterior of corrugated steel, an interior lined with timber, and a shower room surrounded by walls made up of glass bottles. The building is part of a wider regeneration of Frihamnen, which is being transformed into a public park ahead of the city’s 400th anniversary in 2021.

Sauna pública en el puerto de #Göterborg #suecia de #raumlaborberlin #espacioscomunitarios #saunapublica #espaciosocial #arquitectura #arquitecturapovera #göterborgbathingculture desde #canalfuctura

A post shared by Arquitasa (@arquitasa_) on Apr 26, 2017 at 2:22am PDT

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Five more incredible and aspirational sauna designs

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(Feature image: GoCstudio)

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