Category: Helpful Advice

Unfortunately, planet fitness doesn’t have a sauna. However, there are alternatives to Planet Fitness saunas like buying a home sauna, finding a gym with a sauna, or going to a local spa. In this article, I’ll cover some of your best alternative options.

For most people, the cheapest alternative to a Planet Fitness sauna is finding a gym with a sauna. You can cancel your gym membership at Planet fitness and get a new one somewhere else like LA fitness. If there are no other gyms close to you, or you love Planet Fitness, you can buy a home sauna.

Other Gyms With Saunas

• LA Fitness
• 24 Hour Fitness
• LifeTime Fitness
• Snap Fitness
• Equinox
• Crunch
• Gold’s Gym
• YMCA

Best Home Sauna Alternatives to Planet Fitness Saunas

HeatWave Rejuvenator Portable Sauna

The HeatWave Rejuvenator sauna has three strategically placed low-emf carbon heating panels emit a blanket of infrared heat around your body. Setup takes all of one minute and consists of just six simple actions that turn this practical tool into a private paradise. To take advantage of the sauna’s nourishing heat in any setting, all you need to do is unroll it, plug it in, and relax. In addition to saving space while not in use, this personal sauna can be folded up and put away quickly and easily.

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HigherDOSE Sauna Blanket

Wrap yourself in the HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket and let the heat and soothing comfort lull you to sleep. Feel the soothing effects of our plush thermal blanket in the privacy of your own home as it lifts your spirits, purifies your system, encourages healthy skin, and provides a healthy dose of endorphins.

Weary of forking over a small fortune for a one-time session in a sweatbox sauna? Put an end to spending a fortune on your health and switch to HigherDOSE for at-home workouts or on-the-go rejuvenation.

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1Love Sauna Dome

In this lay-down sauna, far infrared rays surround your body and are only a few inches away. If you want to relax in the sauna, lying down is the best option. Long periods of sitting are required in the majority of saunas. If you own a 1Love Sauna Dome, you can experience the sauna in the most comfortable form.

In addition to laying down, this sauna also leaves your head exposed from the sauna. This allows you to stay in the sauna longer and achieve greater benefits as a hot head is what makes most people leave the sauna early.

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Maxxus Seattle 2-Person Sauna

The Maxxus Seattle 2-Person model’s six 1750-Watt, low-EMF infrared Carbon Energy Efficient heating panels (including a top-of-the-line foot heater) generate a gentler, more expansive heat that permeates the entire sauna. Maxxus uses top of the line technology in their heating panels that allow the infrared light to penetrate the skin 40% more effectively.

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FAQ Regarding Planet Fitness Saunas

Does Planet Fitness have saunas?

Most Planet Fitness locations do not have saunas. There are some franchise locations in higher-income neighborhoods that might have saunas, but for the most part, you will need to look somewhere else.

Although Planet Fitness saunas are not common, many locations have red light therapy which provides similar benefits as infrared saunas. The red light therapy is part of the Total Body Enhancement perk included in the Planet Fitness black card membership.

What is the red light therapy at Planet Fitness?

Total Body Enhancement, also known as the “Beauty Angel RVT 30,” is a booth that combines a vibration plate with red light therapy bulbs (which emit no harmful ultraviolet radiation) in order to provide you with health benefits. Although not completely proven the benefits are thought to be similar to the benefits of infrared saunas like better blood circulation, tighter skin, weight loss, detoxification, and more.

If you’ve ever searched, “gyms near me with sauna,” chances are you want the amazing benefits of a sauna without having to buy one for your own home. Saunas offer numerous health benefits like improved cardiovascular function, toxin release, relaxation, muscle recovery, better sleep, weight loss, and more.

When searching for “gyms near me with saunas,”  the three most common gyms found in the USA with saunas are LA Fitness, 24-Hour Fitness, and LifeTime Fitness. However, it is important you call your local branch and make sure they have one before you buy your membership as saunas vary by location.

In the following article, I’ll cover the best gyms with saunas and saunas found throughout the United States. In order for the gym to make this list, it needs to have over 100 locations and saunas in more than half of them.

Gyms Near You With A Sauna

The eight most common gyms with saunas are as follows:

• LA Fitness
• 24 Hour Fitness
• LifeTime Fitness
• Snap Fitness
• Equinox
• Crunch
• Gold’s Gym
• YMCA

LA Fitness

LA Fitness centers provide more than just swimming pools, saunas, and steam rooms; they also have basketball courts, private showers, personal trainers, and kids’ clubs with child care.

LA Fitness centers offer monthly and annual memberships for access to all of these services. Some gyms offer monthly memberships for as little as $29.95, though this varies by location.

24 Hour Fitness

A number of 24-Hour Fitness locations offer whirlpool-style hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, and indoor swimming pools as a means of relaxation for gym-goers. 24-Hour Fitness advertises its post-workout facilities as a place to “swim laps, take aqua classes, or relax and recover” with a lap pool, whirlpool, steam room, and sauna. The lowest monthly fee for a 24 Hour Fitness membership is $37, but this varies by location.

Life Time Fitness

After a hard workout, members can unwind in one of LifeTime Fitness’ many indoor or outdoor pools, saunas, steam rooms, or hot tubs. Life Time Fitness centers are conveniently located in 30 U.S. states and 2 Canadian provinces. These gyms are more expensive (up to $90 per month) than some other fitness chains, but they are family-friendly and offer perhaps the widest selection of swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), as well as saunas, hot tubs, and steam rooms.

Snap Fitness

Members of Snap Fitness have access to indoor and outdoor swimming pools, saunas, and hot tubs. Although some Snap gyms may or may not have pools, the other facilities offered by the clubs make up for it. Snap Fitness is a newer gym on the list, but they are growing quickly and have locations throughout the USA. Monthly memberships at Snap Fitness start at $36.95, though this varies by location.

Equinox

It’s difficult to find more luxurious pools, saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs than those found in Equinox fitness centers. You’ll find that they’re not exactly cheap $210 per month) and that you can’t buy one on every block, but they are worth it. In addition to the standard fitness centers amenities like swimming pools, saunas, hot tubs, and steam rooms, Equinox gyms also feature basketball courts, showers, spa treatments, and personal trainers to help members “unlock the results they want.”

Crunch

Crunch fitness centers feature tanning beds, showers, personal trainers, and child care in addition to pools, saunas, and steam rooms. For the relatively low cost of membership of only $9.99, this is more than reasonable. A monthly membership to Crunch can cost as little as $9.95, depending on where you live. Crunch fitness centers are easy to find and have a wide presence throughout the USA.

Gold’s Gym

About half of the states in the United States are home to a Gold’s Gym, with the majority of clubs situated in the Sun Belt states of Texas, Virginia, and California. Gold’s Gym clubs feature swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs in addition to basketball courts, tanning beds, showers, personal trainers, and child care. Gold’s monthly memberships, meanwhile, can be as low as $25, depending on the gym.

YMCA

Swimming pools (both indoor and outdoor), saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, and other luxury amenities are commonplace in YMCA fitness centers. The services offered by local YMCAs vary widely, so it’s important to find out if yours has a gym and, more importantly, a pool.

There are over 2600 YMCAs in the US alone, and many more in other countries. Depending on how close the YMCA is to the member’s home and how many services it offers, the monthly membership fee can be anywhere from $30 to $70.

Which Gyms Near You Don’t Have a Sauna

• Planet Fitness
• Blink Fitness
• Anytime Fitness

“Gyms Near Me With Sauna” Conclusion

So, if you are looking for “gyms near me with saunas” your best choice is a common chain like 24 Hour Fitness, Life Time Fitness, or LA Fitness. If there are no gyms around you with a sauna, feel free to check out our saunas for home use and buy your own.

Wondering what to wear in infrared saunas? You aren’t alone. Many people often wonder if they should wear a swimsuit, normal clothes, or nothing at all. The answer depends on whether you have a home infrared sauna, or if you use a public infrared sauna.

The short answer is, using the infrared sauna nude will provide you with the best benefits. This is because infrared saunas use infrared light to penetrate your skin and provide you with the benefits you’ve most likely read about. If there are no clothes in the way of the infrared light, the more benefits they provide.

However, we know it’s not always possible to use the sauna nude as there may be other people around. If nude is not an option, wear clothes that show the most amount of skin you are comfortable with, like a bathing suit, sports clothes, or just a towel. Some people may find it uncomfortable to sweat in certain material, so try different clothing styles and see what works best for you.

What To Wear In Infrared Saunas At Home

As I mentioned earlier, the best thing to wear in an infrared sauna at home is nothing at all. If that’s not possible, just wear whatever makes you comfortable.

What To Wear In Infrared Saunas In Public

The best thing to wear in an infrared in public is a cotton t-shirt, bathing suit, or just a lightweight towel.

What Not To Wear In Infrared Saunas

For the most part, you can wear whatever you want in an infrared sauna, however there are some exceptions. The following items should not be worn in order to maximize comfort and effectiveness.

• Headgear, such as a hat or shower cap
• Jewelry, such as rings, watches, or necklaces
• Thick, less breathable swimwear
• Makeup
• Bath robes
• Shoes
• Dirty clothes that can attract mold or other bacteria

When choosing the best wood for saunas, you want to choose a wood that looks great, insulates your sauna, and dries quickly to prevent mold or mildew. The right type of sauna wood will help your sauna heat up faster, retain heat, and give it the classic look sauna lovers enjoy.

If you are building an infrared sauna, you can focus less on wood that prevents mildew and mold than if you are building a traditional sauna. Traditional saunas create a lot more steam than infrared saunas, so deciding a dry wood is important. Infrared saunas tend to get less hot than traditional saunas, so your main focus should be selecting a wood that insulates the sauna much heat as possible.

Most Popular Wood for Sauna

When putting together this list of popular sauna wood, I looked for wood with the following characteristics: mold resistance, density to not retain water, ability to reflect heat, and durability. The list below covers the most popular choices.

Western Red Cedar

Western red cedar is one of the most popular options of wood for sauna because it is softwood and doesn’t crack or expand when heated. Cedar’s varied natural colors can be a nice touch for your sauna’s design. Because of its insulating properties, cedar allows the sauna’s heat to spread uniformly while keeping the wood’s surface comfortably cool to the touch.

Cedar, most importantly, resists decay and fungi and has a long lifespan.

Pine

The cheapest wood for sauna is pine. Pine trees typically produce a darker wood than spruce trees, though the two species are otherwise indistinguishable besides the presence of more knots.

In infrared saunas, these knots may dry and fall out. That’s why they aren’t recommended for use in infrared saunas. When constructing a sauna, pine should be reserved for the walls and ceiling.

Pine, on the other hand, can be transformed into a superior, more stable wood through thermal treatment. Make sure the pinewood you use in your sauna has been kiln-dried or thermally treated.

Nordic Spruce

There are several names for the Nordic spruce tree. It inhabits the northern and eastern parts of Europe, as well as the central regions. Because of its density and deep roots, it is often used in saunas.

In Finland, saunas are typically constructed from Nordic spruce. It is a pale wood that retains its coloration over time. In addition to having natural insect repellent properties, it also gives off a subtle aroma.

There is some sap in Nordic spruce, and the amount varies from plank to plank. Thus, it is imperative that you conduct an inspection on the wood.

Common Aspen

Another unique wood that is frequently used for sauna construction is aspen. It has a vibrant hue and can be spotted in the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and Russia where it is at home in the cooler climates.

Aspen is the best wood for saunas because it is naturally toxic-free, allergen-free, resin-free, and moisture-resistant. Aspen is a good option for construction because it is resistant to decay and bacteria.

The distinctive light tone and patterns of common aspen can give your sauna a high-end appearance.

Redwood

With a few exceptions, redwood and western red cedar are very similar wood for saunas. It’s a softwood that holds up well in hot environments. It adds a splash of color and a unique style to your sauna with its stunning red hue. To add to its durability, redwood is impervious to rot, mildew, and fungi.

There are, however, a few drawbacks to redwood that should be mentioned as well. To begin with, redwood loses its initial hue over time. The red tones fade and turn gray after a few months of use. Redwood saunas, especially new ones, can stain your body red from the red dye they secrete.

Western Hemlock

Although it lacks the versatility of western red cedar, western hemlock makes a fine sauna wood due to its durability and distinctive grain pattern. Combine it with other woods for a full sauna experience.

Western red cedar can be used for the walls and ceiling of your sauna, while western hemlock can be used for the benches and doors.

Western hemlock, while not as susceptible to decay as some other options, does expand slightly over time.

Douglas Fir

Even though it looks like a fir, the Douglas fir is actually a conifer. A member of the pine family. The Douglas Fir is the most productive tree in Western North America, and great wood for sauna.

Because of its pleasing aesthetic, Douglas fir is often chosen to serve as a Christmas tree. Its strength, resilience, and aesthetic appeal all contribute to its high market value. Using Douglas fir for your sauna will give it a lovely, uniform appearance. It is odorless and resistant to decay and fungal growth.

Alaskan Yellow Cedar

Hot tubs, saunas, and pools made of Alaskan yellow cedar are highly regarded. Alaskan yellow cedar can handle the heat and humidity of saunas because it thrives in similar conditions. It’s lightweight, but it’s also dense enough to support complex architecture.

It resists mold and mildew well and is sought after for the distinctive yellowish hue that lends opulence to the sauna’s aesthetic. The aroma of Alaskan yellow cedar in a sauna can be relaxing and therapeutic.

Basswood

Basswood, which is naturally hypoallergenic, is the best option for people with hypersensitive skin. It has natural antifungal properties and is a light brown color. Because it is a softwood, it can withstand high temperatures and maintain its structural integrity for a long time.

Basswood is odorless and non-toxic, and it has very few knots. It’s not going to crack or expand too much, and it feels nice to the touch. Basswood is the best wood for infrared saunas because it is inexpensive and widely available.

Eucalyptus

To put it simply, eucalyptus is a fragrant softwood. Given its rapid growth rate, this tree species is an environmentally responsible wood for sauna usage. It has a stunning visual appeal that can help your sauna stand out from the crowd.

Since it is so uncommon, eucalyptus is priced higher than the other options available. Because of this, it is rarely used in sauna construction.

Except for cedar, no other wood has inherent protection against insects and decay. The color of eucalyptus changes as it ages and can be found in a wide variety of grain sizes.

Why Does the Type of Wood Used in a Sauna Matter?

Wood for sauna matters because it will help protect your sauna from mold, retain heat, and provide you with a traditional sauna feel. As you can tell from this article, there are many options, but the most common choices are cedar and pine.

When looking to build your own sauna instead of buying one of our home sauna kits, it’s important to use the proper sauna insulation in order to keep your sauna warm, and speed up the heating process. If your sauna is inside, it might need less sauna insulation than if it’s outside, but you will still need to have some.

For indoor saunas, using a good quality sauna wood will normally be enough insulation for you as long as it is properly sealed. If you require an idea of what wood to use for your sauna, check out the best wood for sauna here.

For outdoor saunas, your insulation requires depends on your weather. Warm places, once again, a nice quality, thick wood that’s properly sealed will be enough sauna insulation to keep you warm, but in below freezing temperatures, you will need some extra insulation.

Does My Sauna Need Insulation?

The short answer to this is yes. The longer answer it that if you purchase a prebuilt kit, it will come pre-insulated, you will not need to buy extra insulation. If you are building your own sauna, you will need sauna insulation to retain heat and not waste energy.

Types of Sauna Insulation

Any hardware store will carry a variety of insulation kinds, but only a select handful will function in an outdoor sauna. Read on for some advantages and disadvantages to help you decide which insulation type is best for your outdoor sauna.

High-Quality Wood

Quality sauna wood is the most important thing when building an outdoor sauna. The proper wood provides insulation, retains heat, and dries quickly to prevent mildew. The most common types of woods for saunas are Aspen, Cedar, Alder, Spruce, and Pine.

Rolls of Fiberglass

Fiberglass rolls work well for insulating your outdoor sauna since it encourages moisture retention and is easy to install. Put your rolls in between the outer and inner layer of your sauna for best results.

I recommend avoiding loos fiberglass as it can be dangerous to breathe in and work with. The rolls are much safer and still effective.

Thermoplastic Boards

Extruded polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam, or polyisocyanate insulation boards offer high sauna insulation effectiveness. Compared to cotton or fiberglass insulation, they are simpler to install, and work great under the sauna floor.

Polyiso boards have foils with reflective surfaces on the sides to reflect heat and provide water resistance.

Repurposed Cotton

The blue color of recycled cotton insulation is due to the use of recovered fabrics, primarily jeans. In comparison to fiberglass, this choice is more expensive. However, handling the material or paper poses no risk. The cost difference is due to the recycled-cotton insulation’s slightly greater effectiveness compared to fiberglass.

Aluminum Foil Vapor Barriers

In a conventional sauna, the vapor barrier is an integral part of the building process. Most sauna makers employ foil vapor barrier because it protects the building from moisture and is easy to install. For the finest outcomes, use high temperature foil tape, which is an optional extra. Attach a foil vapor barrier behind the tongue and groove sauna wood paneling on the walls and ceiling.

Where to Apply Your Sauna Insulation

Sauna insulation for your outdoor sauna’s ceiling, floor, and walls may require different materials and approaches depending on the size and location. Those who are unsure may ask the sauna’s manufacturer or a professional sauna technician for clarification.

When it comes to insulating your outdoor sauna, the most important area is the ceiling, followed by the floor, as these are what will be in contact with either the cold ground, or snow pile up on top. The walls will still need insulation, but not as much as these other two areas.

Warm air rises, causing much of your sauna’s heat to escape through the ceiling. To combat this, use polyiso boards, and a vapor foil barrier to prevent heat loss and insulate your sauna.

For the floor, putting your sauna on a concrete base followed my a layer of fiberglass rolls before your wood. On the inside of the sauna floor, you will need more thermoplastic boards, and maybe another vapor foil barrier depending on your conditions.

Despite the fact that the majority of heat escapes through the roof, a sizeable quantity also escapes through the walls of the sauna, which are not insulated. This means you’ll need polyiso boards to insulate your sauna’s walls. However, if you’re on a tight budget, you can get by with recycled cotton insulation, or make use of a foil sauna vapor barrier to keep moisture out.

Conclusion

In all, the most important sauna insulation is the wood you use. Pre-built sauna kits already come insulated and rarely require insulation. If you are building your own outdoor sauna, it’s import to properly insulate it using fiberglass, vapor foil protection, thermoplastic boards, or other methods.