The latest in saunas, hot tubs, and cold plunges
Surely you’ve seen the TikTok trend where people dunk themselves in ice baths of every size and shape, hoping to reboot their day or even their lives. But we’ve done our homework, tried it for ourselves, and are convinced that this is far more than just a trend. In fact, beyond cold plunges, outdoor treatments that were previously only available at spas and health clubs are now de rigueur when it comes to enhancing individuals’ personal outdoor living spaces.
When the idea of outdoor living takes on new meanings of relaxation and health, you’ve really reached the next level of making your house a home and taking advantage of your entire environment. Here, we break down some of the latest trends in backyard spa features. If you’re going to do something big out back, why not create your own spa and take your backyard lifestyle to the next level? The trend is to blend spa-like features into your outdoor living spaces, utilizing plants and walkways to elevate your at-home experience.
One thing all of these wonders of modern science have in common is the wood, plants, steps, lighting, pathways, and other decorative objects that surround them. (To ensure you’re not just dropping a hot tub on a cement slab in the corner of the yard and calling it good, keep an eye out for a future article on how to truly take your whole backyard from zero to hero.)
Let’s look at some options:
COLD PLUNGES
From aluminum feed troughs to insulated electric-powered ice pods to $2,000 redwood plunge tubs, ice baths are taking on new meaning and new iterations. According to the European Journal of Applied Physiology, cold water immersion therapy (CWI) is based on Norwegian and Finnish traditions dating back to at least 3500 B.C. These days, new agers, fitness buffs, and seemingly everyone in between are touting the benefits of CWI. Whether you want to call it cold plunging, CWI, or just plain nuts, physiologists tend to agree on the benefits of cold therapy. Submerging the body in water anywhere from 50 to 70 degrees for a period of time ranging from 30 seconds to three minutes has been proven to affect blood flow, potentially decreasing inflammation. For this reason, cold baths are much more highly recommended than hot water baths when it comes to recovering from workouts. Fans of the practice also tout improved immunity, improved circulation, and boosts in metabolism and even mood. As one might imagine, elderly and pregnant people should avoid the practice, and inherent risks such as hypothermia, cold shock, and drowning are listed as potential drawbacks. But if you’re going to create a contemporary backyard spa, in our opinion, a cold plunge is a must-have.
OUTDOOR SHOWERS
Anyone who’s been to Costa Rica or any tropical paradise knows the indescribable pleasure of showering in the open air, reveling in the sun’s rays while getting your daily dose of vitamin D, and enjoying the sounds and sensations of nature around you. Warm, temperate climates lend themselves perfectly to showering in the resplendence of the outdoors, surrounded by natural materials such as wood and stone and plant life. When it comes to creating your own outdoor shower, you are limited only by your own creativity. The trick with a home outdoor shower is to create just enough privacy but not obscure your view and natural experience. Half walls, slats, and maze walls are all perfect for creating privacy while leaving that fresh open-air experience. You also have to think about your floor. Slatted wood is a nice touch for an outdoor shower, as is graded concrete and stone tile. It really depends on how you end up plumbing it. If the shower drains to the ground, you’ll need several layers of draining rocks, much like a septic system; if it connects to your mainline, you have more options.
SAUNAS
The traditional dry sauna is associated with many mental and physical health benefits, primarily cardiovascular in nature, but everything from relaxation and skin rejuvenation to detoxification are possible with a home dry sauna. Saunas are also typically less expensive and easier to maintain than steam rooms. A steam room is different from a sauna and is best incorporated into an indoor shower space in your home.
Today’s outdoor saunas can take almost any shape and form, from giant backyard wine barrels to subtle one-person steam rooms integrated into a private deck outside your bedroom. Working up a heavy sweat in dry heat flushes toxins from the skin, can clear congestion, and improve circulation. Again, contraindications to sauna bathing are typically anything related to cardiovascular disease, so do your homework before you invest. It’s also best to avoid alcohol and to drink plenty of water, as saunas can lead to dehydration. Saunas do vary in levels of heat and humidity. Heat can be as low as 70 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more. And while traditional Finnish saunas feature dry heat with a low 10 to 20% humidity, other types of saunas (such as Turkish) have much higher humidity. Be sure to understand the type of heater you purchase and whether or not it is safe to pour or spray water on it. Some are made to be strictly dry, while others are made to be humid to personal preference.
HOT TUBS
While the days of giant plastic hot tubs with sculpted seating and colorful lights are far from over, there is a new generation of more eco-friendly, visually appealing hot tub options out there. Energy efficiency, smart-connected features, and modern design are trending. Today’s hot tubs are often clad with cedar or other hardwoods, sometimes lined with aluminum, creating a much more natural experience, especially when combined with more sustainable purification systems such as UV, ozone, bromine, and saline instead of chlorine to keep them clean and safe. Acrylic and stone resin are also popular for soaking tubs. In-ground tubs that blend seamlessly with your deck and landscaping are also popular, as are unique shapes and natural materials. While any hot tub requires maintenance, it’s prudent to invest in either a good warranty or a low- maintenance tub with a modern heating element. Even some of the new inflatable hot tubs can be a good option, if you’re not looking to commit to permanent, year-round installation and maintenance. Aesthetically pleasing, slip-resistant steps are also crucial for your home spa. And while most hot tubs still run off electricity from your home, just like with a sauna, heat sources also include wood, steam, and infrared. Some even have built-in adjacent cold plunges. But let’s face it, for most people, there’s no substitute for a nice long hot soak, kicking back with a beverage with an unlimited view of the skies above.
GET THE GOODS
If you don’t have a giant wine cask in your backyard, are you really even living? Alpine Sauna sizes range from 2 to 8 people and can be customized with different types of woods, windows, and bench configurations. Each model has its own options, add-ons, and assembly instructions. Prices range from $1,200 to $7,000 and up.
When it comes to cold plunges, you’ve got options. But one of our favorites is the Polar Plunge Tub by Leisurecraft. For around $3,400, you get a gorgeous contemporary cold bath tub skirted in Canadian white cedar, a perfect match with any wooden outdoor sauna or hot tub. A thoughtful matching roll-up cover keeps water clean and a garden-hose compatible drain in the aluminum shell is perfect for filling and draining with ease.
One of the most unique options we found this year for our backyard spa is the Nurecover. It’s completely portable, easy to put up and break down, and comes as a double-set sauna and ice bath. Low commitment with ultimate versatility starting at about $440.
~ This Backyard Spa article was excerpted from the pages of NEST Magazine…To subscribe to NEST, click here. For the full Winter 2023 issue, click through here.