Q: Where did you get that sauna and how much was it?
A: The sauna that you guys are typically seeing me in was a custom built barrel sauna that holds 8 people comfortably. You likely do not need to get one this size. I do because I routinely have large recovery sessions with our guys.
I had the barrel built custom by a guy in PA named Merlin – if you’re in the area and want something similar let me know and I’ll forward you his contact info. It’s made of cedar and it cost me a total of $4,450. I then purchased a 10.5kw HUUM Hive heater which ran me $4,254. Then I had to pay an electrician to properly set it up which was about $2,000. All in I paid over $10,000 for it. I regret none of it. Our recovery sessions are next level. People look forward to them. We do Sauna, Plunge, Steaks & occasionally cigars. It’s a 2-4hour ordeal and every single person loves it. We also occasionally do bodywork on those days to make it the ultimate recovery day.
If you’re on a budget, here’s what I recommend for your sauna. Scour craigslist and facebook marketplace. You can find a used 2 person sauna for very cheap. I found one for like $700. I then purchased a better heater for it which was about $1800. Because it was a lower power heater I was able to do the installation myself and all in paid about $2,500 for it. You can get those up to about 194 degrees Fahrenheit, which is plenty hot. And if they’re poorly built, you can insulate it by throwing some blankets over the top of it while you’re using it.
I personally like the traditionally Finnish sauna over the infrared. I like the heat. The infrared saunas don’t get hot enough for me.
As for the cold plunge, you can freeze & reuse bottles of water instead of having to go buy ice every time and fill up a garbage can. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Of all the research that I’ve read regarding the benefits of cold, it kinda boils down to 48degrees Fahrenheit for 10mintues. Which you can definitely do without any fancy equipment.
That being said, I have the cold plunge by Plunge. I love it. It’s awesome and is also worth the investment.
“The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, he said:
‘Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
― Dalai Lama XIV
You cannot put a price on health. You either pay with time, or you pay with money. I’d rather invest in myself and my health.
