On 25 February we were delighted to be invited to speak on BBC Breakfast to discuss the rise in the popularity of saunas post-COVID. Shekina Rose talked to Sally Nugent and Jon Kay about how iglu sauna came about, the mental and physical health benefits of having a sauna and cold plunge, and more.
INTERVIEW: iglu sauna on the BBC
Tell us about iglu sauna and how it emerged?
iglu sauna is based in Hebden Bridge, offering an outdoor sauna and cold plunge pool experience. I set it up with my brother in December 2023, after he found that having a sauna really helped his mental health and anxiety during the pandemic. He wanted to make this experience more affordable and open to everyone, so he asked me to join him - and I said yes!
What's the demand like?
Since opening, we’ve been fully booked almost all the time, and we even had to add a second sauna to meet demand. Other saunas in the area are also thriving, with Roots and Rocks in Mytholmroyd only opening a few months before us, so there’s definitely a growing interest.
What benefits do people experience after using a sauna?
There are so many! Customers tell us it helps with mental health, stress relief, muscle recovery, and conditions like arthritis. Personally, I find it really calming and grounding - it takes me away from screens and my phone and helps me reset.
Do people take their phones in the sauna?
Some do, but a lot of people see it as a digital detox space. That said, people also love taking pictures to share their experience and the sauna word, so we don’t completely ban the use of phones.
Saunas used to be quiet spaces - why do you think they’ve become so much more social now?
Some sauna guests still prefer a quiet sauna, and we offer those at iglu, but there’s also this idea of "saunas as the new pub" - a place to meet friends, release endorphins, and feel amazing, all at an affordable price.
Is it compulsory to do the cold plunge as well as the sauna?
Not at all, but most people do like to do both! Ideally, you do 10–15 minutes in the sauna, then 30 seconds to 3 minutes in the cold plunge, and repeat this process 3–4 times. The cold shock of the plunging actually enhances the feel-good effect, releases more endorphins and adds to those great physical and mental health benefits.
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