Published June 7, 2023

Looking for a Different Kind of Date Night? Try Sweat Shack

Written by The Cherished Home Group

Looking for a Different Kind of Date Night? Try Sweat Shack header image.

Johnathan and I will be married for 16 years this upcoming September. If you are anything like us, we are so bored of going out to dinner for date night. We find our relationship grows stronger because the time we spend together doing new things, having fun, laughing together, you know… remembering why we decided to get married in the first place. Recently we have started our search for things that involve spending quality time together that doesn't involve food. We were so delighted that we came upon a newer business in our area, Sweat Shack. After our experience, we had to share what ended up being a perfect date-afternoon for us.

Sweat Shack is a business that offers sauna bathing that couples with infrared heat therapy, they also have an optional cold plunge tub. It is located at 19375 Plum Canyon Road in Saugus within the Skyline Ranch Plaza.

Full disclosure, when I first heard about this business, I laughed. I am the most heat avoidant person I know. I like to be where it is cold…all the time. 60 degrees at night is comfortable and 69 in the day is getting warm. I NEVER thought I would want to go try out Sweat Shack, I was sure it would be miserable. I actually only went begrudgingly, because a bunch of girlfriends were having a girls night out and had reserved the Sweat Shack out for a get together. As I am discovering, peer pressure does exist outside of the teen years, so of course I went. To my surprise, the whole Sweat Shack experience was amazing!

When you first arrive at the Sweat Shack, it is clear that the owners wanted to create a space for relaxation, rejuvenation, peace and calm. It is well decorated, with lighting, smells and sounds similar to a spa experience. There are three services that you choose from:

Kuuma Sauna- This is where you hop in a 185 degree heated sauna and sprinkle (or pour) water on hot stones in the sauna to create steam. The best part, you get to choose your aromatherapy blend that goes into the water and chromotherapy light before you head into your personal sauna. They tell us that the natural infrared benefits are 3x stronger using this Kuuma Sauna method. People find that Kuuma Sauna is great for all kinds of health benefits, including relaxation, improved fitness, fighting illnesses, restoring skin health, detox and weight loss, assisting in healing and pain relief, and enhanced vitality.

Urban Heat Cabin- This sauna has a lower heat temperature than the Kuuma Sauna, and does not use steam. Instead it is a dry heat delivered through infrared panels that help penetrate the skin, increasing your core body temperature. This cabin is great for relaxation, detoxification, weight loss, as well as assisting in healing and pain relief.

Cold Plunge- You won’t need much explanation about this experience. After your heat session, you can choose to do a 3-7 minute cold plunge in 42-44 degree water. It causes your body to increase its heart rate, constricting blood vessels, and inducing an incredible rush of adrenaline and endorphins (it makes you happy). The great part is if you aren’t a pro at this, it can be tough to do it the first time. The awesome part is they have people that can help coach and distract you from thinking about the cold during your plunge so you are able to make it to the 3 minute mark. The benefits of a cold plunge are many. It releases endorphins, decreases anxiety, increases alertness and energy as well as boosts your metabolism.

When you choose your experience, you are shown to your own “stall” that has a bench, hooks to hang your clothes, a cool water bottle to spray on yourself to cool off, and lots of towels to sit on in the Sauna. There is a large curtain that they pull for your privacy and you can choose to wear a swimsuit in the sauna or your birthday suit. Whatever you feel most comfortable with. You get a timer so you know when your 30 minute session is over. There is a larger Kuuma Sauna that you can book for you and your date, or if you are wanting to invite some friends to hang out together. It sits up to 4 comfortably. The smaller stalls can fit two comfortably, one if you want to lie down.

The day Johnathan and I went to the sauna, we were sore from a long hike the day before. We chose to do the Vitality Sweat in the Kuuma Sauna. The aromatherapy had a citrusy smell, and the lights were red. Our visit helped relieve the aches and pains we had experienced, and we felt so good when we were done. Other than the calming atmosphere and quality time that we were able to spend together we also benefited from an amazingly restful night of sleep after our visit.

There are many options for how you sign-up for Sweat Shack, with pay by the visit, the 4, 8 or 10 visit packages or a membership. Memberships vary between daily visits to 1 per week. Either way, be sure to share that it is your first visit. They usually have a discounted rate for first time visitors ($25 for the sauna experience, $40 for the sauna and plunge). That way you get to experience the sauna or cold plunge or both, and see what you want to do again.

Hours of operation are:

Monday-Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Friday- Saturday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Sunday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Reservations are accepted all week, with exception for Sunday’s where it is first come/first serve.

Not located near Saugus? There is a second location located in the Santa Clarita Valley, in Old Town Newhall. If you are still stuck on having dinner with your next date night, but want to give the sauna a try, both locations are close to some great restaurants. I would recommend that you have dinner before your sauna session. You may not look your best after sweating in the sauna for 30 minutes and would prefer to head home after your session.