Perspire Infrared Studio, located in the Merchant’s Walk shopping center, redefines what it means to enhance the sauna experience. According to Jan Zalud, Perspire provides a “truly elevated experience” compared to a traditional sauna.
A traditional Finnish-style sauna, often seen in gyms or wellness centers, solely utilizes excessive heat to benefit the human body. In contrast, an infrared sauna combines both heat and infrared light technology. The addition of infrared light allows for deeper penetration into the skin, which ultimately helps the body sweat more and release toxins. While the use of heat as a component in healing the body has been around for thousands of years, the inclusion of red light was only introduced to the U.S. in the 1980s. By incorporating this advanced wellness technology, infrared saunas introduce a whole new holistic approach to well-being.
Perspire, in particular, differentiates itself from both traditional and other infrared saunas by offering a highly elevated experience. Its private sauna suites prevent the coming and going of others, allowing the person inside to fully embrace the experience and enabling the sauna to serve as a powerful mental tool, providing a space for solitude, meditation, or even yoga in the larger suites. Each suite is equipped with a Bluetooth TV for playing relaxing music, meditation, or a favorite show. Cold eucalyptus face towels are provided after the session to help cool off, and three member suites also include beautiful walk-in private showers for those who prefer a cold rinse as a form of contrast therapy or to shower off after the session. “The goal is to feel better when you walk out than when you walk in, and all these components help you achieve that,” Zalud said. A typical session at Perspire lasts between 40 to 50 minutes, giving ample time for someone to reap the sauna's benefits—benefits that are seen on both physical and mental levels.
The benefits of an infrared sauna vary per person. For example, infrared technology helps injured athletes repair and re-energize on a cellular level, allowing for quicker recovery. For those with depression, the heat component increases serotonin levels, alleviating depressive symptoms. The heat emitted from the infrared light is extremely beneficial to cardiovascular health through the detoxification of the body via sweat. It also boosts the immune system by inducing an artificial fever, which helps the body learn how to heal. Through its ability to provide a whole-body exfoliation, infrared light naturally promotes collagen production, leading to clearer skin. It even burns enough calories equivalent to a two-mile light jog. Acting as a “lazy man’s workout,” as Zalud refers to it, its ability to burn calories makes it especially beneficial for people recovering from injuries who need low-impact ways to maintain their health routine.
In addition, the use of chromotherapy, or color light therapy, which focuses on the different vibrations of various colors to generate specific effects, can produce a wide variety of benefits. For example, blue light promotes the natural release of melatonin, helping those with insomnia sleep better. “We have a lot of people who attend the last session of the day to help them sleep that night,” Zalud said.
The overall benefits increase significantly with frequent use of the infrared sauna. “We recommend three to four times a week,” Zalud said. “You have to create a habit to receive the full benefits.” As a result, Perspire offers several membership options in addition to the purchase of individual sessions. For first-time guests, there is a $20 introductory session that can be booked online, by calling, or visiting the studio.
The goal is to feel better when you walk out than when you walk in.