I showed up to Sweat Plunge Repeat, on assignment on a particularly stressful day– one of those where everything in life was topsy-turvy and everything in my body ached. But I’m a steadfast professional, so there I was, committed to the experience.
Inside, there are private suites with infrared saunas, cold-plunge tubs, and heated pods. I chose the heated pod first, climbed onto the table, pulled the dome over me, queued up my Spotify Wrapped playlist, and snuggled up for 20 minutes. The heat was so lovely that by the time my session ended, I was actually bummed.
I followed with five minutes of red-light therapy and then faced the main event: the cold plunge. A neon sign above the tub advises to "just breathe,” so, alas, I took a breath and dropped in. I lasted 45 seconds, but it was worth the plunge.
Walking out, I genuinely felt more positive and more energized and, most importantly, my aches and pains were nearly gone. I wasn’t necessarily skeptical about the therapies' benefits after my interview with owner Alison Ryan, but I certainly didn’t think they would take hold so quickly.
Ryan didn't set out to open a wellness studio. She's a hairdresser who spent years running a salon with Cassidy Bentley and kept pushing her business partner to consider infrared saunas. She finally got a yes, found a space at 7097 Old Harding Pike in Bellevue, and built the space she envisioned.
"I started doing my journey a year ago, four times a week, and I'm down 14 pounds,” Ryan shares. “It's one of the only things that I changed.”
But weight loss was secondary to everything else. Studies have shown that infrared sauna use is associated with improved cardiovascular function, reduced inflammation, and relief from chronic pain conditions. Cold water immersion has been shown to reduce muscle soreness, improve circulation, and elevate mood.
"There's a huge dopamine release when you could plunge,” Ryan adds. “For me, I've never felt better."
Infrared sauna, which uses wavelengths to penetrate deeper into your tissue to aid with pain and inflammation, is also available here.
“You don't have to sweat,” Ryan says. “You go in for a longer period of time for a lesser intensity.”
For first-timers, Ryan has a handful of recommendations for a successful visit. First, hydration is key, but maintaining electrolytes is just as important as regular water intake. She recommends hydration sticks like Waterboy to help replenish nutrients you’ll sweat out. As for attire, some opt for swimsuits, while others go with their birthday suit—with completely private suites, the choice is entirely yours.
“(Olympic champion) Michael Phelps designed our cold plunge; it’s self-regulating every 10 minutes,” Ryan adds, noting its cleanliness. Sweat Plunge Repeat provides robes, towels, and plastic bags for wet suits.
As for timing, Ryan recommends, "do the cabana for 35 or 40 minutes, then up to five minutes in the cold plunge. That’s an awesome regimen for your week."
There are several add-ons you can choose from as well. For example, the facility offers halo therapy—a pure saline mist you inhale during sessions, like a humidifier.
"This treatment breaks up any old trauma that your lungs dealt with," Ryan explains, noting it’s excellent for aiding illnesses like pneumonia or for smokers.
Ryan and her husband—a Nashville native and veteran who helped open the studio—offer specials for students and first responders. Originally from New Jersey, Ryan’s dad and grandmother were raised in Nashville, and she found herself relocating to the area when her grandmother was ill.
"We're huge on community, we love Bellevue," Ryan says.
Now, Ryan has built something she genuinely uses herself and that offers the community a new wellness option. It’s made a believer out of me.
"I started doing my journey a year ago, four times a week, and I'm down 14 pounds. It's one of the only things that I changed."