By 
This post was originally published on March 2, 2022. It was last updated in September 20204
I love a heated workout, so of course, being inside an infrared sauna is right up my alley. There are so many great infrared saunas that you can find at many luxury spas in LA, but this post is dedicated to boutique studios.
What I love the most about infrared sauna studios is that once you walk through the door, you leave behind the traffic and chaos of LA and enter into a calm and serene space. A lot of people think that you need to get outside of LA in order to unplug. True, but you can also disconnect at one of these places, a few of which are in some of LA’s busiest areas. Unlike traditional saunas, where you share the room with a bunch of strangers, infrared saunas are tiny personal sauna boxes. Also, since you have your own designated room, it sort of feels like you’re at a hotel.
This article from rootwholebody perfectly breaks down what an infrared sauna is really like:
“Infrared sauna, on the other hand, utilizes a uniquely designed bulb, or heating element made from a specific ceramic or metal, that emits infrared energy. This energy is the same wavelength as sunlight generating warmth and heat, causing the soothing and deep warmth you feel when exposing your skin to sun. It’s kind of like harnessing the healthier aspects of sunbathing, but without extended exposure to the damaging aspects of sunlight such as UV rays. How safe is infrared light? It’s used in neonatal ICUs across the globe to help keep newborns at healthy and nurturing temperatures. “
A few benefits of infrared saunas are glowing skin, relief of inflammation, stiffness and soreness, and of course, better sleep!
Infrared saunas are very meditative for me. They’re a nice way to center myself. Most infrared sauna studios have the option to connect the bluetooth to your phone to listen to music. But I like mine without any added stimulation to fully immerse myself in the heat, no distractions.
All infrared saunas have a timer inside, so there’s no need to check your phone to see how much time you have left. Another thing that I love about infrared saunas is the colored lights!
Depending on how fancy your infrared sauna box is, you may be given a control where you can set your desired color. At first, I thought this was for purely decorative purposes, then I read that it’s actually color light therapy, which helps treat a variety of skin problems. It’s like an LED facial, but for the body.
The best way to reap the benefits of infrared sauna sessions is to take shower breaks or cold plunge baths in between. However, if you’re just getting started, cold shower breaks will be best. Make sure you’re doing a breathing exercise while the cold water is running, so you don’t jump up and down or trip, like I almost did at Pause Studio. In addition to showers, some of these studios have a cold plunge bath incorporated in the rooms. Cold plunges have been a Scandinavian tradition since the 19th century, and they are widely used by athletes to speed up physical recovery. I could go on and on about the benefits of cold plunge baths, but I’ll leave that for another post!
You don’t have to be crazy rich to book an infrared sauna session. Do you just want to be in an infrared sauna box or do you also care about the atmosphere? Depending on your budget and how fancy the place is, an infrared sauna session starts at $35 and up. There’s something for everybody. Keep on reading!
RVIVL
12746 W Jefferson Blvd Suite 3-3110, Playa Vista, CA 90094
In December 2022, RVIVL opened in Playa Vista by founders Adam Sands and Ken Silver. They met several years ago when Ken suffered an injury and went to Adam’s chiropractic office. After bonding over natural methods of healing and ways to be proactive regarding injuries, they researched the most effective treatments on the market to heal injuries, and that’s how RVIVL was born.
There are two options to do the infrared sauna. You can either book the room with the sauna and the shower, or the room with the sauna, shower, and the cold plunge! The latter is also known as hot + cold therapy.
This was a complimentary session.
Ken encouraged me to try the cold plunge, but I chickened out. So, I opted for the traditional sauna with the shower. The room was so spacious and I loved how big the infrared sauna box was! The temperature was much hotter than many of the infrared sauna studios I’ve been to! It was preheated to 170℉ and I had to lower it down a few degrees. After my session, I felt completely rejuvenated from head to toe. Whenever I stepped out for shower breaks, I made sure to end them with cold water. The body washes they have are from the fancy brand Aesop.
Ken said:
Infrared Sauna is an amazing tool for muscle recovery and detox. It penetrates deeper into the tissue than a traditional sauna so those effects are amplified. Also for those working out, if you do a sauna right after a workout, it generates heat shock proteins and stimulates human growth hormone — so it stimulates muscle growth, which increases metabolism. Lastly, it burns a lot of calories because your body is using energy to regulate your temperature, and that alone burns a lot of calories!
Between the sauna + shower or the sauna + cold plunge, which one do you recommend?
The cold plunge!! It’s amazing for mental health. It simulates a fight or flight experience causing the body to release norepinephrine and adrenaline – the body responds by releasing a lot of dopamine. So we’re literally training your nervous system to not get anxious and in fight or flight as easily. It also removes inflammation from the body. We do a lot of breath work and shoot for 10 seconds the first time, and then members build up to 2-3 minutes. It also burns even more calories. 800 per 3 minutes at 33 degrees.
When people step out of the sauna, are you with them?
So the first time I go back into that room with them and do the breathwork for the first few times. I also help them get in and out of the tub until they are comfortable on their own. For some members, we always do breathwork with them even though they are almost pros themselves now.
Note: A few studios on this list also have a cold plunge inside the sauna room, but since most of the front-desk assistants are by themselves, no one is there to guide you through the process. At RVIVL, besides the front-desk assistant, either Adam or Ken will be there. So, if you’re thinking of trying the cold plunge for the first time, in addition to your sauna session, RVIVL is a great way to test it out! Don’t forget a bathing suit or other suitable clothing.
Price
Infrared sauna 30 mins – $68
Infrared sauna 60 mins – $88
Contrast therapy 30 mins (sauna + cold plunge + shower) $80
Contrast therapy 60 mins – $104
Revlv services
Infrared Sauna
Hot + cold therapy
Ice baths.
Red light therapy
Compression boots
IV Therapy
Pause Studio
Locations: Venice, West Hollywood, Brentwood, South Bay
This place is like entering an oasis. Although their original location is in Venice, they’re slowly expanding to different locations across LA! I went to the West Hollywood location, and the attention to detail that went into creating the space is truly stunning. I did not want to leave!! The person who greeted me was super helpful and willing to answer any question that I had. He showed me around the space and walked me through the seemingly never-ending hallway that connected to the different rooms.
The infrared sauna rooms include a shower with soaps from the fancy brand Le Labo, as well as a cold plunge tub.
The person who showed me around talked about cold plunge baths like the most natural thing in the world. I would love to work my way up to cold plunge baths, but I feel like I would have a heart attack.
The temperature on the infrared sauna box is set very high! When I asked the employee about this, he mentioned the Italian brand of the sauna boxes. “Those are like the Ferraris of infrared saunas, they’re very potent.” Like I said above, when you’re inside an infrared sauna, you have to leave and take breaks. In the last portion of my session, I think I stayed way too long and powered through the heat, which is not a good idea. I left very lightheaded and had to sit down for 15 minutes in the waiting room before leaving. The slight headache eventually went away and I slept like a baby that night. Lesson learned, always listen to your body!
This part of Hollywood recently went into a revamp. I live not too far from there and I still remember when they were under construction. You will find cool new restaurants, like Gigi’s and other coffee shops and fitness studios.
Price
$69 – 60 min session
$48 – 30 min session
Honestly, I think the price is so worth it! Not only do you get your own shower, but also your own cold plunge bath! Plus, as you can see in the picture above, the sauna box for one person is huge!
We were honored to host @kristenanniebell for her birthday!
Other services:
LED Light Therapy
Naturopathic Medicine
Floating therapy
Cryotherapy
IV Therapy
NAD+
Den Mother Wellness
1209 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90291 (Venice)
The bohemian neighborhood of Venice has always been considered a wellness mecca. In November 2021, Den Mother Wellness opened on Abbot Kinney, right next to Venice’s brunch staple, The Butcher’s Daughter. Den Mother Wellness is more than a boutique; it’s a “healing house”, like they state on their website. For their services, they use healing techniques from ancient cultures like Ayurvedic bodywork, Japanese Acupuncture and Chinese reflexology.
This repurposed craftsman bungalow was so tastefully designed. The combination of wood and green is so relaxing and aesthetically pleasing. If this is not enough, their infrared sauna rooms also include a cold plunge tub!
They definitely took the escapism element from the city to the next level! After you’re done with your session, you can lounge in their tea garden. Their coffee is served by Amigo Coffee Roasters from 10AM to 3PM. Other relaxing treatments include a wide array of massages: garden massage, meditative massage and Swedish massages.
The pricing for their infrared sauna rooms is definitely higher than most of the boutiques on this list. But take into account that you’re also paying for the experience! Looking at the photos, one would think this would be in Thailand or another exotic destination.
Prices:
Hot & Cold Cycle Sauna $75 (30 mins)
Hot & Cold Cycle Sauna $135 (60 mins)
Remedy Place
8305 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Coming soon: Century City, Venice
Jonathan Leary is the founder of Remedy Place, the first “social wellness club”.
Jonathan started out as a Concierge Wellness Doctor serving a long list of celebrity, professional and Olympic Athletes. However, he wanted to take his mission to the next level and in November 2019, he opened Remedy Place. In this health-focused “sanctuary”, members can enjoy wellness treatments in a social atmosphere.
This place has been called the “Soho House of wellness” due to its exclusivity and prime location, smack dab in the middle of the Sunset strip. I went there for a meditation class that I booked through ClassPass, right before the shutdown happened in 2020. While I was waiting, members were chatting at the bar in the waiting area. It certainly felt like I was in a members-only club. Their dark aesthetic evokes a sense of tranquility and relaxation. The greenery interspersed throughout the space also adds a nice touch.
Their monthly membership rate starts at $495, but don’t worry, you can still purchase their services individually.
I called and inquired about the infrared sauna session prices:
$70 for 1-2 people
$90 for parties larger than 2 people. These are bigger boxes.
You won’t get charged until the session is over, and all the sauna rooms are equipped with showers. The time slots are not available online to the public, and if you have any questions about availability, you have to call them.
The cold plunge baths are sold separately and are 30 minutes long. Since they are in a shared room, make sure to bring a bathing suit.
Remedy Place is currently in the works of opening a location in NYC and two more locations in LA: Century City and Venice.
Services:
Hyperbaric chambers
Lymphatic compressions
Shot bars
Acupuncture and cupping
Soundbath and meditation classes
Artha
8873 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Artha is a members-only, wellness sanctuary, also located on the Sunset Strip, less than a 3-minute drive from The Remedy Place. However, unlike The Remedy Place, where you can purchase any of the services, Artha is by invitation only. You have to apply to be a member on the website. It doesn’t get more exclusive than this!
Edit: Since this article was published, you no longer need to get a referral from another member to get a membership. They’re also offering single-day passes! The infrared sauna therapy session is $39. Book your session here. The showers are located in the locker room.
Artha’s services include:
Infrared saunas
Yoga classes
Massages
Cryo facial
T-shock therapy
Contour light
Endermologie
Cryotherapy
Floating sessions
Sweatheory
1503 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (Central Hollywood)
Santa Monica – Coming soon!
Other locations: Kansas City, MO and Atlanta, GA.
What a gorgeous rustic studio! I had no idea that this place, smack dab in the middle of Hollywood, had goers like Dakota Johnson, Miranda Kerr, Busy Philipps, and countless models and influencers.
This place is a gem. I can’t believe I used to drive by it on a daily basis, back when I used to commute to my old job in Burbank, and never gave it a second glance! The studio consists of two areas: the sweat area, where the private sauna rooms are, and a big room, where fitness classes take place.
The sauna rooms are super clean and perfectly equipped with toiletries and a shower. They give you a cayenne shot in the beginning to warm up your body and a mineral shot afterwards to replenish it. The sauna box was warm and toasty.
A very important tip is to book either room #3 or #6. These ones are the furthest from the front desk. There’s nothing to be alarmed about, but since I didn’t have any music and the rooms here have divider curtains, not doors, you could hear most of the conversations that were going on at the front desk between the members and the staff. There was a fitness class happening, so I could hear the greetings from the staff, but this only lasted for a few minutes, and thankfully, people there were very respectful and kept their voices down.
Sweatheory’s services don’t stop at infrared saunas and heated fitness classes. Their menu features an impressive array of services like angel card readings by their Reiki healers, vitamin injections, body sculpting, and infrared body wraps.
Parking here is a nightmare, but I successfully managed to find a spot two blocks away on one of the side streets. Don’t forget to carefully read the signs on Sunset to avoid getting your car towed!
I had a lot of built-up tension in my lower back, which stopped me from working out for a few days. Well…I’m happy to report that Sweatheory made such a huge difference in my recovery!
In case you’re interested, their website also specifies the types of infrared sauna boxes they use.
Price: $45 (1 hour)
The Sauna Lab
1100 S Hope St C-1, Los Angeles, CA 90015 (Downtown LA)
In October 2022, The Sauna Lab became the first infrared sauna place to open in Downtown LA. There used to be a place called HotBox in DTLA, but they closed due to the pandemic. About a week or so after I found out about The Sauna Lab, I called Laura, the owner, who kindly offered me a complimentary session in exchange for this write-up. There are no showers at this facility.
The studio is very nicely decorated with rattan ceiling lamps and flameless candles. In the hallway that leads to the saunas, there are white curtains separating the spaces. The space is very boho and chic with the jute rug. As you continue walking down the hallway, there’s a designated room with the sauna pod.
I loved the options The Sauna Lab had for sweating. Not only do they have the infrared sauna boxes, but they also have a sauna pod and sauna bags. The latter are the ones you’ll find at Shape House. These are located on the other side of the business and just like the saunas, they are separated by curtains.
Because I wanted to write a review specifically on the infrared sauna box, I chose that service. But I’ll definitely be back to try the pod!
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the infrared sauna box had so many personalized options as well! Depending on what you’re feeling, Laura pre-heats the infrared sauna box temperature according to the service you choose: cardio, detoxification, pain relief, relaxation, weight loss or anti-aging.
I chose the cardio modality. In this one, the temperature is set really high, boosting your heart rate. Then it gradually decreases. The sauna room was on the smaller side, but perfectly equipped with all the essentials. There is a bench outside for you to lay your clothes and sit down, as well as a round mirror. Inside the sauna box, there is a big towel and a tray with two damp mint-scented cloths.
On the screen inside, you’re able to watch Netflix if you choose. I don’t like watching stuff while I’m in an infrared sauna, so I just sat there quietly playing with the remote, switching the LED lights from time to time. After 20 minutes into my session, I realized that I wasn’t really breaking a sweat. Sometimes I felt drops of sweat coming through my abdomen and on my face, but that was it. I stepped outside to get some fresh air twice. Overall, I liked my experience, but I didn’t sweat as much as I did at the other places that are on this list – despite the fact that the temperature was initially set to 140°F.
After my session, I told Laura about this, and she said that everyone handles the heat differently. Switching gears, I asked her why she decided to open The Sauna Lab, and here’s her response:
“COVID really changed the way that people interact with each other. In the height of the pandemic, they took away all the amenities from the buildings in Downtown, and they closed all the saunas at the gym. We saw a really big need and gap. Wellness is huge right now, even more so than fitness. There was a big opportunity to bring a personalized experience to our clients, especially in the Downtown area. People have even changed the way they do their fitness. Instead of going to the gym, people now will go to a boutique fitness studio. These customers are missing the amenities they used to have at the gym with the sauna. It was important for us to create a peaceful, tranquil experience, so that clients can escape the hustle and bustle from the city. We want them to have 45 minutes to themselves to detach and unplug. In today’s society, everything is on demand. It’s hard to disconnect and we want them to come to this space to do it. Plus, provide them all the amazing health benefits infrared saunas bring.”
If you live in DTLA or the vicinity of DTLA, this is a great place to go! All the services are very well thought-out and you’ll definitely find something that caters to your needs.
People who walked in while I was there were mostly residents from the condos that abound in this area. If you don’t live nearby, parking is a pain in the butt! Laura said she was trying to get validated parking in the nearby lots, but because it’s close to the Staples Center, the prices go up and down and she was having a lot of difficulties to sort this out.
You can also book your session through Classpass!
The price for the infrared sauna box is $55. If you have any inquiries about any other service, please don’t hesitate to contact Laura by phone or through Instagram!
Into Me Sea
1812 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404
I found Into Me Sea thanks to Adrienne Bailon, who shared her favorite wellness places in LA on Instagram.
Founded by former massage therapist Jennifer Williams, Into Me Sea opened in the fall of 2021 in Santa Monica, offering a wide range of services that go beyond body treatments.
This was a complimentary session.
Individual infrared sauna sessions are $55 for 1 hour, but make sure you check out their available promo codes on the website for additional discounts. Because the sauna suite does not have a pipe system, there is no shower inside the room, and you’re not allowed to go back and forth between the sauna and the shower, which is located inside the locker room. Jennifer said, “Hopefully, we’ll be able to work on something down the line to facilitate that.” Upon your check-in, you’ll be asked to remove your shoes, and you’ll be provided flip-flops, a towel, and a bathrobe.
The place was very spacious and I love how they took advantage of the natural light! The lobby is so tastefully decorated with plants. You’ll also find selected sprays, oils and Ayurveda products.
Although there is only one infrared sauna in the studio, the room was really big!! It was almost like being in a hotel room. Here, I had access to beverages, and I could also lie in one of the bean bags when I took breaks. There are even books available if you want to flip through.
In this same room, you’Il find an echochamber where they do dry salt therapy, also known as halotherapy. Here, you inhale salt particles in a glass shower box helping to cleanse your respiratory system — which is great if you live in a city like Los Angeles. It’s also great for people who suffer from skin conditions such as eczema or acne.
Taking care of the mind is the ethos of Into Me Sea, which is why they offer weekly meditation and sound bath classes, float therapy sessions, and light travel therapy. I’m currently writing an article dedicated to float therapy, where I’ll go into detail about Jennifer’s story. It was interesting to know that float therapy was the main reason Jennifer opened Into Me Sea! They also have two Galactic Crystal Intention Tubs made of quartz imported from Brazil, designed for energetic healing.
If you’re interested in doing the sauna plus other services, Jennifer said, “Do a salt therapy and a sauna (located in the same room), followed by a float therapy or a soak (Galactic Crystal tub). We typically recommend one to two dry services, and then do a wet service after that. You don’t want to do two wet services back to back because it’s a lot of water (laughs).”
Stay tuned for my upcoming post on where to do float therapy in LA!
Infrared sauna prices:
$33 (30 mins)
$55 (1 hour)
Perspire
924 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403
5027 CA-1, Torrance, CA 90505
This franchise-spa company opened their two LA locations, Santa Monica and the South Bay, in 2022.
There are no showers at the Perspire facilities. The lady I spoke with on the phone said that at Perspire, they believe it’s best for the body to cool down on its own. All the Perspire locations include 8 sauna rooms, all of which are equipped with red light, color light therapy, and a TV where you can watch Netflix, Youtube, Hulu, or use Bluetooth through your phone.
Perspire offers a $20 intro session for new clients. The sessions are 40-minutes long and the sauna temperatures go between 130°F to 170°F.
Book your session at the Santa Monica location.
Book your session at the South Bay location.
Tonic Wellness Boutique
8317 1/2 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 (Beverly Grove)
Tonic Wellness’ IG feed reflects the spirit of Southern California: vintage fitness photos and blue skies.
There aren’t any showers at this facility, but their signature package: Tonic 333, which includes a 3-minute cryotherapy session, along with the infrared sauna and their pressotherapy machine. The price for this package is $139.
Other treatments at Tonic Wellness are: Pulse Therapy (PEMF), Icoone, Cryoskin, LightStim® for Anti-Aging.
Infrared sauna prices:
$38 (60 mins)
$34 (45 mins)
$29 (30 mins)
Liv Infrared Saunas
7918 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
Smack dab on one of LA’s busiest intersections (Santa Monica and Fairfax), lies LIV, which opened in November 2021.
All the infrared sauna rooms have a TV outside facing the infrared box! If you get bored or you want to zone out, you can watch Youtube from the comfort of your box. They also provide dumbbells to get a little workout in if you want. After you’re done with your session, you can ask to use the communal shower. In my case, I asked to use the shower after my session, but someone was using it, so I just left. For $15 more, you can add the cold plunge bath, but you have to pre-book it. They also have infrared boxes for parties of more than two.
I drive by this place almost everyday and I’m so happy I finally got to check it out. There’s no parking, so I suggest parking on Fairfax Avenue or Romaine.
LIV also offers IV Therapy.
Infrared sauna prices:
$37 (30 mins)
$47 (45 mins)
Have you been to any of these places? What are your thoughts on infrared saunas? Let me know!
