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Saunas & Cold Plunges
Hot Springs Pools & Spas now carries saunas and cold plunges at all four of our showrooms — Greenville SC, Asheville area NC, Franklin NC, and Charleston SC. This page is for homeowners who want to add heat therapy, cold therapy, or a full contrast therapy setup to their backyard wellness space — and for existing sauna or cold plunge owners who are ready to upgrade to something better-built and locally supported.
We carry Tylo saunas — one of the oldest and most respected Swedish sauna brands in the world — alongside the Hot Spring Vigor and the Caldera Emerge cold plunges. Come see them in person at any of our showrooms, or read on to find out which setup makes sense for your goals and space.
Quick Answer: What We Sell and Where to Find Us
Sauna or cold plunge shopping in the Asheville area, Greenville SC, Franklin NC, or Charleston SC? We have display models in all four showrooms. No ordering online and hoping it fits — you can see and touch these products before you buy.
What we carry:
- Tylo saunas — traditional, infrared, and hybrid models (Halmstad, Lulea, Kiruna, Kiruna Hybrid, and Reflection collections)
- Hot Spring Vigor™ cold plunge
- Caldera Emerge™ cold plunge
- Contrast therapy packages combining sauna and cold plunge
Ready to talk? Stop by any showroom or contact us here
Why Hot Springs Now Carries Saunas and Cold Plunges
Hot Springs Pools & Spas has been family-owned and operated since 1989. For over 35 years we have built pools and installed hot tubs across the Carolinas because we believe a backyard should be a place for real recovery, connection, and daily joy.
Saunas and cold plunges are a natural extension of that mission. The same customers who come in for a Hot Spring or Caldera spa increasingly ask about adding heat therapy or cold therapy to their outdoor living space. We wanted to be the one place in the Asheville area, Greenville, Franklin, and Charleston where you could outfit your entire backyard wellness setup — from pool to hot tub to sauna to cold plunge — with people you already know and trust.
We chose Tylo because they are built in Sweden using genuine Scandinavian construction methods, and because they integrate naturally with the hot tubs and cold plunges we already carry. The Tylo lineup shares the same brand family as Hot Spring and Caldera, which means service and warranty support is consistent across everything in your backyard.
What Is Contrast Therapy — and Why Homeowners Are Investing in It
Contrast therapy is the practice of alternating between heat and cold exposure — typically a sauna session followed by a cold plunge, repeated for two to four rounds. Nordic cultures have practiced versions of this for centuries. The modern interest in it is driven partly by social media and biohacking culture, but the underlying science is legitimate and growing.
What the Research Actually Shows
Heat therapy (sauna):
- Regular Finnish sauna use has been associated with reduced cardiovascular risk in large longitudinal studies, including research published in JAMA Internal Medicine (Laukkanen et al.)
- Traditional sauna temperatures of 175–194°F raise heart rate similarly to moderate-intensity exercise
- Consistent sauna sessions have been linked to improved circulation, reduced markers of inflammation, and better sleep quality
- Sessions typically run 10–20 minutes; most users do 2–4 rounds per session
Cold therapy (cold plunge):
- Cold water immersion at 45–59°F triggers a sharp release of norepinephrine and dopamine, which explains the mental clarity and elevated mood many users report
- Research shows cold plunges can reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness and speed perceived recovery compared to passive rest
- A 2024 study in Advanced Biology found that brief cold exposure triggers cold-shock proteins that may support cellular resilience
- The target most practitioners aim for: approximately 11 minutes of cold exposure per week, spread across 2–4 sessions
One honest caveat: Emerging research suggests that cold plunging immediately after heavy resistance training may blunt muscle protein synthesis. If building strength or muscle size is your primary goal, time cold therapy on recovery days or at least a few hours after lifting — not immediately post-workout.
As with any new health practice, consult your physician before starting a sauna or cold plunge routine, especially if you have cardiovascular conditions, hypertension, or are pregnant.
Our Saunas: The Tylo Collection
Tylo is a Swedish brand with roots going back over 100 years. Their saunas are designed for genuine Nordic heat therapy — precise temperature control, quality materials, and construction that holds up to daily use for decades. Every model in the Tylo lineup includes app connectivity via the Tylo app, Bluetooth speakers, and chromotherapy LED lighting.
Traditional Saunas: Classic Rock & Steam Heat
Traditional saunas heat to 175–194°F using a rock heater. You can pour water over the rocks to create steam (called löyly in Finnish tradition). This is the original sauna experience.
Halmstad™ Indoor traditional sauna, up to 4 people. Features the Sense Bliss 6 heater, wraparound seating, Bliss Control Panel, Tylo app connectivity, Bluetooth speakers, and chromotherapy lighting. The entry point into Tylo's traditional line — everyday luxury with intuitive controls.
Reflection™ Indoor traditional sauna, up to 4 people. Contemporary, design-forward styling with extensive glass. The premium traditional indoor option for buyers who want a showpiece as much as a sauna.
Lulea™ Outdoor traditional sauna, up to 4 people. Built for year-round all-season outdoor use with insulated walls and weather-durable construction. The Scandinavian-inspired outdoor option for a backyard or pool deck. Requires a level foundation — concrete pad, gravel base, or reinforced deck.
Infrared Sauna: Gentler Heat, Lower Temperatures
Infrared saunas use carbon fiber panels to heat the body directly rather than heating the air. They operate at lower temperatures (roughly 120–150°F) and are popular with people who prefer longer, gentler sessions. The lower entry temperature also makes them more accessible for first-time sauna users.
Kiruna™ Indoor infrared sauna, up to 3 people. Features CarbonFlex® heating panels, low EMR/EF technology, no VOCs (volatile organic compounds), LED lighting, Bluetooth speakers, and Tylo app control. Runs on a standard 120V / 15-amp circuit — no electrical upgrade required for most homes.
Hybrid Sauna: Both Heat Types in One Unit
Kiruna™ Hybrid Indoor hybrid sauna, up to 3 people. Combines infrared and traditional Finnish heat in one unit. Use infrared for a gentler lower-temperature session, or switch to traditional mode for a high-heat rock-and-steam experience. The most versatile option for households where different users have different preferences.
Which Tylo Sauna Is Right for You?
- Do you want the full Nordic steam experience? Choose a traditional model — Halmstad, Reflection, or Lulea.
- Do you prefer lower temperatures and longer sessions? The Kiruna infrared is likely a better fit.
- Are different people in your household going to use it differently? The Kiruna Hybrid gives you both options in one unit.
- Is this going outside? The Lulea is specifically engineered for outdoor installation year-round.
- Do you want something that looks as good as it performs? The Reflection collection is the most design-forward option in the traditional lineup.
The best way to choose is to come in and sit in one. We have display models at all four locations.
Our Cold Plunges: Hot Spring Vigor and Caldera Emerge
We carry two cold plunges — both built by the same family of brands that makes Hot Spring and Caldera hot tubs (Watkins Wellness, under Masco). These are not off-brand units from an online-only wellness startup. They come with the same dealer support, warranty structure, and service network as your hot tub.
Hot Spring Vigor™ & Caldera Emerge™
Both are, built with the engineering standards of the world's best-selling spa brand. It features an ergonomic design with built-in seating, advanced cooling to reach target temperatures reliably, and integrated filtration to keep water clean between sessions.
- Ergonomic built-in seating, purpose-built for cold immersion
- Cools to recovery-ready temperatures; recommended starting range 45–60°F for beginners
- Integrated filtration system for clean water between uses
- Backed by Hot Spring dealer warranty — serviced by our local team
Setting Up a Contrast Therapy Routine at Home
You don't need both a sauna and a cold plunge to get started. Both products deliver standalone benefits and many buyers purchase just one. But if your goal is a full contrast therapy setup, here is how a typical session works:
- Enter the sauna — 10–15 minutes at 175°F+, letting your core temperature rise fully
- Move to the cold plunge — 2–3 minutes at 45–55°F; focus on slow, controlled breathing through the initial shock
- Rest outside both — 5–10 minutes, letting your body normalize
- Repeat — most users do 2–3 rounds per session
- End on your preference — ending cold tends to feel more energizing; ending warm tends to feel more relaxing
Most users who commit to contrast therapy for 2–3 weeks describe the cold becoming significantly more manageable and the post-session mental clarity as one of the best parts of their day. Beginners should start conservatively and build up both duration and temperature intensity gradually.
What to Know Before You Buy
Space
- Most 2-person indoor Tylo saunas need roughly 4×4 feet of floor space; a 4-person model needs closer to 5×7 feet
- The Lulea outdoor sauna requires a level foundation — concrete pad, gravel base, or reinforced deck — and clearance on all sides
- The Caldera Emerge needs at least 24 inches of clearance on the back and sides for the heat pump to ventilate
- A reinforced concrete pad (minimum 4 inches thick) is recommended for the Emerge
Electrical
- Larger saunas typically require a dedicated 220–240V circuit
- Some smaller models can run off 120V / 15-amp — no electrical upgrade needed for most homes
- The Hot Spring Vigor & Caldera Emerge plugs into a standard 110V / 15-amp GFCI outlet
Maintenance
- Tylo sauna interiors should be wiped down after sessions; wood benches should be cleaned periodically and inspected for moisture
- Cold plunge water chemistry should be checked regularly; UV-C lamp in the Emerge should be replaced per manufacturer schedule (part #79878, available through our service team)
- Emerge filter changes recommended every 1–3 months depending on usage frequency
Why Buy from Hot Springs Instead of Online
There are cheaper ways to buy a sauna or cold plunge than visiting our showrooms. Here is what you are actually buying when you come to us:
You can experience the product before you buy. We have Tylo sauna display models and both cold plunges on the floor at all four locations. Sit in the sauna. See the cold plunge up close. Ask questions of people who have installed and serviced these products for real customers in this region.
We handle installation. Saunas require proper electrical work, leveled foundations for outdoor units, and correct ventilation for indoor models. We coordinate all of it.
Local service for the life of the product. If something goes wrong with an online-purchased unit, you're calling a national 1-800 number. With us, you're calling the same team that installed it.
Over 35 years of backyard wellness in the Carolinas. Hot Springs Pools & Spas was founded in 1989. Saunas have been in use for over 2,000 years. Cold water therapy has been practiced across cultures for centuries. We added these products because they fit naturally into a complete backyard wellness space — not because they trended on social media.
Ready to See One in Person?
The best way to choose between a traditional sauna, an infrared model, and a cold plunge is to come in and experience them. Our showrooms in Greenville, Asheville, Franklin, and Charleston all carry display models — no appointment needed.
Stop by any Hot Springs Pools & Spas location, or contact us to talk through your space and goals. There is no pressure and no sales pitch — just someone who knows these products, knows your climate, and can help you figure out what actually makes sense for your backyard and your budget.
Contact us to set up a showroom visit
See our Suana & Cold Plunge web page
Health claims referenced in this article draw on published research including: Laukkanen et al. (JAMA Internal Medicine), Advanced Biology cold shock protein study (2024), and PubMed meta-analyses on cold water immersion and muscle recovery. All health information is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your physician before starting any new heat or cold therapy routine, particularly if you have cardiovascular conditions, hypertension, or are pregnant. Product specifications are subject to change — see your Hot Springs dealer for current details.