In this technology- and data-driven era, health looks a whole lot different than it did just five or 10 years ago. Now, a broad sense of wellness is where it’s at — and Charlotte is no exception to the trend.
In the past, I’ve explored luxury gyms and luxury spas in an effort to seek out some of the best health-focused spaces in the Charlotte area. This time, I’m taking a look at luxury wellness spaces that can help with combating stress, inflammation, muscle soreness and a variety of other recovery needs.
As a perimenopausal woman whose blood work has shown inflammation far above normal levels, health and wellness are high on my priority list for self care — and survival, if I’m being honest. I don’t care quite as much about the number a scale shows, but I’m looking to build and maintain muscle, sleep well and feel good.
On this journey, I took the new Pause Studio up on an offer to get an early look at the facility, which calls itself “a new kind of wellness studio.”
“Whether you are looking to boost immunity, enhance performance, or simply unwind, our science-backed services support every body & goal,” an email from the new Arboretum location said.
Among the services offered there is contrast therapy, which alternates heat and cold to promote circulation, reduce inflammation and help with muscle soreness. That hits all of my buckets right now, so I gave it a try.
What is contrast therapy like?
Contrast therapy generally involves spending time in a hot sauna, then shifting to a cold plunge pool. At Pause, this happens all in a private suite that includes an infrared sauna hovering around 150 degrees and a water tub kept at about 48 degrees.
An information card at Pause said benefits of infrared sauna contrast therapy can include boosting metabolism, skin health, elevating immunity, athletic and physical recovery, heart health and pain management.
The infrared sauna I experienced was different from a traditional, steamy sauna with wet heat that burns the nostrils. Instead, it was a dry heat that lends itself to remaining comfortable for lengthier sessions. I can usually last about 12-15 minutes when I’m in a traditional sauna, so I set a timer on my Apple Watch for 15 minutes and closed my eyes.
After that 15 minutes was up, I was warm and sweaty but not overwhelmingly so. I considered staying in a few more minutes, but decided it was time to cold plunge — a bit of a mental challenge, along with a physical challenge.
I’ll also admit here that I didn’t think this out real well in advance. A panel on the wall offers guided breath work and guidance during the cold plunge — but it didn’t occur to me to check out the options in advance of climbing into the tub. That led me to clambor in, then push the selection for a 30-second session, finding out a little too late that it starts with directions to follow before you’re submersed in the icy bath. Whoops!
I suppose this probably tricked me into being in there perhaps a minute or so, but without that time guide, I can only guess. I can say, however, that I was goosebump cold and quite ready to climb out when the guide announced that time was up. And, naturally, I went running back straight to the sauna.
One more time, I plunged back into the frosty bath — taking care to actually follow the directions this time to get the full benefit.
Overall, the experience left me feeling refreshed and calm, and I’d certainly do it again. Even if I can’t quite make it happen a few times a week, as many suggest is optimal, every bit helps.
Luxury wellness spaces in Charlotte
Are you looking to hone in on your own personal wellness with contrast therapy, salt rooms or similar services? Here are a few places to check out in the Charlotte area, most of which offer both memberships and individual packages:
Location: 441 Mercantile Pl suite 102, Fort Mill, SC 29715
Echelon Contrast Suites, owned by two Fort Mill healthcare providers, offers infrared sauna and cold plunges, along with an infrared salt sauna and infrared light therapy. Its introductory price for new customers is $55 for a halo salt contrast session or $65 for a regular contrast therapy session.
Location: 7314 Waverly Walk Ave, Suite E-1B, Charlotte, NC 28277
The Invigory House of Wellness offers a variety of wellness services such as cryotherapy, salt rooms and infrared sauna, NAD+ treatments to support cellular repair, compression therapy and more. A 45-minute salt room session or a 60-minute sauna session is $210.
Location: 8008 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Along with contrast therapy, Pause Studio offers services including infrared sauna, NAD+ treatments to support cellular repair, float treatments, cryotherapy, compression therapy and AI-powered Aescape massage. Presale prices of 50% off services are available until Jan. 10, with prices starting at $53 for three sessions of compression therapy.
Location: 3216 South Blvd., Suite 202, Charlotte, NC 28217
At Plunge House, which is based in Charlotte, you have to apply for membership. Once you’re in, the experience includes steam rock saunas, cold plunges, hot plunges, vitamin C showers, Normatech compression therapy boots, towel service and even a hot tea bar. There is a waitlist, but you can book your first session for $35.
Location: 1711 Montford Dr, Charlotte, NC 28209
Location: 6660 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226
Location: 9285 Sandy Rock Place, Suite E, Charlotte, NC 28277
Location 760 Herlong Ave., Rock Hill, SC 29732
Restore Hyper Wellness’ services include cryotherapy, infrared sauna, red light therapy and compression, along with a variety of other options. Prices vary by location.
Location: 2501 The Plaza, Suite 8, Charlotte, NC 28205
Salt & Souls focuses specifically on halotherapy, or sitting in a salt cave. The treatment can provide relief from respiratory ailments and skin conditions, along with lowering stress and anxiety. The practice also supports your immune system and can assist with sinus and ear infections. Prices start at $15 per person for a 10-minute session in a salt booth or $50 per person for 45 minutes in a full salt cave.
Location: 274 S Sharon Amity Rd Unit 1, Charlotte, NC 28211
Sauna Culture pairs a traditional Finnish dry sauna with cold plunges. Its new customer special offers unlimited 90-minute sauna and cold plunge sessions for two weeks for $49. Compression boot use is included once a week for members, but nonmembers can book a 15-20 minute session in them for $15.
Location: 1500 W Morehead St H, Charlotte, NC 28208
Sauna House is a communal bathhouse with traditional Finnish saunas and cold plunge pools for contrast therapy. Massages and private plunge rooms are also available. A two-hour bathhouse visit is $50.
Location: 420 W Palmer St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Sunday Hot Springs describes itself as a wellness center that provides a “high-end holistic experience.” It offers a traditional sauna, herbal steam room, cold plunge and neutral pool, plus a kombucha bar. A two-hour weekday session is $65, while a weekend visit is $75.
Location: 4810 Ashley Park Ln Suite D, Charlotte, NC 28210
Location: 1711 Commonwealth Ave, STE 105, Charlotte NC 28205 (opening soon)
Location: 9831 Rea Rd Suite G, Charlotte NC 28277 (opening soon)
At SweatHouz, also known as SWTHZ, services offered include infrared sauna, cold plunge and vitamin C showers, all in a private suite. Pricing for an initial session is just $35. More Charlotte locations are opening soon in Plaza Midwood and Ballantyne.
Location: 906 Pecan Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 9664 Red Stone Dr, Indian Land, SC 29707
True Rest Float Spa offers two Charlotte-area locations where you can float in a pod filled with water and Epsom salts for an hour to meditate, treat muscle and joint soreness and ease your nervous system into rest and recovery mode. A New Year’s BOGO special is offering a two-float pack for $89.
Location: 4625 Piedmont Row Drive, Suite 125, Charlotte, NC 28210
At Woodhouse Spa, infrared sauna and salt therapy services are available along with massages, wraps and other traditional spa services. Pricing starts at $45 for a 30-minute sauna session or a 45-minute salt session.
Heidi Finley
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