Mobile sauna and cold plunge open at Water Works Park
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The new mobile sauna. Photos: Courtesy of Morgan Kelly Photography
A new wood-fired sauna pop-up at Water Works Park is bringing the popular pastime to the great outdoors in Des Moines.
Driving the news: Empeiria Saunahouse is a new pop-up social sauna and cold plunge parked just south of the Des Moines Biergarten, near the amphitheater.
How it started: Leah Gianaras, co-owner of the mobile sauna, says the idea started after her husband started cold plunging in a stainless steel trough in the neighborhood. As a former college athlete who suffered from knee injuries, he was inspired to use it to help with his mobility.
- Meanwhile, their neighbors Danielle and Trevor Masten would come over and gawk at him. Eventually, it became a social gathering for the neighborhood, with everyone cheering each other to cold-plunge.
- After Gianaras and Masten went on a mom's trip to Decorah and experienced a sauna and cold plunge together, they were hooked.
- "We were four women with a collective of 12 children between all of us, sitting in this cold tub room cheering each other on," says Masten, who is also a co-owner.
How it works: The sauna holds eight to 10 people, and people are encouraged to cycle between it and the cold plunge.
- It's $35 for an hour of both or $15 for the cold plunge only.
- People can wear swimsuits or athletic wear, and a changing tent and locker are available.
If you go: Saturdays at Water Works Park.
- Times vary, and online bookings and walk-ins are available.
