Over the years I’ve written a fair bit about the craze for wild Scandinavian sauna of the kind pioneered in the UK by Beach Box Brighton, and closer to home, the Community Sauna in Hackney Wick (read my 2022 feature in The Guardian here).
Until last month, however, I hadn’t tried an indoor take on the phenomenon — which is where the architecturally-designed new Leytonstone High Road wellness studio Hot & Cold comes in.
“Our mission is to make effective, science-backed wellness and recovery accessible, convenient, and affordable for everyone, with privacy,” owner Max Townsend says. “We believe that regular contrast therapy shouldn’t be a luxury; it should be a practical part of everyday life.”
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Here’s how it works: you book one of four very stylish pods, either alone or with a friend, then slip into flip flops and disrobe privately, choosing either a 20-minute or 40-minute session.
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While it’s a hot stone (up to 70C) — rather than wood-fired — sauna (infra-red is available in the solo pods), you still alternate deep heat and löyly (steam) with a refrigerated cold plunge (set between 3 and 15C, the chill will make you holler). There’s also a good shower and a civilised space to change and hang your clothes.
Sure, there’s no sea view or coastal breeze, but it’s brilliantly invigorating – and, with the chic interior’s sense of calm, a tranquil reboot in land-locked Leytonstone. “By providing private, easy-to-use pods on the high street, we want to help people feel better, recover faster, and live healthier lives one session at a time,” Max says. No notes.
Main image: Remict
20-min taster sessions from £15. Open 6am-9pm daily, 662 High Rd Leytonstone, Bushwood, London E11 3AA. Follow @hot_and_cold_uk
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