How do you typically unwind from a stressful day at work or recover from an injury while exploring the backcountry?
Well, a new business in Squamish is here to help with all facets of relaxation and recovery with the use of cold plunges and saunas.
Layne Jordan launched Plunge Wellness Studio, at 112-1111 Pioneer Way, in May this year after discovering the benefits of contrast therapy following an accident in 2019.
“Everyone kept telling me to use ice to help with the inflammation. But I hated ice baths,” Jordan said
But it was during COVID, when the rise of saunas and ice baths as a magic combo became popular, that the idea for Plunge Wellness came about.
Having always loved saunas, she tried out contrast therapy—where you spend a certain amount of time in a heated environment before plunging into cold temperatures for the reward of relaxation and pain relief.
“I absolutely loved it. Going from the sauna to a cold plunge that was really cold, but not ice bath cold. It helped so much and I always felt so calm after,” she said.
“So after things settled after my incident, I thought, you know what, I'm going to take something awful that happened to me and use whatever I get out of it and my savings, and I'm going to open a cold plunge and sauna business so that others can feel the same benefits that I did.”
According to a study in the Journal of Athletic Training, intervals of hot and cold can improve one’s health.
“It is thought that alternating the application of hot and cold water causes intermittent vasoconstriction and vasodilation that induce a vascular pumping effect, which results in increased tissue blood flow and oxygenation that improve healing, enhances tissue waste-product transportation that reduces edema, improves limb function, and promotes a quicker recovery,” reads the study.
While she was born in Whistler, Jordan said she had no plans on opening Plunge Wellness there because Scandinave Spa in Whistler already has the market well and truly covered there.
In the Squamish Valley there is the long-standing AIKA, which offers hot and cold cycles, as well as other personal services, and classes; there’s also the more recently opened The Finnish Sauna, at Cheekye Ranch; however this is the first such operation in Squamish’s core.
“So, I decided to do it in Squamish instead. It took us a long time to find this place because of zoning issues, but as soon as we found a spot that allowed cold plunges and a sauna, I jumped on it,” she said.
What does Plunge Wellness look like?
The front of the store is the WellNest, a shop run by Jordan that offers a variety of female founded small businesses' wellness products as well as a selection of pre-loved items.
"I love consignment goods, so I wanted to offer a selection of things to the public at affordable prices. We have Lululemon, Aritzia and other big-label items at low prices.
“So, if you bring in a bag of quality pre-loved goods, you can get a free cold plunge. You can use it whenever you want as well; it doesn’t have to be immediate,” she said.
The back of the store is the heart and soul of Plunge.
“There's an eight-person sauna that we have, but we limit it, there's not going to be eight people in there when you come here. The sauna is approximately between 89 and 92 degrees Celsius. It's an electric heater, but you can dump water on it. There's normally a little bit of eucalyptus oil in the water as well, just to give more of a spa vibe,” Jordan said.
“Then we have four cold plunge tubs. Normally the water is at about seven or eight degrees Celsius as well. So you'll do 10 to 15 minutes in the sauna, and then you'll go into the cold plunge. You can go for three seconds, or you can go for five minutes, however long you want. Personally, I go for about a minute
“After that you do 10 to 15 minutes of rest, stretching and connection in the Plunge Lounge area.”
Memberships start at $99 for an intro pass that gives you four cold plunge and sauna sessions to use within 14 days.
All sessions are on an appointment basis only and must be booked 12 hours in advance.
As for what the future holds for Plunge, Jordan says she plans to expand the business to include yoga and pilates.
For more information on Plunge Wellness or the WellNest, visit the website.
'Squamish business beat' is a series that arose from feedback from locals who wanted to see more business-related news. To be considered for this series, which focuses on establishments that are brand new or closing, please email [email protected].
