It’s safe to say that Bristol’s sauna scene is exploding right now. In the past year, we’ve written about our first community sauna and another on a city farm, and now, two Bristol Bears players have gotten in on the cold plunge action. But don’t expect SiVo Wellness to be a fleeting passion project. It’s committed to “fostering a deep sense of community,” as co-founder Harry Thacker says (alongside Jake Woolmore).
Inspired by the centuries-old traditions of Scandinavian sauna culture, as well as their knowledge in elite sport recovery, SiVo is situated on the edge of Leigh Woods (in The Stables at Leigh Court). It’s this carefully chosen, tranquil setting that sets it apart from many modern saunas in Bristol – with a “unique feeling that you are truly out in nature whilst getting the benefits of contrast therapy.”
“We started with a pop-up sauna and ice baths that took us all over the country,” Harry said. “From this, we saw a unique difference between the ones that were out in nature and the ones that weren’t. In a time where people are craving more social connection, but also more connection to the natural world, we thought this was extremely important.”
What are the benefits of contrast therapy?
Bouncing between a sauna and an ice bath over an hour may not sound like much fun (it is), but at the very least, it holds many benefits. For the more active among us, it’s fantastic for muscle recovery and improved limb function and circulation. But the mental health benefits shouldn’t be overlooked, either – it’s been shown to improve mood, reduce stress, and provide energy.
What is SiVo Wellness like?
You’ll find two high-quality saunas with the ability to fit up to 20 people per session. Plus, there’s a variety of cold exposures, catering from milder cold showers to ice baths that drop as low as 0.1 degrees. You can also enjoy a hot drink from the onsite cafe around its very own fire pit afterwards and start building that “deep sense of community.”
SiVo Wellness costs £20 for a 50-minute session but also offers a three-tier membership package where you’ll save money. You can save nearly half your money with a £45 Bronze Membership with up to 4 sessions a month, or go for 8 sessions for £65 with the Silver Membership. A Gold Membership offers unlimited access to Sivo Wellness (with three free guest passes) for £80 each month.
To learn more about SiVo Wellness or book a session head here.