Last updated Oct 20, 2026
In short
A commercial 8 to 12 person gym sauna costs about $15,000 to $20,000 for the unit and $20,000 to $30,000 or more installed. A cold plunge runs from about $5,000 to $8,000 for a plug-in unit with a built-in chiller, up to $35,000 to $60,000 or more for an inground commercial installation. Most gyms recover the cost through a recovery tier priced at $15 to $30 a month above base membership.
- $15,000 to $20,000 [1]: commercial 8 to 12 person traditional sauna, unit only.
- $5,000 to $8,000 [2]: plug-in commercial cold plunge.
- $15 to $30/month [2]: typical recovery tier upcharge.
- 208V three-phase [3]: typical power for a commercial traditional sauna heater.
Commercial sauna cost
- Infrared: Peak Saunas lists 3-person commercial models at $9,750 to $10,750, which need a dedicated 240V/20A circuit.
- Traditional: Blue Sky Fit Supply quotes $15,000 to $20,000 for 8 to 12 person units, with total installed cost commonly 30% to 50% above the unit price.
Commercial cold plunge cost
My Fitness Outlet quotes $5,000 to $8,000 plus $300 to $800 for installation and a dedicated circuit, and $9,000 to $18,000 for larger commercial units. Blue Sky Fit Supply puts inground fiberglass units at $15,000 to $30,000, plus $10,000 to $20,000 for installation and $5,000 to $10,000 for chiller, filtration and sanitation.
Electrical, plumbing and ventilation
- Sauna: commercial traditional heaters typically need 208V three-phase power on a dedicated circuit, plus building and electrical permits, possibly health department approval, and ventilation.
- Cold plunge: a dedicated GFCI-protected circuit, with many units on 120V/20A and some commercial systems on 240V. Plan for a drain and a water supply for filling.
These requirements are part of why wet amenities show up in where gym buildout budgets blow up.
Operating cost
My Fitness Outlet estimates chiller electricity at $120 to $150 a month, plus $40 to $80 per plunge per month for filters and water treatment. At July 2026 commercial rates of 13.43 cents per kWh in Tennessee and 10.73 cents in North Carolina, the same chiller costs more to run in the Tennessee markets.
Payback
Example: a $25,000 installed sauna with 40 members paying a $25 recovery upcharge brings in $1,000 a month. Subtract about $200 in operating cost and payback takes roughly 31 months. A $7,000 plug-in plunge with 25 members at $20 brings in $500 a month. Subtract about $200 in operating cost and payback takes roughly 23 months. These are illustrations, not results.
See also: how much it costs to open a gym, gym profit margins and commercial gym equipment cost.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a gym sauna? Usually yes: building and electrical, and sometimes health department approval.
How much should I charge for sauna access? Retail sources suggest $15 to $30 a month as a recovery tier upcharge.
Sources
- Recovery Zone Design: Cold Plunges & Saunas for Commercial Gyms. Blue Sky Fit Supply. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
- Commercial Cold Plunge ROI Calculator. My Fitness Outlet. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
- Saunas for Gyms, Spas & Wellness Centers: The Complete Commercial Buyer's Guide. Haven of Heat. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
- Commercial Infrared Saunas: The 2026 Buyer's Guide. Peak Saunas, 2026. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
- Powering Your Wellness: Sauna and Cold Plunge Electrical Installations. Penny Electric. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
- Electricity Rates by State. Choose Energy, using EIA data, 2026. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.