Almost Heaven Saunas Brings Olympic-Level Recovery to Your Home

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Spring training sessions are officially underway. Whether your regimen involves running, cardio, or routine strength training, having the best recovery tools is paramount to preparing your body for another day and, in turn, staying consistent. Even with all the recent advancements in athletic technology, one of the most ancient methods of recovery is still among the best: the sauna. 

This past December, Men's Journal built a sauna from Almost Heaven Saunas, which wowed us with its craftsmanship, well-thought-out details, and completeness. The brand has been making them in West Virginia for almost half a century, combining American artistry with Finnish-inspired design. We did find it to be a tad on the pricier side, but we've since learned that the brand makes more affordable models that work just as well for regular recovery.

The Benefits of Regular Sauna Use

Before buying a sauna, it's important to understand why they're worth your time. 

Saunas are more than just a way to relax after a workout (although keeping stress low is generally a good move for recovery). There’s plenty of research showing they can genuinely help your body recover, with studies showing athletes who used heat therapy after workouts reported less muscle soreness and faster recovery than those who did nothing extra. Broader research also suggests that repeated use can support overall cardiovascular health and endurance alongside training. 

Why an at-Home Sauna?

While it’s definitely an investment, having a sauna at home just makes it easier to maintain consistency, which is where the benefits start to compound. Even hopping in for short (but regular) sessions can improve circulation and lower stress, making it convenient if you’re on the go. You also have complete control over the temperature and settings, which you don’t usually get in public saunas. 

Picking the Right Sauna

Again, the real gains come from consistency, so choosing the right sauna that you’ll actually want to use all the time matters. Outdoor saunas are a great choice if you have a big family or group of friends recovering with you, and the space to accommodate one. An indoor sauna is better if space is limited and only a few people plan to use it. 

Saunas can come with a few different heater styles as well: Dry heat warms the air around you for that classic full-body sweat and cardiovascular boost. Wet heat adds humidity and steam that can help with breathing. Infrared heat is especially good for targeted muscle recovery, and wood-burning heaters give you that rustic, old-school sauna experience. 

The good news is that Almost Heaven Saunas offers a variety of saunas—different shapes and sizes, and with different use intents as well. If we have to pick another model to put in our backyard, there are three options we would consider.

Takoa Half Moon Classic Barrel Sauna, $8,546 (was $12,209) at Almost Heaven Saunas

This is one of the brand’s newest barrel saunas, powered by an 8kW Harvia KIP heater (with a wood-burning option available), and seating for up to six people. It’s made with thermally modified Nordic Pine with Linden benches and backrests, with a half-moon mirror in the back to enjoy the view. It’s also 30% off right now, which means you can save nearly $4,000 if you grab it soon. 

Allegheny Cabin Sauna, $7,482 (was $10,689) at Almost Heaven Saunas

This is another outdoor sauna, leaning more toward a mountain aesthetic, made from untreated Nordic Spruce for a raw, natural look. It even comes with a front porch, so you have a hangout area for before and after sessions, with two benches that can seat up to six people inside. It’s powered by the same 8kW Harvia KIP heater, with the option to get more power or a wood-burning heater. 

Auburn Indoor Sauna, $8,546 (was $12,209) at Almost Heaven Saunas

For an indoor option, this is one of the brand’s most popular picks, and there are a variety of customization options to make it your own. It comes in both cedar and hemfir wood, and traditional, infrared, or hybrid builds, with enough space for up to three people. The heater inside this sauna reaches 180ºF in an hour, and every sauna from Almost Heaven comes with a limited lifetime warranty.