Wet spa explained: what the thermal suite is for, and how to use it

Hydrotherapy pools, saunas, steam rooms, experience showers, cold plunges and relaxation pools: the wet side of a club spa is the part most members pay for and use least well. What each facility does, how long to stay in, and the order that works.

Updated September 2026 · Facilities and prices are illustrative and need verification

This is general information, not medical advice. We are not doctors and this page has not been clinically reviewed. Heat, cold and pressure therapies carry real risks for some people. If you have a heart condition, are pregnant, or take medication that affects blood pressure, speak to your GP first. In an emergency call 999. Full medical disclaimer.

The wet spa, facility by facility

Facility	Temperature	Typical time	What it does	Who should be careful
Finnish sauna	80 to 100°C, dry	8 to 15 min	Raises heart rate and core temperature; the best-evidenced spa facility for cardiovascular benefit	Low blood pressure, pregnancy, recent alcohol
Steam room	40 to 45°C, 100% humidity	10 to 15 min	Gentler heat; eases airways and skin, feels hotter than it is	Respiratory infections, skin conditions
Hydrotherapy pool	34 to 36°C	15 to 20 min	Jets and warm water for muscle relaxation and joint mobility	Open wounds, heart conditions if very warm
Cold plunge	8 to 15°C	1 to 3 min	Vasoconstriction and alertness; the contrast is the point	Heart conditions, Raynaud’s, first-timers going too cold
Experience shower	Cycles warm to cold	2 to 3 min	Gentle contrast without full immersion	None specific
Laconium / tepidarium	38 to 45°C	20 to 30 min	Low, slow heat on warmed loungers; good for those who find saunas too intense	None specific
Relaxation pool / vitality pool	30 to 34°C	Open-ended	Buoyancy and warmth; the social heart of most club spas	None specific
Ice fountain / snow room	-10 to 0°C	30 to 60 sec	Rapid cool-down between heat cycles	As cold plunge

Temperatures are typical ranges for UK and European club spas; individual facilities vary and some clubs run saunas cooler for safety.

Heat, cool, rest, repeat

A thermal circuit is three steps done two or three times: heat for 8 to 15 minutes, cool quickly, then rest for at least as long as you were hot. Most people skip the rest, which is where the recovery happens. A full circuit takes 45 to 75 minutes; a rushed one does little.

Why clubs build them

A pool costs a fortune to run and a treadmill does not retain members. A thermal suite does both jobs: it justifies a premium price and it is the reason people keep coming when they stop lifting. David Lloyd’s Spa Retreat, Third Space’s hydro pools and Nuffield’s sauna-and-steam sets are all, at heart, retention tools that happen to be good for you.

Wet spa versus dry spa

In the industry, the wet spa is everything involving water or heat you sit in: pools, saunas, steam, plunges. The dry spa is treatment rooms, relaxation lounges and anything a therapist does to you. Most clubs include the wet spa in membership and charge for the dry spa. Our dry spa guide covers the other half.

What separates a good one

Temperature discipline (a sauna that is actually hot), a proper cold option rather than a lukewarm shower, enough loungers that resting is possible, and a quiet policy that is enforced. Size matters less than people think. A small, hot, quiet suite beats a large tepid one with a hen party in it.

When to see a GP

If you feel faint, have chest pain or an irregular heartbeat during or after heat or cold exposure
Before using a sauna or cold plunge if you have a heart condition, high or low blood pressure, or are pregnant
If a skin condition flares after steam or chlorinated water

NHS 111 online or by phone for urgent but non-emergency concerns. 999 for emergencies.

FAQs

Common questions

How long should I spend in a sauna?

Eight to fifteen minutes per round is the usual guidance, followed by cooling and rest. Leave earlier if you feel dizzy or your heart is racing. Two or three rounds is plenty.

Is the wet spa included in club membership?

At most premium UK chains, yes. David Lloyd, Virgin Active, Nuffield Health and Third Space include pools, sauna and steam. Some clubs put their best thermal suite behind a higher tier or a spa upgrade; check before you join.

Can I use a wet spa if I am pregnant?

NHS advice is to avoid saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs during pregnancy because of overheating risk. Warm (not hot) pools are generally fine. Speak to your midwife or GP.

Should I shower before the sauna?

Yes, and dry off. It is hygiene, it is etiquette, and dry skin sweats more effectively. Most European spas will ask you to leave if you skip it.

Sources

Find a club with a proper thermal suite near you.

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