Does Planet Fitness Have a Sauna? Why Home Sauna Tents Are Replacing Gyms in 2026

Does Planet Fitness have a sauna?

Short answer: No.
As of 2026, Planet Fitness does not offer saunas or steam rooms at the majority of its locations. The brand operates on a low-cost membership model (typically $10–$25 per month), and removing high-maintenance amenities like saunas helps keep fees low while reducing energy costs, cleaning requirements, and liability.

For people searching “does Planet Fitness have a sauna” or “planet fitness sauna,” this usually leads to the same conclusion: if you want consistent, real heat, most big-box gyms are no longer built for it.

Gyms With Saunas Near Me: The 2026 Reality

Across the fitness industry, saunas are quietly disappearing.

Even gyms that still advertise sauna access often struggle to maintain them. When available, gym saunas are frequently:

Capped at lower temperatures due to safety policies

Crowded during peak hours

Temporarily closed for maintenance or cleaning

Shared by dozens of users daily

As gyms optimize for efficiency and margin, saunas are often the first amenity to be reduced or removed.

The Hidden Cost of Chasing a Gym Sauna

Joining a gym “with a sauna” sounds practical at first. Over time, the trade-offs become clear:

Monthly fees that never end

Travel time and scheduling friction

Inconsistent heat quality

Hygiene concerns from shared benches and floors

For people who care about repeatable heat exposure, gym saunas often fail to deliver what actually drives results.

Portable Sauna Tents: The Modern Alternative

This gap in the market has led to the rise of portable sauna tents.

A sauna tent is a fully enclosed, insulated sauna designed for home use. Unlike steam-only pop-up units, high-quality sauna tents paired with proper heat sources are capable of reaching traditional sauna temperatures, delivering an experience far closer to Finnish or Russian-style saunas.

Brands like North Shore Sauna emerged specifically to solve the problem left by commercial gyms through offering serious heat, privacy, and consistency without permits, construction, or memberships.

For many people, sauna tents are no longer a compromise. They are a gym replacement.

Sauna Tent vs Gym Sauna: A Practical Comparison

This difference in heat, control, and consistency is why many people searching “portable sauna” or “sauna tent” ultimately choose ownership over access.

Are Sauna Tents Actually Hot Enough?

It depends on the heat source and this distinction matters.

This is the most common misconception about portable saunas.

Electric Steam Sauna Tents

Typically top out around 110–120°F

High humidity, low radiant heat

Often made from thin nylon materials

These units can feel warm but do not replicate traditional sauna intensity.

Wood-Fired Sauna Tents (Like North Shore)

Regularly reach 200°F+

Produce radiant, dry heat similar to traditional saunas

Heat up in roughly 30 minutes with proper fuel

Because North Shore sauna tents use insulated Oxford fabric rather than thin nylon, they retain radiant heat far more effectively. This allows them to achieve and maintain temperatures comparable to traditional Finnish saunas or Russian banyas, even in cold outdoor conditions.

Not all sauna tents perform the same, and this distinction is critical.

Why Traditional Barrel Saunas Are Losing Popularity

Permanent saunas still appeal to some homeowners, but they come with real limitations:

High upfront cost ($5,000–$10,000+)

Permits, zoning, and installation requirements

Fixed location and limited flexibility

Sauna tents offer a different value proposition: mobility, speed, and access without sacrificing heat quality. The shift mirrors what happened with home gyms: people want ownership, not recurring fees.

The ROI of a Home Sauna Tent

If you join a gym specifically for sauna access, premium memberships often cost $40–$60 per month.

That equals:

$480–$720 per year

$2,400–$3,600 over five years

A high-quality sauna tent is a one-time investment that typically pays for itself in 12–18 months of regular use without commuting, crowds, or shared hygiene concerns.

Who a Home Sauna Tent Makes Sense For

A sauna tent is especially compelling if you:

Searched “does Planet Fitness have a sauna” and found out they don’t

Are tired of hunting for gyms with usable saunas

Want consistent, high-heat sessions

Value privacy and cleanliness

Prefer owning access rather than renting it

For many users, the decision isn’t about luxury. It’s about removing friction from a routine they already value.

Bottom Line

Planet Fitness and many commercial gyms no longer offer saunas because they are expensive to operate and difficult to manage at scale.

For people who genuinely care about sauna use, home sauna tents have become the new standard by offering higher heat, better hygiene, and full control over the experience.

As more people prioritize consistency and quality, the question has shifted from:

“Which gym has a sauna?” to “Why wouldn’t I have one at home?”

Disclaimer

Planet Fitness is a registered trademark of its respective owner. This article is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Planet Fitness.