Australians have been forced to cut back on their wellness regimes as the cost of living soars – and many are trying DIY versions of professional treatments at home.
While face masks and nighttime hair treatments have been much easier to manage, Aussies are missing the luxury of a relaxing sauna and the invigorating jolt of an ice bath.
Thousands have tried making homemade versions by dumping bags of ice into their bathtubs and inflatable pools, or taking a dip in chest freezers, but the results seemed disappointing.
Cameron Mehr and Tom Mansfield set out to revolutionize popular at-home treatments with cutting-edge technology Vital+ – and people immediately started working on it.
Since launching in late October 2023, their pop-up ice baths and steam rooms have sold out four times, with more than 10,000 beaming customers foaming at the mouth to upgrade their homes.
Superstars including Socceroo and Perth Glory star Mustafa Amini, author Maz Compton and influencer Alfie Robertson have all raved about the ‘incredible’ and ‘life-changing’ purchases.
Australians have been forced to cut back on their welfare regimes as the cost of living soars
While face masks and nighttime hair treatments have been much easier to manage, Aussies are missing the luxury of a relaxing sauna and the invigorating jolt of an ice bath
The Vital+ SaunaPods ($595) and portable ice baths ($210) are a cost-effective solution to make the luxury treatments accessible for regular use in the comfort of your home.
Mehr and Mansfield immediately noticed a gap in the wellness market, as most other saunas are quite heavy and cannot fit comfortably in a home.
They explained that most home models also came with a $10,000 price tag, making it inaccessible to most.
Initially, the Sydney businessmen developed the SaunaPod to aid sleep, as research has shown that regular heat therapy increases the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone.
After months of testing, the pros noticed they burned up to 400 calories in 30 minutes while in the SaunaPod, and their skin also started to glow.
In addition to melatonin, collagen, the protein responsible for the elasticity of your skin, is also produced when you are in the sauna.
Cameron Mehr and Tom Mansfield started at Vital+ to revolutionize home saunas and ice baths with cutting-edge technology
The Vital+ SaunaPods ($595) and portable ice baths ($210) are a cost-effective solution to making the luxury treatments accessible
Aussies have also put a premium on cold therapy and ice baths – with Dutch motivational speaker Wim Hof previously revealing the endless benefits of this practice.
Wim Hof’s nickname ‘Iceman’ is certainly appropriate, as the 63-year-old has 21 Guinness World Records records to his name for ‘superhuman’ acts in the extreme cold.
‘We are always in this state of diminishing heat, covered in layers of clothing and never exercising the cardiovascular system. So a cold shower a day keeps the doctor away,’ said Wim.
Wim said exposure to the cold can help with depression, anxiety, energy levels and even prevent diseases such as cancer.
Wim said you can even treat depression with cold therapy, with complete immersion leading to a 540 percent increase in adrenaline and 250 percent in dopamine – both of which are known to help moderate symptoms.
‘You’ll see your heart rate drop over the course of the day, reducing your stress levels. You feel more energetic. The improved blood flow provides better nutrition for your cells. You notice that you no longer get sick,’ said Wim.
After months of testing, the pros found they burned up to 400 calories in 30 minutes while sitting in the SaunaPod
The Vital+ purchases have generated hundreds of rave reviews.
‘I was quite skeptical about the SaunaPod, but after much hesitation I pulled the trigger. I just received my product and have to say it is unreal.
‘I was surprised how warm it got there. I lasted 15 minutes and I came out soaking wet. I’m going to start it before I go to bed because I was pretty tired towards the end. Definitely recommended,” said one person.
“Best thing I bought this year,” claimed another.
‘Affordable and effective! Saves me a lot of gym costs,” one woman said.
‘Much cheaper than the wood installations and just as good in my opinion. I was skeptical at first, but I’ve been happy,” one man wrote.