The True Cost of a Sauna: Gym Visits vs. Owning Your Own
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feedback from our questionnaire
The predominant feedback from our questionnaire from people considering buying a home sauna, has been that is feels like a big investment and they are concerned with the cost. We have therefore created a simple calculator to help you understand the trade-offs between using a sauna at the gym, or investing in one for your own home This calculator allows you to enter in your sauna usage, membership costs and make a more informed decision around whether it will work for you, if the upfront investment is worth it and how you can get the most value from your purchase.
We are not aiming to state that you should cancel the membership and buy a sauna, we are looking to arm you with tools so you can make the right decision for you!
Lessons from being a Financial Adviser
After 20 years as a financial planner, I’ve heard the same regrets from retirees time and again. Three stand out:
Not Enough Family Time: Many wish they’d spent more hours with their kids or loved ones.
Neglecting Health: Too few invested in their well-being early enough to enjoy a vibrant retirement.
Financial Missteps: Decisions that didn’t balance time and money haunt them later.
For our below analysis, the data inputs we used were somewhat conservative, looking at sauna usage 4 times per week (generally recommended frequency), at a cost of $20 per session, vs the upfront and ongoing costs associated with an in home sauna.
Our calculator allows you to tailor per session costs, weekly/monthly memberships, power consumption and even the depreciation of the resale value of your sauna to gauge if it makes sense for you
When I analysed gym sauna use versus owning one at home, it hit me: a home sauna tackles all three key lifestyle and financial issue. It can save over $20,000 in 5 years compared to gym visits, freeing up cash for what matters. It can also cut out 104 hours/year of commuting, if your gym is 15 minutes away! — time you can spend with family or on yourself. And regular sauna use boosts your health, setting you up for a stronger future. It’s a rare win-win-win.
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Membership Fees: Many Australian gyms charge $20–$50 per week for access, including the sauna ($1,040–$2,600/year).
Casual Visits: Prefer flexibility? Pay-per-session fees range from $10–$30, piling up fast for regular users.
The Commute Sting: A 15-minute drive each way, four times a week, means 104 hours/year travelling. Add fuel at ~$452/year (16 km round trip, 8 L/100km, $1.70/litre), and the hidden costs bite.
5-Year Gym Cost Snapshot ($20/Session, 4x/Week)
Year 1: $4,160
Year 2: $8,320
Year 3: $12,480
Year 4: $16,640
Year 5: $20,800
5-Year Total: $20,800 + ~$2,260 in fuel = $23,060. No resale value, no time saved—just a growing expense.
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Upfront and Running Costs
Purchase Price: A top-notch home sauna costs $3,100–$3,600 (think RadiantZen or GlowZen models).
Power Bills: Using 2–2.7 kWh per session at 31.58 cents/kWh, each go costs $0.63–$0.85. That’s $149/year at 4 sessions/week.
Resale Bonus: After 5 years, with 20% annual depreciation, a $3,100 sauna holds ~$1,015 value.
5-Year Home Sauna Snapshot (RadiantZen 2 Person)
Year 1: Total Cost: $3,249 | Net Cost (After Resale): $769
Year 2: Total Cost: $3,399 | Net Cost (After Resale): $1,415
Year 3: Total Cost: $3,548 | Net Cost (After Resale): $1,962
Year 4: Total Cost: $3,698 | Net Cost (After Resale): $2,429
Year 5: Total Cost: $3,848 | Net Cost (After Resale): $2,833
5-Year Total: $3,848 gross, or $2,833 net after resale. No commute, no fuel—just savings.
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For One Person
Break-Even: Gym costs hit $4,160/year vs. $149/year for a sauna. A $3,100 unit pays off in ~9 months (before resale). By year 3, gym users spend $12,480 while sauna owners spend $3,548 ($1,962 net)—a $10,518 win.
For Couples
Gym costs double to $8,320/year for two, but a home sauna stays at $149/year. Break-even drops to ~4.5 months, with 5-year savings of $38,752 (net). One sauna, double the value.
Time and Fuel Bonus
Ditch the 15-minute-each-way commute (30 minutes round trip), 4x/week, and save 104 hours/year—that’s 520 hours (over 21 days) in 5 years. Fuel savings add $452/year, or $2,260 over 5 years.
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Cost/Year
Gym Sauna: $4,160 (4x/week, $20)
Home Sauna: ~$149 (electricity)
5-Year Cost
Gym Sauna: $20,800
Home Sauna: $3,848 ($2,833 net)
Commute Time
Gym Sauna: 104 hours/year lost
Home Sauna: 104 hours/year saved
Fuel Cost/Year
Gym Sauna: ~$452 (16 km/trip, 8 L/100km)
Home Sauna: $0
Convenience
Gym Sauna: Set hours, shared space
Home Sauna: Anytime, private
Couples
Gym Sauna: ❌ $41,600/5yr for two
Home Sauna: ✅ Same cost for two
Resale Value
Gym Sauna: $0
Home Sauna: ~$1,015 after 5 years
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Here’s what we’ve based this on (tweakable in the calculator):
Gym: 4x/week, $20/session.
Electricity: 31.58 cents/kWh, 2.28 kWh/session.
Depreciation: 20%/year.
Commute: Optional, 15 minutes each way, 16 km round trip.
Fuel: 8 L/100km, $1.70/litre.
Couples: Home sauna shared, no extra cost.
So, Should You Buy a Home Sauna?
From my 20 years as a financial planner, I’ve learned that smart investments depend on your unique situation. A home sauna, costing $3,100–$3,600 upfront, can be a brilliant move—but it hinges on how often you use it and what you’re paying at the gym. For frequent users facing gym costs of $20/session or more, it could beat those expenses in under a year, potentially saving up to $20,000 solo or $38,000 for couples over 5 years. You might also reclaim over 500 hours and cut fuel bills by $2,260 if your commute’s substantial. Plus, it’s a step toward a healthier lifestyle, sidestepping regrets I’ve seen too often—like neglecting wellness or time with loved ones.
That said, if your gym fees are low (say, $10/week with sauna access included) or you only sauna occasionally, the upfront cost might not pay off as quickly. It’s about weighing convenience, health gains, and long-term savings against your current habits. For some, the gym’s flexibility or social vibe might outweigh the numbers.
Want to assess your individual sauna use and costs? Launch our Sauna Cost Calculator and plug your numbers in to see how it stacks up for you!