‘Dramatic spike’ in Aussies installing infrared saunas at home
A wellness habit beloved by celebs is sweeping Australia, with data showing a “record number” of people installing the expensive item at home.
A new wellness trend is sweeping Australia, with data showing a “record number” of people installing an expensive item at home to avoid paying costly gym fees.
Infrared saunas have been gaining popularity in recent years, largely due a stream of celebrity endorsements and potential health benefits such as improved muscle recovery, reduced pain, and enhanced relaxation.
With gyms and health centres generally charging between $20 to $50 per session, it has sparked an uptick in Aussies installing the large device at home.
Data shows demand for the hottest “must-have” property feature has increased among those buying homes, with searches for the keyword up by more than a third on realestate.com.au in the past year.
It’s a boom also being experienced on Airtasker, where there has been a “dramatic spike” in the number of people seeking help installing saunas as the trend takes off.
“We’re seeing a major spike in sauna-related tasks as Australians embrace the health and wellness trend in their own backyard,” Tim Fung, the job-posting platform’s CEO, told news.com.au
The company’s data showed that tasks for saunas have been consistently on the rise over the last 4 years, with 2025 seeing the most consistent demand at a very high volume.
Tasks related to the sweat-boosting habit peaked during July, with the platform stating it had the most tasks involving a sauna shared in Airtasker history.
“What’s really exciting is that saunas are no longer just a luxury as they are more accessible and easy to get installed,” Mr Fung added.
“It’s wellness with a social twist, as people can invite a friend over for a sauna, just like people do for a swim in the pool.”
Prices for one of these trendy new saunas, which use infrared lamps to heat the body directly, rather than the traditional sauna method of heating the air, can vary.
Bunnings currently has one on sale for $2499, while some brands charge as much as $15,000 to take one home.
Sydney woman, Layla Kalachm, 42, said it was a “no-brainer” to splurge on the device, stating she was spending between $100 and $150 a week just using infrared saunas at local gyms and bathhouses.
“It really started to add up,” she told news.com.au.
“With winter setting in, having young kids, and a hectic schedule, it also just wasn’t practical anymore.
“I needed something that fit into my life, and having a sauna at home means I can jump in whenever I have a spare moment, without having to book in advance or worry about running late. The flexibility and convenience is a game-changer.”
In total, Ms Kalachm spent $8000 on a three-person sauna with a light therapy panel, and a further $400 for it to be installed in her backyard using Airtasker.
Valentino Sia, 37, also spent a “significant amount” setting up his infrared sauna inside his Sydney home – but said “in the long run, around two to three years, it will definitely pay for itself”.
“Owning a sauna feels like a real luxury – it’s almost like living the millionaire lifestyle,” he joked.
“It’s fast become a core part of my relaxation routine as I find it helps manage my chronic lower back pain. The relief is temporary, but it really makes a difference.”
For Mr Sia, he finds the ambient lighting “very calming,” stating that he likes to sync music up to its Bluetooth speakers to get the full experience.
“It’s like a mini meditation retreat right at home,” he explained.
Sales of sauna and wellness products are rising by around 7 per cent annually, two per cent faster than the growth for the home improvement category, which is increasing by 5 per cent, according to Luxo Living.
While scientific evidence around the health benefits of infrared saunas is still its infancy, it has shown promise in a number of different ways, including boosting heart health and reducing blood pressure, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Researchers in a two-year study have also found that infrared sauna therapy “may be a promising method for treatment of chronic pain”.
It has also been linked to better sleep, with studies estimating that a 30-minute sauna session can burn approximately 100 to 300 calories, depending on factors like heat intensity and session duration.
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Originally published as ‘Dramatic spike’ in Aussies installing infrared saunas at home
