Infrared Sauna in Friendswood, TX.
Not just a gym. A daily retreat.
Full-spectrum infrared sauna, 15 to 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times per week.
See it
What it looks like.
The program
What the research shows.
Most sauna-and-longevity coverage traces back to the Laukkanen Finnish cohort: 2,315 men followed for a median of 20.7 years, in which those using a traditional sauna 4 to 7 times a week had lower cardiovascular and all-cause mortality than those going once a week (PMID 25705824). That study used traditional Finnish sauna, not infrared, and it shows an association, not proof of cause. We program infrared as part of recovery, and we tell members which evidence applies to which kind of heat.
Infrared cabins warm the body directly at a lower air temperature, which is why many people find them gentler than a traditional sauna. The published research on infrared specifically is smaller and more limited (PMID 19602651), so we treat it as a recovery practice, not a health promise.
Cardiovascular signal
Heat as a training stimulus.
The cardiovascular adaptations to repeated sauna exposure mimic some of the responses to moderate aerobic exercise: increased plasma volume, lowered resting heart rate, improved endothelial function. We sequence sauna against training and recovery so the signals stack rather than compete.
Common questions
Frequently asked.
How often should I use an infrared sauna?
3 to 4 times per week is the cadence we program. Once a week is too rare to compound; daily is unnecessary for most members.
Infrared sauna vs traditional sauna - which is better?
Different signals. Infrared is gentler at the same temperature and reaches deeper tissue. Traditional dry is the modality the Laukkanen cohort actually used.
How hot is the infrared sauna?
Our infrared cabin runs 50 to 70C.
Is infrared sauna HSA-eligible?
WEF accepts HSA/FSA cards as a payment method. Whether a specific service qualifies depends on your plan and documentation; most general wellness services do not qualify without a physician's Letter of Medical Necessity. Confirm with your plan administrator before booking.
Can I do sauna and cryotherapy in the same week?
Whole-body cryotherapy is coming soon and is not offered yet.
What should I expect during my first infrared sauna session?
Infrared warmth heats the body directly rather than the air, so it feels gentler than a traditional sauna at the same comfort level. You sit for the session, hydrate well, and can step out anytime. Bring a towel and water, and staff will help you set a comfortable start.
What is the difference between near, mid, and far infrared?
Infrared is grouped by wavelength. Near infrared is associated with skin and surface tissue, mid infrared with deeper warmth and circulation, and far infrared with the deep, sweat-inducing heat most people picture. Full-spectrum cabins combine all three, and our team can explain which setting suits your session.
What should I wear in the infrared sauna?
Light, breathable clothing or swimwear is ideal, and many members bring a change for afterward. You will sweat, so a towel to sit on and one to dry off are useful. Hydrate before and after, and remove metal jewelry that can warm against the skin.
How long should an infrared sauna session be?
Most sessions run twenty to forty minutes depending on your heat tolerance and goals. Newer members start on the shorter end and build as the warmth becomes familiar. Hydration matters more than duration, so drink water before and after and step out whenever you have had enough.
Can you use an infrared sauna if you have high blood pressure?
Published contraindication guidance commonly lists uncontrolled or severe high blood pressure among the conditions to discuss with a doctor before heat sessions, since heat affects circulation. We share this as general education, not advice for your situation. Wellness Elite Fitness does not evaluate medical appropriateness for individual conditions, so please check with your physician first.
Can you use an infrared sauna while pregnant?
Pregnancy appears on most published heat-exposure contraindication lists, and many sources recommend avoiding saunas entirely during pregnancy rather than simply consulting first. We share this as general information only, not a judgment about your circumstances. Wellness Elite Fitness does not assess individual medical suitability, so your physician is the right person to make that call.
How much does infrared sauna cost in Friendswood?
At Wellness Elite Fitness, infrared sauna is included with the membership tiers that carry the recovery suite — current rates are published on the printed pricing sheet in the lobby and reviewed at your tour, with no pressure and no obligation. Everyone is welcome. Walk-in tours weekdays 9 AM–5 PM and Saturdays 9 AM–2 PM; by appointment outside those hours and Sundays. The day pass covers the strength floor (9 AM–5 PM, Mon–Fri) and a guided tour of the recovery suite; recovery, float, sauna, HBOT, red light, massage and stretch are member benefits.
What should I expect on a first infrared sauna visit?
Start with a walk-in tour at 104 Whispering Pines Ave — you'll see the recovery suite, the infrared sauna setup, and the strength floor, and the team will walk you through how sessions are booked and which membership tiers include the recovery suite. Walk-in tours weekdays 9 AM–5 PM and Saturdays 9 AM–2 PM; by appointment outside those hours and Sundays. Call (832) 481-2922 or just come by; everyone is welcome.
Sequenced into the recovery suite.
A modality on its own is a session. A modality sequenced against the strength block and the next training week is a practice. Membership unlocks the stack — the consult finds the right tier.
"All the most amazing cold/hot/light/massage/PEMF/HBOT therapies and recovery equipment."
Walk the suite.
A private tour of the recovery suite, the strength floor, and the consult room. No session required.
How it works.
Seven steps from first call to first quarterly re-test.
FAQ · 25 answers.
25 questions members ask most before joining.
Side by side.
Modality + facility comparisons from the editorial desk.
What it replaces.
Membership compared to the à-la-carte stack.
Friendswood hub
More on the Wellness Elite Fitness floor serving Friendswood — visit the Friendswood gym hub →
Peer-reviewed research on the mechanisms described above. Each links to its listing in the U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed).
Laukkanen T, Khan H, Zaccardi F, Laukkanen JA. Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2015. PMID 25705824.
Beever R. Far-infrared saunas for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors: summary of published evidence. Canadian Family Physician. 2009. PMID 19602651.
Hussain J, Cohen M. Clinical effects of regular dry sauna bathing: a systematic review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2018. PMID 29849692.
Laukkanen JA, Laukkanen T, Kunutsor SK. Cardiovascular and other health benefits of sauna bathing: a review of the evidence. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2018. PMID 30077204.
Laukkanen T, et al. Recovery from sauna bathing favorably modulates cardiac autonomic nervous system. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2019. PMID 31331560.
Wellness Elite Fitness is a wellness facility, not a medical provider, and infrared sauna use does not treat, diagnose, or cure disease. Members with clinical questions are referred to their own physician or to Elite Aesthetic MD, the independent medical practice located inside the Wellness Elite Fitness building (Medical Director: Dr. Swet Chaudhari, MD).