Turning Up the Heat: Our Outdoor Sauna

There’s cold plunge energy… and then there’s Midwest winter sauna energy. And friends, after teaming up with Recreation Unlimited in Noblesville to bring a LeisureCraft outdoor sauna into our home wellness routine, I can confidently say: THIS is the type of warmth my longevity-loving heart has been waiting for.  It feels like a little nature retreat… twenty steps from our back door.

There’s something about stepping into the sauna robe-on, snow crunching under your slippers, and letting the heat wrap around you. It’s meditative. Slow. Restorative.  Wildly therapeutic — and it has quickly become one of my favorite wellness rituals we’ve added to our home….and while Recreation Unlimited has a wide array of gorgeous indoor saunas, we opted for an outdoor sauna because we wanted it to feel like an outdoor oasis, with a creek view and truth be told, we’re kinda running out of room inside our home!  It’s SO GREAT in the winter because you get chilly walking to the barrel, which then excites you to get into the sauna, and then feels like a dream stepping back outside into the chilly weather! 

When we decided we wanted to add a sauna to our wellness arsenal, we didn’t want to guess, DIY, or hope for the best.  Enter Recreation Unlimited – it’s the go-to here in Indiana for high-quality outdoor living products — from saunas and hot tubs to playsets and backyard courts, Recreation Unlimited is a family owned business whose customer service is unmatched, and their team knows these products inside and out….a completely seamless install process from start to finish!  From the moment we walked in, they guided us through sizing, heat sources, placement, electrical needs, and maintenance. Zero overwhelm. Maximum confidence….Recreation Unlimited’s offerings are truly impressive!

And once we saw the LeisureCraft barrel sauna in person… game over.

LeisureCraft builds these saunas by hand in Canada using sustainably harvested cedar. The second you step inside, that fresh cedar scent hits you and instantly feels like a wellness getaway.

A few notable features of our LeisureCraft sauna:

    •    Sustainably sourced cedar: Naturally resistant to moisture + microbes

    •    Efficient heating system: Even, enveloping heat that doesn’t feel harsh

    •    Barrel design: Heats faster and more efficiently

    •    Panoramic back window option: Nature becomes part of the experience

    •    Thoughtful detailing: From the benches to the heater placement

    •    The Family that steams together—you can comfortably fit 6+ folks inside 

The Health Benefits: Why Sauna Use Is More Than Just “Cozy”

This part honestly sold me. LeisureCraft saunas aren’t just beautiful — they align perfectly with the long-game wellness lifestyle Johnny and I prioritize. 

🔥 Heart Health & Circulation

Regular sauna use can help improve circulation and support cardiovascular function. Studies have even linked it with decreased risk of chronic disease.

🔥 Muscle Recovery & Reduced Inflammation

Perfect for strength training days. Heat helps soothe sore muscles, support joint mobility, and reduce inflammation.

🔥 Stress Reduction

A sauna session naturally lowers cortisol and promotes deep relaxation. After a long day of work and allllllll the things life can throw our way… it’s bliss.

🔥 Detoxification Through Sweating

The heat helps stimulate our natural detox pathways. Your skin will absolutely glow.

🔥 Better Sleep

That post-sauna calm? Unreal. Your entire nervous system unwinds, making bedtime a smoother landing.

🔥 Immune Support

Raising your core temperature helps activate immune function — exactly what we all want during winter months. Our fave time to soak up the sauna is post workout.  We aim for 20 mins at a temp of 170 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Needless to say, our LeisureCraft sauna from Recreation Unlimited has given us a new way to slow down, recover deeply, and take care of ourselves — even in the dead of winter. It has quickly become a part of our weekly rhythm, and honestly? I look forward to it just as much as my morning cup of tea.

If you’re local to Indiana, definitely pop into Recreation Unlimited in Noblesville to see these saunas in person—or basketball courts, trampolines, cold plunges, you name it. And if you want help choosing the right model, their team is incredible.  Oh and bonus, mention BETH CHAPPO for complimentary sauna accessories (a $300 Value).    

And one more piece that truly completed the experience… Landscapes Unlimited.

While the sauna itself is indeed stunning, the setting is what turns it into a true retreat. We partnered with Landscapes Unlimited here in Indiana to thoughtfully design and execute the space around our sauna—and their expertise made all the difference.

Dave, Donny and their team helped us:

    •    Strategically position and elevate the sauna to maximize our creek views, so nature becomes part of every session

    •    Create intentional flow from the house to the sauna with porcelain pavers that feel both elevated and practical year-round as well as seamlessly blend with our current pavers.

    •    Enhance the overall backyard oasis vibe, making the sauna feel like a destination—not an afterthought—more landscape (think evergreens) coming once these dang temps warm up.

    •    Design with longevity in mind, using durable, low-maintenance materials that stand up to Midwest seasons

    •    Balance form + function, ensuring beauty without sacrificing safety, drainage, or accessibility

What I appreciated most is that Landscapes Unlimited doesn’t just “install”—they think. About sightlines. About how you move through a space. About how it will feel in winter, summer, and everything in between. The result is a cohesive outdoor wellness area that feels purposeful, peaceful, and incredibly polished.

If you’re investing in an outdoor feature like a sauna, cold plunge, or wellness space, I truly believe the surrounding landscape is what elevates it from great to exceptional. Landscapes Unlimited understands that—and executes it flawlessly.

So in a nutshell, the sauna and the setting……That’s the magic of it all. 🌲✨

Oh and PS:  A sauna hat…who knew??  Turns out they’re not only cute but they protect your head from overheating, prevent hair damage, and help you tolerate higher temperatures.   And when you put your husband in THIS ONE, they’re quite comical as well.  

PPS: A few things I’ve observed…..here lately I’ve been hopping in the sauna for 20 mins at about 170-175 degrees after dinner and LET. ME. TELL. YOU. after I shower, tuck Calvin in bed…I am OUT COLD and sleep like a baby….my sleep scores have been thru the roof (thank you OURA RING). It’s been a nice relaxing ritual to end my day indeed. Happy Sweating Friends!