New European-style spa in Point Loma to offer plunges

POINT LOMA – It doesn’t matter if you run hot or cold — soon you’ll be able to take the plunge.

Rapid Cold Plunge & Sauna is coming soon to the Rosecrans Shopping Center.

The new European-style spa, billed as “the ultimate premium wellness experience,” is wrapping up permitting and construction on its new facility at 2990 Midway Drive, Suite A. Plans are for the new business to launch by the end of January.

On its website, the company says its mission is to “build one of the largest, hottest saunas in the country, complete with proper air flow and strict cleanliness standards to bring you the authentic Finnish experience built on high temperatures, high-quality materials, and meticulous attention to detail.”

German native and company co-founder Max Altergott talked about what visitors can expect at their wellness facility. Asked if Rapid intends for its guests to combine hot and cold plunges for a synergistic effect, he replied, “They have different effects, but it’s not like one cancels out the other; it just enhances both.”

Cold plunges, also known as cold-water immersion, have been heralded for their numerous purported health benefits, ranging from enhanced recovery in athletes to improved circulation, including even boosts in mental health.

Athletes and regular gym-goers often turn to cold plunges to speed up recovery after intense workouts. The cold water helps reduce muscle inflammation and soreness, making it easier to maintain a rigorous training schedule.

Cold plunges can also lead to an increased production of endorphins, the body’s natural pain and stress fighters, which can be particularly beneficial for those looking to enhance mental clarity to combat the effects of stress. Regular cold plunges can also reportedly boost the immune system by increasing the production of white blood cells to help the body fight off illnesses more effectively.

Rapid Cold Plunge will offer a co-ed environment, encouraging guests to dive into the invigorating world of cold plunging.

Altergott, a professional athlete and martial-arts practitioner, said he’s benefited personally from the cold-hot experience, so much so that he felt it important to offer it as a health option to others.

“When I do it, I feel really refreshed for a couple of hours afterward and mentally more clear as your hormones make you feel really awake, alert, and good,” he noted. “For sports, it makes a huge difference. When I do [a cold plunge] right before jiu jitsu, my stamina goes up tremendously, and my recovery is significantly better.”

Unlike Europe, where saunas and cold plunges are much more embedded in the culture, Altergott said that America has lagged behind, where a sauna experience is presently hard to find outside of a gym.

“There are no sauna options here in San Diego,” Altergott said, noting it became clear to him there was a void that needed to be filled.

“If you come to Europe, you would see what sauna places look like, and how much better a 50-person sauna is,” he said. “I thought, ‘That’s what we should do. And that’s how we got to this business.’”