A Reston resident who already teaches meditation and yoga in the area will soon add contrast therapy to her repetoire of wellness offerings.
SweatHouz is targeting a late spring or early summer opening for its upcoming location at RTC West (12100 Sunset Hills Road, Suite R9), according to franchise owner Natalie Siewers.
Siewers says her experience as a resident and yoga and meditation teacher have made her feel “deeply connected” to the Reston community and invested in its health.
“With the area’s active lifestyle culture and proximity to both residential neighborhoods and business centers, Reston presents an ideal market for our wellness services,” Siewers told FFXnow by email. “Our model is science backed, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to bring it into our community.”
Now boasting more than 40 locations across the U.S., Sweathouz was founded in 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia, by Jamie Weeks, who decided to start a wellness company specializing in contrast therapy — which involves alternating hot and cold treatments — after regular visits to infrared saunas helped him sleep better.
Also the world’s largest Orangetheory Fitness franchisee, Weeks teased in a 2023 interview that people would “start seeing SweatHouz locations pop up everywhere” in 2024 and 2025.
That prediction appears to be coming true — at least in the D.C. area, where its first locations opened last year in Ballston and the former Praline Bakery suite at the Mosaic District in Merrifield. In addition to the Reston studio, franchises currently in the works include a second Arlington site and the first ones in D.C. and Maryland.
According to Siewers, Sweathouz was founded with the goal of making contrast therapy “accessible,” and its use of completely private rooms differentiates it from traditional spas and communal wellness centers.
“Each of our suites offers a fully private experience where clients control their environment — from temperature settings to entertainment options,” Siewers said. “… Our focus is on creating an environment where customers can fully customize their contrast therapy session while enjoying complete privacy and comfort.”
Located in a long-vacant, approximately 2,662-square-foot storefront adjacent to Solidcore, the RTC West studio will have multiple private suites with infrared saunas, cold plunges and vitamin C-infused showers, its owner says:
Each suite will offer personalized temperature controls, mood lighting, entertainment options with Bluetooth connectivity, and premium amenities. Clients can expect a luxury experience with conveniences like complimentary vitamin C-infused showers (to help with skin quality and have anti-aging effects), cold compresses, dyson hair dryers and styling equipment, and premium towel service. Customers will get an hour in private rooms, which are thoroughly cleaned after each use.
Benefits of contrast therapy include “reduced inflammation, improved circulation, enhanced recovery, and mental clarity,” according to Siewers.
“We believe our contrast therapy services will be a welcome addition to the health and wellness offerings in the area,” she said. “We look forward to helping Reston residents and professionals enhance their recovery routines and overall wellbeing.”
This year, RTC West is also expected to welcome Roggenart Bakery Cafe and Bistro, which will be located in a former Starbucks space at 12130A Sunset Hills Road.
