How one Anytime Fitness owner turned a private Sunlighten sauna into a retention driver and a return on investment
Chris Youngdale and his wife opened their Anytime Fitness clubs to build community and help people grow. Four years in, they felt a key part of the brand promise was lacking.
Determined to be a pioneer in the Anytime Fitness space, the Youngdales were looking for ways to leverage the corporate pillars: Training, Nutrition, and Recovery. They decided to boost their recovery offerings and offer their members a private mPulse® Intelligent Sauna at each of their locations. Within a year, the saunas became a signature amenity and a revenue line.
As fitness enthusiasts get more educated, their expectations rise. Next-level training and recovery are no longer extras as members expect gyms to keep pace. Chris Youngdale recalls that when speaking to members, the conversation would almost always turn to recovery. Not only were his members asking about it, but prospects were also specifically looking for a sauna. He said he could tell it shaped their decision when they learned that his club didn’t offer one.
Anytime Fitness Corporate saw the same shift in the fitness landscape. In 2025, the brand cleared Sunlighten saunas for franchise owners, and Youngdale moved fast. His goal was to own the recovery pillar, give members a reason to stay, and give his clubs an edge that not every location would have.
Providing not just the training and the nutrition, but now actually providing the recovery — that sets you apart.
Once the door opened, Youngdale says Sunlighten made it an easy yes. As the category leader for infrared saunas and a proven brand with a reputation that’s lasted, Sunlighten turned a big investment into a confident one.
The mPulse model that Youngdale chose is effortless to use. Members book a session through the Anytime Fitness app, and their sauna is preheated so it’s warm and waiting when they walk in. Youngdale says that this convenience keeps saunas in near-constant use.
Inside the sauna, members get a more complete recovery. The mPulse is powered by PulseIQ™, Sunlighten’s infrared intelligence platform. It delivers mid, near, and far infrared and red light separately, each targeted to a different cellular benefit. Members can also trust what they’re stepping into. The low-EMF, low-VOC build, solid construction, and app-controlled comfort are the same standards relied on by high-performance gyms, boutique studios and professional recovery facilities.
Youngdale installed the saunas himself, confirming that it was an easy process that took under two hours. He said that the installation guides were very user-friendly, and specialist help wasn’t needed to get the saunas up and running quickly.
Since Anytime Fitness Corporate requires each sauna to be in a private room, Youngdale worked through access, door configuration, and scheduling. He also experimented with different membership pricing models, from standalone session packages to an all-inclusive experience. Building unlimited use into a membership tier is what worked for his locations.
Members really wanted an all-inclusive experience. So we built it into the membership — and we’re seeing a return on that.
The saunas started generating revenue immediately and closed in on full payback within the first year. They have also changed how the club retains and wins members.
Every tour now ends in a sauna room. The reaction is consistent: “Oh, wait — it’s all mine?” as members realize that they don’t have to share their sauna session with another person.
Sauna usage is broad. Some members chase an extra post-workout sweat. Some come in just for a dedicated recovery day. Others book a session to ease pain or absorb the benefits of red light therapy that’s integrated into the mPulse sauna.
Youngdale says that there has been barely any impact on staff. Sunlighten’s education videos made training simple. Day to day, the sauna is hands-off apart from cleaning. Members scan in, cue up Bluetooth, and go.
One of the reasons people would leave was, ‘I want recovery options.’ Now we can say yes — and it’s private. That drives traffic and value.
Every piece of equipment in a popular fitness center will eventually need support. Youngdale said when it came to Sunlighten, what stood out was how fast they were able to turn around a support request. A tablet issue was diagnosed on the phone in minutes, and the fix was on its way that same day.
Youngdale appreciated that simple issues could be walked through live. With a video call and Sunlighten’s expert customer support, simple issues were easy to resolve. He said a how-to video would land before he even asked for it. That anticipatory follow-through is why he rates the sales and service experience a ten out of ten.
Salespeople usually move a million miles an hour — best friends one minute, gone the next. That wasn’t the experience with Sunlighten. I can still email today and get a response.
For an operator like Youngdale, the risk of a new amenity is that it drains staff time and never pays for itself. He found the opposite. A private recovery experience, built into the membership and backed by responsive support, gave the club its third pillar, and a reason his members stay.
I would say do it. It puts you on the cutting edge of where the brand is going, and the value to your community sets you apart.
Adding a sauna to your gym? Get pricing, a floor plan and financing options from a commercial specialist.
Sunlighten products are considered General Wellness products, not medical devices, as defined by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to treat, cure or prevent diseases or medical conditions, and you should consult with your health professional before using Sunlighten products.
Results described are one owner's experience; actual results vary by pricing, demand, location and operations. ©2026 Sunlighten Inc.