Could The Rise Of Saunas Boost Demand For Mobile Changing Rooms?

The community sauna is a concept that has grown in popularity in the UK in recent years. There are now over 200 publicly accessible saunas in the UK, according to the British Sauna Society, which hosts an annual summit for those involved in the community sauna sector. 

These saunas can be found all over the UK, from the coast to our cities, and they appear to be growing in popularity. For most of us, the concept of a sauna is one we’re familiar with and it can be nice to provide a space where people can enjoy this experience without having to book into a full spa or wellness resort. 

Of course, with community saunas popping up in more and more unusual locations – and given that some of them are in themselves portable, it begs the question, where are people getting changed at these locations?

While we might be comfortable with sweating it out in a sauna amongst friends and strangers alike, most of us are likely to want a bit more privacy and/or protection from the elements when we’re changing before or after our sauna experience. 

This is where mobile changing rooms can be incredibly useful. They can provide a dedicated space where people can change in comfort. 

What kinds of mobile changing rooms are there?

There are two main options when it comes to mobile changing rooms. For many sauna locations, Plastisol steel cabins will likely be the preferred option because they provide a functional changing room with a simple appearance. 

For those sauna operators who want a bit more security for their changing rooms, there are anti-vandal cabins available that come with heavy locking doors and window guards, but these may not be necessary at every sauna location. 

Inside, the changing rooms are fitted with simple slatted wooden benches and hooks for clothes or towels, which makes them ideal in a setting where people will be coming and going relatively regularly. 

Such mobile changing rooms also come in a variety of sizes, which means sauna owners can tailor their space to suit their needs. It might be appropriate to have two separate changing rooms for men and women, or they might decide to opt for a larger cabin that includes individual changing stalls instead – both options are available. 

What is the UK sauna industry predicting?

The growing popularity of the community sauna sector in the UK can be seen through the number of such saunas that are popping up all over the country. But the UK’s sauna industry is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of seven per cent between 2025 and 2030.

By 2030, the industry is projected to be producing over $120 million (over £88 million) in revenue, demonstrating that this isn’t a trend that’s going anywhere. 

What’s more, many community sauna owners are focusing on providing access for a low price, which means more and more people can enjoy the benefits of using a sauna on a regular basis. Of course, more people trying out saunas also means a greater need for facilities like changing rooms to make that experience as comfortable as possible. 

This goes hand in hand with the rise in outdoor swimming, a pastime that has exploded in the UK in recent years. In fact, the Outdoor Swimming Society estimates that 7.5 million people in the UK swim in bodies of water like rivers, lidos, lakes and the sea each year. 

However, unlike saunas which take place at set locations, outdoor swimming is a pastime you can enjoy anywhere, making the provision of mobile changing facilities more difficult to judge. Of course, if there are popular outdoor swimming spots that aren’t too remote, it may be possible for councils to consider adding such facilities. 

What is clear is that the UK’s wellness industry is booming and it’s not going anywhere any time soon. Given that some of the most prominent health benefits of using a sauna regularly are stress relief and relaxation, it makes sense that those who operate saunas ensure that the whole experience lends itself to these outcomes. 

Mobile changing rooms can form an important part of that experience by giving everyone who uses a sauna a safe, comfortable space in which to get ready and where they can dress after their time in the sauna. 

Many of those involved in the industry are confident it will become a mainstay of the British wellness sector, so if you run a business in this field, it might be time to explore adding changing rooms to your location to help further differentiate your sauna experience from the competition.