New York City is no stranger to buzzy wellness destinations. The newest spot? Othership, a wellness studio that is “an immersive sauna and ice bath experience,” per the website. I thought Othership was just another bathhouse, but I was wrong. Othership is an entire experience. Instead of a space where people roam around and use the sauna and cold plunge as they wish, I found myself in a confidence-themed class inside a shared sauna. Picture this: towel waving, aromatherapy balls, group sharing, and validating cheers alongside a group of seemingly kind strangers.
In other words, Othership is more of a social experience than a spa. In addition to the confidence class, it also offers other themes, from heart opener to inner power. Oh yeah, and there are sober sauna raves, too. Have I piqued your interest yet? Here’s a recap of my experience.
What My Othership Experience Was Like
The moment you walk into Othership, it’s a total vibe. Think low lighting, incense, and peace. Once you enter the main space — which has this dark, relaxing, moody, and very cool vibe — there is a strict no-phone policy.
Upon arrival, I was guided into the changing rooms, where I put on my swimsuit and was provided with two towels. Then I met the rest of my group for class in the communal sauna, which boasts three levels of tiered, theater-style seating. I’d never been in a sauna with that many people before. We were introduced to our instructor, who guided the group through various meditations and invited people to participate in response to thoughtful prompts and reflections throughout the class. I couldn’t help but feel like I was at a SoulCycle class (think: inspiring instructor, candlelit vibes — but no cycling).
At various times throughout the session, the dynamic became particularly intense: there was towel waving and some screaming. The class was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. At times the group were invited to share reflections if they wished. Since this was my first time there, I felt a bit out of my element. But I could tell there was a solid group of regulars who had a sense of community within the group and with the instructor.
After the sauna meditation, we were led into the cold plunge room. In this portion of class, we were coached through 20- to 30-second intervals in the cold plunges. I personally benefited from having others plunge at the same time as me (nothing like good ol’ peer pressure to keep you submerged in an icy pool) — plus, having the instructor’s encouragement and cheering for others in the class didn’t hurt either. After about four rounds of cold plunging, I felt like a pro.
We thankfully closed the session back in the sauna, where we were guided through another round of breath work and sent off with good vibes.
My Final Verdict
Overall, Othership is unlike any wellness concept I’ve ever tried (and I’ve tried a lot in my near 10 years as an editor in the wellness space). In the future, I think I’d try one of the free flow sessions, since it’s less structured and allows you to flow through the sauna and ice bath as you wish. The instructor-led classes are great for those who want to be guided through the entire journey. I especially recommend them for people who are new to sauna and cold plunges, or simply want to be led through a structured process. Overall, I’d recommend Othership to people who want the social element and want to be in a space with like-minded people interested in wellness, health, and self development. It’s also appealing to those who actually enjoy instructor-led wellness experiences. But it helps if you’re open-minded and are interested in trying things outside your comfort zone (because again, these classes are unique!).
If you’re ready to give it a try, Othership has locations in New York City and Toronto. Memberships in NYC start at $51 per month, with an unlimited-access membership clocking in at $333; single classes are $64, and you can also purchase class packs.
Mercey Livingston is a writer and editor with eight-plus years of experience covering fitness, health, and nutrition for media outlets and brands including Well+Good, Shape, and Women’s Health. She was the fitness editor at Peloton and held editorial roles at Equinox, Shape, and Well+Good. Mercey is a NASM-certified personal trainer and women’s fitness specialist. She’s also a certified holistic health coach through the Institute For Integrative Nutrition, with an additional certification in hormone health.
