The Sauna Hall of Fame: 6 Legends Who Made Sweating Cool

Hollywood has its Walk of Fame. Rock music has its Hall of Fame.

We think saunas deserve one too.

Because while most celebrities are busy collecting awards, selling out stadiums or appearing on magazine covers, a few famous faces have been giving the humble sauna some serious star power.

Six famous faces. Six hot stories. Welcome to our unofficial Sauna Hall of Fame.

1. Jasper Pääkkönen — The Sauna Superstar

Hall of Fame Title: The Sauna King

You might recognise Jasper Pääkkönen from Vikings or Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman.

But in Finland, he’s also known for helping bring public sauna culture back into the spotlight.

Jasper co-founded Löyly, Helsinki’s spectacular waterfront sauna destination, complete with traditional wood-fired heat and access to the Baltic Sea.

It became an internationally recognised architectural attraction.

Most Hollywood stars invest in restaurants.

Jasper built a place where everyone can get hot.

2. Valtteri Bottas — The Fastest Man in the Hot Seat

Hall of Fame Title: The Formula One Sauna Ambassador

Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas has spent years travelling the world at incredible speed.

But wherever he goes, there’s one Finnish tradition he likes to take with him.

The sauna.

He’s shared his enthusiasm for traditional saunas, installed one near his Monaco home and appeared enjoying Finnish sauna culture in Netflix’s Drive to Survive.

He even described using his sauna daily when he’s at home.

Fast on the track. Happy to sit still in the heat.

3. David Beckham — The Style Icon Who Turned Up the Heat

Hall of Fame Title: The Designer Sauna King

David Beckham has influenced hairstyles, fashion and football fans around the world.

And he’s also helped give the garden sauna a little celebrity glamour.

His distinctive Estonian Iglucraft sauna, nestled in the English countryside, looks more like a luxury design retreat than a backyard addition.

When Beckham shared his sauna sessions with fans, he gave traditional sauna culture a stylish moment in the spotlight.

Bend it like Beckham. Sweat like Beckham.

4. Joe Rogan — The Man Who Got Everyone Talking

Hall of Fame Title: The Sauna Conversation Starter

Joe Rogan has interviewed comedians, scientists, athletes and some of the world’s most recognisable personalities.

And along the way, he’s spent plenty of time talking about saunas.

The podcast host has discussed his own traditional dry-sauna routines and hot-and-cold sessions with guests.

For listeners curious about the world of sauna culture, Rogan has helped make the subject a familiar part of fitness conversation.

Millions of listeners. One very hot topic.

5. Samu Haber — The Rockstar Who Found His Inspiration in the Heat

Hall of Fame Title: The Sauna Songwriter

Finnish singer Samu Haber has performed on huge stages as the frontman of Sunrise Avenue.

But some of his creative moments have happened somewhere considerably smaller.

A sauna.

Samu has described enjoying sauna sessions around five times a week and occasionally finding song ideas while sitting in the heat.

He even owns multiple saunas, including a traditional wood-burning one by the sea.

Who needs a recording studio when inspiration strikes on a wooden bench?

6. Misato Shimizu — Japan’s Sauna Princess

Hall of Fame Title: The Sauna Royalty

Japanese actress and television personality Misato Shimizu has built an extraordinary connection with sauna culture.

She’s discussed visiting saunas almost daily, hosted sauna-related media and published a book called Sauna Princess.

While some celebrities have a favourite spa, Misato has made sauna enthusiasm part of her public identity.

And that’s definitely worth celebrating.

All hail the Sauna Princess.

The Hall of Fame Has Room for Everyone.

You don’t need a Hollywood career, a Formula One car or a recording contract to appreciate a good sauna.

At The Ice Bath Club, our social saunas are about warmth, good company and taking a little time out.

And when you’re ready for a change of temperature, the ice baths are waiting.