Tucked inside a beautifully reworked Grade II-listed building on Cambridge Street, Güs Wellness is bringing something a little different to the city centre – a stripped-back, Nordic-inspired sanctuary offering saunas, cold plunges and guided rituals to help you fully switch off and feel the benefits. Co-founders Chris Jones and Rob Hemingway opened the doors in early January, and Exposed swung by to see what Güs Wellness is all about.
The three-floored space – part of the Heart of the City redevelopment – is designed for recovery, relaxation and connection. Think two custom-built saunas, four ice baths, a cold plunge shower, premium changing facilities and a calm, minimalist café space serving shakes, teas and coffees. Towels and amenities are provided; all guests need is swimwear and an open mind.
Founders Chris and Rob met as university friends, bonded over a shared love of music and stayed close through years spent working in cities like London, New York, Paris and Berlin. However, it was during Chris’s time living in Copenhagen that the idea for Güs began to take shape.
“One of the big things in Copenhagen was they do this thing called Saunagus – a guided sauna experience. And it’s typically three rounds of 12 minutes, with music, aromatherapy, breath work, meditative aspects… It’s kind of a combination of all these things,” he explains. “I used to go all the time, absolutely loved it. That was a real lightbulb moment – seeing how popular saunas were in an urban setting.”
At the same time, Rob was reaching burnout after a decade in the city. “Chris pitched the idea of Saunagus as this quite raw product – outside, loud music – and I overlaid that with doing it in a funky, urban building, like this one. We looked at a few places that were too small or too modern. Then we found this Frankenstein of a building – it’s been a diner, a nightclub, a Sunday school. We fell in love with it.”
The project was a race against time – they got the keys in September and opened in January – but the space now feels polished, peaceful and full of purpose. “We wanted to do something genuinely in the UK that hasn’t been done before,” says Rob. “Most saunas here are either super high-end in a purpose-built facility, or a horse box by a lake. We’re blending a beautiful old building with the idea of urban wellness.”
The core offering at Güs includes two types of sessions: Free Flow and Guided Sauna. The former is simple and unstructured. “You turn up, you have full use of both saunas and all cold plunges. We provide towels, you bring swimwear, and you can just come and switch off,” Rob explains. Sessions are available in 45 or 90-minute blocks.
Guided Sauna, however, is where Güs really shines. “This is our passion project,” says Rob. “Three rounds of 10 to 15 minutes in the sauna, three rounds in the cold plunge. Fully guided, fully curated. It’s a combination of aroma, sound, heat, cold – it’s a multi-sensory journey.”
“Sound is such a powerful element,” Chris adds. “We create a theme around each session – it could be relaxation, or something more energising. Whether it’s about letting go or getting fired up, you’ll feel incredible afterwards.”
For those unsure about plunging into a ritual-style sauna session, Chris and Rob are quick to reassure. “Don’t worry, you’re in safe hands,” says Rob. “Whether you’re a novice or an expert, we’ll guide you through it. Our promise is you’ll leave feeling absolutely incredible.”
“We know from personal experience the benefits it gives people,” Chris adds. “There’s research behind it too – reducing blood pressure and cortisol levels, boosting endorphins. In Finland, which is often ranked the happiest country in the world, there’s a sauna for every two people. There’s something in that.”
Rob mentions that the feedback so far has been hugely positive. “Saturday and Sunday were pretty much sold out both weekends. People come in one way and leave with a smile on their face and the ‘Güs glow’.”
“We’ve had people say, ‘Do you mind if I just sit in the corner and read my book? I don’t want to leave,’” says Chris. “It’s this amazing feeling of being energised and relaxed at the same time.”
The café plays a key role in that atmosphere – not just a reception space, but a place people can drop in for a coffee, have a chat and maybe get curious about the experience. “It’s an easy entry point,” Rob explains. “The café has already become a way for curious people to come in and get some information on the space.”
They’ve intentionally capped numbers to ensure every guest has space to breathe. Membership options – offering four, eight or unlimited credits per month – keep the model accessible and community-focused.
Chris points out that community is at the heart of it all. “We always said we wanted to create a third space – if you’ve got home and work, what’s the third place you go? Historically, it’s been the pub. But there’s a shift happening – people are looking after themselves more. And we’re already talking to run clubs and fitness groups in Sheffield about how we can create bespoke events.”
Being part of the Heart of the City development has helped them find like-minded neighbours. “We get our pastries from Marmadukes. We’ve got locals’ discounts with other businesses. Everyone’s keen to support each other,” says Chris. “It’s a brilliant part of the city.”
Rob sums it up: “We don’t just want to be ‘a sauna place in Sheffield’. We want to put our stamp on the UK sauna industry. We’ve got one of the biggest, best saunas in the UK – and we want Sheffield to be proud of that.”
Book in at guswellness.com
Insta: @gus.wellness
