After a hard week of work, Seattlest needed to relax, so on Saturday we traveled to the wilds of Lynnwood in order to make use of a free day pass at the Newlife Fitness and Spa. Since everyone and their mother were headed to the Solstice Parade (been there, done that), our trip from Capitol Hill to the 'burbs was but twenty minutes. Thankfully, the brochure we had with us included both directions and a well-labeled map, allowing us to find our destination in no time.
We had done our homework on Newlife, so we already knew a few things about 'em, like that they offer massages, facials and waxing, and other skin treatments, as well as haircuts. However, we were strictly there to take advantage of their therapy rooms, saunas, and hot tubs. Access to those amenities is covered with purchase of a $25 day pass, which also gets you 10% off any of their other services. If it's your birthday (or if you're willing to lie and produce forged documents), your day pass is free.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted warmly by the front desk attendant, who gave us a t-shirt and pair of shorts, plus a tour of the digs: two co-ed therapeutic rooms, Korean restaurant, juice bar, computer area, fitness equipment, and single-sex locker rooms. We deposited our footwear in the appropriate shoe lockers, changed into our spa gear, and decided to start things off in the jewel therapy room.
The room's temperature was 163°, and the jewel-lined walls looked to us like rock candy. The floor had woven mats and little pillows, so we stretched out and began to sweat. A lot. Seattlest, thinking ahead, had brought a bottle of water with us, which we drank from greedily, in a vain attempt to take in as much moisture as we were losing. (Doing their part, the spa has signs everywhere urging its guests to drink plenty of water before, during, and after their treatments, and to spend no more than twenty minutes in each therapy room.) For this last point, all therapy rooms include a five-minute hourglass so one does not lose track of time and cook one's innards. Using the hourglass, we stayed in this first room for fifteen minutes.
From there, it was back out into the cool spa air but briefly. Our next stop was the yellow clay therapy room, which was also a toasty 163°. The walls of this room were made of yellow clay imported from Korea, which gave the room a pleasant smell that reminded our companion of places he had been in the Southwest. Like the jewels in the first room, the heated clay emits infrared rays, which are thought to be helpful in treating a variety of conditions. Already glistening like a pig and continuing to guzzle the agua, we stuck it out for ten minutes.
At this point, our party split up and hit the single-sex locker rooms. Each has three different saunas, two hot tubs (one really hot, one moderately so), and one cold tub, as well as showering facilities and mats for lounging about. The women's locker room also had another therapy room, this one featuring rock salt, and it was here that Seattlest went first. In this room, we lay on a (blanketed) bed of salt and resisted the temptation to lick the walls. We also attempted to read, but that was soon given up, in favor of lying in the 160° heat with our eyes closed.
Having now been in all three therapy rooms, we were ready for the saunas. We were also ready to take advantage of the single-sexosity and get nekkid (robes, towels, and head wraps are all provided). Working our way down temperature-wise, we started off in the 153° infrared dry sauna. We had the whole sauna to ourselves, so we stretched out in front of the space heater-looking infrared components for ten minutes. Next was the traditional Finnish sauna. It was as would be expected: hot (142°) and dry. At this point, Seattlest could really feel our heart beating in our chest, so we decided not to stress our body any further and only spent five minutes there. We tried to enter the jade steam sauna, which was a mere 133°, but the moisture made it virtually impenetrable. Meanwhile, in the men's locker room, our companion was having the same steam sauna experience---neither of us could handle it.
Time for the real cool down. The hot hot tub (106°) was bubbly and delightful, but kinda boring all by our lonesome. The warm hot tub (no temp given) was more of the same, at a slightly lower temperature. The real treat, however, was the cold tub (70°), which at first was freezing, but once we got used to it, we didn't wanna leave. We did eventually, showering and getting a fresh pair of shorts and a shirt to meet up with our spa partner at the juice bar. Smoothies were had, as well as a yummy potato-and-egg salad sandwich on wheat. After ordering and paying for our food, the attendant was nice enough to throw in a bonus item for free: a hard-boiled egg that had been cooked for three days in the yellow clay therapy room. The egg itself had turned maize in color, and our server informed us that the cooking process greatly reduced its cholesterol. She added just a pinch of spices (black pepper, chili powder, and some secret Korean ingredients) to the egg before serving it to us. It was truly magnifique, though we are certainly biased pro-egg and anti-cholesterol.
With a couple hours of sweating under our belt (atop our skin?) and at least three liters of water consumed, it was time for us to leave the Newlife behind, though we are certainly hoping to return sometime soon. We got changed, picked up our shoes, and made our way back to the city, just in time for a wine tasting and the Spoon show. Yes, we know, Seattlest has got it rough.
Newlife Fitness & Spa
17420 Highway 99
Lynwood, WA 98037
425-741-1000
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Dear Editor,
I would like to thank you for writing about Newlife Fitness & Spa. I just wanted to let you know that we have now new website (www.newlifefitnessandspa) that shows many photos of the facilities with new features.
Again, thank you very much for your support.
Sincerely,
Cathy Chang
Marketing Manager
Newlife Fitness & Spa
I saw this spa on SpaIndex.com, and now here, in my searching for the special jewel therapy rooms -- I will have to stop by for sure. Thanks!