NASHVILLE, Tenn. – If you’ve ever wished your backyard could double as a wellness retreat, East Nashville’s newest spot might be your dream come true. Framework, the Finnish-inspired sauna and cold plunge studio, just launched Backyard—a 3,000-square-foot outdoor oasis tucked behind a century-old home in the historic Greenwood neighborhood. Think: tree-lined lawn, steaming saunas, icy plunges, and plenty of space to kick back with friends after.
Backyard takes the centuries-old tradition of hot-and-cold contrast therapy and blends it with Nashville’s love of community hangouts. Instead of your average gym or spa, it’s designed as a social wellness space where you can recharge, sweat, shiver, and laugh all in the same afternoon.
“When we first introduced outdoor sauna and cold plunge, we weren’t sure how Nashville would respond,” said Allen Penn, founder of Framework. “From our launch space to our Flagship, the demand for this combination of outdoor time, health/fitness/wellness activities and social connection has been clear. Backyard builds on that momentum as we expand to East Nashville in a social outdoor setting that helps people connect, recover and recharge.”
To celebrate the launch, Backyard will host a grand opening party on Saturday, September 6. Guests can expect guided sauna + cold plunge sessions, movement with local instructors, live DJs, and wellness pop-ups from East Nashville favorites. It’s part wellness retreat, part block party—and the perfect way to welcome a new neighbor to McFerrin Ave.
The space is intentionally designed to feel more like a gathering place than a traditional wellness studio. Highlights include:
A custom 190-degree sauna that fits up to 12 people (perfect for warming up and swapping stories).
Four cold plunge tubs set between 40 and 60 degrees for both solo dips and group plunges.
Outdoor showers and a spacious lounge area to relax, sip, and socialize.
Weekly fitness classes (yes, you can flow through yoga before hitting the sauna).
Special events like Framework Frequency DJ sessions, where music meets recovery.
And because no one wants to bounce between hot-and-cold therapy without a little refuel, the 1920s house on the property has been updated with changing rooms, restrooms, healthy snacks, and drinks.
Sure, jumping into icy water after sitting in a steaming sauna might sound intimidating, but the health benefits are anything but chilly. Research shows that combining heat and cold exposure can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s, while also improving mood, metabolism, and mental health.
The CDC reports that 60% of Americans live with chronic disease, but regular sauna use has been proven to cut the risk of more than half of them. Experts suggest at least 60 minutes of sauna time and 10 minutes of cold exposure per week for maximum results. Framework makes it easy to turn that into a routine instead of just a once-a-year spa splurge.
Each Framework location is intentionally designed to match its neighborhood, and Penn says East Nashville felt like a natural fit.
“East Nashville’s vibrant, eclectic spirit and love of outdoor living seen throughout the community’s backyards, porches and patios inspired Backyard as a health-focused addition to the city’s more traditional social scene,” Penn explained. “It’s a place where you can show up solo and leave with new friends—or bring your crew and make it part of your weekly routine.”
Neighbors like Pharmacy Burger and Mas Tacos have long set the vibe for the McFerrin corridor. Now Backyard adds a wellness twist to the mix, inviting people to swap burgers and margaritas for saunas and plunges, or maybe balance both in the same day.
Backyard is the latest chapter for Framework, which first popped up in Berry Hill in 2024 before opening its flagship studio in Wedgewood-Houston earlier this year. The Flagship offers indoor and outdoor options, seven saunas, 13 cold plunges, a vibroacoustic sound therapy pod, and even its own café.
With Backyard, Framework doubles down on its mission to make hot-and-cold therapy not just a health practice, but a social ritual for Nashvillians.
Backyard location: 926 McFerrin Ave., East Nashville
Monday, Thursday & Friday: 7 a.m.–7 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Free onsite parking available
For memberships, class schedules, and upcoming events, head to visit their website or follow them on Instagram.
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