Cold plunges and thermal lounges aren’t just a trend, they are a lifestyle. And what better place to bring this invigorating practice year-round than Bend? This October, Flux Thermal Lounge will begin its soft opening in Bend’s Westside Century Center, giving locals the chance to enjoy both cold plunges and thermal soaks whenever they choose. As Bend’s first hot-soak and cold-plunge contrast therapy lounge, Flux offers more than just remarkable health benefits, it creates a welcoming, social space for the community to connect and recharge.
Founder and CEO Dini Vemuri moved to Bend during Covid and quickly noticed a lack of spaces to meet people outside of alcohol-centered settings. Determined to create a hub for connection rooted in holistic wellness, she began envisioning what would become Flux Thermal Lounge. When asked what her inspiration was for the Flux Lounge, Vemuri said, “the Flux Thermal Lounge stemmed from the concept of social bathhouses around the world, and alpine traditions of skiing followed by hot springs dips.” Vemuri’s goal is to help make these restorative practices more accessible, and with wellness and the outdoors already at the heart of Bend’s culture, Flux feels like a natural fit.
From the start, Vemuri and her team have been intentional about the design of the space. One of their main goals was to prioritize accessibility, ensuring the layout works for everyone who comes through their doors. They have also designed the space to have large and small pools to accommodate both social groups and more intimate, private experiences, ensuring there is something for everyone. Beyond design, Vemuri has been deliberate in partnering with local businesses to bring the vision of a natural oasis to life. These collaborations include the People’s Apothecary, Somewhere That’s Green, Maak Lab, Walls Art and several others. As Vemuri puts it, “true wellness is community,” and that is evident throughout every part of Flux.
Flux Thermal Lounge is set to soft open on Oct. 9 with limited hours ahead of its grand opening in December. Looking ahead, Vemuri hopes to continue fostering collaborations with local businesses while welcoming anyone who wants to be part of this new wellness-centered community. She can’t wait for Bend to experience a space that is not only restorative, but also rooted in genuine connection.
This article appears in the Source October 9, 2025.
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