“A Huge Addition to the Town”

Selectmen give favorable review to Plunge Boston Wellness & Recovery Studio; business targets opening in time for new year

By Mark E. Vogler

Saugus athletes and other people who engage in physical fitness activities may soon have another option for relief and recovery from injuries. At last week’s meeting (Nov. 12), selectmen voted unanimously to issue a Special Permit to the owners of Plunge Boston Wellness & Recovery Studio for cold plunge, sauna, red light, normatec compression & body work physical therapy. The studio is expected to open by Jan. 1 at 880 Broadway Suite M (on Route 1 North).

Selectmen reacted favorably to the presentation by owners Adam Dion of Chelsea and Illya Gluskin of North Reading. “I’ve had 31 orthopedic surgeries, so I’m actually looking forward to see if maybe you can help me when nobody else has,” Selectman Anthony Cogliano said at last week’s hearing.

“Sounds like a great concept,” he said.

Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Jeffrey Cicolini called the opening of Plunge Boston Wellness & Recovery “a huge addition to the town.” “This is the way things are shifting in health and recovery,” Cicolini said.

“I think this is great for us to get ahead of the curb. Nice to show we’re forward-thinking,” he said.

Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta said she was impressed by what she researched about the company on its website. “Typically, you have to go to multiple different places for that therapy,” Panetta said. “It does sound like a lot of people will benefit,” she said.

Panetta said Plunge Boston needed the S-2 permit because the business is “something different” at the existing location.

“We’re excited about this location, which was previously a gym, making it a smooth transition into our studio layout,” owners Adam Dion of Chelsea and Ilya Gluskin of North Reading wrote in their letter earlier this year.

“Our services include cold plunge therapy, sauna sessions and physical therapy – offering clients a one-stop destination for comprehensive wellness solutions,” they said.

Plunge Boston will employ a team of four, including two owners and two hourly employees. The hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

“Our mission is to offer Saugus a wellness-focused studio that enhances recovery, injury prevention and promotes overall wellness without reliance on traditional pain management methods that may carry harmful side effects,” the owner said in their statement to selectmen.

“We believe our integrated approach will be a valuable resource for the community, including local athletes of all ages seeking holistic solutions,” they said.

“Plunge Boston will fill a crucial gap in the wellness market by providing an integrated approach, combining physical therapy with cutting-edge treatments like cold plunge therapy and sauna sessions, all in one facility.”

Ilya Gluskin, a seasoned physical therapist with a doctorate in Physical Therapy, has run Fitzgerald Physical Therapy locations in Melrose and Wilmington.

Adam Dion is a Massachusetts native and decorated disabled Army veteran. He has developed business expertise from his work at firms like Deloitte and PWC.