The Schvitz Health Club — Attraction in Detroit

As has been mentioned it’s old school cool!

I happened upon this place when I was looking for a health club where I could get a massage, during a short trip to Detroit when I had a few free hours.

Although they had no available massage times that day I decided to stay and use the steam, sauna and cold plunge and I’m so glad that I did!

It’s clear that many of the guys there (I went during a men only time) were regulars and quite experienced at “Schivitz-ing.” But everyone including the staff were welcoming and friendly.

Some things that might help you out if it’s your first visit like mine is pre-load up a Gatorade type drink before getting there ( or buy one from them) and drink plenty of water! They have pitchers you can fill with ice and water and keep with you, plenty of towels and amenities as well as robes for an extra $5. You can bring your own drinks or buy a variety of beverages/snacks. Later in the afternoon the grill opens up with some great looking dishes.

When you enter you plop down $40 and have use of the place for the whole day, in my case they were open for men only from noon till 10 pm, so in theory you could go earlier in the day then come back later in the evening. There is a locker room and towels and if you want a robe it’s an extra $5. I had my own flip flops and lock but I think those are available for rent or purchase too.

it’s not in the nicest neighborhood but the building and parking were very secure. I admit that before going I worried that it might be seedy, the term “bathhouse,” can have a different meaning from place to place, but a Shivitz has a long history within both the Jewish community and anyone seeking a relaxing experience and good food. Any apprehension I had were quickly set aside as soon as I entered—it’s a quality establishment that you can use to escape the pressures of everyday life.

It’s very fraternal, with young and older guys from all walks of life. It’s a place where guys are comfortable in their own skin, not unlike other spas, but the steam room in this place is so much better than any gym! However, if you are not comfortable in your own skin, or with others who are this may not be the place for you but that part becomes almost an afterthought, no different than any other similar gender specific setting you’d find in a gym/spa. There are coed times where swimsuits are required and the only showers are located in a communal area—but there are plenty of towels to wrap up with.

Regardless it is a very judgement free place, akin to a Finish sauna or Japanese bath with a couple of written and unwritten rules, like showering before going in the pool, steam room or sauna and not having loud discussions although quiet conversation is common, often centering around the food being served upstairs or the latest sports news or even polite political discussions. This place has a very chill vibe!

I ended up spending several hours enjoying the intense steam followed by a rinse off then move to the sauna, get super heated then take a cold plunge in the pool. Then rinse off, wrap myself in my robe and catch a few ZZZ’s in one of the comfortable lounge chairs or engage in a nice conversation with a new friend. Then I’d do it all over again.

When it was time for me to go I was missing the place already. I left feeling so refreshed and relaxed and looking forward to...

This review is based on my observations from ~10 visits from 2021 through 2024.

This place is full of opportunity. But there are many low hanging areas for improvement. I believe small changes could go a long way to making your visit feel more welcoming, cared for, and restful.

I've had a hard time finding a single open locker to use, even when the place doesn't seem very busy. Its a small thing that makes it seem like the public isn't invited into the space.

The space is often oversold which leads to a crowded party atmosphere. A common sight is a small group walking into the banya only to turn around and leave because there isn't room to sit. You may be lucky to have a peaceful session of hot and cold about 50% of the time. But, often there are 4 to 5 parties in the saunas together competing to have their conversations heard. Small steps like signage with etiquette would go a long way to fostering a healthy atmosphere for communal bathing.

Towel hooks... They are all crammed next to each other with sticker numbers peeling off. These should be spaced out to make them easier to access, and so you don't need to place your towel (and sweat) directly up against another guest's towel and sweat.

Smoking in the common areas. I've seen this once, and it was addressed by the staff after they caught wind of it, and I'm grateful for that. But its up to the owners to set the expectations and culture of the space so the shared experience of the guests is respected. Subtle signage, wayfinding to the allowed smoking area would be appreciated here.

The schvitz also underutilize it's outdoor space on the patio. This space is often left with ice and snow on the ground, furniture stacked for storage, and generally not feeling "open" for use. Opening this space and taking steps to make it inviting to guests would offer another way to cool off on the cold months and help relieve the crowding in the indoor spaces.

Look to the Sauna House in Asheville, NC for an example of a sauna/spa that has taken care to guide the public into a charming/restful experience. Their space guides you with thoughtful and helpful signage about the experience and expectations. They have tons of videos about what to expect when you visit. It all sets the...

I used to love going to the Schvitz and I have been going to the Schvitz for years now. I was a regular on Tuesdays and Sundays with my daughter.

My recent experience with Carmelo—- apparently the new general manager—-takes unpleasantness to a whole new level, disagreeable, rude, arrogant and predatory——Carmelo is the whole package. . I’ve never met this person before because I was a women’s day regular and I wanted to try out a co-ed Saturday. For some reason, my filling my little plastic bucket (that I always bring and sometimes leave it in the banya) with hot water and epsom salts unleashed a verbal tirade in front of everyone in the banya. He approached me and rudely demanded that I ask “his permission” to fill my bucket with hot water and epsom salts. He then accused me of damaging the wooden benches with my epsom salt water…..an accusation that was patently false: I told him and showed him that the water was to soak my feet in, something I have done countless times before without incident. He announced that “he was the OWNER” and that he “could throw me out at any time.” He haughtily asserted that this time he would let it slide but that should it happen again, he’d throw me out and “leave me hanging on Oakland Ave…”.I was shaken. I’m appalled and I’m sure that the current owner does not know that his manager is claiming to be “the owner” of the Schvitz.

I miss the old Schvitz. Things changed when Tori left. The vibes before were impeccable. Sure the place was never perfectly maintained, but the friendly hospitality and camaraderie during women’s hours made up for it. Carmelo’s ego driven tirade was completely unhinged and I am upset that I had to bear the brunt of it. It’s unfortunate that after all these years, I will not be returning to...