Raise your hand if you know what cryotherapy is! I’m sure a majority of you have heard about the coolest trends in recovery (see what I did there). When the opportunity to try out Ice Box Alpharetta came about a few weeks ago, I jumped right in! My training and rest days were planned around this particular session to maximize recovery.
WHAT IS IT?
Cryotherapy is a technique that exposes your entire body to extremely cold temperatures for 2-3 minutes. Temperatures (200 F degrees or colder) and time in the chamber can be adjusted to make your experience more comfortable (or more miserable). This cold therapy was originally created to help patients with arthritis and inflammatory diseases but athletes and celebrities caught on and here we are! Us mortals now have access to this luxurious recovery method. The benefits of cryotherapy include decreased inflammation, faster recovery from workouts, increased circulation, and it releases endorphins.
WHAT TO WEAR
The facility will require gloves, socks and booties; earmuffs and hats are optional. You can wear shorts and sports bras or opt to wear zero clothing! A robe will be provided for you to wear from the dressing room to the chamber. Just make sure you are completely dry from head to toe before going in!
MINI EXPERIENCES AT THE ICEBOX PARTY
Normatec: These boots are supposed to reduce soreness and increase circulation. They reminded me the sequential leg compression devices I put on patients when I worked at the hospital, except Normatec boots cover the entire length of legs and feet. The pressure of the massage was perfect on my tired legs. The red wine was the extra touch that made me feel like I was in living in the lap of luxury.
Cryo-Facial: This mini session consisted of cold air that was gently blasted all over my face and neck. I use an ice roller at home sometimes, but this felt so much better. Benefits of the cryo-facial include skin tightening, collagen production, and reduced inflammation.
Cryotherapy: Not going to lie, I screamed once I got into the chamber. The attendant didn’t think I would last the entire 2 minutes. It was unpleasant but once it was over, I felt AMAZING. I believe the claim that cryotherapy releases endorphins. I didn’t have any injuries or aches so I can’t say whether it immediately helps with pain or healing, but it was an exhilarating experience.
My final thoughts: Cryotherapy is not for everyone! Some people can not try it for health reasons. If you’re claustrophobic, I wouldn’t recommend it. The cryotherapy facilities around the city offer deals for first time clients, so if you’re interested, check into that or see if they’ll be happy to host a mini party for your run/work group!
Would you ever try cryotherapy? Would you also try Normatec leg devices?
