Is going sub-zero the next big thing? We take
a closer look at the benefits of extreme cold
exposure and cryotherapy, as well as some
of the options on offer for those thinking
of making the leap into the big chill
Cryotherapy is commonly used in the sporting world and now its overall effect on wellbeing and beauty is being noted by spas
Standing for three minutes in a space cooled to minus 130°C may sound a tough sell to spa guests, but it’s a trend that’s becoming more mainstream as people warm to the health benefits of extreme cold.
The reported advantages of cryotherapy are many and varied, meaning it has a broad appeal: improved mood, fewer aches and pains for ageing joints, recovery after exercising and even a better appearance, with people emerging after treatments feeling more alert, upbeat and energised.
Cryotherapy works by forcing the body to send blood to the brain and the core in a process called vasoconstriction. Afterwards, vasodilation takes place, whereby blood that is now enriched with oxygen, nutrients and enzymes flows back into the peripheral tissues.
It’s commonly used in the sporting world as it increases power, performance and endurance, as well as clearing out lactate. It can boost recovery and reduce aches and pains – both from exercise and from chronic illnesses such as arthritis. Endorphins are also released and it’s even claimed to reduce wrinkles.
Its effect on overall wellbeing and beauty are being noted in spa circles. Rainer Bolsinger, sales manager of Zimmer MedizinSysteme – the German-based company behind Icelab cabins – likens cryotherapy to icing an injured knee, but the whole body and mind also benefit. He says: “It affects the nervous system, forcing our brain into a heightened state, which can give stress relief and clear the mind.”
Mecotec, another German-based company, supplies spas such as Lanserhof with the Cryoair chamber. Laurence White, MD of RP-X, its UK distributor, adds: “The body’s natural response to cold air provides total body and mind rejuvenation.
“It also helps the complexion and anti-ageing, as the cold temperatures stimulate the production of collagen, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and decreasing pore size. In addition, when combined with active cosmetic products, cryotherapy can increase the skin’s capacity to rejuvenate itself, regain elasticity, appear smoother and bring forth a youthful glow.”
Meanwhile, Wim Hof – also known as the ‘ice man’ – has created a method which combines exposure to sub-zero water (bathing or showering), breathing and mindset techniques alongside physical exercise. He reports profound effects including heightened focus and determination – he’s used the technique to climb Mount Everest in nothing but short runs and complete marathons in the desert with no water. He says: “The cold trains the vascular system and taps into deeper parts of the brain… A deep sense of control emerges from there.”
Spa Business interviewed Hof at the end of 2017 and in the same issue we asked a range of industry experts how spas can offer cold water therapy (see issue 4, 2017 p22 and p44).
Roots in medicine The benefits might sound wonderful, but are they sufficient to warrant three minutes of extreme cold? According to Bolsinger, at this temperature, the air no longer contains moisture, so people don’t perceive the cold to be extreme. To protect their extremities, which are starved of blood during the treatment, users enter the chamber wearing protective masks, gloves, nipple protection and footwear. Music is often used to take their mind off the fact that they’re being chilled.
Cold therapy has a long history in medical treatments, first mentioned 400 years BC by Hippocrates as a method of treating pain. In the 19th century, Sebastian Kneipp popularised the Kneipp Method, which uses cold on the extremities – a method still used today in many spas and thermal baths (see SB16/4 p76).
“Whole-body cryostimulation at ultra-low temperatures was first applied by Professor T Yamauchi in Japan to treat rheumatoid arthritis. During the early 1980s several professors in Germany followed his approach and developed the treatment further,” says Bolsinger. “It’s been used in clinics and rehab centres as a method of treating pain, shortening rehabilitation and helping with stress and sleep. Now we’re seeing it move into the world of spas and fitness centres, where it’s used for preventative health, wellbeing, beauty and to optimise training and recovery.” Henri Chenot centres and the Bürgenstock resort are examples of spa operators which are tapping into the trend with Icelab.
UK-based company, CryoAction, says cryotherapy’s use in wellness is increasing and interest is growing across the board, from spas and health clubs to Premier League football clubs. “Cryotherapy is becoming increasingly popular across the health club sector and we’re installing new units all the time, driven by consumer demand, as clubs are seeking to respond to members who want to look and feel amazing,” says CryoAction CEO, Ian Saunders. “The chambers complement existing treatments and facilities and offer a new revenue opportunity.”
Icelab
Icelab uses environmentally-friendly compressor-based technology. Guests ease their way through one or two cool pre-chambers and finally reach the third which is set at -110°C and where they spend up to three minutes.
The rooms can accommodate up to four people at a time and music and video screens are installed as standard.
Guests can move around freely and the technicians speak to them through an intercom, suggesting different ways to move and stretch, to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. The Icelab system is distributed by Zimmer MedizinSysteme.
CryoAction
CryoAction designs, manufactures, installs and maintains its own products, which are certified for use as a medical device.
It has a portfolio that spans from single person chambers through to walk-in rooms, enabling up to 10 people to be treated simultaneously. Chambers can be standalone or integrated and are available in a wide selection of colours and materials to match a spa’s décor.
Larger bespoke chambers usually comprise two rooms linked by an interconnecting door. The first chamber is cooled to a temperature of around -60°C and the second to around -130°C.
Cryoair
Cryoair offers two different sized chambers for commercial use. The Cryoair -85˚C has the capacity for one or two people. The Cryoair -110˚C is for high commercial use and can accommodate up to 30 users an hour.
People can use the chambers up to twice a day for three minutes.
The systems are made by Mecotec and distributed by RP-X in the UK.
Cold effects
•Research has proven that cryotherapy can
• Promote healing, wellbeing and quality of life
• Promote relaxation and deeper sleep
• Enhance lymph drainage and blood circulation
• Improve eczema
• Stimulate collagen production
• Increase energy levels
• Increase mobility
• Boost adrenaline and endorphins
• Reduce muscle soreness, pain and inflammation
• Speed up rehabilitation
• Improve fitness performance
Author
Kath-Hudson
Kath Hudson is a regular contributor to Spa Business magazine.
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Event saunas, sunlight therapy
and health and happiness retreats
feature in our programming series
Interview: Marc Cohen
Dr Marc Cohen is launching an extreme
bathing retreat and writing children’s
books. He talks to Jane Kitchen
Promotional feature: Vital Tech
Infrared technology is growing in popularity, Vital Tech’s Alexandra Gavsevitch
and Serge Parienti explain how it works
Focus on: Equine therapy
What is equine therapy and how
can spas tap into horsepower?
Kathleen Whyman finds out
Wellness: Chill out
Is going sub-zero the next big thing?
Kath Hudson takes a closer look
at the benefits of cryotherapy
Promotional feature: The Wellness
Noha Khalil of The Wellness discusses how
gym and spa elements are increasingly
coming together through design to
deliver outstanding fitness concepts
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
Is going sub-zero the next big thing? We take
a closer look at the benefits of extreme cold
exposure and cryotherapy, as well as some
of the options on offer for those thinking
of making the leap into the big chill
Cryotherapy is commonly used in the sporting world and now its overall effect on wellbeing and beauty is being noted by spas
Standing for three minutes in a space cooled to minus 130°C may sound a tough sell to spa guests, but it’s a trend that’s becoming more mainstream as people warm to the health benefits of extreme cold.
The reported advantages of cryotherapy are many and varied, meaning it has a broad appeal: improved mood, fewer aches and pains for ageing joints, recovery after exercising and even a better appearance, with people emerging after treatments feeling more alert, upbeat and energised.
Cryotherapy works by forcing the body to send blood to the brain and the core in a process called vasoconstriction. Afterwards, vasodilation takes place, whereby blood that is now enriched with oxygen, nutrients and enzymes flows back into the peripheral tissues.
It’s commonly used in the sporting world as it increases power, performance and endurance, as well as clearing out lactate. It can boost recovery and reduce aches and pains – both from exercise and from chronic illnesses such as arthritis. Endorphins are also released and it’s even claimed to reduce wrinkles.
Its effect on overall wellbeing and beauty are being noted in spa circles. Rainer Bolsinger, sales manager of Zimmer MedizinSysteme – the German-based company behind Icelab cabins – likens cryotherapy to icing an injured knee, but the whole body and mind also benefit. He says: “It affects the nervous system, forcing our brain into a heightened state, which can give stress relief and clear the mind.”
Mecotec, another German-based company, supplies spas such as Lanserhof with the Cryoair chamber. Laurence White, MD of RP-X, its UK distributor, adds: “The body’s natural response to cold air provides total body and mind rejuvenation.
“It also helps the complexion and anti-ageing, as the cold temperatures stimulate the production of collagen, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and decreasing pore size. In addition, when combined with active cosmetic products, cryotherapy can increase the skin’s capacity to rejuvenate itself, regain elasticity, appear smoother and bring forth a youthful glow.”
Meanwhile, Wim Hof – also known as the ‘ice man’ – has created a method which combines exposure to sub-zero water (bathing or showering), breathing and mindset techniques alongside physical exercise. He reports profound effects including heightened focus and determination – he’s used the technique to climb Mount Everest in nothing but short runs and complete marathons in the desert with no water. He says: “The cold trains the vascular system and taps into deeper parts of the brain… A deep sense of control emerges from there.”
Spa Business interviewed Hof at the end of 2017 and in the same issue we asked a range of industry experts how spas can offer cold water therapy (see issue 4, 2017 p22 and p44).
Roots in medicine The benefits might sound wonderful, but are they sufficient to warrant three minutes of extreme cold? According to Bolsinger, at this temperature, the air no longer contains moisture, so people don’t perceive the cold to be extreme. To protect their extremities, which are starved of blood during the treatment, users enter the chamber wearing protective masks, gloves, nipple protection and footwear. Music is often used to take their mind off the fact that they’re being chilled.
Cold therapy has a long history in medical treatments, first mentioned 400 years BC by Hippocrates as a method of treating pain. In the 19th century, Sebastian Kneipp popularised the Kneipp Method, which uses cold on the extremities – a method still used today in many spas and thermal baths (see SB16/4 p76).
“Whole-body cryostimulation at ultra-low temperatures was first applied by Professor T Yamauchi in Japan to treat rheumatoid arthritis. During the early 1980s several professors in Germany followed his approach and developed the treatment further,” says Bolsinger. “It’s been used in clinics and rehab centres as a method of treating pain, shortening rehabilitation and helping with stress and sleep. Now we’re seeing it move into the world of spas and fitness centres, where it’s used for preventative health, wellbeing, beauty and to optimise training and recovery.” Henri Chenot centres and the Bürgenstock resort are examples of spa operators which are tapping into the trend with Icelab.
UK-based company, CryoAction, says cryotherapy’s use in wellness is increasing and interest is growing across the board, from spas and health clubs to Premier League football clubs. “Cryotherapy is becoming increasingly popular across the health club sector and we’re installing new units all the time, driven by consumer demand, as clubs are seeking to respond to members who want to look and feel amazing,” says CryoAction CEO, Ian Saunders. “The chambers complement existing treatments and facilities and offer a new revenue opportunity.”
Icelab
Icelab uses environmentally-friendly compressor-based technology. Guests ease their way through one or two cool pre-chambers and finally reach the third which is set at -110°C and where they spend up to three minutes.
The rooms can accommodate up to four people at a time and music and video screens are installed as standard.
Guests can move around freely and the technicians speak to them through an intercom, suggesting different ways to move and stretch, to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. The Icelab system is distributed by Zimmer MedizinSysteme.
CryoAction
CryoAction designs, manufactures, installs and maintains its own products, which are certified for use as a medical device.
It has a portfolio that spans from single person chambers through to walk-in rooms, enabling up to 10 people to be treated simultaneously. Chambers can be standalone or integrated and are available in a wide selection of colours and materials to match a spa’s décor.
Larger bespoke chambers usually comprise two rooms linked by an interconnecting door. The first chamber is cooled to a temperature of around -60°C and the second to around -130°C.
Cryoair
Cryoair offers two different sized chambers for commercial use. The Cryoair -85˚C has the capacity for one or two people. The Cryoair -110˚C is for high commercial use and can accommodate up to 30 users an hour.
People can use the chambers up to twice a day for three minutes.
The systems are made by Mecotec and distributed by RP-X in the UK.
Cold effects
•Research has proven that cryotherapy can
• Promote healing, wellbeing and quality of life
• Promote relaxation and deeper sleep
• Enhance lymph drainage and blood circulation
• Improve eczema
• Stimulate collagen production
• Increase energy levels
• Increase mobility
• Boost adrenaline and endorphins
• Reduce muscle soreness, pain and inflammation
• Speed up rehabilitation
• Improve fitness performance
Author
Kath-Hudson
Kath Hudson is a regular contributor to Spa Business magazine.
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Event saunas, sunlight therapy
and health and happiness retreats
feature in our programming series
Interview: Marc Cohen
Dr Marc Cohen is launching an extreme
bathing retreat and writing children’s
books. He talks to Jane Kitchen
Promotional feature: Vital Tech
Infrared technology is growing in popularity, Vital Tech’s Alexandra Gavsevitch
and Serge Parienti explain how it works
Focus on: Equine therapy
What is equine therapy and how
can spas tap into horsepower?
Kathleen Whyman finds out
Wellness: Chill out
Is going sub-zero the next big thing?
Kath Hudson takes a closer look
at the benefits of cryotherapy
Promotional feature: The Wellness
Noha Khalil of The Wellness discusses how
gym and spa elements are increasingly
coming together through design to
deliver outstanding fitness concepts
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
LVMH-owned beauty house Guerlain will launch up to five spas with partners a year as part of
its plan to expand globally, according to the brand’s international spa and wellness director,
Diane Davody.
A new global study by Kevin Kelly and Peter Yesawich, called WELLSurvey 2.0, has revealed
more than half of consumers in the UK, US and Germany would not choose numerous high-
profile wellness resort brands for a future trip.
Luxury hospitality and wellness pioneer Jeremy McCarthy has launched Leisure Alchemy, a
digital platform that will provide professionals with strategic guidance on how to build
transformational leisure experiences that drive profit.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
