Happy Friday! I’m so happy that only a few hours stand between me and the weekend. Even though I’ve been in recovery mode, it’s been a long week. I was so tired on Monday/Tuesday. Work has also been pretty busy this week.
I’m going off topic this week for Friday Five because I want to share my recent experience with cryotherapy. A few weeks ago I saw a deal on Living Social for a local cryotherapy place in my city. I’ve also been intrigued by cryotherapy so I decided to try it out. Last week I had my first session and it was super cool (pun intended)! Allow me to tell you all about it 🙂
What is Cryotherapy?
According to Wikipedia, “Cryotherapy is the local or general use of low temperatures in medical therapy. It is used to treat a variety of benign and malignant tissue damage and is widely used to relieve muscle pain, sprains and swelling either via soft tissue damage or postoperative swelling.”
Here’s my experience in a nutshell. I arrived and signed some paperwork before going to the back room. Then you take off all of your clothes (expect underwear) – I actually kept on my bra as well. Then you put on some really sexy socks and shoes (lol), a robe and gloves.
Then it was time to step into the chamber! Once you’re in there you take off your robe and get started. There are different degrees of “coldness” (-130 F to -190 F) but I started on the “warmest” temperature since this was my first time. Trust me, that was more than cold enough! You’re in the chamber for a total of 3 minutes. After the first 30 seconds I didn’t know if I would make it – it was SO cold. Picture being outside in 10 degree weather, naked, with the wind blowing on you. I kept thinking about warm places and I turned around in circles a few times to take my mind off the cold. If I ever felt like it was too much, I had the option to stop the treatment so I always kept that in the back of my mind. Luckily I made it the full 3 minutes – woo-hoo!
If you’re local to Stamford, definitely check out Remedy BodyWorks! It was a great experience and I’ll definitely be back.
There are quite a few reasons to try cryotherapy, but here are my top 5 (based on my research):
Alternative to an Ice Bath – Granted, I’m not a huge fan of ice baths, but I will do them, especially during marathon training. But let’s face it, these are not enjoyable at all, and 10 minutes can feel like an eternity. With cryotherapy, only 3 minutes and you’re done, and you’re still dry after it’s over!
Weight Loss – I can’t vouch for the validity of this since I only did the treatment one time, but reports show that you can burn anywhere between 500-800 calories per session. This is because being so cold forces the body to work harder to stay warm. I also read that it can boost your metabolism. Sign me up for anything that helps with weight loss!
Lower Inflammation – I suffer from inflammation in my body. While I try to eat the right foods, sometimes that’s just not enough. One of the main reasons I wanted to try cryotherapy was the claim that it could help lower inflammation in the body. I did my session the week of my marathon. While I did experience cramping in my legs during the race, my knee felt pretty good overall and my back pain didn’t last as long as it normally does. Cryotherapy may have had something to do with this!
Increase Performance Levels – Since cryotherapy reduces inflammation and can help in speeding up recovery (i.e. – less muscle soreness), it can result in increased performance levels. When I try it again I will do a session right after a long run to see/feel that benefit.
Decreased Fatigue – In doing my research, I read that sometimes people enjoy a boost of energy after a cryotherapy session. This was very true for me as well. If you’re training for a race, it would be good to try a session during a peak week of training when you’re typically more tired.
Tell me: Have you ever tried cryotherapy? If not, would you try it?
I’m linking up for Friday Five 2.0 with Rachel from Running on Happy and Lacey and Meranda from Fairytales and Fitness.
Lesley says
My chiropractor in Dallas offered this, and I was never brave enough to ask about it. I hate ice baths and prefer hot tubs for recovery.
kookyrunner says
I’m not a huge fan of ice baths either but this treatment felt way different, and it was faster!
Anna @ Piper's Run says
I’ve never tired this before but I would totally if I had access to it! Sounds interesting!
kookyrunner says
It was definitely interesting! I’m actually looking forward to trying it again!
Patrick@looneforfood.com says
NO Way! I hate the cold and complain about it all the time so there is no way I am willingly putting myself in that. Those are some great benefits however. This Looney is just a cold wimp.
kookyrunner says
LOL I actually love winter and the cold weather so I guess that’s why I didn’t mind as much!
Kimberly Hatting says
Well, you know I have survived many a cold run this winter…in sub-ZERO temps. I probably could handle three minutes of this…but then again, who knows? Those are some very sexy socks and slippers, though! 😉
kookyrunner says
Oh you could totally handle it!
Deborah Brooks says
I have been thinking about trying this! I really want to thanks for the review
kookyrunner says
I hope you give it a try!
Rachel says
I’ve heard really awesome things about cryo. I should try it. There’s one down the road from me!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m very interested in giving this a try. I wonder if I could make it the whole 3 minutes!
kookyrunner says
I think you could do it! I would say maybe give it a try after your next long run.
Fairytales and fitness says
I’ve never heard of this until now! Thanks for the education. I think I would go the opposite route and prefer a sauna…haha
kookyrunner says
LOL I do like the sauna too!
Lisa @ Mile by Mile says
This sounds so interesting! I think I would hate being in the cold, even if only for 3 minutes, but I guess its better than an ice bath! I used to take those but I stopped a few years ago.
kookyrunner says
That’s how I was looking at it – and it’s way less messy than an ice bath lol
Wendy says
I’ve read a lot about cryotherapy and I’m sure it would be beneficial to me and maybe even my RA but just no. I hate being cold!
kookyrunner says
LOL I know that being freezing cold for 3 minutes doesn’t sound appealing, but I think it still beats an ice bath!
Farrah says
I am a total wimp when it comes to these so I don’t know how well I’d do with this! I can’t even bring myself to do ice baths! (Hot tubs, on the other hand…)
kookyrunner says
I totally understand but it’s only 3 minutes so at least you wouldn’t have to be cold for too long!
Coco says
So cool – LOL 🙂 Seriously, I’d love to try it some time.
kookyrunner says
LOL, nice pun 🙂
Andrea says
I’ve heard such great things about this and I am definitely intrigued. I even predicted this as a fitness trend for 2018.
kookyrunner says
I think your prediction was right! I see a lot more information online about cryotherapy.
Angela Cardamone @marathonsandmotivation.com says
I’ve heard a lot of good things about this! A clinic just opened in our town, I may have to give it a try!!
kookyrunner says
I hope that you decide to give it a try!!
Jessica @ I Am Teacher Fit says
This is super interesting! I recently saw there’s a new cryo place here. I might have to look more into it. I didn’t even really know what it was until I read your post, haha.
kookyrunner says
LoL, well I am glad that I could give you a little background information on it!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude says
I’ve heard good things about cryo but haven’t tried it. Given that I suffer from Reynaud’s, I’m thinking this could be challenging for me. Do you think you’ll do it again?
kookyrunner says
I think that I’ll definitely do it again, but I’ll probably try it after a long run when my body is tired. I want to see if I recover faster.
Esther says
I have wanted to try cryo out, but I am SO sensitive to temperatures I am afraid I will pass out! haha
kookyrunner says
If you are super sensitive to the temperatures then I would probably skip it!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
I’ve never tried cryotherapy before, let alone heard of it, but it sounds like there are a lot of great benefits to it. Do you know of any famous athletes who use this treatment?
kookyrunner says
I think that a lot of NBA and NFL players use the treatment so it seems like it’s very beneficial!