Heat and Cold: Why the Contrast is the Magic

People often ask us whether they should do the sauna or the cold plunge. Our answer is always the same: do both. The real benefits come from the contrast.

This isn’t just something we made up. Cultures around the world have practiced contrast therapy for thousands of years. Finnish saunas followed by icy lakes. Russian banyas with cold plunges. Japanese onsens with cold water buckets. There’s a reason this tradition spans continents and centuries.

What Happens in the Heat

When you sit in our infrared sauna, your core temperature rises. Your heart rate increases, similar to moderate exercise. Blood vessels dilate, bringing more blood to your skin and muscles. You start sweating, releasing toxins and stress.

Your muscles relax. Tension melts. Inflammation decreases. After 15 to 20 minutes, your body is warm, loose, and primed for what comes next.

What Happens in the Cold

When you step into cold water after heat, your blood vessels rapidly constrict. This creates a pumping effect, pushing blood from your extremities toward your vital organs. Your body releases norepinephrine, boosting alertness and mood.

The cold also reduces inflammation fast. Any swelling or soreness gets addressed immediately. Your nervous system shifts from stressed to calm. You feel awake but peaceful.

Why the Combination Works

Here’s where it gets interesting. Going from hot to cold creates what’s called vascular gymnastics. Your blood vessels expand and contract, getting stronger and more flexible with each cycle. It’s like a workout for your circulatory system.

The contrast also amplifies the benefits of each modality:

• Deeper muscle relaxation - Heat loosens you up, cold locks it in
• Better circulation - The pumping effect moves blood and lymph more effectively
• Stronger immune response - The stress-recovery cycle strengthens your body’s defenses
• Improved mood - The combination of heat relaxation and cold invigoration leaves you feeling balanced

Our Signature Protocol

This is exactly why we designed our signature recovery flow the way we did. We don’t just offer individual services. We guide you through a sequence that maximizes results.

Start with compression to get blood flowing. Move to infrared sauna to heat up and relax. Then hit the cold plunge for the contrast effect. Finish with red light therapy for cellular recovery.

Each step prepares you for the next. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Try It Yourself

If you’ve only tried one modality, you’re missing out. Come experience the contrast. We’ll walk you through the timing and help you find what works for your body.

Once you feel the difference, you’ll understand why this combination has stood the test of time.