Suzanne Rich, the director of sales and strategic partnerships, North America, with °CRYO Science, shares how cryotherapy works and the value it adds to your club.
Fitness industry professionals who add cryotherapy to their product portfolio often see investment payback in three months or less. Users emerge from a three-minute, music-enhanced, whole-body cryotherapy session feeling refreshed and energized, and with a sense of accomplishment by having achieved their health and fitness goals. When used as a complete workout program, cryotherapy helps to increase blood flow, minimize muscle damage, reduce inflammation, promote faster healing and speed up recovery.
So, how does it work? Cryotherapy exposes the body to extremely low temperatures, which results in blood being redirected away from the extremities to the core. When the treatment is finished, highly oxygenated blood returns rapidly from the core to the extremities and muscles, providing a beneficial effect. Treatments are flexible, allowing users to custom design their sessions based upon experience level and desired results.
After donning appropriate protective gear — gloves, ear muffs, etc. — users enter the treatment chamber to begin the session. Each session normally lasts for a maximum of three minutes at temperatures ranging from -166 degrees Fahrenheit for first time users to -220 degrees Fahrenheit for athletes and other frequent users. If that sounds unpleasant, it’s important to know whole-body cryotherapy cools by convection, or cold air, versus cooling by conduction, such as with an ice bath. The result is an exhilarating experience that delivers benefits without the initial “shock” of an ice bath type of treatment.
Adding whole-body cryotherapy to your health club, gym or fitness center doesn’t need to be complicated. A modest equipment and installation investment and adequate space for a treatment room are all that’s required.
As with any investment, it’s important to carefully evaluate the available options to determine the best fit. Evaluation criteria should include equipment purchase, installation and on-going operating costs while considering key factors such as planned utilization, space availability and other requirements.
In addition, system warranty and support are also important to consider in making a decision. An experienced whole-body cryotherapy equipment provider can deliver the guidance necessary to add this exciting treatment modality for your clients to enjoy and benefit from using.
