Author: Impact Cryotherapy

A Business Owner’s Insight into the Cold Therapy Industry

Meet Madeline Lovell – Impact Cryotherapy customer and co-owner of Celsius Cryotherapy.  Madeline is a young entrepreneur with a strong passion for fitness and wellness. She leads the Celsius Cryotherapy team in St. Louis and helps oversee Celsius’ additional location in Seattle.

We spent some time with Madeline to hear more about her personal journey with cryotherapy and what she thinks the cryo market will look like in the future. Let’s hear what she has to say:

The Story Begins

I’ve always wanted to pursue a career that allows me to help others and make a difference. More recently, I have become interested in injury recovery – I studied exercise science in college and have actively been looking for new ways to help others recover post-workout.

My father, who was exposed to the concept at work, introduced me to whole body cryotherapy. I was intrigued and began my own research. My research told me that cryotherapy originated in Japan as a treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis and was later brought it to the United States by athletes to aid in their recovery. This was the type of therapy I was looking to build a business around. I then quickly realized that my city had a huge need and market for cryo thus motivating my family and me to start Celsius Cryotherapy in St. Louis, MO.

Choosing a Cryo Vendor

As our business is centered around cryotherapy, we needed to find a cryotherapy machine that provided an optimal cold therapy experience for our customers. We conducted thorough research on all cryo machines on the market and found that the Impact Cryotherapy cryosauna was by far the best machine available. It is a superior product and has outstanding service and maintenance offerings. Additionally, during our research period, we experienced all cryosaunas – the Impact cryotherapy machine definitely gets the coldest. We also very much appreciated the fact that it is manufactured in the United States.

Before opening our store in November of 2017, we utilized a mobile cryotherapy trailer that housed an Impact cryosauna. The mobile trailer allowed us to build awareness about our business 2 months prior to opening. We traveled to local gyms and spas around the area to provide cryotherapy sessions to potential Celsius clientele.

Once we were open, we began offering additional wellness services alongside cryotherapy such as NormaTec compression and infrared therapy sessions. Cryotherapy is the most well-received service and by far my favorite – even though, at first, a lot of people are skeptical at how standing in a cold chamber for 2-3 minutes could have so many benefits. I’ll admit, I was skeptical as well but I have seen the benefits first hand. I didn’t think I needed fixing by cryotherapy, but it has changed my life and I’ve seen so many people feel the same way.

I have been most surprised at how quickly cryotherapy works for people. There is an instant relief for a lot of chronic pain and suffering. I see lots of tears of joy and hugs from clients who suffer from chronic pain feeling some relief for the first time in a long time.

Cryotherapy isn’t just for athletes and those with chronic pain, however, it truly has benefits for everyone.  We have a lot of older clients who have found a lot of relief in cryotherapy for their joint and muscle aches. In addition, we have clients who use cryotherapy to help alleviate their skin conditions such as acne, blemishes, eczema, psoriasis, and more.

The Future

Cryotherapy is the next phase of wellness and fitness – and Impact Cryotherapy is pioneering the way. Over the last 10 years fitness and boutique health have exploded and in the past 8, cryotherapy has emerged as one of the fastest and most beneficial wellness techniques. People are noticing the importance of their body and health – and research is pointing towards the importance of recovery in active lifestyles.

As the demand for cryotherapy increases, more and more cryo businesses will emerge.

It truly does not take a lot of manpower to operate a cryo and wellness store. Yes, it takes a lot of patience to start a business from the ground up – patience in the process, the people, and in yourself. Fortunately, the cryotherapy community is very helpful across the country. You can learn a lot by just reaching out to other cryotherapy businesses to learn what has worked or not worked for them. You’ll have your highs and you are going to have your lows. The balance is going to come from the strong, confident, uplifting clients who walk in the door. At the end of the day, it’s a very rewarding business to be in – we get to help people, see growth and change lives.

— that you’ll want to share!

This won’t come as much of a surprise, but we’re big fans of cold here at IMPACT Cryotherapy. As the leading manufacturer and seller of cryosaunas in the US, we take pride in helping others discover the natural healing power of colder temperatures. Just for fun, here are ten crazy facts about cold that you may not know.

1. The Stars Use Cold for Recovery
Cryotherapy is becoming increasingly popular among celebrities. Here are just a few that we know use this cold therapy: Joe Rogan, Derek Hough, Tony Robbins, Kevin Hart, Demi Moore, Tim Ferris, Daniel Craig, Mandy Moore, and Chelsea Handler.

2. Love Is In the Colder Air
Conception rates reach their peak in December. In fact, 9% of all U.S. conceptions happen during that colder month.

3. Cold Can Calm Your Mind
In 1994, German doctors discovered that short-term whole body cold exposure dramatically decreased uric acid in the body, resulting in an increased tolerance to stress and disease.

4. The Earth is Closest to the Sun During the Winter
Mind blown. It’s a common misconception that seasonal drops in temperature result from our planet’s proximity to the Sun. Instead, it has everything to do with the tilt of the Earth’s axis.

5. Not All Snowflakes Are Unique
While this is true on a molecular level, snowflakes only fall into one of 35 different shapes. As for how exactly they form their particular shapes? That’s still a bit of a beautiful mystery.

6. Our Founding Fathers Embraced the Cold
It has been well-documented that the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, used a cold foot bath every morning to maintain his health.

7. Scientists Recently Recorded the Coldest Temperature on Earth
As it turns out Earth’s southernmost continent can get even colder than we realized. The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was recently updated to minus 144°F in Antarctica.

8. Ice May Not Be the Best Way to Reduce Pain
We’ve all heard about R.I.C.E (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) as a method for treating injuries. While ice can be an effective way to immediately reduce pain and swelling, it comes with drawbacks including irritated skin, joint stiffness, and numbness.

9. “Cool as a Cucumber” Is a Real Thing
Though the phrase is often used to describe a calm attitude during difficult situations, it actually has scientific backing. The inside of cucumbers are in fact 10-20 degrees cooler than their surroundings.

10. Cryophobia is Alive and Well
Cryophobia is a condition where a person fears intense cold. Don’t worry, cryophobics, we won’t force you to enter the cryosauna.

We hope you enjoyed these crazy cold facts. Learn more about the benefits of cryotherapy here, or, reach out to our team with any questions today.

Although 45% of cryotherapy users do cryotherapy at least 1x a week, to get the most out of your cryotherapy sessions, and to see major benefits, Impact Cryotherapy recommends that you experience cryotherapy at least 3x a week.

Cryotherapy is similar to working out in the sense that the more you do cryo, the better results you see!

Many elite and professional athletes frequent the cryosauna at least 1x day — and some get their chill on 2x a day, however, no one, not even elite athletes, should do back-to-back cryotherapy sessions.

Ready to ramp up your cryo frequency? Click here to find a cryotherapy machine near you!

In the recovery world, there is a lot of debate about whether heat or cold is better for the body. Some experts argue that cold is the way to go post-workout while others are adamant that heat is the proper remedy. Although we the love cold, there are times when warm temperatures can be just as beneficial – so when should you turn up the heat vs. cooling down? It depends on what you’re trying to accomplish:

Reducing Inflammation
Experts recommend using cold therapy to reduce inflammation. Why? Cold temperatures can help reduce blood flow thus promoting a decrease in inflammation AND swelling.

Increasing Blood Flow
The application of heat promotes vasodilation, which is the dilation of the blood vessels. Vasodilation increases blood flow, helping bring oxygen and nutrients to the heated area. Suffering from muscle tightness? Increased blood flow can help loosen muscles.

Decreasing Lactic Acid
Intense exercise can create a build-up of lactate, or lactic acid, in your bloodstream causing soreness, cramps and fatigue. Cold therapy, such as ice baths and whole body cryotherapy, can help flush lactic acid out of your body.

Muscle Relaxation
Stiff muscles, soreness from over-exertion, and “knots” in the muscles can all be alleviated with heat therapy as the application of heat helps relax muscles.

Alleviating Exercise-induced Pain
A combination of heat and cold therapy is recommended to help reduce pain and soreness associated with routine exercise.

Still not sure if you should use hot or cold? Connect with your doctor for a specific recommendation that is unique to you!

Ready to up your cold therapy game by implementing whole body cryotherapy into your post-workout routine? Click here to find a trusted cryotherapy location near you!

When you hop into an Impact Cryo machine for cryotherapy, rest assured that you will be experiencing a safe and comfortable session administered by a certified cryotherapy provider.

Unlike other cryo machine manufacturers and distributors, Impact Cryotherapy requires that all Impact Cryo machine owners and their staff participate in 2-days of cryotherapy machine operation training provided by the Impact team.

Following training, potential operators must pass Impact Cryotherapy’s “Whole Body Cryotherapy Training Test: Safety is Essential” in order to be certified to operate an Impact  cryo machine.

Additionally, Impact provides customers access to ongoing training materials via the Customer Resource Portal.

It is important to keep in mind that not all cryosauna manufacturers and distributors provide operational training to owners and staff. To ensure that you are experiencing a cryotherapy session provided by a certified cryosauna operator, it is recommended that you seek out a cryo location with an Impact Cryotherapy machine.

Click here to find an Impact cryosauna near you!

Cryo Treatment & More

As busy Americans, we have a lot to juggle with work, travel, relationships, future goals, community service and more. If you have been stressed, you aren’t alone. According to the American Psychology Association’s Annual Stress in America Survey, Americans stress levels are at an all-time high. You can tackle your stressors head on and start improving your overall wellbeing by beginning daily self-care practices.

In year’s past, self-care has had a materialistic reputation. Many people considered grooming or beauty regimens to be self-care. Today, self-care is as simple as it sounds. Anytime you do something for your health or wellbeing, you are completing an act of self-care.

By carving out a few minutes a day, you can reduce your stress. All you need is five minutes or less to begin your self-care rituals. Here is a list of 10 easy self-care activities you can test out:

1. Deep breathing or meditation. There are many apps like Headspace meditation to take you through simple routines, or you can breathe deeply for two minutes by setting a timer and focusing on your breath.
2. Water with lemon and ginger. The benefits of drinking water are endless, but sometimes you have to spice things up. Consider adding lemon and ginger to your water for an extra immune boost and stomach relief.
3. Affirmations. Show yourself the love you deserve. Try writing out three personal affirmations on your mirror at the beginning of the week.
4. Cryotherapy. Reenergize and reduce stress in less than three minutes with the healing powers of the low-temperature chambers. Made popular by professional athletes and medical professionals, cryo treatment is now available at many spas and fitness gyms.
5. Stretch. Increase blood circulation and feel fewer aches and pains throughout the day by integrating a short stretch routine to your mornings.
6. Find the Sun. If you work inside all day, find time to take a break and stand or walk outside. Let the sunshine hit your face.
7. Cuddle with a Pet. You don’t need your own furbaby at home. Try visiting an animal shelter. Nothing says love then petting a kitten or getting kisses from a puppy.
8. Stand. Sitting all day does nothing for your posture or your mood. Instead, test out a standing desk for a portion of your day or just stand up for a minute every couple of hours.
9. Dance Party. Let the stress leave you by turning your music up loud and dancing like nobody’s watching! You can even try this on your commute home.
10. Disconnect. Take a few minutes every day to walk away from your internet devices or entertainment sources. Make time to simply be for a minute or two.

You can make a difference in your daily life and start reducing your stress with simple, quick self-care techniques. If you want to feel healthier, you have the time to get started today. We can help you begin one of our favorite self-care technique by teaching you more about cryotherapy. You can learn more about our Atlanta-based cryotherapy services here. Not in the Atlanta-area? Click here to find a cryotherapy location near you!

The Types of Cryotherapy – Let’s Explore, Shall We?

Yes, there are various types of cryotherapy. Did you know utilizing an ice pack on an injury is a type of cryotherapy?

Ice baths and cold water submersion are also considered forms of cryo – but that’s not all.

In the medical field, procedures that require liquid nitrogen, or extremely low temperatures, are often referred to as cryotherapy or cryosurgery. Ever have a water removed at the dermatologist? You have experienced cryotherapy!

Additionally, there are more “modern” versions of cryotherapy including whole body cryotherapy, localized cryotherapy, and cryotherapy facials – these types of cryo typically require nitrogen vapor to hyper-cool the body or other targeted areas.

Technically speaking, any type of “therapy” that requires the use of extremely cold temperatures can be considered cryotherapy – so you’ve most likely done cryotherapy at least once or twice in your life! So what are you waiting for? Get out there and explore. You can find cryo treatment near you using our cryosauna locator here. #JustChill

If you’re running a brick and mortar health, wellness, or fitness business, you know that every square inch of space matters to your business’ bottom line. Your goal is to maintain enough space to conduct your classes or services, keep your clients happy, and maximize return on your square footage investment. Today, we’ll discuss one way that wellness businesses all over the world are maximizing their space utilization by adding new streams of revenue.

According to the Global Wellness Institute, the global wellness economy contributed $3.7 trillion in 2015. As one of the world’s largest and fastest growing industries, this number only continues to grow. With this growth comes increased competition, and a greater need to differentiate your offerings from the competition. To accomplish this, many wellness businesses are adding cryotherapy to their existing offerings to gain a competitive edge.

As an existing wellness business, you have a unique opportunity to leverage existing traffic as you launch new offerings. As more and more people prioritize a holistic approach to their health and well-being, now is the time to evolve your services to better meet customers’ needs. Adding a cryosauna to your existing health or wellness space can differentiate your services and appeal to a broader audience. By providing a one-stop-shop for all of your customers’ wellness needs, your business will gain an edge over the competition.

Let’s say you’re running a local gym. Your business is doing well, but you know you’re probably overlooking new ways to generate revenue. You’re starting to lose business to the niche wellness business down the street, and you’re looking for ways to maintain and grow your clientele. You have an old 10’ x 10’ HVAC closet in the back corner of your gym, but you’ve never given it much thought. Turns out, you’re sitting on an untapped revenue opportunity.

A 10’ x 10’ space is all you need to start offering your clients natural healing and wellness through cryotherapy. Each full-body cryotherapy session lasts just three minutes, giving you the ability to drive revenue every 180 seconds while offering an affordable cold therapy experience to your customers. The IMPACT cryosaunas are incredibly efficient so you can run back-to-back sessions with no downtime.

Every square inch matters to the success and sustainability of your health or wellness business. Adding a cryosauna can help you create a positive feedback loop of revenue for your business. You’ll keep your current customers happy and engaged with unique services and attract brand new customers that you can later upsell or convert into members.

At IMPACT Cryotherapy, we help wellness professionals enter the cryotherapy space with confidence and minimal interference. We take pride in our end-to-end support, guiding you every step of the way to ensure the best possible outcomes for your business. Thanks to our inventory and relationships with national gas suppliers, we can work quickly to get your cryosauna installed and ready to run in as little as ten days.

Ready to learn more? Give us a call or reach out to our team today.

Cryotherapy temperatures have everyone shivering (by design) – but how cold is too cold?

Cryotherapy temperatures 101: We all know that cryo is cold – but just how cold does a cryotherapy session get?

“True” cryotherapy temperatures range between -90 degrees Celsius and -120 degrees Celsius – therefore the Impact Cryotherapy cryosauna is designed to produce sessions within that range.

Many other cryotherapy machines boast temperatures much lower than -120 degrees Celsius, however, your cryotherapy session is not actually hitting these extreme temps. These machines are simply displaying the temperature that is reached when the nitrogen gas, the cooling agent, hits the cryosauna – instead of displaying the temperature of the cryosauna cabin, where you are standing.

The Impact Cryosauna has 3 cryotherapy session levels with different temperatures for user comfort:

• Level 1: -90 degrees Celsius
• Level 2: -110 degrees Celsius
• Level 3: -120 degrees Celsius

Each session produces cryosauna cabin temperatures at the respective level that was selected, therefore when you chill out on a level 1, you are truly standing in temperatures at -90 degrees Celsius – cool, right?

If you’re looking to give cryo a try,  check out our Cryosauna Locator now!

Cryotherapy Reviews – the results are in.

During a cryotherapy session, participants will feel a dry, comfortable cold, however, the feeling after the 3-minute chill is much different.

When stepping out of the cryosauna post-cryo session, it’s normal to feel instantaneously warm – this is because you are exiting the extremely cold temperatures created by the machine. Immediately after cryo, or even hours later, you may experience a sense of calm or rejuvenation. Many cryotherapy users have also reported feelings of euphoria and/or energy – others report having improved and/or deeper sleep the night following the session.

How will YOU feel after cryo? Give it a try to find out! Click here to find a cryo location near you.