This is next-level wellness, and it’s almost unbelievable that you can give both your body and mind this much love in just three minutes. Step into a chamber of sub-zero air, and in that short time, your body gets to work – easing inflammation, boosting circulation, burning extra calories and lifting your mood in ways you can actually feel. It’s quick, it’s effective, and it’ll make you rethink how much can really happen in the time it takes to make instant noodles.
The cooling is done by a blast of frigid air. During these exposures, you wear minimal clothing, gloves, a woolen headband covering the ears, a nose and mouth mask and dry shoes and socks to reduce the risk of cold-related injury. The blasts blow over fast; they last only three minutes. The gimmick is that you’ll get into the chamber, and the temperature will be reduced down to between -110°C and -140°C. And it’s not just standing there – trained staff will have you select a song beforehand, and they’ll always check in on you. You’re encouraged to dance, move around, and enjoy the song – yes, I said dance in -140°C; somehow it makes sense in there.
Safety comes first, from the way you dress to the way the session is conducted. The machine is certified by the FDA, so you can be sure it’s legit. The air inside is ‘dry cold’, not ice or liquid so your body stays dry, and you can breathe normally. Unlike ice bath therapy, where you dunk your open hands and feet into freezing water (and your nerves all scream at once), cryotherapy keeps them covered. Instead, the cold air works through your skin while you breathe it in.
Here’s the science bit: when your body is exposed to this extreme cold for a short time, it ramps up your metabolism to maintain core temperature. It also activates ‘brown fat,’ a special kind of fat that produces heat and burns calories. Some studies suggest that a single session can increase calorie burn by 400–800 calories.
After the session, I walked out of the chamber with snow on my eyelashes – and that was my little ‘Elsa’ moment. For a brief while, I forgot how hot Bangkok usually is. That night, I slept better than I had in weeks. If you’re short on time and hate the idea of getting soaked in an ice bath, this is your new go-to.