Into the cold: a first had account of cryotherapy

A nice hot bath, laying on a sun-drenched beach, snuggling in a blanket with a marshmallow topped hot chocolate, these are some of my favourite activities. So you can imagine, -140 degree is not top of my to do list, but when Beauty at The Gate introduced their new cryotherapy chamber I have to admit I was completely intrigued.

The list of benefits of this machine is pretty impressive, helping with everything from sports recovery to anti-aging as well as pain relief for conditions such as fibromyalgia and help with anxiety / depression and sleeping better, pretty much something for everyone.

I was met by Sam, the founder of BATG, and Daisy who talked me through the process. I was to be in the machine for three minutes to get the full benefit of the treatment. Sam and Daisy were very patient with me, I’d explained how nervous I was about the cold. As a rule I feel the cold dreadfully, always reaching for that extra sweater or flicking the heating on when my husband isn’t looking but they talked me through how it’s a very different feeling of cold, a dry cold and more of a tingling sensation. They explained that if at any time I felt uncomfortable I could simply push the door open and let myself out.

Questions answered, the girls then left me to get myself ready. I was given all the clothing I needed to wear in the chamber (a headband to cover my ears, extremely soft gloves and socks, slippers and a mask). You cannot wear your clothes in the machine or you wouldn’t feel the benefit but underwear or (swimwear like a bikini), you then get a towel to put round you that you have to abandon as you stepped in to the chamber.

Once I was suitably attired, Sam and Daisy joined me again to get the chamber going. Once it reached -140 (this took literally seconds) we were ready to go. They had explained that it was important to get in as quickly possible as once the door is opened it obviously immediately starts letting in the warmer air from the room so as soon as Sam opened the door I dropped the towel and in I popped.

So, I’m sure what everyone wants to know…just how cold was it? Honestly when I first got in I was pleasantly surprised with how un-cold it actually was! I’ll admit the first few second were a bit disconcerting as the fog that the chamber creates makes it a little hard to see initially, but once that settled and I got used to my surroundings I was much calmer than I had anticipated. Personally I don’t have any issues with small spaces but I can’t say that at any point I felt cramped or hemmed in and I knew that I only had to push the door and I’d be out if I need to.

When Sam let me know I had been in for a minute I couldn’t believe how fast it had gone. I looked down and noticed the hairs on my arms were now adorned with tiny icicles. Truthfully when minute two rolled by I was starting to think I was about done. My forearms and my shins where beginning to feel tingly, but I realised I’d adopted a rather strange stance with my legs wide and my arms quite a way out from my body so I scrunched myself up a bit more to try and conserve what little body heat I had left. With 30 seconds to go I did have to concentrate on my breathing, I’d been told to make sure you regulate this in the chamber to help acclimatise so a few deep breaths and before I knew it the 10 second shout came and finally the door was opened and Sam wrapped me in the fluffiest dressing gown known to man.

I really do feel the cold and when I get cold I feel like I’m frozen to my absolute core so I couldn’t believe it when within seconds of stepping out I felt completely normal again, I had assumed that I would be cold for the rest of the evening, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I didn’t go in with any specific ache or pain so couldn’t attest to that side of the benefits but I felt so good after coming out. I felt sharper all afternoon, lighter and more on the ball, I can see why Grimsby Town are using the chamber to prep for their matches as it very much invigorates you. I felt more relaxed (to be fair a road closure on my way to the salon had left me late for my appointment and pretty stressed before I went in!) and definitely a sense of exhilaration having faced my fear of the cold and survived!

It really is hard to describe the feeling you get in the chamber. Although it was of course cold, I had expected it to feel much much chillier. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. So I suppose to really understand what -140 feels like you will just have to try it for yourself!

Cryotherapy sessions at Beauty and Man at The Gate start at £35 for a Beginners Session 2 mins @ -120 degrees.