We all feel aches and pains once in a while. Some of us experience chronic pain and inflammation from conditions like arthritis, while others get sore after workouts at the gym.

There are many treatments available to relieve pain, but one that has gained a lot of attention and popularity recently is whole-body cryotherapy.

If you’re wondering what cryotherapy is and where you can try it in the Thornton, CO, area, read this blog to learn more!

What Is Cryotherapy?

In the most basic terms, cryotherapy is “cold therapy.” It’s one of the simplest and oldest ways to treat pain and injuries. Cryotherapy can be applied in a variety of ways including ice packs, ice baths, ice sprays, and ice massages. Doctors also use small amounts of liquid nitrogen to freeze off warts, skin tags, and cancerous cells in a treatment known as cryosurgery.

More recently, whole-body cryotherapy chambers have become popular among athletes and exercise enthusiasts who want to facilitate recovery from workouts and orthopedic injuries. Whole-body cryotherapy is also used to ease persistent pain caused by chronic conditions like arthritis and migraines.

At AFAC gym in Thornton, Colorado, our cryotherapy is delivered through a chamber that surrounds your entire body, but has an opening for your head at the top.

Here’s how to use our state-of-the-art cryotherapy chamber:

1. Contact AFAC gym at 303-920-2030 to schedule a cryotherapy appointment. You can also schedule an appointment by calling or texting Susan at 720-849-0245 or Mike at 303-210-5519.
2. At your cryotherapy appointment, a trained member of our team will assist you throughout the entire process to ensure your safety and comfort. We’ll also answer any questions you have.
3. It’s recommended that you wear undergarments, thick gloves, and thick slippers during your cryotherapy session. AFAC gym has individual private dressing rooms where you can change your clothes before and after your cryotherapy session.
4. Once you’re ready, you will enter our cryotherapy chamber and your attendant will close the door and turn the chamber on.
5. Liquid nitrogen vapor will circulate around your body for 2-3 minutes.
6. The vapor exposes your skin to extremely low temperatures (around -230 degrees Fahrenheit).
7. When the session is complete, you’ll exit the chamber.

When your skin is exposed to the low temperatures inside the cryotherapy chamber, blood from your body’s surface areas will be pushed toward your body’s warm core. This is called vasoconstriction. When the cryotherapy session is over, your skin will return to normal temperature and your warmer blood will circulate throughout your body through a process called vasodilation.

What Are the Benefits of Whole-Body Cryotherapy?

While research is ongoing, whole-body cryotherapy has been credited with benefits that help people with many health issues, including:

• Recovery from the soreness and muscle damage experienced after workouts, allowing athletes and gym members to exercise more often and with higher intensity
• Pain from sports injuries
• Inflammation, swelling, and pain
• Joint conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and frozen shoulder
• Chronic pain and fibromyalgia
• Migraines
• Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
• Asthma
• Anxiety and depression, as many people report feeling relaxed and rejuvenated immediately after cryotherapy
• Insomnia
• Eczema

Cryotherapy might also support weight loss efforts. In theory, being cold forces your body to work harder to stay warm, which does burn some calories and could increase metabolism for a period of time. In addition, whole-body cryotherapy helps people get back to an exercise program faster following soreness or an injury, further assisting in their goal to lose weight.

How Long Does it Take to Feel the Benefits of Cryotherapy?

Not long! During the first few moments of your cryotherapy session, your brain releases endorphins and adrenaline which can leave you feeling alert and energetic directly afterward. Additionally, as your capillaries expand after treatment and deliver oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood throughout your body, you’ll feel a pleasant tingling sensation and your tissues will begin to heal. The immediate effects can last 6-8 hours. Many people also report an improvement in their sleep quality after their cryotherapy session.

What Should I Wear During My Cryotherapy Session?

We recommend that you wear undergarments (without underwire in bras), thick gloves, and thick slippers. We will provide you with gloves and slippers to wear during cryotherapy. AFAC gym also has private changing rooms for you to use before and after your cryotherapy session.

All jewelry should be removed, and any piercings should be removed or covered with a thick cloth.

It’s also important that any clothing you’re wearing is completely dry upon entering the cryotherapy chamber. Make sure to remove socks if they’re wet with sweat.

Is Whole-Body Cryotherapy Safe?

Yes, our cryotherapy chamber is safe. During the 2-3 minute session, your skin temperature will drop, but your body’s core temperature will remain at its natural temperature of about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Also, our cryotherapy chamber has non-porous surfaces that can be easily sanitized. The staff at AFAC gym meticulously cleans our cryotherapy chamber following every session to ensure it’s sterilized for the next person to use.

Is Cryotherapy Uncomfortable? What if I’m Claustrophobic?

Whole-body cryotherapy only lasts 2-3 minutes. The cold air doesn’t contain any moisture and there is no air current. This makes cryotherapy very tolerable. You might experience some shivers at the end of your treatment, but those will disappear as soon as you leave the cryotherapy chamber.

And whole-body cryotherapy is also comfortable for those who have claustrophobia. The chamber is open at the top and can be adjusted to fit your height. Your head and neck are always above the opening of the chamber, so you’re never fully enclosed. Even though the cryochamber door will be closed during the treatment, it’s never locked so you can step out at any time you need to.

Is Cryotherapy Dangerous or Toxic?

No, the nitrogen used during cryotherapy is a friendly, non-toxic gas. As a matter of fact, nitrogen is 78% of the air that we breathe. The other components of the chamber’s gas are 16% oxygen, 1% hydrogen, and 5% other inert gases.

The liquid nitrogen used in cryotherapy is utilized as a cooling agent and does not come into contact with your skin. And, since your head and neck are exposed during treatment, you breathe the air in the room. For added assurance, our cryotherapy chamber is equipped with an oxygen monitor and one of our trained operators is always present during your treatment to control temperature levels and ensure your comfort.

Is There Anyone Who Shouldn’t Use the Cryotherapy Chamber?

While our whole-body cryotherapy chamber is safe for most people, we do have a complete list of health contraindications that must be reviewed and acknowledged by each person before every cryotherapy session. For example, it is not recommended that you use cryotherapy if you are:

• Pregnant
• Have severe unmanaged high blood pressure
• Have a cardiac pacemaker
• Are being treated for cancer
• Have deep vein thrombosis
• Have acute or recent myocardial infarction
• Have uncontrolled seizures
• Have acute kidney and urinary tract diseases
• Are under the influence of drugs or alcohol

For a complete list of conditions that could prevent you from using our cryotherapy chamber, please speak to a member of our team.

How Often Should I Have a Cryotherapy Session? Is One Cryotherapy Treatment Enough?

Cryotherapy sessions can be performed safely as often as twice per day. Generally, most people have cryotherapy 2-3 times per week. High-level athletes might use cryotherapy up to 5 times per week.

While having one cryotherapy session is beneficial and you’ll feel the mental health boost immediately, research shows that users experience cumulative benefits after a minimum of 10 sessions within a 2–3-week period. After that, you can have fewer cryotherapy sessions spaced further apart to maintain and improve your results.

To achieve peak performance, some professional athletes benefit from up to two cryotherapy sessions per day!

Should I Do Anything Special After My Cryotherapy Session?

No, there’s nothing you should specifically do after your cryotherapy session, but hydrating with plenty of water is always a good idea. You also don’t need to avoid anything specific after cryotherapy.

Should I Do Cryotherapy Before or After My Workout at AFAC Gym?

There are benefits of having a cryotherapy session before and after your gym workout, so the answer to this question is, it’s really up to you!

Cryotherapy before your gym workout can enhance your exercise readiness, increase your range of motion, boost your endurance, and improve your pre-workout mood.

Cryotherapy after your gym workout can provide you with faster recovery times, reduced inflammation, pain relief, and increased flexibility.

The Best Cryotherapy Chamber Is Near You at AFAC Gym

If you’re looking for the best whole-body cryotherapy near you in Thornton, CO, please contact or visit AFAC gym. We’re located at 12301 Grant Street, #210. Our team is here to support you and answer all your questions about cryotherapy. We also offer an unparalleled combination of strength training equipment, cardio machines, and  fitness classes that you can combine with cryotherapy to reach your fitness goals. In addition, our personal trainers can design an individualized fitness plan especially for your needs.

To find out more about becoming a member of AFAC gym — the best gym in Thornton, Colorado — please stop by or give us a call anytime. We’ll be happy to assist you. You can also contact our gym owner, Susan, at 720-849-0245 or susan@adventurefitness.club for assistance.