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Tag: Cold Plunge

  • Treat yourself: These luxury wellness spaces can help boost your overall health

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    In this technology- and data-driven era, health looks a whole lot different than it did just five or 10 years ago. Now, a broad sense of wellness is where it’s at — and Charlotte is no exception to the trend.

    In the past, I’ve explored luxury gyms and luxury spas in an effort to seek out some of the best health-focused spaces in the Charlotte area. This time, I’m taking a look at luxury wellness spaces that can help with combating stress, inflammation, muscle soreness and a variety of other recovery needs.

    As a perimenopausal woman whose blood work has shown inflammation far above normal levels, health and wellness are high on my priority list for self care — and survival, if I’m being honest. I don’t care quite as much about the number a scale shows, but I’m looking to build and maintain muscle, sleep well and feel good.

    On this journey, I took the new Pause Studio up on an offer to get an early look at the facility, which calls itself “a new kind of wellness studio.”

    “Whether you are looking to boost immunity, enhance performance, or simply unwind, our science-backed services support every body & goal,” an email from the new Arboretum location said.

    Among the services offered there is contrast therapy, which alternates heat and cold to promote circulation, reduce inflammation and help with muscle soreness. That hits all of my buckets right now, so I gave it a try.

    A high-angle, medium-close-up selfie of a person with light skin, grey hair and black-rimmed glasses, smiling at the camera and wearing a black tank top. To the left is an infrared sauna with glass doors and wood-paneled interior walls. To the right, behind a glass partition, there is a cold plunge tub made of matching wood with a metal rim.
    CharlotteFive’s Heidi Finley stands in a contrast therapy suite at Pause Charlotte. Heidi Finley CharlotteFive

    What is contrast therapy like?

    Contrast therapy generally involves spending time in a hot sauna, then shifting to a cold plunge pool. At Pause, this happens all in a private suite that includes an infrared sauna hovering around 150 degrees and a water tub kept at about 48 degrees.

    An information card at Pause said benefits of infrared sauna contrast therapy can include boosting metabolism, skin health, elevating immunity, athletic and physical recovery, heart health and pain management.

    The infrared sauna I experienced was different from a traditional, steamy sauna with wet heat that burns the nostrils. Instead, it was a dry heat that lends itself to remaining comfortable for lengthier sessions. I can usually last about 12-15 minutes when I’m in a traditional sauna, so I set a timer on my Apple Watch for 15 minutes and closed my eyes.

    An eye-level, wide shot looking into a modern infrared sauna through a glass door. The interior features light-colored wood-paneled walls and a wooden bench with a white folded towel on top. Black heating panels are mounted along the lower walls, and the entire space is bathed in a warm red glow from an overhead light panel and a backlit logo on the back wall that reads “pause.” To the right, just outside the sauna, a portion of a wooden cold plunge tub is visible.
    An infrared sauna at Pause Charlotte. Heidi Finley CharlotteFive

    After that 15 minutes was up, I was warm and sweaty but not overwhelmingly so. I considered staying in a few more minutes, but decided it was time to cold plunge — a bit of a mental challenge, along with a physical challenge.

    I’ll also admit here that I didn’t think this out real well in advance. A panel on the wall offers guided breath work and guidance during the cold plunge — but it didn’t occur to me to check out the options in advance of climbing into the tub. That led me to clambor in, then push the selection for a 30-second session, finding out a little too late that it starts with directions to follow before you’re submersed in the icy bath. Whoops!

    I suppose this probably tricked me into being in there perhaps a minute or so, but without that time guide, I can only guess. I can say, however, that I was goosebump cold and quite ready to climb out when the guide announced that time was up. And, naturally, I went running back straight to the sauna.

    A wide shot of a wellness suite featuring a wooden cold plunge tub and an adjacent open shower. The cold plunge tub has a natural wood exterior with a metal rim, two wooden steps for entry, and a digital tablet mounted on the wall above it. To the right, the shower area has large, square grey wall tiles, gold-toned fixtures including a rainfall showerhead and handheld wand, and gold safety rails. A tall green plant is tucked into the corner between the tub and the shower.
    A cold plunge tub at Pause Charlotte. Heidi Finley CharlotteFive

    One more time, I plunged back into the frosty bath — taking care to actually follow the directions this time to get the full benefit.

    Overall, the experience left me feeling refreshed and calm, and I’d certainly do it again. Even if I can’t quite make it happen a few times a week, as many suggest is optimal, every bit helps.

    Luxury wellness spaces in Charlotte

    Are you looking to hone in on your own personal wellness with contrast therapy, salt rooms or similar services? Here are a few places to check out in the Charlotte area, most of which offer both memberships and individual packages:

    Location: 441 Mercantile Pl suite 102, Fort Mill, SC 29715

    Echelon Contrast Suites, owned by two Fort Mill healthcare providers, offers infrared sauna and cold plunges, along with an infrared salt sauna and infrared light therapy. Its introductory price for new customers is $55 for a halo salt contrast session or $65 for a regular contrast therapy session.

    A wide shot of a wellness room bathed in cool blue light. On the left, a large glass-enclosed sauna features light wood paneling, purple-tinted interior lighting, and a logo that reads “ECHELON CONTRAST SUITES.” To the right, a black-paneled cold plunge tub with a wooden top has a white folded towel resting on it. An arched mirror on the wall reflects a digital screen, and a large potted plant sits between the sauna and the tub.
    A contrast therapy space at Echelon Contrast Suites. Jessy Millicevic/Echelon Contrast Suites

    Location: 7314 Waverly Walk Ave, Suite E-1B, Charlotte, NC 28277

    The Invigory House of Wellness offers a variety of wellness services such as cryotherapy, salt rooms and infrared sauna, NAD+ treatments to support cellular repair, compression therapy and more. A 45-minute salt room session or a 60-minute sauna session is $210.

    A side-by-side composite image showing two different wellness treatments. On the left, a person with closed eyes is immersed up to her shoulders in a white cryotherapy chamber, surrounded by cold white vapor. On the right, a person in black athletic wear sits calmly with closed eyes on a wooden bench inside a cedar-lined infrared sauna, illuminated by a warm red glow.
    The Invigory’s approach to contrast therapy uses alternating cryotherapy and infrared sauna for controlled temperature shifts. Emma Horner Photography

    Location: 8008 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277

    Along with contrast therapy, Pause Studio offers services including infrared sauna, NAD+ treatments to support cellular repair, float treatments, cryotherapy, compression therapy and AI-powered Aescape massage. Presale prices of 50% off services are available until Jan. 10, with prices starting at $53 for three sessions of compression therapy.

    An eye-level, wide shot looking into a modern infrared sauna through a glass door. The interior features light-colored wood-paneled walls and a wooden bench with a white folded towel on top. Black heating panels are mounted along the lower walls, and the entire space is bathed in a warm red glow from an overhead light panel and a backlit logo on the back wall that reads “pause.” To the right, just outside the sauna, a portion of a wooden cold plunge tub is visible.
    An infrared sauna at Pause Charlotte. Heidi Finley CharlotteFive

    Location: 3216 South Blvd., Suite 202, Charlotte, NC 28217

    At Plunge House, which is based in Charlotte, you have to apply for membership. Once you’re in, the experience includes steam rock saunas, cold plunges, hot plunges, vitamin C showers, Normatech compression therapy boots, towel service and even a hot tea bar. There is a waitlist, but you can book your first session for $35.

    A medium shot of a person with blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, laughing and smiling while submerged in a white cold plunge tub with hrms resting on the edges of the tub. The background is slightly blurred, showing a modern interior with a large black “P” logo on a light wooden wall.
    Plunge House offers a communal space with individual cold plunge tubs. Plunge House

    Location: 1711 Montford Dr, Charlotte, NC 28209

    Location: 6660 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226

    Location: 9285 Sandy Rock Place, Suite E, Charlotte, NC 28277

    Location 760 Herlong Ave., Rock Hill, SC 29732

    Restore Hyper Wellness’ services include cryotherapy, infrared sauna, red light therapy and compression, along with a variety of other options. Prices vary by location.

    Location: 2501 The Plaza, Suite 8, Charlotte, NC 28205

    Salt & Souls focuses specifically on halotherapy, or sitting in a salt cave. The treatment can provide relief from respiratory ailments and skin conditions, along with lowering stress and anxiety. The practice also supports your immune system and can assist with sinus and ear infections. Prices start at $15 per person for a 10-minute session in a salt booth or $50 per person for 45 minutes in a full salt cave.

    Location: 274 S Sharon Amity Rd Unit 1, Charlotte, NC 28211

    Sauna Culture pairs a traditional Finnish dry sauna with cold plunges. Its new customer special offers unlimited 90-minute sauna and cold plunge sessions for two weeks for $49. Compression boot use is included once a week for members, but nonmembers can book a 15-20 minute session in them for $15.

    Location: 1500 W Morehead St H, Charlotte, NC 28208

    Sauna House is a communal bathhouse with traditional Finnish saunas and cold plunge pools for contrast therapy. Massages and private plunge rooms are also available. A two-hour bathhouse visit is $50.

    A wide shot of a large, modern wellness studio with high ceilings and industrial-style windows. In the foreground, a metal-lined cold plunge pool is built into the floor, featuring metal handrails for entry. To the left, a textured, dark grey wall holds two open-concept showerheads.
    Sauna House’s contrast therapy uses traditional Finnish sauna and a cold plunge pool. Erica Serrano Photography

    Location: 420 W Palmer St, Charlotte, NC 28203

    Sunday Hot Springs describes itself as a wellness center that provides a “high-end holistic experience.” It offers a traditional sauna, herbal steam room, cold plunge and neutral pool, plus a kombucha bar. A two-hour weekday session is $65, while a weekend visit is $75.

    A warm, candid shot of four people socializing in and around a clear blue pool at an indoor bathhouse, wearing black swimwear.
    Sunday Hot Springs offers sauna and cold plunge services in a communal setting. Cameron Watkins

    Location: 4810 Ashley Park Ln Suite D, Charlotte, NC 28210

    Location: 1711 Commonwealth Ave, STE 105, Charlotte NC 28205 (opening soon)

    Location: 9831 Rea Rd Suite G, Charlotte NC 28277 (opening soon)

    At SweatHouz, also known as SWTHZ, services offered include infrared sauna, cold plunge and vitamin C showers, all in a private suite. Pricing for an initial session is just $35. More Charlotte locations are opening soon in Plaza Midwood and Ballantyne.

    Location: 906 Pecan Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

    Location: 9664 Red Stone Dr, Indian Land, SC 29707

    True Rest Float Spa offers two Charlotte-area locations where you can float in a pod filled with water and Epsom salts for an hour to meditate, treat muscle and joint soreness and ease your nervous system into rest and recovery mode. A New Year’s BOGO special is offering a two-float pack for $89.

    Location: 4625 Piedmont Row Drive, Suite 125, Charlotte, NC 28210

    At Woodhouse Spa, infrared sauna and salt therapy services are available along with massages, wraps and other traditional spa services. Pricing starts at $45 for a 30-minute sauna session or a 45-minute salt session.

    A wide-angle shot of a cozy, modern spa lounge featuring white upholstered armchairs arranged around a central coffee table on a patterned rug. A long, linear fireplace with blue flames is built into a wood-paneled wall, accented by hanging green plants above it. The room is decorated with abstract art, small side tables, and shelves holding vases and candles.
    Woodhouse Spa is in Charlotte’s SouthPark area. Woodhouse Spa

    Related Stories from Charlotte Observer

    Heidi Finley

    The Charlotte Observer

    Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits.
    Support my work with a digital subscription

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    Heidi Finley

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  • Do You Know the Risks That Come With Your Cold Plunge?

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    Dr. Mark Harper recalls his first cold-water swim in the south of England 20 years ago. It was August, but the initial jolt from the plunge took his breath away.
    The shock to his system lasted a minute or two until he was “recombobulated and able to think about something other than the cold,” Harper says. A surprise sensation soon replaced his discomfort.

    “I remember getting out of the water the first time and feeling so good,” Harper, an anesthesiologist who has since researched the potential risks and rewards of taking a nippy dunk. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

    Claims about the benefits of cold-water immersion date back centuries. Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third American president, wrote toward the end of his life about using a cold foot bath daily for 60 years. He also owned a book published in 1706 on the history of cold-water bathing.

    While evidence is building around the positive health effects of swimming in chilly water, bathing in ice or taking cold showers, scientific confirmation is still lacking.

    But Harper, who became a regular cold-water swimmer after his initiation, said there are strong signs that people can derive mental health benefits from the activity. He mentioned a positive effect on depression and general well-being.

    “For now, we have a very strong base, but not hard evidence, that cold-water immersion is effective for mental health,” Harper told The Associated Press.

    Boosting mental health

    Harper said his own early experiences with cold-water swimming piqued his professional curiosity. As a physician, he wondered if the brief bodily shock had clinical uses for treating depression. He cited the biological phenomenon of hormesis, in which a stressor introduced at a low dose creates a positive response.

    Muscles and bones put under stress —for example, with weight-bearing exercise — also respond and grow.

    Harper acknowledged that the positive effects he’s observed may be the result of the placebo effect, a phenomenon in which people who are given a medicine they think will help them report responding to the treatment even if it had no active ingredients.

    In the case of cold-water immersion, the benefits may come from meeting people, the exercise itself, or simply accepting a challenge and accomplishing it, which improves self-confidence, he said.

    “Personally, I think it’s all of those things, and the cold has an additive effect,” Harper said. “I think we have a good physiological basis for that. The basic science tells us the cold has a very strong effect on the body.

    “What we’re talking about is an intervention, when it’s used clinically, that produces beneficial effects on mental health. So in a way it doesn’t matter which aspect is generating the positive effects.”

    Harper cited what he said was a common reaction among first-timers who have taken the plunge.

    They often say “the fact that I’ve done this means I can do anything,” he said. “It’s quite a confidence builder and it’s something people stick to because they enjoy it so much.”

    Know the risks when you start

    Dr. Mike Tipton, a physiologist at the University of Portsmouth in England who has studied extreme environments, authored a paper along with Harper and two more researchers several years ago. The title highlighted the potential advantages and dangers of stimulating the body with a sudden drop in temperature: “Cold Water Immersion: Kill or Cure.”

    “Like other environmental constituents such as pressure, heat and oxygen, cold water can be either good or bad, threat or treatment depending on circumstance,” they wrote after reviewing the research then available on the topic.

    One of their findings: The activity presents dangers. Deaths from cold-water immersion are not uncommon. The shock of frigid water can cause people to hyperventilate and drown. But Tipton told The AP the risks can be managed with common sense and precautions.

    How cold, how long?

    You do not need to go to extremes to get a potential payoff. Entering water at a temperature of 20-15 degrees Celsius (68-59F) and staying for only a few minutes is sufficient.

    Tipton explained if the water is colder than that, you may get more benefit — but limit your exposure.

    “If you ask me what protocol you would follow if you thought this was going to be doing you good, I wouldn’t go in water much below 12C (54F), and I wouldn’t stay in for much more than two minutes,” Tipton said.

    Tipton and Harper both said that any benefits from cold-water immersion come from the body’s cold-shock response: the sudden fall of skin temperature, the release of the stress hormones, the release of endorphins, and the anti-inflammatory effect.

    Tipton cautioned against long spells in an ice bath.

    “Sitting in water for as long as I can fills me with horror,” Tipton said. “This could destroy small nerves, blood vessels in extremities and could result in amputation the same way frostbite can.”

    Harper, who has swum as long as four-hour stretches in open water, advised vigilance.

    “People think it’s got to be super cold, super long and the longer the better,” Harper said, “and that’s wrong.”

    Be safe. You’re a tropical animal

    Tipton said he’s not trying to be the “fun police” but suggested caution and a medical screening if you take the plunge. He said humans are considered “tropical animals” who need to adapt to the cold and are better suited to warm conditions.

    A human’s resting body temperature is about 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius (97.7 to 99.5F). Because of that, cold-water immersion is stressful and carries risks for the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Not to mention the risk of drowning.
    “We don’t want to stop people doing it, but we want to make sure they do it in a way that maximizes the benefits and minimizes the risks,” Tipton said.

    He suggested swimming in a life-guarded area, or going with experienced outdoor swimmers. He also suggested knowing the body of water you’re swimming in. Hazards, among others, include tides, temperature, depth and pollution.

    “Understand that taking a tropical animal and putting it in cold water is probably the greatest stress that most people will experience in their life,” Tipton said.
    He suggested entering the water in a controlled fashion instead of jumping in.
    “Be sensible about it,” he said. “Incremental is the key.”

    Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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    Associated Press

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  • The Harvard Doctor Who Says We've Been Wrong About Stress This Whole Time

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    Stress has gotten a bad rap—it’s time to change that.

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  • Introducing the Dr. Wellness Cold Series: Setting ‘The Cold Standard’ in Cold Plunge Spas

    Introducing the Dr. Wellness Cold Series: Setting ‘The Cold Standard’ in Cold Plunge Spas

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    A new line of cold water and contrast therapy spas, made in the USA.


    JOHNSON CITY, Tenn., May 30, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Dr. WellnessTM, the reputable hot tub brand, is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest innovation: the Dr. WellnessTM Cold Series cold plunge spas. Designed to revolutionize the cold plunging experience, the CS0, CS1, CS6, and CS8 represent a new standard of excellence in the industry.

    Cold plunging has long been recognized for its numerous health benefits, from improved circulation and reduced inflammation to rapid recovery and mood regulation. Dr. WellnessTM is committed to maximizing these positive outcomes through innovative design, patented technology, and meticulous attention to detail.

    Key benefits of the Dr. WellnessTM Cold Series cold plunge tubs include:
    – Arctic Blast Technology: Unique underwater therapy jets deliver deep muscle relief at near-freezing temperatures, ensuring a therapeutic experience beyond the surface.
    – Smart Temperature Control: Customizable temperature settings ranging from 37-104ºF allow users to tailor their experience to their preferences and wellness goals.
    – Contrast Therapy: The innovative CS6 and CS8 combine the benefits of a hot tub and a cold plunge side-by-side in one single machine, helping you reach your wellness goals faster through stress-free contrast therapy. 
    – Supercharged Cooling: Full-horsepower chiller ensures rapid cooling to 37°F, maximizing the effectiveness of cold water therapy without the need to add ice.
    – Crystal Clear Quality: Extra-large filters and ozone water filtration system ensure clean and pure water with minimal maintenance.
    – Made in the USA: Commitment to quality and craftsmanship demonstrated by utilizing premium materials and innovative engineering to ensure superior performance and longevity.

    “We believe that everyone deserves access to the transformative benefits of cold-water immersion,” said CEO David Hatley. “With the Dr. WellnessTM Cold Series, we’re making that vision a reality by offering an affordable, high-quality solution that sets ‘The Cold Standard’ in the industry.”

    For more information about the Dr. WellnessTM Cold Series cold plunge spas, visit www.coldwaterspas.com or contact support@drwellness.com.

    About Dr. WellnessTM:
    Dr. WellnessTM is a leading provider of innovative wellness solutions, specializing in hot tubs, swim spas, and now, cold plunge spas. With a commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction, Dr. WellnessTM is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their health and wellness goals through innovative and accessible products. Each product is proudly made in Eastern Tennessee and shipped directly to the customer, ensuring low prices.

    Source: Dr. Wellness Cold Series

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  • Demand For Cold Plunge Pools Heats Up

    Demand For Cold Plunge Pools Heats Up

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    That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. For many of us, swimming underneath ice for 216 feet or running a half marathon above the Artic Circle barefoot sounds quite deadly. For endurance athlete Wim Hof, cold therapy is a pathway to greater health. “Frequent exposure to cold is linked to a number of different health benefits,” his website notes. “For example, scientists have found evidence that exposure to cold speeds up metabolism. Another benefit of exposing your body to cold is that it reduces inflammation, swelling, and sore muscles. Furthermore, cold body therapy is also linked to improved quality of sleep, more focus, and even an improved immune response,” it adds. Some doctors and research studies disagree, but the approach has adherents across continents and millennia.

    Premium Demand

    So when Dayson Johnson mentioned in last week’s Wellness Wednesdays Clubhouse conversation that some buyers of his upcoming ski community Velvære are requesting cold plunge pools, it wasn’t totally surprising. These individuals have the income to both buy a premium vacation home and jet off to snowy adventures.

    Across the country in Saratoga Springs, New York, Jim Sasko of Teakwood Builders is getting requests too, he says. His firm has built them outdoors and inside. Some clients want a model that can double as a hot tub. Or they request a plunge pool paired with a sauna, he says.

    “The clients that are inquiring have been 40-plus exercise enthusiasts and 60-plus looking for the luxury addition of a plunge style pool or spa bath,” Sasko observes. Typically, they’re requesting these as part of a new build or addition, often in a deck.

    The market is definitely growing, according to Data Bridge Market Research. “The cold plunge pools market is expected to reach $409.00 million by 2029,” the firm predicts. In 2021, it stood at $298.1 million. Much of that growth is seen in healthcare and fitness facilities, which accounts for 80% of sales, Data Bridge reports. As has long been the trend, though, affluent wellness-focused homeowners often want to bring professional features home.

    Cold Plunge Options

    San Francisco-based plumbing contractor Phil Hotarek with Lutz Plumbing is also getting requests for cold plunge tubs, he says. Hotarek goes with a Japanese soaking tub for both indoor and outdoor installations. “A regular tub can be used for an ice bath,” he notes. Numerous weekend endurance athletes go this route when adding that capability to an existing bathroom.

    Or you can opt for specialized technology, like the Cold Plunge from Hydro Systems. The water’s cooling equipment can be installed in a concealed cabinet, custom enclosure or storage space within eight feet of the tub, the manufacturer says. This saves the user the hassle (and possible mess) of dragging bags of ice from the freezer to the bathroom. A spokesperson says, “Cold Plunge can bring bath water temperature as low as 37°F, cold enough for dedicated practitioners of methods popularized by The Iceman,” as Hof calls himself.

    Cold Water Caution

    Geriatric medicine specialist James Larsen, MD of Loma Linda University Health has concerns for some users: “I do not recommend ice baths in any situation for older people. Immersion in cold water causes rapid constriction of capillary vessels in the skin with potential for resulting rapid rise in blood pressure and stress on the heart,” he explains. “In addition, exposure of limbs to cold water causes rapid constriction of peripheral arteries potentially resulting in inadequate blood flow. These physiological concerns coupled with a lack of evidence for benefit makes ice baths inappropriate for older people.”

    If it’s something you’re considering for your life at home at whatever age, it’s probably worth discussing with your health professional first, just like any other serious fitness pursuit.

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    Jamie Gold, Contributor

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