METfit will soon be offering to members and non-members alike access to a recovery room, which will be comprised of two 2-3 person saunas and two cold plunges.
One of the two saunas will be based on infrared technology. Infrared sauna therapy is a heat therapy that uses infrared light to warm your body directly, rather than warming the air around you. The infrared light penetrates your skin and tissues, raising your core body temperature and causing you to sweat.
Some potential health benefits of infrared sauna therapy include: (1) Detoxification: The sweat produced in an infrared sauna can help eliminate toxins from your body; (2) Pain reduction: Infrared sauna therapy can help to reduce pain; (3) Improved cardiovascular and lung function: Infrared sauna therapy can help improve your cardiovascular and lung function; (4) Skin rejuvenation: Infrared sauna therapy can help to rejuvenate your skin; and (5) Weight loss: Infrared sauna therapy can help with weight loss, burning up to 600 calories in a 40-minute session. Infrared saunas are typically not as hot as traditional saunas, with temperatures ranging from 100–150°F.
Cold plunge also known as cold-water immersion has been found to help reduce the degree of exercise-induced muscle damage that can occur after physically challenging activities. Less damage leads to less inflammation, which in turn reduces soreness and helps restore physical performance the next day. These benefits may be the result of rapid constriction of the blood vessels due to the cold water. The cold can trigger responses in your body, such as decreased metabolic activity, alterations in hormone production and blood flow, and activation of the immune system.
Along with men and women locker rooms that each have three showers, the recovery room will provide members and non-members alike a unique and significant experience and benefit to their athletic performance and recovery.
