Will Cold Plunge Therapy Cure My Gym-Phobia and Deliver A Glow?
I tried contrast therapy at the new Virgin Active Mayfair to see if the "sauna-to-cold-plunge" pipeline is the ultimate beauty biohack
One thing you should know about me: I definitely do not partake in physical activity for a “challenge.” I like warm baths, aromatherapy oils, and a vanity full of overpriced products.
But this is precisely why being invited to try contrast therapy at the newly renovated Virgin Active Spa in Mayfair piqued my interest. But before I tell you all about it, let’s back track a little and explain what Contrast Therapy actually is…
What is Contrast Therapy?
While it may sound like yet another wellness fad conjured up by marketing geniuses, Contrast Therapy can actually be traced back all the way to Roman bathhouses. (That’s right, I’ve done my research!) It involves switching between extreme heat and extreme cold - and in this case, going from a sauna (85°C/ 185°F) to a cold plunge (10°C/50°F) and back again.
The benefits of contrast therapy are both physical and mental; improved blood circulation, reduced inflammation, stress relief, and mental clarity are just a few! It’s also a really great exercise in resilience and mind-over-matter mental strength.
The Session
We started off in the sauna and the first words out of my mouth were “This is my ideal temperature”, and I wasn’t even kidding. I guessed it was around 40°C so was very surprised to learn that they actually keep it at around 85°C/ 185°F.
We had a guided session with the fabulous Vanessa who did some light meditation, stretching and breathwork with us, which made the time pass by quickly.
Stretching out in the warmth felt so good and everyone said it had released all the tension in their necks and shoulders. We stayed in the sauna for 13 minutes, rinsed off and headed straight for the cold plunge.
Cold plunges are quite beloved by athletes as a form of muscle recovery. And let me tell you, I most definitely am not one. This was the part I was most apprehensive about, but once you get past the first 30 seconds (and the sensation that someone is gripping your ankles), it really is not unbearable … especially when you know you’re headed straight back to the sauna.
We cold plunged for 2 minutes, which, thanks to Vanessa’s calm guidance, also flew by, and then we made our way back to the sauna for another 5 minutes to warm back up again.
Since we were just being introduced to Contrast Therapy, our session was a total of around 30 minutes, but more experienced wellness fanatics would complete the cycle again. I was absolutely okay with just one cold plunge session.
The Space: Virgin Active Mayfair
The spa itself has just undergone extensive renovation, and you can tell - it’s clean, sexy and modern. Unlike most gyms, it is actually very pleasant to be there. We were also treated incredibly kindly and had electrolyte drinks waiting for us after our second sauna (who was going to tell me electrolytes are really salty before I took a big chug?!)
My Verdict
I have to say, the sauna portion was much more my speed, and I would’ve been perfectly happy spending an hour in there (but I don’t think that’s actually safe or allowed).
So, will I be rising at dawn for a daily cold plunge? Highly unlikely. But as a beautifully executed and thought-out wellness experience (especially with a warm sauna at the end), contrast therapy definitely has my stamp of approval, and I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone the least bit curious. I definitely noticed a difference in my skin - rosy cheeks and an all-around refreshed glow. And, sauna use over time boosts collagen production, making your skin firmer and more radiant. The whole experience left me feeling grounded, relaxed and accomplished - and the fact that I’d step back into a gym to experience it again may just be the highest compliment of all!
xx P