Is improving your workout recovery and increasing your self care at the top of your to do list in 2022? I know it is for me. ✋ But it can be tricky to know where to start. Do you book a massage? Do you get your nails done? While the answers to those questions may vary, it’s scientifically proven that some wellness treatments will reduce your body’s stress hormones and increase your recovery.

The two at the top of the list? Cryotherapy treatments and infrared sauna. While the two couldn’t be more opposite, they have similar benefits and side effects.

Cryotherapy vs infrared sauna

Whether you’re looking to go to cryotherapy or infrared sauna, we have the answers to your burning (or freezing) questions. From what they are, to their biggest benefits, read on to get the latest scoop on these two popular recovery treatments.

What is cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen vapor to super-cool the skin. It’s benefits include: hyper-circulating the blood, lowering cortisol levels, reducing inflammation and muscle soreness. Cryotherapy is a great wellness appointment to add to your recovery rotation.

Cryotherapy is best used post-workout to relieve joint pain or muscle pain. Cryotherapy is great when you have an injury and can help tremendously with recovery.

What is an infrared sauna?

An infrared sauna uses specific red light to penetrate the skin. An infrared sauna uses very little heat, instead stimulating the blood vessels and cells to produce sweat and blood flow.

Infrared sauna benefits include improving blood flow, improving circulation, decreasing stimulation and promoting post-workout recovery.

You should go to an infrared sauna appointment after a particularly arduous workout (maybe the next day) or whenever you’re looking to go to bed. Infrared saunas are great for improving relaxation, so try it out next time you’re stressed.

About Author

Callahan Peel

Callahan is a fitness enthusiast who moonlights on the growth team at ClassPass. She's a certified fitness trainer, with years of fitness experience both inside and outside of the gym. When she's not working you can find her pursuing her passion projects as editor of Trek Montana, contributing writer to the Ultimate Nashville Bach Planning Site and Plan Your Bach.