Did you know that small doses of high intensity stress is good for our bodies and has been proven to have numerous health benefits?
Sounds strange, I know but let me explain. You’ve probably seen several blogs, videos, and fitness professionals talking about the health benefits surrounding saunas and ice baths – also known as Contrast Therapy or Immersion Therapy.
Contrast Therapy is the practice of exposing the body to a contrast of temperatures. For example, extremely hot to freezing cold temperatures, often seen with saunas and ice baths or hot and cold showers.
The Benefits:
While the concept of saunas has been around for thousands of years, Contrast Therapy takes it to a whole new level. Although voluntarily taking an ice bath doesn’t sound very pleasant, the potential benefits outweigh the few minutes of discomfort.
It’s no secret that both saunas and ice baths have their own set of health benefits – improved alertness and energy levels, enhanced thermoregulatory ability, decreases in joint and muscular pain, and relieves stress to name a few.
But when combined to create a true Contrast Therapy Experience, the benefits are second to none. By jumping into an ice bath after spending time in a sauna, your body begins to flush out unwanted stagnant waste by creating a “pumping” mechanism.
In hot temperatures, muscles expand, in colder temperatures, muscles contract. By allowing your muscles to expand then contract it creates a pump-like mechanism that allows nutrient rich blood to circulate throughout the body. These benefits can include:
- Improved Circulation
- Increased Range of Motion
- Reduce Muscle Soreness and Inflammation
- Improve Muscle Strains
- Elevated Mood
- Decrease Swelling
- & MORE
The “stressful” exposure to these temperature changes have been proven to dramatically improve several health and wellness factors and that is exactly why this trend has taken over the health and fitness industry.
How To Get Started:
- First, it is always important to consult with your doctor before beginning a new fitness regimen.
- Choose a sauna that fits your lifestyle and space (see list below for my recommendations).
- Find a space in your home where you can take an ice bath. Many people use outdoor tubs or their own bathroom tub, it depends on where you place your sauna.
- Order, install and set up your sauna and give Contrast Therapy a try!
Let us know if you give this method a try in the comments below.
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If you’re ready to bring the luxury and health benefits of a traditional sauna experience to the comfort of your home and give Contrast Therapy a try, then you’ve come to the right place! At ALEKO, our saunas are constructed from high quality materials and come partially pre-assembled for easy installation.
We offer a wide variety of wood types, design, and styles for you to choose from. Here are a few of our favorites to help get you started. Here are a few of our favorites to help get you started. Feel free to also browse our selection of inflatable hot tubs for sale.
Indoor Sauna
Clear Cedar Indoor Wet Dry Sauna with Exterior Lights – 4.5 kW Harvia KIP Heater – 4 Person
Restore your body and soothe your mind with this beautifully constructed clear Cedar Wood Indoor Sauna. This wood is more resistant to shrinkage, splitting, and cracking AND is non-allergenic, non-toxic, and has little to no wood aroma. Together, these properties help create an enjoyable atmosphere for any user.
To see our full line of Indoor Saunas click here.
Outdoor Sauna
Canadian Hemlock Wet Dry Outdoor Sauna with Asphalt Roof – 6 kW Harvia KIP Heater – 5 Person
This sauna can be placed indoors and outdoors. Its entrance features a tempered glass door with a wood door handle, making it look beautiful and stylish. Like the indoor sauna, the shape of this sauna provides maximum usable space while minimizing excess cubic feet.
To see our full line of Outdoor Saunas click here.
Barrel Sauna
Outdoor or Indoor White Finland Pine Wet Dry Barrel Sauna – Front Porch Canopy – 8 kW Harvia KIP Heater – 4 Person
The ALEKO barrel sauna is luxurious, and comfort packed in one. The barrel shape is both stylish and functional, once again providing maximum usable space while minimizing excess cubic feet. The sauna accommodates 4 people, maximizing seating space by utilizing opposing benches that run the full length of the room. There is also a 6-person barrel sauna and each sauna comes with a bucket, ladle, thermometer/hydrometer, and interior lamp holder and heater fence.
To see our full line of Barrel Saunas click here.
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Sources:
https://mractivated.com/blog/what-is-contrast-therapy-and-its-benefits/
http://www.triple-white.com/2019/03/07/ice-bath-infrared-sauna-health-trend/
