Fire + Ice at Marigold
What is Fire + Ice & Why is it good for us?
What does a Fire + Ice Experience entail?
Fire + Ice is the practice of Infrared Sauna + Cold Plunge (AKA, Contrast Therapy). Contrast Therapy is a treatment method that involves alternating our exposure to hot and cold temperatures. This therapy has been used for centuries and offers a variety of science-backed health benefits. Ultimately, you want a goal of 11 minutes per week in the Cold Plunge for maximum benefit.
What are the benefits of Fire + Ice?
Science-Backed Benefits of Contrast Therapy (Fire + Ice) include Decreased Muscle Fatigue, Improved Immune System, Decreased Pain Levels, Increased Energy + Alertness, Improved Digestion, and Elevated Mood.
Infrared Sauna
Infrared panels warm your body before heating the air, easily penetrating your tissue for better results at a lower temperature than a traditional sauna, giving you the benefits of sunlight and heat without the harmful ultraviolet rays.
Benefits of Infrared Sauna
Improved Skin Tightness and Clarity, Increased Detoxification, Better Sleep, Relief from Joint + Muscle Pain, and Improved Circulation.
*It is great to get in a Sauna Session before a facial to naturally enhance the benefits of your facial.
Cold Plunge
Benefits of Cold Plunge
Improved Skin Tightness and Clarity, Increased Detoxification, Better Sleep, Relief from Joint + Muscle Pain, and Improved Circulation.
*It is great to get in a Sauna Session before a facial to naturally enhance the benefits of your facial.
Cold Plunge = fully submerging your body up to your neck in water below 59° F— two to four sessions per week for eleven minutes total time in order to see the most measured health benefits.
FAQs
Is Cold Shocking your body after a Hot Sauna a good idea?
In short, Yes!
The contrast of cold immersion after a hot sauna session gets your body to do incredibly awesome things like increase blood flow, release endorphins, get the lymph (or lymphatic fluid) moving, and force your body to calm its nervous system down.
When you immerse yourself in very cold water, you activate your fight, flight, or freeze response. When purposefully exposing yourself to cold and hot in contrast, you activate this system and build up resilience in that your body is encouraged to adjust and calm itself because, despite activating that response, you are safe; you are not in danger and so can practice calming the system and building resilience to stress.
What do I wear when I am in the Cold Plunge + Sauna?
While birthday suits are the required uniform during Float Sessions, you can decide what to wear for your Fire + Ice or Sauna Appointment. For the Fire + Ice, you will be showering first. You can choose to wear a bathing suit if you are more comfortable, but you can also wear your “birthday suit”! Whatever you are comfortable with is fine for Fire + Ice.
Do you accept HSA/FSA Cards?
In short, yes. Our Point of Sale System for our Floats + Fire & Ice + Sauna is set to accept these cards. However, we cannot control the parameters your card sets on spending. We suggest that you check with your card company before use!
Is your Infrared Sauna Near, Far, or Mid Wave Infrared?
Our Fire + Ice Room Infrared Sauna contains Full-Spectrum Wave Light.
In What Order Should You Do Contrast Therapy? Does the order of hot and cold affect safety?
The key to optimal results is to start and end cold!
Here's a weekly Sauna Cold Plunge Routine that works best in studies:
Do 2 or 3 rounds per session of cold-to-hot-to-cold (ending in the cold is super important). You want to end up getting 11 minutes of cold exposure and about an hour of hot exposure over a week (which can be broken into 2-4 sessions).
Bear in mind, the order of hot and cold in contrast therapy does not affect safety, so in that sense, it's truly up to you, whether you end with hot or cold. Again, optimal results are yielded from cold-to-hot-to-cold, but if you want to feel a little more comforted, you can finish with heat. You'll still get benefits.
How frequently can you practice Fire + Ice safely?
Based on scientific research, 11 minutes or more of Cold Exposure and 57 minutes or more for Sauna bathing per week will give you the most benefit.
How long should I sit in the Sauna before going back to the Cold Plunge?
You have one hour during your Fire + Ice Experience - what is most important is that you listen to your body! You can simply Cold Plunge until you’re ready to switch, then get into the sauna until you are too warm, and dip back-and-forth to your heart’s desire! If you like a routine, try starting with a cold plunge and plunging anywhere from 10 seconds-2 minutes, then try to sit in the sauna for 20 minutes - then repeat, attempting to stay in the cold plunge a bit longer the next time.
Is there a “Right” or “Wrong” way to Cold Plunge + Sauna?
There is no right or wrong way to Cold Plunge and Sauna, BUT we do have some pointers! A weekly Sauna + Cold Plunge Routine that worked best in studies looked like this:
2 or 3 Rounds, ending in the Cold Plunge (this is important). You want a total of 11 minutes of Cold per week, and about 1 hour of heat exposure weekly, spread over 2-4 Sessions.
How Cold does the water need to be when Cold Plunging?
To reap the benefits, the cold exposure has got to be truly cold: the temperature of the water should be 59 degrees or less. Minimally, you should immerse yourself just past your shoulders but, if you really want to jumpstart your body's responses to the water, fully submerge yourself when you first get in.
How hot do your Infrared Saunas get?
Our Infrared Saunas reach up to 140 Degrees Fahrenheit - you are able to control the temperature of the Sauna while you are inside!
Is there a greater benefit to staying in the Cold Plunge for a longer amount of time?
When you first begin to plunge, it is ideal to prep your mind and body by turning your water cold at the end of your shower in the days leading up to your first cold plunge. The first time you plunge, you may get 10 seconds to 60 seconds of time in the tub. As you build a tolerance, you will find that it is easier to cold plunge for a longer amount of time, but there is no scientific evidence of any benefit past 10 minutes at a time. The recommendation over the course of a week is 11 minutes for optimal benefit.
Considerations to take before an Infrared Sauna Session
Please consult a Physician before using the Infrared Sauna if you…
Have any Major Health Issues
Have Cardiac Issues or have a Pacemaker or Difibrulator
Have High or Low Blood Pressure
Take any Prescription Medications
Have Silicone Breast Implants
Do not use the Sauna if you…
Have MS or Diabetes with Neuropathy
Have Lupus and are currently taking Steroids
Have Hemophilia
Have a Fever
Are Menstruating
Are Pregnant
*Please increase your hydration BEFORE and AFTER Sauna use
Considerations to take before Cold Plunging
You can not use the Cold Plunge if you…
Have a medical history in which you have not received a physician’s permission to Cold Plunge
Have Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes
Have Cardiac Disease, Cardiac Issues, or have a Pacemaker or Difibrulator
Have a condition that impacts your ability to regulate Body Temperature or Blood Pressure
Have High or Low Blood Pressure
Have Epilepsy that is not under medical control
Have a large open skin wound
Have gotten a spray tan in the last 48 Hours
Are under the influence or drugs or alcohol
Have a communicable disease
Are experiencing a heavy Menstrual Period
Have Kidney Disease or any involuntary release of bodily fluids
Are Pregnant
If you are unable to enter and exit the Cold Plunge unassisted, you may bring a guest to assist you with Cold Plunging
Appointments canceled less than 12 hours in advance will be subject to a 50% cancelation fee.
All missed appointments will be charged the full price of the service.