Contrast Therapy

At Be Well Bodyworks, our private Contrast Therapy Room brings together two of the most powerful recovery tools available: infrared sauna and cold plunge. It’s ancient wisdom, backed by modern science, available to you in the heart of downtown Longmont.

What Is Contrast Therapy?

Contrast therapy is the practice of alternating between heat and cold exposure to trigger the body’s natural adaptive responses. When you move from the deep, penetrating warmth of an infrared sauna into the invigorating shock of a cold plunge, you set off a cascade of physiological effects that few other wellness practices can match.

The heat dilates blood vessels, relaxes muscle tissue, and drives circulation deep into your joints and fascia. The cold causes rapid vasoconstriction, floods the body with norepinephrine, and activates your nervous system in a way that feels, quite simply, electric. The alternation between the two creates a pumping effect on your circulatory and lymphatic systems, flushing metabolic waste, reducing inflammation, and leaving you with a clarity and calm that can last for hours.

This isn’t a trend. Hot and cold exposure has been used across cultures for thousands of years — from Nordic traditions to Japanese Shinto practices to Roman bathhouses. What’s new is our growing scientific understanding of exactly why it works so well.

What contrast therapy supports

Reduced Inflammation & Faster Recovery

Alternating heat and cold is one of the most effective non-pharmaceutical tools for reducing systemic inflammation. Cold immersion dramatically lowers inflammatory markers, while infrared heat promotes circulation and tissue repair — together, they accelerate recovery from hard training, injury, and chronic pain.

Cold Plunge & Mood — The Norepinephrine Effect

Cold water immersion triggers a significant release of norepinephrine, up to 300% above baseline. This neurotransmitter plays a key role in focus, mood regulation, and stress resilience. Many regular cold plunge users describe a sustained lift in mood and mental clarity that outlasts the session itself.

Cardiovascular Health & Circulation

The alternating contraction and dilation of blood vessels during contrast therapy provides a powerful workout for your cardiovascular system. Over time, regular contrast therapy has been associated with improved vascular tone, lower resting heart rate, and better circulation throughout the body.

Nervous System Regulation

There is perhaps no faster path to a regulated nervous system than deliberate cold exposure. Cold plunging activates the vagus nerve, shifting the body from a sympathetic (fight-or-flight) state toward parasympathetic calm. Paired with the meditative warmth of the infrared sauna, the result is a profound reset, mentally and physically.

Immune System Support

Regular cold exposure has been linked to increased production of white blood cells and improved immune function. The thermal stress of contrast therapy signals the body to mount a stronger adaptive response, making you more resilient over time, not just in the short term.

Sleep Quality

The deep drop in core body temperature that follows cold exposure — combined with the relaxation response of infrared sauna — creates ideal physiological conditions for deep, restorative sleep. Many clients report that contrast therapy sessions in the afternoon or early evening are among the most reliable sleep aids they’ve found.

Lymphatic Drainage

Unlike the cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system has no pump. It relies on movement and pressure changes to circulate. The rhythmic vasoconstriction and vasodilation of contrast therapy acts as a powerful mechanical stimulus for lymph flow, supporting detoxification and immune surveillance.

About Our Contrast Room: Infrared sauna + cold plunge, in one private space

Our Contrast Therapy Room is a private, 50-minute experience designed to be shared or savored solo.

Infrared Sauna

Our infrared sauna uses far-infrared wavelengths to heat the body from within rather than simply warming the air around you. This means a more comfortable experience at lower temperatures, typically 120–150°F, while achieving a deeper, more therapeutic sweat. Infrared heat penetrates 2–3 inches into soft tissue, promoting cellular repair, toxin release through perspiration, and deep muscle relaxation.

Cold Plunge

Our cold plunge is maintained at temperatures between 39–55°F, cold enough to activate the full physiological benefits of cold water immersion, including norepinephrine release, vasoconstriction, and nervous system activation. You control the duration of each plunge based on your experience level and goals.

The Protocol

A standard contrast session alternates between the sauna and the cold plunge in cycles, typically 10–15 minutes of heat followed by 2–3 minutes of cold, repeated 2–3 times. We provide guidance for first-timers so you can find a rhythm that feels right for your body.

Common Questions About Contrast Therapy & Cold Plunge

What is a cold plunge and what does it do?
A cold plunge is a pool or tub of cold water, typically between 39–55°F, used for deliberate cold water immersion (CWI). When you immerse yourself in cold water, your body responds with a cascade of physiological changes: blood vessels constrict, norepinephrine surges, the vagus nerve activates, and your core temperature begins to drop. Regular cold plunge practice is associated with reduced inflammation, improved mood, faster athletic recovery, better sleep, and enhanced stress resilience.

How long does a red light therapy session take?
Sessions at Be Well Bodyworks typically run 10–20 minutes depending on your goals and the areas being treated. Most clients feel relaxed and energized immediately afterward, with no recovery period needed.

What is the difference between a cold plunge and an ice bath?
The terms are often used interchangeably. Both refer to cold water immersion for therapeutic purposes. A cold plunge typically uses a dedicated tub or pool with temperature control, while an ice bath traditionally uses a tub filled with ice and water. Our cold plunge maintains a consistent, monitored temperature, making it safer and more repeatable than an improvised ice bath.

Can I combine red light therapy with massage?
Absolutely, and we encourage it. Red light therapy before a massage can help warm and loosen tissue, while post-massage red light supports cellular recovery and reduces any residual inflammation. Our team can help you design a session sequence that makes sense for your body.

What is contrast therapy?
Contrast therapy is the alternating use of heat and cold exposure for therapeutic benefit. At Be Well Bodyworks, this means cycling between our infrared sauna and cold plunge within a single session. The contrast between heat and cold amplifies the benefits of each modality individually — improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and triggering powerful hormonal and neurological responses.

How cold is the cold plunge?
Our cold plunge is maintained between 39–55°F. For context, most research on cold water immersion uses temperatures in this range to reliably trigger the physiological responses associated with its benefits. First-time users often start at the higher end of this range and work their way colder over successive sessions.

How cold is the cold plunge?
Our cold plunge is maintained between 39–55°F. For context, most research on cold water immersion uses temperatures in this range to reliably trigger the physiological responses associated with its benefits. First-time users often start at the higher end of this range and work their way colder over successive sessions.

How long should I stay in the cold plunge?
For most people, 2–3 minutes of cold immersion per cycle is sufficient to activate the key benefits, particularly norepinephrine release. More is not always better; the goal is a controlled, consistent stimulus, not endurance. We’ll walk you through what to expect on your first visit.

Is contrast therapy safe for everyone?
Contrast therapy is not recommended for people with certain cardiovascular conditions, Raynaud’s disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or those who are pregnant. If you have any underlying health conditions, please consult your physician before booking. Our team is happy to answer any questions beforehand.

Can I bring someone with me?
Yes! Our Contrast Room is private and can accommodate a guest for an additional $25 per person. It’s a great option for partners, training partners, or friends who want to share the experience.

Where can I do a cold plunge in Longmont, Colorado?
Be Well Bodyworks offers a private contrast therapy room with infrared sauna and cold plunge at 630 Coffman Street, Suite B in downtown Longmont, CO 80501. Sessions are 50 minutes and available 7 days a week.

Who Benefits from contrast therapy?

Contrast therapy benefits a wide variety of people. Whether you’re a competitive athlete, someone managing chronic inflammation, or simply looking for a more powerful way to decompress and recover, contrast therapy can be very beneficial.
Post-workout recovery · Chronic pain & inflammation · Stress and anxiety management · Sleep difficulties · Immune support · Runners & cyclists · Outdoor enthusiasts · Post-injury rehabilitation · Mood & mental clarity · Longevity & healthy aging · General wellness

The Be Well Approach

Better together — contrast therapy & massage

For more than 20 years, Be Well Bodyworks has built its reputation on one simple belief: the people who feel their best aren’t coming in occasionally. They’re consistent. They’ve made their wellbeing a practice, not an afterthought.

Our Contrast Therapy Room is a natural extension of that philosophy. Used on its own, it’s one of the most efficient recovery tools you’ll find anywhere in the Boulder County area. Paired with one of our therapeutic massage services, it becomes part of a genuinely integrated approach to how you feel in your body, day after day.

Come for the contrast. Stay for the clarity. We’ll see you on the other side.

Ready to take the plunge?

Private sessions available 7 days a week. Walk-ins welcome. Same-day appointments available.

Call 303.652.3533 or book online.