The icelab consists of three temperature chambers, set at three different levels – starting at a ‘cool’ -10 °C (-14 °F), leading through to -60 °C (-76 °F) and finally ‘the big chill’ at -110 °C (-166 °F).

Before entering, some simple icelab attire is required: some underwear/swimwear, shoes with socks, gloves, a headband to cover the ears and a paper mask to cover the nose. Your extremities are comfortably protected!

In the first two antechambers (-10 °C/-60 °C) your body quickly gets used to the cold.  Any residual moisture evaporates from your skin. By the time you enter the -110 °C chamber, the cold – probably surprisingly – is quite bearable!  This is due to the almost 0% humidity.

Ensuring safety throughout the experience, the icelab operator observes participants through the window. The operator can communicate with participants with a microphone. Music can even be played into the chamber.

On exiting the icelab, a pleasant tingling sensation may be felt on the skin, along with a big kick of adrenaline.  Before long, a sense of deep relaxation will set in.

The extreme cold of the cold-sauna has triggered a strong, short-term cold stimulus on almost the entire body surface – which in turn sparks a series of beneficial reactions via the body’s nervous system, hormones and metabolism.

And the effects aren’t just physical, as the cold stimulation also triggers the powerful release of endorphins for the ultimate feel-good factor.

The ICELAB device is manufactured by Zimmer MedizinSysteme GmbH and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or chronic illness.