‘Fire and ice’ has taken on a new definition this year with contrast therapy becoming the next biggest wellness buzzword as the fitness industry starts to lean into recovery in a massive way. Infrared saunas and ice baths are popping up in gyms, spas, purpose-built studios and even as mobile units you can hire to up the (icy) ante at retreats and bootcamps.
And on the scale of Antarctic to Global Warming, ice baths sit firmly next to the former. The bodyshock factor is real and judging by the rapid ascent to cult-worthy status, we’re all here for it. Top tip: breathing is everything. Happily, there’s usually space for a pal (did someone say trauma-bonding?) so grab a buddy, throw on your togs and take that icy plunge.
Here are the best ice baths and infrared saunas in Auckland to restore mind and body.
Mode
202 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
Image credit: Mode | supplied
Easily the most aesthetic infrared sauna and ice bath set up, Mode has three private infrared sauna and contrast therapy suites—dubbed Restore Mode—which you can book into separately or as a duo, as a stand alone or as post-workout add on.
The styling is as sleek as Mode itself with earthen tones plus Sans Ceuticals body products that lulled us into a false sense that the ice bath wouldn’t be quite so icy. By all accounts we were wrong (Mode’s baths are held at 5 degrees) but we wouldn’t want anything less.
Personalise your Restore Mode booking into a 45-minute infrared sauna or going for the 60-minute contrast therapy which involves ice bath and infrared sauna intervals—they recommend 20-24 minutes in the sauna and 30sec-5min in the bath. Shower in between for hygiene and rainforest vibes. There’s space for a pal too—cute. Expect two towels each (the epitome of luxury, no?), electrolytes, a bluetooth speaker for the vibes and cute Everyday Conversation cards if you’re keen to get deep.
Insider intel:
- Get your sweat on with one of Mode’s group fitness classes first
- Grab a 7-day $60 all-in trial for unlimited access to sauna and contrast therapy suites for a week.
WYLD Newmarket
2a Railway Street, Newmarket, Auckland
Image credit: WYLD | supplied
WYLD was our first-ever experience of contrast therapy so we Googled how long beginners were supposed to ice bath for. Google said 3 minutes so we Darth Vader’d our way through 3 minutes for round 1 before retreating to the sauna where, for some bizarre reason, we got all cocky and decided we’d try for 7 the next round. We got in, and lasted… 30 seconds before spending the rest of the time in the sauna. But that’s the beauty of contrast therapy—you’re in control.
At WYLD each private Hot + Cold suite is spacious with a minimalist fit-out in pastel tones, a tub, rainforest shower, infrared sauna and changing area. The team recommend spending at least 15-30 minutes in the sauna and then dialling into your breathing by counting to 5 as you inhale and exhale before sliding into the ice bath (which will be hovering around a balmy 4 to 6 degrees).
Insider intel:
- Skip the deodorant, perfume, body oils and makeup. You’ll just sweat them all off anyway.
- A one-off Hold + Cold session costs $100 for one person, $140 for two people and $180 for three people with discounts if you book between 8am and 4pm weekdays.
Chill Wellness
Victoria Park Market, Unit 2/210-218 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Chill Wellness | supplied
Now you just can’t even with ice baths, Chill Wellness has something a little different: cryotherapy in something that suspiciously looks like a walk-in freezer. Yep, there’s no water involved but hot damn is it cold.
You’ll strip down to your underwear, don a headband, mask, gloves and fluffy socks then clamber into a chamber which will flurry with something that looks like snowflakes and drop to -85C. You’ll be in there for up to 3 minutes (although you can bail at any time). Keen to warm up afterwards, or on a bit of a recovery mission? Combine with their infrared sauna or Normatec compression sessions to make it even more luxe.
Insider intel:
- Take a mate with you and have a lowkey dance party in the fridge to keep any anxiety at bay
- New clients can score three sessions for $170.
Genki Vitality
Level 2/58 Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Image credit: Genki Vitality | Website
The best contrast therapy for if you like to chill out with mates, Genki Vitality is contrast therapy—the communal edit. Our favourite part? You descend into the depths of an industrial-feel building to find it and suddenly find yourself in an exquisite Bali-style aesthetic.
Here you’ll slip into a rotation of red light therapy, infrared sauna, an ice bath and kicking back in their lovely outdoor space. We love that every element of Genki has been designed around the idea of connection with self and others. Even the name is a combination of two Japanese characters “gen” and “ki” which describes energetic beginnings. Co-owners Rebecca Greenough and Justin Edgar elaborate on that idea, describing the studio as a space as “a sensory sanctuary where the practice of self-care expands to include community and shared experience.”
Insider intel:
- BYO towel or hire from reception.
- Check it out with their 2 week unlimited access intro offer for $119.
- If red light therapy sounds familiar, that’s probably because of The Red Room.
We Bliss You Wellness
239 West Tamaki Road, Glendowie, Auckland
2a Upland Road, Remuera, Auckland
224 Kepa Road, Mission Bay, Auckland
Image credit: We Bliss You | website
Offering the full spectrum of relaxation and recovery, from hot stone massages to red light therapy and hyperbaric O2 (full review coming), We Bliss You is one of the best contrast therapy locations for when you’re hard-commiting to self-care and are ready to make a day of it.
Their sauna sits around 60 degrees and their ice bath around 4-8 degrees. The suite is private and spacious so lends itself well to a self-led stretch or yoga session before you dive in, if that’s your vibe. We relished climbing onto the massage table afterwards, rewarding ourselves for all that mental fortitude with a blissful massage.
Insider Intel:
- Chase with a massage for the ultimate refresh
- Towels are provided
- Grab an intro offer for 3 sauna and ice bath sessions within a month for $200
Icemunity
Wherever You Like
Image credit: Icemunity | website
First there was Wim Hoff (or should we say Art Green?) who put ice baths on our radar but it was Icemunity that’s kept them there. While specialising more in cold rather than contrast therapy, it’d be remiss of us to not include Icemunity on this list. Running regular community sessions in Takapuna on Sundays and providing a portable ice bath service which sees them materialise at co-working spaces and retreats alike, Icemunity is making cold therapy accessible and we’re here for it.
Insider intel:
- Community sessions clock in at sweet $20 pricepoint
- In love with ice baths and after an eyebrow-raising number of hours lost in Pinterest you're ready to create your own wellness chamber at home? You're in luck, Icemunity sells arctic stainless steel ice baths for $4.2k plus silicon ice block moulds for $36 a pop
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Main image credit: Mode | supplied.