The enclosed, temperature-controlled room is designed to provide the benefits of cold therapy while avoiding the extreme discomfort or maintenance challenges of water
For those who aren’t a fan of a chilly cold plunge but still want to take advantage of the benefits of cold therapy, there soon will be a new alternative.
Longtime sauna and steam room brand Am-Finn has innovated an alternative to cold plunges with the advent of the Frost Locker.
The enclosed room is temperature-controlled between 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (–1 to 4°C), a scientifically studied range shown to safely stimulate the body’s natural process of heat production without the extreme discomfort that could arise during a cold plunge.
“Most people don’t want to torture themselves to feel better,” said Frost Locker’s engineering director, Steve Kuzara. “We built Frost Locker so people can step into a calm, cold space, relax, and still get the real physiological benefits.”
The less-aggressive form of cold immersion also promotes a more gradual adaptation to the cold temperatures, with its creators betting on previous research demonstrating that moderate, sustained cooling can activate brown adipose tissue, the body’s natural heat engine, to support recovery, energy balance and overall well-being.
“The human thermogenic system was designed for adaptation, not trauma,” said Kuzara. “When we expose the body to mild cold, it learns to adapt. When we shock it, it simply defends itself.”
Gyms, spas, athletic facilities and wellness hubs can install Frost Locker to provide members with consistent, repeatable recovery alternatives to cold plunges, which minimize potential hygiene challenges with the dry, sealed environment that doesn’t require the plumbing or water temperature maintenance of cold plunges.
Am-Finn currently holds roughly over one-third of the commercial sauna market with more than 10,000 installations across North America as it rolls out Frost Locker nationwide, according to the company.
Seattle-based Henry’s Gymnasium is among the first facilities to add Frost Locker to its recovery programs.
“Frost Lockers have been a fantastic addition,” said Henry’s Gymnasium general manager Wayne Cook. “They deliver powerful cooling benefits without the learning curve of traditional cold plunges, and members appreciate the privacy, comfort, and convenience.”
Am-Finn’s cold-therapy innovation is riding a wave of rising interest in contrast therapy, as brands like Plunge and Othership continue to grow while consumers (and gyms) look to take advantage of the longevity benefits of cold-immersion therapy.
