Cryotherapy can help burn calories by exposing your body to extremely cold temperatures, which triggers thermogenesis and activates brown fat. Here’s a quick summary of the key points:
- Calorie Burn: A single session can burn 200–800 calories depending on body response.
- Metabolism Boost: Resting metabolic rate can increase by up to 350% during a session.
- Brown Fat Activation: Cold exposure stimulates brown fat, which burns calories to generate heat.
- Afterburn Effect: Calorie burning continues after the session ends.
- Weight Loss Results: Studies show reductions in fat mass, waist circumference, and overall body weight with regular sessions.
If you’re considering cryotherapy for weight management, pairing it with exercise and a healthy diet is essential for the best results. Sessions are typically 3–5 minutes long and should be done 2–3 times per week. Stay hydrated and consult a healthcare provider to ensure it’s safe for you.
Metabolism and Calorie Burning Effects
Body Temperature and Calorie Use
At –85°C in The Cryo Hub cryochamber, your body kicks into thermogenesis to maintain its core temperature. This cold-triggered response significantly increases calorie burn. Research shows that metabolic rates can rise by up to 350% compared to resting levels. The chamber’s electric cooling system ensures a steady –85°C, which helps maximise this metabolic boost. Studies suggest that during a session, you could burn around 8–9 calories per minute, with an ongoing higher rate of calorific burn thanks to thermogenesis.
Brown Fat Activation
Brown adipose tissue (BAT), or brown fat, plays a central role in how the body reacts to cold. Unlike white fat that stores energy, brown fat burns calories to generate heat. The Cryo Hub’s full-body immersion method, which includes exposing the head, enhances the activation of these calorie-burning fat deposits. The chamber’s controlled cold environment keeps conditions ideal for maintaining brown fat activity throughout the session.
Metabolic Changes During Treatment
Cryotherapy triggers several metabolic shifts. To keep your core temperature stable, your body increases circulation and ramps up metabolism through cold-induced thermogenesis and shivering. Research shows these effects don’t stop when the session ends – this "afterburn effect" can continue to burn calories post-treatment. A 3–5 minute session can result in burning 50–150 calories. Additionally, localised cooling gradually reduces fat tissue through cryothermogenesis, rather than directly breaking it down. The Cryo Hub’s whole-body approach ensures consistent metabolic activation across all areas of the body. These responses are part of the growing evidence supporting cryotherapy’s calorie-burning potential, which we’ll explore further in the next section.
Research and Evidence
Energy Expenditure Studies
Recent findings highlight how cryotherapy can burn a notable amount of calories. For instance, during a single session, the body uses approximately 1,330 kcal to maintain its core temperature. Another study, which involved 20 systemic cryostimulation sessions, revealed changes in body composition. Participants, especially those with lower levels of physical activity, experienced reductions in overall body mass. This provides a basis for comparing cryotherapy’s calorie-burning effects with those of more traditional forms of exercise.
Comparing Exercise and Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy stands out for its energy expenditure patterns when compared to regular exercise. Research shows that cold exposure leads to a 63% increase in lipid oxidation and an impressive 588% rise in carbohydrate oxidation. The Cryo Hub’s electric cryochamber, which operates at –85°C and allows full-body immersion (including the head), optimises cold-induced thermogenesis. This process could potentially match the calorie-burning benefits of moderate exercise. Up next, let’s take a closer look at clinical weight loss outcomes linked to cryotherapy.
Weight Loss Research Results
Clinical studies back the role of cryotherapy in weight management. For example, a study involving 20 cryostimulation sessions found a reduction in body mass among participants with low physical activity, regardless of their starting weight. Additional findings include:
- A 3.0% decrease in waist circumference within three hours of a single session
- An average weight loss of 0.53 kg (0.73%) after three sessions
- A 3.8% drop in fat mass, as measured by body scanning, after six procedures
These results highlight the advantages of consistent, full-body cooling in The Cryo Hub’s electric cryochamber. Commenting on the underlying process, Suvaddhana Loap from SAS Clinic BioEsthetic explained:
"Our findings indicate that cold-induced thermogenesis (cryothermogenesis) rather than adipose tissue disruption is likely to underlie the observed reductions in measures of obesity following local tissue cooling."
Weight Management Planning
Combining Diet and Exercise with Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is most effective when paired with proper nutrition and regular exercise. Our electric cryochamber fits seamlessly into a healthy lifestyle by supporting these key practices:
- Do light exercise or stretching a few hours before your session
- Stay hydrated throughout the day
- Schedule 2–3 sessions per week, ideally after workouts
- Follow a diet rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods
These combined efforts have shown measurable improvements for many clients.
Client Feedback from The Cryo Hub
Clients who consistently use cryotherapy alongside lifestyle adjustments often report better sleep, increased energy, and faster recovery. For detailed case studies and testimonials, visit the case study section on The Cryo Hub website.
To build on these positive results, consider the following strategies to get the most out of your treatments.
Maximising Treatment Benefits
To enhance the metabolic effects of cryotherapy, try these practical tips:
-
Session Timing
Plan your sessions during peak metabolic periods, such as mid-morning or early evening. This ensures you benefit fully from the chamber’s steady –85°C environment. -
Recovery Schedule
Leave 48 hours between sessions to allow your metabolism to adapt effectively. This aligns with the recommended frequency of 2–3 sessions per week. -
Lifestyle Integration
As Cryozone Health explains:"Exercise, diet, cryotherapy – the three cornerstones of effective weight loss"
Incorporate these tips into your weight management plan for the best possible results.
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Safety Guidelines
Cryotherapy can aid in weight management, but following strict safety protocols is crucial for a safe experience. The chamber’s consistent temperature ensures even exposure throughout the session.
Suitable Candidates
Whole-body cryotherapy is best suited for healthy adults aiming to boost their metabolism and support weight management. Ideal participants often include individuals who:
- Follow a structured fitness programme
- Have a stable medical history
- Are in good overall health
- Do not have circulation issues
- Can comfortably handle cold temperatures
A thorough assessment is conducted to confirm that clients can safely undergo whole-body cryotherapy. Certain health conditions, however, may limit its use.
Health Restrictions
Dr. J Hugh Coyne explains:
"Although whole-body cryotherapy is a fantastic experience for most people, there are some people for whom cryotherapy is not safe."
The table below highlights medical conditions that require careful evaluation:
| Condition Category | Specific Restrictions |
|---|---|
| Cardiovascular | Unstable angina, peripheral vascular disease, cardiac failure |
| Circulatory | Raynaud’s syndrome, severe anaemia, DVT |
| Endocrine | Hypothyroidism |
| Neurological | Seizure disorders, altered skin sensation |
| Other | Pregnancy, claustrophobia, acute respiratory tract disease |
Given these limitations, professional medical advice is advised before starting treatment.
Dr. J Hugh Coyne reassures:
"When performed in the appropriate setting with controlled conditions of temperature and humidity, whole-body cryotherapy is a safe procedure. It has been shown to have no adverse effect on heart or lung function."
At The Cryo Hub, trained operators monitor every session to maintain safety while ensuring the chamber operates at the precise temperature required for effective results. These precautions, combined with the electric cryochamber’s precise cooling system, provide both safe and effective treatments.
Conclusion
Main Findings
Research highlights that whole-body cryotherapy can significantly increase calorie burn through various processes. Studies report up to a 350% rise in resting metabolic rate. A single session in The Cryo Hub’s -85°C electric cryochamber may burn between 200 and 800 calories. Additional evidence shows a 3.8% reduction in fat mass after six sessions, a 3.0% decrease in waist circumference following one treatment, and an average weight loss of 0.53 kg (0.73%) after three sessions.
These results support the development of a focused cryotherapy routine for effective results.
Getting Started
If you’re ready to begin your cryotherapy journey, The Cryo Hub offers a personalised programme tailored to your goals. Our electric cryochamber delivers a consistent -85°C environment, ensuring full-body exposure for optimal metabolic activation.
| Session Type | Recommended Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Trial | Single session | 3 minutes |
| Weight Management | 2–3 sessions weekly | 3–5 minutes |
| Maintenance | 1–2 sessions weekly | 3–5 minutes |
Pair cryotherapy with a balanced lifestyle for the best outcomes. When visiting our Berkhamsted facility, wear dry, comfortable clothing, and undergo a thorough pre-session assessment to ensure safety and maximise the benefits of your sessions.
