Getting Cold

This is as important as getting hot, but the need to effectively cool the body is poorly understood, as are the benefits. More details on this topic are available on our ‘Downloads Page’ in the document ‘Why Should I Cool Down’. Principally bathers should ALWAYS get cold after getting hot, as this is where the true health benefits of thermal bathing can be enjoyed. Vascular expansion and constriction are the principal effects of hot/cold treatments, but the invigorating ‘feel-good’ factor is another milestone on the road to wellness as is the building up and exercising of the immune system.

There are a number of methods that can be offered within the modern spa for cooling down:

Cold Showers of various types and styles

Mist
Rain
Drench, Deluge or Waterfall
Bucket
Aromatic essences and ‘cold’ lighting can be incorporated
Space required for technology and essence reservoir/s

Cold Dip or Plunge Pools

Temperatures of 15-18˚C/60-65˚F are typical
Can vary in size, but should always have steps and handrail access
Space required for sanitation system, filtration and chiller

Ice Fountains

Bowls of flaked ice placed strategically in the thermal bathing areas
Can be filled by hand, automatically or on demand via proximity sensors
Restrictions can apply depending on the prevailing codes of local Public Health Departments. Not generally possible on Cruise Ships
Bathers can use raw ice flakes on their body or small towels can be used to make cold compresses for gentle self-massage
Surrounding floors should be heated and drained to facilitate prompt dispersal of dropped ice
Space required for location of ice flaking machine which needs periodical servicing and delivers the ice by gravity down a chute of stainless steel, glass, acrylic of other suitable material.

'‘The Chill’®

Design for Leisure’s own product
Combines, cool mist, flaked ice fountain and wind chill functions in single enclosure taking up a total floor area of only 3m²/30ft²
All features are ‘on demand’ minimising energy costs
Utilises existing air cooling facilities
Touch screen menu to select any or all functions
Requires adjacent space for technology within the quoted space requirements

Igloos

Often having many of the features included under ‘Showers’ and Ice Fountains above.
Have the added benefit of a permanently cool environment enabling bathers to further ‘treat’ their vascular system by deep breathing exercises with the cool air accessing the blood supply via the lungs as well as through the cutaneous surfaces of the skin.
Rapid and effective re-oxygenation of the lungs
Typically operating at between 7-13˚C/45-55˚F
Seats, if offered are normally heated, as are floors
Can have visual features created with lighting and ‘stage’ snow
Space required for technology adjacent to cabin
Recommended to have two door entry system with ‘air-lock’ style vestibule if opening on to high temperature areas such as hydrotherapy areas

Snow Rooms/Caves

The ultimate cooling experience replicating the origins of the art of sauna bathing in Finland and Northern Europe, when snow would be used to cleanse sweaty bodies
Typically operating at 0˚C/32˚F
Benefits as with the cool air of the Igloo aiding cool air inhalation but with a more dramatic temperature of air
The extreme cooling will maximise the temperature differentials and give the greatest benefits of thermal change
Adjacent technical space is required, but minimum space requirements start at just 12m²/130ft²

Energy Conservation – The heat generated by the cooling equipment described above can all be reused by employing heat recovery equipment such as heat exchangers.