Should you do cold therapy or sauna first?

Author: Abbey Pfannerstill  |  Last update: Friday, August 8, 2025

According to an overwhelming majority of health and fitness experts, you should first go for a sauna then cold plunge. These experts cite the example of contrast therapy, where your body (or part of it) is first immersed in hot water followed by icy cold water.

Should you do ice therapy before or after sauna?

It is recommended to first sauna then ice bath and not the other way around, as sauna sessions increase the blood flow and heart rate and make our muscles relax, which cold plunges slows down the heart rate and makes our blood vessels contract.

Are you supposed to do sauna or cold plunge first?

It's definitely preferable to go from the sauna directly to the cold plunge as directly and quickly as possible. The more heat your retain from the sauna the better the experience. However, if the cold plunge is a shared tub then rinsing first is probably best simply out of consideration for others.

How to use sauna and cold plunge together?

After your sauna session, head directly to the cold plunge for 1-3 minutes of cold immersion. The sudden cold exposure will: Cause your blood vessels to constrict, directing blood to your core to protect vital organs. Reduce muscle inflammation and soreness.

Is it better to do cryo or sauna first?

SAUNA BEFORE CRYOTHERAPY:

Beginning with a sauna session can warm up the muscles, increase blood flow, and induce relaxation. The heat from the sauna can help open up the pores and prepare the body for the cold temperature of cryotherapy.

How Long to Sauna & Cold Plunge for Key Benefits | Dr. Susanna Søberg & Dr. Andrew Huberman

Is it better to do hot or cold therapy first?

Rule of thumb for most injuries: Ice first, heat later. But avoid using them in tandem except as directed by a health care provider, Jake said. Most injuries cause your body to react with inflammation and swelling.

What order should you use the sauna?

Some experts suggest starting with the sauna to induce a deep sweat and kickstart the detoxification process. Following this with a steam room session can then help to hydrate the skin and relax the muscles.

Should you cycle between cold plunge and sauna?

Couple the cold plunge with a hot and steaming sauna and you have the perfect combination for your well-being and rejuvenation. Alternating between the two temperatures causes vasodilation and vasoconstriction. The switch between expanding and constricting blood vessels gives your circulatory system a good workout!

What not to do after a cold plunge?

After a cold plunge, dry off and warm up by getting dressed in dry clothes. You can sip a warm beverage and move to a heated area. But don't head straight for a sauna or hot tub, because the extreme heat could cause too much stress on your body.

Should you do a cold plunge or hot tub first?

To begin, start with 3-5 minutes of immersing yourself in a warm/hot tub or sauna. This will help dilate your blood vessels, increase circulation, and relax your muscles. After the initial heat exposure, it's time for the cold plunge. Enter a cold plunge tub filled with ice-cold water for about 1-2 minutes.

Should you massage or sauna first?

Sauna Before Massage

Firstly, the heat from the sauna can help to relax your muscles, making them more receptive to the massage. This can make the massage more effective and potentially more enjoyable. Secondly, the sauna can help to detoxify your body, which can enhance the detoxifying effects of the massage.

Should you do a cold plunge or sauna last?

To put this to practice, finish your temperature therapy sessions with a cold plunge. Practically, here are some guidelines for structuring your hot/cold routine: Sauna sessions of 12-15 minutes. Followed by a cold plunge session of up to 3 minutes.

Why do I feel dizzy after sauna and cold plunge?

The sauna causes blood vessels to dilate, and the cold plunge causes them to constrict rapidly. This sudden redistribution of blood flow in your body can potentially make you feel dizzy.

How long do you wait between heat and ice therapy?

So, you alternate between both! After the initial cold treatment following the injury (around 10 to 20 minutes), you can switch to the heat treatment.

Can you cold plunge every day?

You can do cold plunging every day. However, if you're doing it after training, daily plunges could compromise the potential for long-term performance improvements.

Can you sauna everyday?

One of the most common questions we get asked is, "Can I sauna every day?" The short answer is yes, it can be safe for most people to sauna daily. However, it's important to keep a few things in mind, like how long you stay in and any health conditions you might have.

What should you do immediately after a cold plunge?

Here's what to do after a cold plunge to manage post-ice bath shivers:
  • Dry off and dress warmly immediately after the ice bath to retain body heat.
  • Seek a warm environment to allow your body to warm up naturally.
  • Engage in light stretching, to help generate warmth and promote blood circulation.

Do cold plunges burn fat?

Taking a cold plunge in an Ice Barrel can activate the brown adipose and muscles in your body. Once activated, irisin and FGF will be released (irisin and FGF are cold-induced endocrine activators of brown fat function in humans). These two hormones burn up the white fat tissues resulting in weight loss.

Is it better to take an ice bath before or after a sauna?

The simple answer is that it's preferable to use the ice bath after the sauna. Heat therapy makes us healthier by increasing our stress levels and raising the body's adaptational responses.

What is the best order for cold plunge and sauna?

According to an overwhelming majority of health and fitness experts, you should first go for a sauna then cold plunge.

Is it healthy to jump into cold water after sauna?

Regular sauna sessions trigger the body to release endorphins, thus relaxing your body and mind, which has a positive effect on your energy levels. In combination with a cold plunge, your body releases even more positive hormones, especially norepinephrine, which boosts focus, attention, and energy.

Is 10 minutes in the sauna enough?

The recommended length of time to spend in a sauna is 15-20 minutes. First-timers should start with five to 10 minutes. People with certain health conditions should not use a sauna. If you're not sure if that's you after reading this article, consult with a healthcare provider.

What is the best order for spa treatments?

All of our experts agree that you should keep your menu of treatments in this general order: steam/sauna, bath treatment, scrub, massage, and then facial.

Why put feet up in the sauna?

Putting my legs up during for least half the time, helps tremendously with lymphatic drainage especially when we rarely have our legs above our head. There's so many benefits with being in the sauna weekly to daily.

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