I tried Contrast Therapy at Revive Wellness Halifax at Dean Clough

Taking a deep breath in, while counting to four, then out again was how I managed to stay in control as I stepped into the ice bath. It’s a distraction technique, and it helped me to stay calm when my body wanted to panic. I soon got used to the cold - and weirdly, I liked it.

Invited to try ‘contrast therapy’ at Revive Wellness, I was intrigued to learn about the cold and heat process. The wellness club, which opened last month at Dean Clough in Halifax, offers “a rejuvenating experience” combining ice baths and saunas.

The first Revive Wellness Club in the North, it has four ice baths and a 12-person Finnish sauna, as well as a spacious relaxation lounge and coffee bar.

There's a lounge and coffee bar for relaxing before and after the therapy (Image: Revive Wellness)

Contrast therapy is rooted in ancient healing practices. Athletes and dancers have long known the benefits of ice baths, and now hot and cold therapy has become hugely popular as a holistic approach to wellbeing. One of the most effective methods is alternating between saunas and cold plunges. From improved cardiovascular health to stress reduction and immune system support, the impact on physical and mental health is said to be profound.

The four ice baths at Revive Wellness (Image: Revive Wellness)

I had my first ice bath experience earlier this year, at a health retreat. I can’t honestly say I enjoyed sitting in a tub filled with chunks of ice for two minutes - it was pure endurance. But it probably helped with some kind of ‘muscle memory’ when I arrived at Revive Wellness, facing an ice bath once again.

Facing it with me was my sister, Sophie, who was new to the experience. Tanya Holt, who runs Revive Wellness Halifax with her husband Terry, guided us through the process. She told us the challenge of fully immersing yourself in an ice bath is good for mental resilience because “it requires mindfulness, controlled breathing and an ability to stay calm under stress.”

Tanya warned us that as we entered the water, our instinct would be to get out - but by taking slow deep breaths in then out, counting to four each way, we’d get past that.

In a row were four baths, each lowering in temperature from eight degrees Celsius in the first one, to six, four then two degrees in the last bath. With water freezing at 0 degrees C, anything from eight to two is pretty cold.

I started with the six degree bath and Sophie went in the eight degree one. I knew from experience that the best way was to just get on with it. No dithering. Climbing onto the first step, my feet submerged in painfully cold water, I focussed on breathing - four in, four out - then stepped down and sat on the seat further down.

Initially my breaths came in short sharp shakes as the cold hit my body but, with Tanya’s encouragement, I calmed myself with slow, controlled breathing. Before I knew it I was fully in the water, and it was starting to feel invigorating.

Sophie went for the dithering option. I’d been in for a couple of minutes while she was still trying to take her first step. “Honestly, it’s fine once you’re in,” I told her. She wasn’t convinced.

But Tanya was brilliant; gently coaxing her in and helping her stay calm. After standing on the step for a while, taking deep breaths and staring into the water, Sophie finally made it in. She said afterwards that she wouldn’t have been able to do it without Tanya’s guidance. Everyone needs a Tanya for their first ice bath experience!

Emma and Sophie in the ice baths (Image: Newsquest)

I stayed in the water for about five minutes; after the initial shock it was quite pleasant, especially when I moved my legs about a bit. “Respect. You did well in there,” said a strapping rugby player I joined in the sauna. It felt blissful to enter the warmth of the sauna - and with my skin tingling from the water, the contrast of cold then heat was energising.

It felt blissful to step into the heat of the sauna after the ice bath (Image: Revive Wellness)

After thawing out in the sauna, it was time to face the baths again. This time I got into the four degree bath and Sophie did the six degree one. I feared the cold might be more of a shock, having been in the sauna for 10 minutes, but instead it felt easier this time. We were both more confident stepping into the water and once in, we enjoyed it. It felt quite natural to be channelling our inner Wim Hof.

Channelling our inner Wim Hof (Image: Newsquest)

After a few minutes it was back to the sauna, then I braved the two degree bath. I don’t know if it was psychological, but this one felt a lot colder. My legs ached in the water and I could only manage about a minute, but as a short, sharp dip it left me totally invigorated.

We both felt great after our contrast therapy experience. The blend of heat and cold is said to improve circulation, boost metabolism and help manage stress. While the sauna induces relaxation and relieves tension, the ice bath stimulates the release of feelgood endorphins; lifting mood and boosting motivation. Our skin felt amazing, even later in the day. It felt like having a detox. And I had the best night's sleep I've had in ages. I enjoyed it much more this time round and would definitely do it again.
Tanya, who does ice baths several times a week, says it's a personal experience: "I prefer ice baths to the sauna, because the water helps with stress relief. People who suffer from anxiety say it really helps them.

Adds Tanya: "We follow the Wim Hof principles of two minutes in the bath and 15 minutes in the sauna. One of the biggest benefits is heart health and, for athletes, it really helps with performance, circulation and resilience. The ice baths reduce muscle soreness and inflammation and the sauna promotes relaxation. 

"It's also great for metabolism and weight loss. 

"Another big benefit is mental resilience. Putting yourself in a stressful situation carries into other areas of life. It's an amazing achievement to sit in an ice bath, not just once but again and again - because you have to do it again to get the full experience." 

Terry says the Dean Clough site is “the perfect environment for a relaxing experience, with stunning buildings and tranquil surroundings”.

Home to around 150 businesses, Dean Clough comprises a significant heritage collection of mill buildings spanning over half a mile. The mills were built between 1840-1870 by the Crossley family, founders of Crossley Carpets which became the largest carpet manufacturer in the world.

The Dean Clough complex in Halifax (Image: Bruce Fitzgerald Photographer)

Revive Wellness is the latest addition to the health, fitness and beauty facilities at the complex, which also includes six art galleries, a theatre, arts mill with studios, onsite hotel, hospitality venue, the fabulous True North restaurant and a range of shops.

* Monthly membership is available at Revive Wellness Club Halifax, as well as group bookings. Visit revivewellnessclub.co.uk