Monday, February 23, 2015

Chiltonic

This past week, I tried out a new form of recovery called cryotherapy. Well, new for me, but it's actually been around for over 30 years, first developed in Japan to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis and then spreading to Europe to help Olympic athletes recover faster.

Anyone who knows me knows that I detest cold weather and would much rather bake in the sun than go anywhere that even remotely resembles winter. Yes, I know, I grew up in eastern Canada, but I grew up in very toasty indoor temps. Anyway, I had the opportunity this past week to try out a new cryotherapy clinic in town called Chiltonic. The treatment involves spending 3min in a cold chamber cooled by nitrogen vapor to an average of -150 degrees Celcius. The cooling effect on the body helps reduce inflammation, pain and soreness associated with training and injury, and helps promote recovery after a hard workout.

I actually, believe it or not, enjoyed the cryotherapy and did not offer all of my life's savings in exchange for an early exit. What really surprised me most was how good my legs felt the next day. I had purposely timed my session after a hard 4hr ride, and the next day I had none of my usual post ride leg fatigue and soreness. If anything, I felt like I had come off a day of recovery. Definitely a great way to chill and recover after a hard day of training!