We try ice and heat therapy at Revive Wellness Club Halifax

THERE was an internal conversation going on as I lowered myself into ice cold water. “No way! Get me out of here!” cried the body. “Just persevere,” insisted the brain. In the end, it was all about the breathing.

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

Contrast therapy is rooted in ancient healing. 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.

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 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”.

Revive Wellness Halifax

She warned 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 on to 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 in. 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 immersed in the water, and it was starting to feel invigorating.

Sophie went for the dithering option. I’d been in a minute or so 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!

I stayed in 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 in the sauna. It felt blissful to enter the warmth of the sauna - with my skin tingling from the water, the contrast of cold then heat was energising.

In the icebaths at Revive Wellness Halifax

After thawing out in the sauna, it was time to face the baths again. 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 ten minutes, but it felt easier this time. We were both more confident getting back into the water - channelling our inner Wim Hof.

After a few minutes it was back to the sauna, then I braved the two degree bath. Maybe it was psychological, but it felt much colder. My legs ached in the water and I could only manage about a minute, but 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, reduce inflammation and boost metabolism. While the sauna induces relaxation, the ice bath stimulates the release of feelgood endorphins; lifting mood and 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 the experience much more this time and would definitely do it again.

Tanya, who does ice baths several times a week, says Revive follows the Wim Hof approach of two minutes ice bath and 15 minutes sauna but, she adds, it’s a personal experience: “I prefer ice baths to the sauna, because the water helps with stress relief. 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.”

Home to around 150 businesses, Dean Clough comprises a 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. Revive Wellness is the latest addition to health, fitness and beauty facilities at the complex, which also includes art galleries, a theatre, hotel, the True North restaurant and a range of shops.

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