Get your mind and body in tune with a morning of contrast therapy
Leeds’ city centre hot and cold therapy space Kontrast provides a number of facilities at varying temperatures, from infrared saunas to ice baths and even a social plunge pool, designed to take your mind and body on a thermal journey that helps release endorphins, work out your blood vessels and free your mind from those daily stresses that can mount up over time. There’s even a lovely little cafe on site for unwinding in before or after your session. Here’s how we think the best mornings can be spent at Kontrast Leeds.
Arrive and familiarise yourself with the space
Located on Railway Street, just a short walk away from the bus station, Kontrast Leeds has a minimal and rustic yet welcoming feel to it using natural materials like woods and metals to create a calm and grounding atmosphere.
There’s a cosy little cafe and waiting area for you to transition into the space with, complete with blankets, comfy seating and even some board games should you want to play with friends.
To the rear of the building you’ll find a set of lockers for your valuables (just be sure to bring your own padlock), private changing cubicles and showers for freshening up before and after your thermal journey. There’s also a vanity with hair dryers, so no need to bring your own.
Behind this, you’ll find the facilities themselves; three saunas - including two traditional (one quiet and one social) and an infrared sauna for added benefits - and four ice baths at varying temperatures, one of which is designed for social plunges and sits around 13 degrees for a more manageable introduction to cold water therapy.
Take it slow and steady
To avoid putting too much stress on your body, it's recommended to go slow and steady with your thermal journey, building up to the more extreme ends of the temperature scale.
Perhaps start with a few minutes in the traditional sauna letting your body gradually heat up before taking your first dip into the social plunge. Meditation can be a good way to distract yourself from the coldness and help you gain a better rhythm of your breathing.
Always listen to how your body feels and take your time - there is no race to the finish line or end goal in sight, everyone adapts differently to hot and cold therapy. Just be sure to stay well hydrated in between each cycle with the complimentary fresh water available on site.
Take a friend
As many of Kontrast’s facilities are designed for social use, bringing a friend with you can be a brilliant way to ‘take the plunge’ so to speak, if you are new to Kontrast or haven’t done hot and cold therapy before. But even if you’re coming solo, the friendly team is extremely welcoming and happy to help with any queries or worries you may have.
Know your limits
If you feel like you’ve had enough or start to notice yourself getting uncomfortable (e.g. too hot or too cold), grab a cup of water and call it a day. Kontrast is very affordably priced with sessions starting at as little as £12 and is open five days a week from as early as 6:30am to 9:30pm, so there’s plenty of opportunity to come back and try again another time.
Reward yourself with a coffee
After putting your mind and body through its paces, be sure to reward yourself with a nice warm (or cold) drink in the cafe. From hot, creamy lattes to vanilla iced matchas, organic sodas and even a few sweet treats to say ‘well done’, there’s plenty of reason to hang around after your session and unwind for a bit.
Sessions can be booked from as little as £12, and you can save 10% on single sessions with our exclusive code 'CONFIDENTIAL10'.
Keen to find out more? Visit HERE.
Kontrast Leeds, 84-86 railway street, LS9 8HB
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