Maria Katrina Paras

Article (news)

Contrast Therapy Cold Plunge Dry Sauna

<p>It is widely agreed upon by athletes, fitness professionals, gym bros, and workout girliepops that the harder you train, the more intense your recovery routine must be. The opinion may be an amateur one, but no one dares contest it. The relief and the “mmmhhhmmm” one feels during a physiotherapy session is a reward that makes working out worth it. Even regular wellness aficionados are getting into this kind of therapy—for good reason.</p><p>At least, that is one way I motivate myself. I go all out when I work out so I can justify my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/polaritywellnessclub" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Polarity Wellness Club</strong></a><strong> sessions</strong>. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786521426047Polarity Wellness Club Podium.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Polarity Wellness Club at the Poduim</span></span></span></div><p>Recently, I tried <strong>Contrast Therapy</strong> at Polarity Wellness Club. For both the serious athlete and the regular gym rat, it’s one of those “goated” treatments. It’s intense not just in how it subjects your body to extremes, but it also encourages the best sleep and muscle recovery you’ve ever experienced. </p><p>Contrast Therapy is <strong>two to three sessions of alternating between the dry sauna and the cold plunge.</strong> Ideally done after your workout, all you need to bring is a swimsuit. You’re first exposed to the dry sauna for 10 to 15 minutes. Instead of steam, heat panels are used for this, so you can bring your phone and link it to the in-sauna booth speaker or bring your book to pass the time. The dry heat is relaxing and isn’t as suffocating as the usual steam sauna. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786521465106Polarity Wellness Club Dry Sauna.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Dry Sauna</span></span></span></div><p>“A dry sauna warms the body and encourages sweating. Many people find that it helps them relax, loosen up stiff muscles, and feel calmer after a busy or physically demanding day. Some also say it helps reduce feelings of tightness after workouts,” explains<strong> Dr. Fahim Pasha</strong>, <strong>Associate Manager of the Physiotherapy Department and Chief Physiotherapist at Polarity Wellness Club.</strong> </p><p>After the sauna, you are encouraged to drink a glass of water and pause a bit before going into the <strong>cold plunge</strong>. The temperature of the water is adjusted to your tolerance. You can stay in the water for 30 seconds up to two minutes. <strong></strong></p><p>The cold plunge is, admittedly, the daunting part of the therapy. The first 10 seconds in the water, you have to fight your reflex to jump out. <strong>It’s an exercise when it comes to presence of mind—something that fitness training also sharpens over time.</strong> Polarity Wellness Center does these sessions with the step-by-step guidance of trained therapists, so your safety is prioritized.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786521514628Polarity Wellness Club Cold Plunge.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Cold Plunge</span></span></span></div><p> The trick to surviving the cold plunge and enjoying it is to<strong> tap into your parasympathetic state by taking long, deep breaths.</strong> It is in both the emotional and psychological toughness that I find the cold plunge such a great way to recover, aside from the physical benefits. The ability to put mind over matter makes me feel happy whenever I complete a Contrast Therapy session.</p><p>“A cold plunge cools the body quickly through cold-water immersion. People often describe feeling more awake, refreshed, and mentally alert afterward. Some also say it helps them feel less sore or heavy after exercise or long periods of travel,” says Dr. Pasha. </p><p>After you complete your session, you are told to take a shower and hydrate. I find that Contrast Therapy makes me feel sleepy. I also feel like my muscles are less tight and my skin a bit more supple!  “For many people, once or twice a week can be enough for general wellness and recovery. Those going through heavier training periods may choose to do it more regularly. In most cases, consistency matters more than doing long or extreme sessions,” Dr. Pasha advises.</p><div><br/></div><p>If you’re up for it, you can complement Contrast Therapy with other services at Polarity Wellness Club. “Treatments such as Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) may help people experiencing heaviness or travel fatigue, while recovery stretching, mobility work, TECAR therapy, or compression boots can complement the feeling of recovery and relaxation after a session,” shares Dr. Pasha.</p><p>Polarity Wellness Club welcomes both members and non-members to try their Contrast Therapy. Booking in advance is highly encouraged to give time to prepare the facilities. A session costs  Php 1,500 for members, while guests/non-members can avail of Contrast Therapy for Php 2,500. <em>Polarity Wellness Club. L4, The Podium Mall, Ortigas, Pasig. Follow @polaritywellnessclub for the latest updates. </em></p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>EDITOR&#x27;S PICKS:</strong></div><p><em></em>If you want to try doing this at home, you&#x27;re in luck, as the local market now offers the equipment you need to replicate the experience right in the comfort of your own backyard. </p><div><br/></div><div><em></em><strong>Dry Sauna</strong></div><p>Take the dry sauna into your home with the brand that specializes in it—Oasis Home. This brand has been making the rounds on our social media feeds for their personal wellness devices that allows you to bring the spa or longevity club experience to your home. For serious wellness enthusiasts, this is a great investment—for your birthday or Christmas, perhaps? This particular unit specializes in low EMF (electromagnetic frequency) and has built-in Wifi capabilities, so that you can take your smartphone with you while you undergo the session. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786521630147Oasis Sauna Personal Dry Infrared Sauna.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner"><a href="https://oasishomeph.com/product/serene-1-wifi-low-emf/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Oasis Home Serene 1 Wifi + Low EMF Infrared Sauna | SHOP HERE</a></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Cold Plunge</strong></div><p><strong></strong>Complete your contrast therapy at home with a Cold Plunge System by Optima Wellness Philippines. Place them side by side on your backyard and complete the wellness space at home. Instead of relying on tons of ice to recreate the experience, you can invest in one that does all the heavy lifting for you. The Optima Nova 2.0 System is your essential to a more energetic cold plunge experience. Perfect for those stepping up their cold plunge game, the Nova 2.0 System features a smart chiller that you can control from your phone, ensuring your cold plunge is always at the right temperature when you need it. Embrace the future of cold plunges with the Optima Nova 2.0 System.<strong></strong></p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786521765588Optima Wellness Cold Plunge System.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner"><a href="https://optimawellnessph.com/products/optima-nova-2-0-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Optima Nova 2.0 Cold Plunge System | Shop Here</a></span></span></span><strong></strong><br/>***</div><div><br id="isPasted"/><em>This month, Metro launches a new wellness series dedicated to <strong>i</strong><strong>nflammation</strong>—what it is, why it happens, how it can affect your body, and most importantly, what you can do to help prevent and manage it. Watch out for more wellness stories, expert insights, and practical tips on inflammation coming soon on </em><a href="https://Metro.Style" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Metro.Style</em></a><em> and across Metro’s </em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/metrodotstyle" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>social media platforms</em></a><em>.</em></div>

<p> If you want a serious after-workout routine, go for something that takes it to the extreme!</p>

If you want a serious after-workout routine, go for something that takes it to the extreme!

Contrast Therapy: How Cold Plunges and Sauna Rooms Help Your Body Recover

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Contrast Therapy: How Cold Plunges and Sauna Rooms Help Your Body Recover

Olivia Sylvia Estrada with Kate Paras-Santiago

Published August 12, 2026 04:00 PM PHT

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Updated August 13, 2026 03:25 PM PHT

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Wellness

Contast Therapy

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Oasis Home Personal Sauna

Optima Wellness Cold Plunge System

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