More Myrtle Beach athletes are turning to infrared pods and cold plunges. But how do you know which is right for you?
If you’re an athlete, a coach, or just someone who moves with intention, you already know this: training is only part of the story. The other half—the part that often gets overlooked is recovery. And lately, more people in the Myrtle Beach fitness community are paying attention. Why? Because recovery isn’t just about rest anymore. It’s about strategy.
At Body Lab Studio, we see this shift every day. We also see that no two bodies recover the same way. That’s why we believe in options, especially when it comes to tools like infrared therapy and cold plunge. They’re both powerful. They’re both science-backed. And they both deserve a place in your wellness routine.
That’s also why we’re proud to offer infrared therapy and a full-body recovery system at Body Lab Studio in Myrtle Beach, and we’re equally proud to partner with MINDZERO, a space built for breathwork, cold plunge, and nervous system resets.
Curious to try it for yourself?
Grab a pre-session pass for infrared therapy or cold plunge available now at Body Lab Studio.
A lot of our clients ask about the difference between cold and heat when they first walk through the door. Instead of guessing, we like to break it down in simple terms, starting with infrared therapy.
What Is Infrared Therapy? And Why Do Trainers Use It?
Infrared therapy works by sending deep, penetrating waves of heat into your muscles and tissue. Unlike a surface-level sauna, this heat reaches where recovery actually happens—at the cellular level. This process helps increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and support muscle repair after training.
In simple terms? It helps you bounce back faster.
This isn’t just feel-good science—it’s evidence-backed. According to a study published on PubMed, red and near-infrared light improved tissue repair and reduced inflammation in athletes. Another study found that far-infrared lamp therapy reduced soreness by 55–60% and lowered creatine kinase (a marker of muscle damage) by up to 89%.
At Body Lab Studio Myrtle Beach, we’ve designed an entire system around this. Our infrared therapy pod is the cornerstone of what we do but it’s just the beginning. More on that in a moment.
For now, if you’re a trainer looking for recovery tools that won’t interrupt progress or delay gains, infrared recovery for athletes is a game-changer.
What Is Cold Plunge Therapy? And Who It’s Great For?
Now let’s talk about the other side of the recovery coin—cold plunge therapy.
Also known as cold water immersion (CWI), this practice involves dipping your body into water that’s typically between 39°F and 59°F. The immediate chill may be jarring, but the effects are incredible. Cold plunges can help reduce swelling, ease soreness, stimulate circulation, and most interestingly, build mental resilience.
You’ve probably seen athletes using ice baths after a game or intense training. That’s not just for show. Research confirms that CWI reduces delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), lowers creatine kinase, and decreases perceived exertion after workouts. (PubMed) In fact, this study showed improved sprint performance and overall wellbeing in MMA athletes who consistently used cold immersion.
Here in Myrtle Beach, our friends at MINDZERO take cold plunge to a new level. Their experience includes breathwork, sauna, cold therapy, and guided sessions that reset not just the body—but also the mind. Think of it as a multi-sensory experience designed to help you mentally and physically reset.
Want to try it?
We have pre-session passes for MINDZERO available right here at Body Lab.
Heat vs. Cold: Which One Is Better?
That’s a question we get all the time.
And the answer? They serve different purposes. It’s not about choosing sides, it’s about choosing the right tool for the moment. Here’s a quick comparison:
Feature | Infrared Therapy | Cold Plunge / CWI |
Circulation | Increases dilation and blood flow | Constricts then flushes on rewarm |
Inflammation | Lowers pro-inflammatory markers | Reduces swelling and joint pain |
DOMS Reduction | Effective for soreness and recovery | Clinically proven to reduce soreness |
Performance Adaptation | Supports recovery without blocking hypertrophy | May blunt hypertrophy if used immediately post-lift |
Mental Resilience | Calming and stress-reducing | Invigorating, boosts mental clarity and mood |
A smart recovery plan can actually include both. That’s what we help our clients build—one that uses contrast and timing to maximize benefits.
How Body Lab Studio Supports Full-Spectrum Recovery
Our infrared therapy Myrtle Beach clients love the pod, but what really sets us apart is our full toolkit. Each recovery service we offer is designed to work together—to match how your body heals, adapts, and performs.
Here’s a look at our recovery system:
- Infrared Pod: Full-body deep heat, excellent post-training or on rest days
- Infrared Body Roller: Combines heat with deep tissue fascia work and lymphatic drainage
- VacuTherm Treadmill: Infrared + cardio + vacuum resistance = improved circulation and fat metabolism
- LPG Endermologie (add-on): Lymphatic massage meets skin and fascia smoothing
- EMS Muscle Activation (add-on): Boosts muscular contractions and prevents soreness post-lift
- Microvibration Roller (add-on): Targets fatigue, inflammation, and sluggish muscle groups
Whether you’re a personal trainer building recovery into client plans, or an athlete training through cycles, this system was built for you.
Not Sure Where to Start? Let’s Help You Decide
Trying to figure out where to begin? Here’s a simple way to look at it:
- Just finished a hard lift day? Try infrared therapy first and trust us, your muscles will thank you.
- Feeling a bit worn mentally or physically? That’s your cold plunge day.
- Looking for a total reset? Alternate both across your week.
Sample Recovery Week (Myrtle Beach Style):
- Monday: Infrared Pod at Body Lab
- Wednesday: Cold Plunge at MINDZERO
- Friday: VacuTherm + EMS at Body Lab
The truth is, there’s no wrong way to begin, especially when your recovery is personalized. We’ll help you find the rhythm that supports your training, your goals, and your lifestyle.
Try Body Lab Studio + MINDZERO in Myrtle Beach
We believe in smarter recovery, not harder. And that means giving you real tools, guided support, and access to partners who align with our mission.
Whether you’re rebuilding, competing, or simply showing up for your own wellbeing, Body Lab Studio and MINDZERO Myrtle Beach are here to support you.
Come try your first infrared session on us and ask us about your free pass to experience the cold plunge at MINDZERO.
Book your infrared therapy session or Try MINDZERO cold plunge today
References
- Photobiomodulation in Human Muscle Tissue
Red and near-infrared light exposure was shown to enhance mitochondrial activity, reduce oxidative stress, and improve muscle recovery following strenuous exercise.
Leal-Junior, E. C. P., Vanin, A. A., Miranda, E. F., de Carvalho, P. D., Dal Corso, S., & Bjordal, J. M. (2015). Effect of phototherapy (low-level laser therapy) on strength loss and muscle damage after resistance exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 115(2), 393–405.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4299734/ - FIR Lamp Therapy Reduces DOMS and Muscle Enzymes
Far-infrared radiation (FIR) therapy reduced delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) by up to 60% and decreased biomarkers such as creatine kinase by 45–89%.
Park, J., Hwang, Y., & Lee, S. (2023). Effects of Far-Infrared Radiation on Muscle Recovery Following Eccentric Exercise. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 22(2), 204–211.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36825876/ - Near-Infrared Light Enhances Strength and Performance
Athletes exposed to near-infrared light prior to exercise showed improved strength and reduced muscle fatigue.
Baroni, B. M., Geremia, J. M., Rodrigues, R., de Azevedo Franke, R., Karamanidis, K., & Vaz, M. A. (2017). Muscle performance and electromyographic activity after infrared LED phototherapy. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 31(2), 526–535.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29099680/ - Cold Water Immersion Reduces Muscle Soreness and Fatigue
Cold plunge therapy following resistance training significantly reduced perceived exertion, DOMS, and creatine kinase levels for up to 48 hours post-exercise.
Machado, A. F., Ferreira, P. H., Micheletti, J. K., de Almeida, A. C., Lemes, Í. R., Vanderlei, F. M., & Pastre, C. M. (2023). Cold water immersion after resistance exercise: a meta-analysis. Frontiers in Physiology, 14, 1198703.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36744038/ - Cold Exposure Enhances Recovery and Performance in Athletes
A study on mixed martial artists found improved sprint recovery and overall wellbeing scores after consistent use of cold-water immersion.
Nascimento, D. C., Tibana, R. A., Frade de Souza, N. M., et al. (2018). Cold water immersion enhances recovery of physical performance and perceived wellbeing in highly-trained athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 32(12), 3542–3549.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6221982/ - Cold Water Immersion May Attenuate Muscle Hypertrophy if Timed Improperly
Regular cold-water immersion immediately following strength training sessions may interfere with hypertrophy and strength adaptations.
Roberts, L. A., Raastad, T., Markworth, J. F., et al. (2015). Post-exercise cold water immersion attenuates acute anabolic signaling and long-term adaptations in muscle to strength training. The Journal of Physiology, 593(18), 4285–4301.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7339943/ - Overview of Infrared Therapy Mechanisms and Applications
Infrared light supports tissue healing by stimulating blood flow, enhancing nitric oxide release, and promoting collagen regeneration.
Physio-Pedia. (n.d.). Infrared Therapy. Retrieved from:
https://www.physio-pedia.com/Infrared_Therapy - Overview of Cryotherapy and Cold Water Immersion
Cold therapy reduces tissue temperature, inflammation, and nerve conduction velocity to support athletic recovery and analgesia.
Physio-Pedia. (n.d.). Cryotherapy. Retrieved from:
https://www.physio-pedia.com/Cryotherapy
