Wellness trends come and go, but few are offering quite the same jolt as contrast therapy. The ancient practice of alternating between heat and cold is now a favorite among athletes, high-performers and anyone seeking a natural way to reduce inflammation, boost circulation and reset the nervous system. And it’s not just happening in elite recovery clinics or mountain spas—Southlake has officially embraced the contrast through a series of new local offerings.
From national chains to boutique concepts, contrast therapy is catching fire, and Southlake has it down cold. Perspire Sauna Studio, which opened in early May, pairs its infrared sauna experience with integrated red light therapy and “SNØ Showers” to offer a unique take on the contrast ritual. There’s also Southlake’s latest wellness addition, Pause Studio, which offers private contrast therapy suites designed for both beginners and seasoned plungers, complete with breathwork support and luxe design.
Life Time Fitness, which recently announced cold plunges added to 70 clubs nationwide—already featured in its Colleyville and Westlake locations—is also betting big on demand for science-backed recovery.
“We’re really in the rest and recovery business,” says Alex McClure, owner of Perspire Southlake. “You work out, you eat right, you stretch—but you also have to let your body heal. That’s where we come in.”
The Science of the Switch
The concept behind contrast therapy is simple: expose the body to heat, then follow it with an icy shock. But the impact is profound. The initial heat exposure induces vasodilation, increasing circulation and warming the body to the core. The subsequent cold plunge or shower causes rapid vasoconstriction, driving blood back to the body’s vital organs. Once you exit the cold, that oxygen-rich blood rushes to the extremities, delivering a post-therapy euphoria that’s hard to describe but impossible to forget.
“It awakens your body and mind,” says Erin Kobus, co-owner of Pause Studio. “It’s a reset. You’re getting your best blood flowing to your core to protect you—and then all of that gets redistributed. It’s like an internal power wash.”
Beginners are encouraged to start with short durations, such as 30 seconds, and gradually build up their tolerance. "While everyone is talking about cold plunge, it isn't about how long you can stay in," says Danny King, Life Time's Director of Recovery and Performance in a press release. "We encourage people to talk with one of our experts to understand the proper techniques and timing. This helps to avoid potential risks and achieve the best possible outcomes for your health and wellness."
“Cold-water therapy is one of the most effective ways to recharge your body and mind,” he continues. “By spending just 30 seconds in a cold plunge, you can boost your energy, improve your sleep and build mental resilience. It's a simple yet powerful tool for recovery… providing unparalleled opportunities for our members to live healthy, happy lives.”
Benefits of Infrared Sauna
While cold therapy often gets the spotlight, infrared saunas bring powerful benefits of their own—and they’re a key part of the contrast equation. Unlike traditional saunas that heat the air, infrared saunas use infrared light to warm the body directly, penetrating deep into muscles and tissues.
The result? A detoxifying sweat that’s easier to tolerate and more effective for recovery. Infrared saunas are known to help reduce inflammation, ease muscle soreness and joint pain, promote deeper sleep, improve skin clarity and texture, and burn calories.
At Perspire Sauna Studio, each session includes built-in red light therapy to enhance the benefits even further. Red light targets surface-level issues such as skin tone, blemishes, and inflammation while supporting collagen production and cellular repair. "While you're recovering [in the infrared sauna], you're also burning about 400 calories—it's the equivalent of walking two miles," says McClure. "That's one of the things I love most about it."
“We wanted to make it full-spectrum wellness,” says McClure. “You get heat, light and cold, all in one experience.”
Make It Personal
Pause Studio is purposefully designed to be beginner-friendly, yet scalable for seasoned cold plungers. Each suite offers privacy, breathwork guidance and optional water movement for a more intense cold experience. “When you move the water, your body can’t form a thermal barrier,” explains Kobus. “That keeps you cold, which is exactly the point.”
At Perspire, the cold comes in the form of a high-powered snow shower that blasts 45-degree water for 45 seconds after a long infrared sauna session. The sauna includes built-in red light therapy—a rarity in the industry. “We wanted to make it full-spectrum wellness,” McClure says. “You get heat, light and cold, all in one experience.”
Life Time Fitness offers a more traditional contrast setup that can seamlessly become part of any wellness routine, with dedicated plunge tubs and saunas situated inside an upscale gym environment. Their model focuses on accessibility and efficiency—ideal for those looking to recover quickly after a workout.
Recovery, Meet Resilience
Beyond physical benefits like reduced inflammation and muscle recovery, contrast therapy is increasingly seen as a mental resilience tool. At Pause, breathwork plays a critical role in extending time in the plunge and calming the nervous system. “You’re training your body to handle stress,” says Ashley Memmolo, the general manager of Pause. “If you can manage your breath and stay calm in a 48-degree plunge, that strength translates to real-life situations.”
McClure agrees. “You have to focus on breathing,” he says of the SNØ Showers. “Otherwise, your body freaks out. But once you learn to regulate, you feel alive again.”
Both studios emphasize that contrast therapy isn’t just a physical trend—it’s a practice in self-awareness. “There are days you push for three minutes. Other days, two is enough,” says Kobus. “The key is learning to listen to your body.”