A cryotherapy chamber and red light therapy could hardly be more different – yet both share a similar goal. While cryotherapy uses an intense cold stimulus, red light therapy works with specific wavelengths of light. Two different approaches that can support recovery and overall well-being.
Cryotherapy & Red Light Therapy: Why Opposites Make an Interesting Combination
Three minutes in icy temperatures or a relaxing break surrounded by warm red light: at first glance, cryotherapy and red light therapy could hardly be more different. And yet both aim to give the body targeted stimuli and support its recovery.
Modern recovery methods are becoming increasingly popular, particularly after exercise and physical activity, but also as part of a mindful break. But what actually happens inside a cryotherapy chamber? What does red light therapy feel like? And why are the two treatments often combined?
Recovery Is Becoming Increasingly Important
A day on holiday can be quite active. A hike around Lake Fuschl, a round of golf, a workout in the fitness studio or an extended bike ride – all of these activities leave their mark, as the body has been working hard.
That is precisely why recovery is just as important to an active lifestyle as exercise itself. Rest, sufficient sleep, mindful nutrition and relaxation all play an important role. Modern treatments can provide additional, targeted stimuli to complement these essential elements.
Two examples are cryotherapy and red light therapy. While one works with extreme cold, the other uses the effects of specific wavelengths of light.
Three Minutes of Cold: What Happens in a Cryotherapy Chamber?
The first thought when faced with temperatures well below freezing is probably: Does that really feel pleasant?
In fact, a session in the cryotherapy chamber lasts just a few minutes. At the Waldhof Fuschlsee Resort, the actual cold exposure takes around three minutes. During this time, the body is exposed to an intense cold stimulus.
It is precisely this short duration that makes the experience so special. Rather than prolonged exposure to cold, the body experiences a brief but intense stimulus.
Many people describe the feeling afterwards as refreshing and invigorating. This is also why cryotherapy is often used in sports in connection with recovery after physical exertion.
And although three minutes may sound brief, standing in front of the cryotherapy chamber for the first time is certainly an experience you won't forget.
Red Light Therapy: Recovery Through Light
Red light therapy works in a completely different way. Instead of a cold stimulus, it uses carefully selected wavelengths of red and near-infrared light.
Depending on the wavelength, the light penetrates the tissue to different depths and is absorbed by the cells. Red light therapy is therefore increasingly used in the fields of recovery and well-being – for example, following physical activity or simply as a mindful moment of relaxation for the body.
The treatment itself is calm and uncomplicated. You can switch off, relax and give your body time to unwind.
Why Cold and Red Light Work Well Together
Cryotherapy and red light therapy could hardly be more different in the way they are experienced. And that is precisely what makes combining them so interesting.
While cryotherapy provides a brief, intense cold stimulus, red light therapy follows a completely different approach, using specific wavelengths of light. What both treatments have in common is that they are used as complementary methods to support recovery.
The idea isn't to squeeze as many treatments as possible into a single spa day. Instead, the focus is on one simple question: What feels good for me right now?
A holiday provides the perfect opportunity to explore this. Without the pressure of a busy schedule, you have more time to discover how exercise, rest and different approaches to recovery influence your personal well-being.
After Hiking, Golf or a Workout: Time to Recover
There are plenty of ways to stay active around Lake Fuschl. Hiking, golfing, cycling, swimming or working out with a view of the lake – for many guests, staying active is simply part of a holiday.
All the more reason to consciously slow down afterwards.
A session in the cryotherapy chamber, for example, can provide an intense and refreshing stimulus after an active day. Red light therapy offers another way to complement your personal recovery routine.
And of course, relaxation can also take more traditional forms: with a massage, a yoga session, a visit to the sauna or simply some quiet time in one of our relaxation rooms overlooking nature.
This way, activity and relaxation become not opposites, but two equally important parts of a holiday.
Cryotherapy & Red Light Therapy at the Waldhof Fuschlsee Resort
Since April 2026, cryotherapy and red light therapy have been part of the wellness and longevity offering at the Waldhof Fuschlsee Resort.
In our cryotherapy chamber, guests experience temperatures of up to –85°C for approximately three minutes. Allow around 25 minutes for the entire session, including preparation.
A red light therapy session also takes approximately 25 minutes. Both treatments can be enjoyed individually or combined.
These two modern approaches complement the Waldhof's traditional ways of relaxing and unwinding, bringing together physical activity, wellness and mindful recovery.
Sometimes relaxation means simply sitting by the lake and doing nothing. Sometimes it's a massage, a sauna session or a yoga class. And sometimes it's about trying something a little more extraordinary.
Cryotherapy and red light therapy demonstrate just how different modern approaches to recovery can be: one brief, intense and icy cold, the other calm and centred around the power of light.
Which one is right for you is a personal choice. Perhaps that's exactly what makes it so interesting – discovering different possibilities and finding out what feels good for your own body.
Good to Know About Cryotherapy & Red Light Therapy
How cold does it get inside the cryotherapy chamber?
At the Waldhof Fuschlsee Resort, temperatures of up to –85°C are reached inside the cryotherapy chamber. The actual treatment lasts approximately three minutes.
What does a session in the cryotherapy chamber feel like?
Dry cold feels different from, for example, cold water or damp, chilly winter weather. The treatment is very brief and many people describe the feeling afterwards as refreshing and invigorating.
How does red light therapy work?
Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. The light is absorbed by the body and is primarily used in the fields of recovery and well-being.
How long does a red light therapy session take?
At the Waldhof Fuschlsee Resort, a session takes approximately 25 minutes.
Can cryotherapy and red light therapy be combined?
Yes. Both treatments can be enjoyed individually or combined. As they work with completely different stimuli, they complement each other as part of a mindful recovery routine.
Who might benefit from cryotherapy and red light therapy?
These treatments may be particularly interesting for active people who are interested in recovery and overall well-being. Before your first session, we will clarify whether the respective treatment is suitable for you.
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