Recovery is part of the process.
Finnish sauna, infrared sauna and cold plunge — all under one roof at AxClub. This is recovery, built properly: for the days you push hard on court, the days work pushes you harder, or just because looking after yourself deserves a regular slot in the diary. Contrast therapy has never been this close to home in Devon.
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What Is Contrast Therapy?
Contrast therapy is exactly what it sounds like — moving your body between heat and cold, on purpose. Here, that means rounds of warming heat in one of our saunas, reaching up to 85°C, followed by a refreshing plunge into water as cold as 3°C.
It’s a bigger sensation than a warm bath, sure — but it’s completely manageable, and our team will talk you through it at your own pace, whatever your starting point. The shift between hot and cold sets off a chain of physiological responses that leave you calmer, sharper and more resilient than when you arrived. Athletes have used it for recovery for decades. We’ve simply built a proper space for everyone else to feel the benefit too — whether that’s recovering from sport, unwinding after a hard day at work, or just making it part of how you look after yourself.
The Finnish Sauna
Our Finnish sauna has been custom-built to the highest standard — premium timber, a bespoke state-of-the-art heater, and room for up to 12 people to sweat it out together.
The Experience
Expect temperatures around 85°C and low humidity, which is what makes a 15–20 minute session comfortable to see through for most people. That combination of high heat and low humidity is what does the work — better circulation, deep relaxation, and a proper, honest sweat.
The Benefits
- Linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease*
- A genuine lift in mood
- Lower blood pressure
- Better sleep
- Reduced inflammation
- A stronger immune system
- Natural pain relief
- Supports long-term brain health*
- Faster recovery after exercise
*Based on published research into regular sauna use. If you’re managing a health condition, please check with your GP before your first session.
The Infrared Sauna
Prefer a gentler heat and your own space? Our infrared sauna warms your body directly rather than heating the air around you — the infrared waves reach deep into your skin, muscles and joints without needing to push the room to Finnish-sauna temperatures.
The Experience
Sessions run at a gentler 50–60°C for up to 45 minutes, which most people find far easier to sit with for longer. It’s a private space too — just for you, or you and a guest — for a more tranquil, personal reset.
The Benefits
All the benefits of a traditional sauna, plus a few of its own:
- Longer sessions mean more benefit per visit
- Visible improvements to skin, including a reduction in fine lines
- Deeper detoxification
The Cold Plunge
This is where the magic really happens. Our bespoke cold plunges use advanced cooling systems to bring the water down to as low as 3°C — cold enough to matter, controlled enough to be safe.
The Experience
The moment you get in, your body kicks into its ‘cold shock response’ — breathing and heart rate pick up, blood moves to protect your core, and your body releases a rush of adrenaline and endorphins. The first entry takes a bit of getting used to, and our team will talk you through it — most people are surprised how quickly it turns from a shock into a genuine lift.
The Benefits
- Reduced inflammation and muscle soreness
- A genuine mood lift
- Faster recovery after exercise
- A stronger immune system
- Up to a 2.5x increase in dopamine
- Builds mental resilience — if you can do this, you can do most things
- Natural pain relief
- A metabolism boost
- Lower blood pressure
- Improved insulin sensitivity
A Quick Note on Safety
Contrast therapy is safe and enjoyable for the vast majority of people, and our team is on hand throughout every session to help you get the most out of it. That said, please check with your GP before booking if you’re pregnant, have a heart condition or high blood pressure, or are managing any other condition that heat or cold exposure could affect. If you feel unwell at any point during a session, step out, let a member of the team know, and take your time before continuing.