What Happens Before, During and After Cryotherapy at Brysk

If you’ve never tried cryotherapy before, it’s natural to wonder what actually happens – step by step.

Not the science behind it or the marketing claims – but how the session is actually delivered, and how it feels from start to finish.

At Brysk, cryotherapy sessions are guided, supervised, and adapted to the individual – whether that’s a whole body cryo-chamber session or localised cryo for targeted recovery, especially for first-time visitors. There’s no pressure to push limits or “tough it out.”

This guide explains exactly what happens before, during, and after a cryotherapy session at Brysk, so you know what to expect before booking.

If you want the detail behind that answer – including what it feels like and what to do after – read on.

At-a-Glance: What Happens Before, During and After Cryotherapy

If you just want a clear overview before diving into the details, this is what a typical cryotherapy session at Brysk looks like from start to finish.

Below, we break each stage down in more detail, so you know exactly what the experience feels like at every point – especially if it’s your first time.

What to Expect From Your First Cryotherapy Session

By this point, you’ve seen the overview. What follows is a closer look at how each stage of a cryotherapy session actually feels – from preparation, to time in the chamber, to what happens once you step out.

At Brysk, sessions are guided carefully and adjusted as needed – particularly for first-time visitors.

The aim is clarity and comfort, not endurance.

Before Your Cryotherapy Session

Your cryotherapy experience starts before you step into the chamber.

Suitability and preparation

Before your first session, the team will talk through your goals – whether that’s general recovery, wellbeing, or a specific area you’re working on. Comfort levels and relevant health considerations are discussed openly, and you’ll complete a short medical screening form to make sure cryotherapy is appropriate for you.

You’ll also be guided through how the session works, what the cold is likely to feel like, and how to signal if you want to pause or stop at any point. Nothing moves forward unless you’re comfortable and happy to continue.

The aim isn’t to rush anyone through a standard process. It’s to make sure cryotherapy actually makes sense for you. If it isn’t appropriate, that’s identified early – and without pressure to proceed.

What to wear and pre-session checks

Before entering the chamber, a few simple checks take place to keep the session comfortable and safe. These include:

• Confirming no lotions or creams have been applied
• Ensuring any exposed jewellery is removed or covered
• Providing and checking protective gear, including gloves, socks, footwear, face protection, and headwear

Everything is explained clearly before you start, so there are no surprises. If you’re unsure about anything at any stage, you can ask. First sessions are deliberately unhurried, with time taken to make sure you feel prepared and at ease before stepping in.

During Your Cryotherapy Session

Cryotherapy sessions at Brysk in Central Manchester are short, supervised, and controlled.

What it feels like

Most people describe the sensation as:

• Cold but very manageable
• A dry cold that eases you into the session
• Soothing, stimulating, and often energising

The cold feels unfamiliar rather than painful. The goal isn’t endurance – it’s exposure that’s brief and purposeful.

Supervision and control

During your session:

• A member of the team is present throughout
• You’re checked in on verbally and visually
• You can stop the session immediately at any point

You’re never expected to “push through” discomfort. Sessions adapt to how you respond, not the other way around.

First-time sessions are often shorter, with extra explanation and reassurance as needed.

Temperature-guided delivery

During cryotherapy, surface skin temperature is monitored before and after each session. This is the key indicator used to guide how long exposure needs to last.

For most people:

• A surface skin temperature of around 5–7°C is reached within a standard session
• Three minutes is sufficient for the majority of users
• Time is only increased gradually, and only after experience across multiple sessions

Changes are always made step by step – fan speed is adjusted before time, and only where appropriate. A small percentage of people with higher cold tolerance or greater muscle mass may require progression, but this is never assumed.

Whole Body vs Localised Cryotherapy: Does the Experience Differ?

While the core principles stay the same – short sessions, supervision, and clear stop points – the experience can feel slightly different depending on the type of cryotherapy you’re using.

• Whole body cryotherapy involves full-body cold exposure and is often chosen for general recovery or overall wellbeing. The cold is evenly distributed, and sessions are kept deliberately brief.
• Localised cryo focuses on specific areas, such as joints or muscles. Sensations are more targeted, but sessions are still guided, controlled, and adjusted in real time.

Whichever option you choose, the approach doesn’t change: calm delivery, constant supervision, and no expectation to push beyond comfort.

In both cases, delivery is guided by how the body responds – not by chasing colder temperatures or longer exposure.

After Your Cryotherapy Session

Once the session ends, there’s no rush.

Immediate sensations

After cryotherapy, people often notice:

• A warming sensation as the body returns to normal temperature
• A feeling of alertness or light stimulation
• No downtime or recovery period

Surface skin temperature is checked after the session to confirm an appropriate response before you leave the chamber area.

You’re free to move normally straight away.

What to do (and avoid) after cryotherapy

Your team will explain simple aftercare guidance, which typically includes:

• Allowing your body temperature to regulate naturally
• Staying hydrated
• Avoiding sudden extreme heat immediately after (such as very hot showers)

There’s no complex routine to follow – just common-sense guidance to let your body respond comfortably.

First-Time Cryotherapy: Expectations vs Reality

It’s completely normal to feel unsure before your first cryotherapy session. For most people, those nerves are psychological rather than physical.

What often surprises first-time clients is how different the experience feels compared to what they expected.

That contrast between expectation and reality is why first sessions at Brysk are always guided and unrushed. Knowing what’s coming makes the experience far more comfortable.

How Many Cryotherapy Sessions Do You Need?

There’s no fixed answer.

Some people try cryotherapy occasionally, others build it into a routine. Frequency depends on:

• Your goals
• How your body responds
• Personal preference

The team at Brysk will help you decide what makes sense, without pressure or preset packages.

Is Cryotherapy Worth It?

That depends on what you’re looking for.

Cryotherapy uses short, controlled exposure rather than chasing dramatic overnight change. Some people find this fits well into their recovery or wellbeing routine, particularly when they value short, controlled sessions over extreme interventions.

The best way to judge whether it’s worth it is to understand what to expect – and to try it in an environment where sessions are handled responsibly.

What Makes Cryotherapy at Brysk Different

By this point, you know what a cryotherapy session involves. What really matters is how it’s delivered.

At Brysk, cryotherapy is approached as a guided recovery experience – not a challenge, and never a one-size-fits-all protocol.