International Thai boxing champion tries whole body cryotherapy with CryoQube

World Muay Thai Champion and instructor Christi Brereton describes her experience of using CryoQube.

I first discovered Thai boxing when I was ten and quickly became hooked on the sport. I have been competing professionally since my early teens and began coaching and running classes a few years later. Training and competing in combat sports means that I often suffer with muscular fatigue, aches, pains and bruising.

I was so excited when I first found out that a new whole body cryotherapy chamber, CryoQube, was being built just a few miles away from where I live and work. I’ve heard so many great reviews for professional athletes using cryotherapy treatments as part of their recovery sessions so I was intrigued and desperate to give it a go.

When I was introduced to CryoQube, I was wowed at the fact it was a whole body chamber, with enough space inside for two people to use at the same time. Most cryotherapy chambers I had come across online were only single booths, which just treat people from the neck downwards. I now know that whole body cryotherapy is far more beneficial and is proven to help with athletic performance and recovery.

Before my first cryotherapy treatment, I was anxious at the thought and unaware of what to expect. The prospect of stepping inside and being subjected to temperatures of -130C was a little daunting, but the team at Quantum Cryotherapy were able to explain what would happen and answer my questions, which made me feel more at ease.

There’s a small entrance before entering the chamber and the blue glow from the ceiling lighting gives off a soft calming feel before you enter. The temperature was cool at first and once the door closed you could feel the air getting colder. I kept shifting around gently to keep my body moving. The staff played some of my choice of music to keep me occupied and every so often spoke to me through the microphone to check if I was comfortable inside. I would then give them a thumbs up through the glass of the window. The time went really quickly and it was over sooner than I expected.

When I exited the chamber, I had a slight numbing sensation on my body as it adapted to the normal room temperature

After having my first therapy session, I felt great. The treatment was really comfortable and I was much more confident in using CryoQube. I am forever playing catch up with body’s recovery and I am normally quite harsh on myself when it comes to taking rest. Due to my strict training plans in preparations for bouts I find I have limited time. CryoQube is a speedy way to ensure my body is having effective recovery treatment and I feel able to carry on pushing through my training schedule without having to take any extra rest days. I’m picking up bruises constantly, and always suffering with muscle fatigue, but using CryoQube between sessions eases the inflammation.

I have been going back for further treatments. Now that I have experienced the benefits of whole body cryotherapy, I see it as a key part of my training and recovery programme.

Christi Brereton is a World Boxing Club International Champion, WRSA British Champion, IFMA Silver Medallist 2014 and WPMF World champion 07. Roar Combat League World Champion and British UK Number 1 Female Bantamweight. Recently signed by, and the first UK women to compete and win on the world famous Glory Kickboxing stage. She runs Chaos Muay Thai Fitness & Competition in Okehampton, Devon along with her partner Steve Pender.

 Discover more about how CryoQube could benefit elite athletes.