Ever wondered how cold Cryotherapy Chambers get, cold enough to make your freezer feel embarrassed? Short answer: they drop to around –110°C to –140°C, which is wild but perfectly safe in short bursts. Keep reading to learn why people willingly step inside something colder than Antarctica and why athletes walk out feeling brand new.

How Cold Do Cryotherapy Chambers Actually Get?
The Short Answer: Colder Than Anywhere on Earth
Cryotherapy chambers reach temperatures that blow past anything you'd ever feel outdoors. When people ask “how cold do cryo chambers get?”, they usually expect something extreme, but not this extreme. Despite the numbers, the experience is surprisingly tolerable because the exposure is so short. The first few seconds feel intense, then your skin adjusts and the shock settles into something oddly energising. Yes, it’s colder than the coldest place on the planet, but done safely.
The Numbers: Temperature Ranges Explained
In Fahrenheit: -160°F to -250°F
If you look at cryo chamber temperature Fahrenheit, you’ll see ranges between –160°F and –250°F. On paper, that sounds like a fast track to hypothermia, yet the reality feels completely different because the air is dry and still. There’s no icy wind slapping your legs just crisp, controlled cold. You’re also inside for a maximum of three minutes, so the cold never has time to sink in. Most people walk out feeling more awake than uncomfortable.
In Celsius: -110°C to -160°C
In Celsius, cryotherapy chambers usually sit between –110°C and –160°C, depending on the model and setting. This is the range that triggers the body’s “thermal shock,” which is essential for cryotherapy’s benefits. It cools the skin rapidly without freezing deep tissue, which is why short sessions feel strangely manageable. Think of it like stepping into the world’s coldest shower, your body goes, “Whoa!” and then kicks into high gear. This temperature range is the sweet spot for both results and safety.

Does the Type of Chamber Matter?
Liquid Nitrogen Chambers: The Coldest Option
Liquid nitrogen chambers are the heavy hitters they cool fast, hit the lowest temperatures, and deliver the sharpest cold. When people ask “are cryo chambers cold?”, these chambers are the reason the answer is a dramatic yes. They use nitrogen vapour to cool the air around your body, which allows them to reach the extreme end of the cryotherapy temperature scale. You’re in and out quickly, but the impact feels powerful. They’re the go-to for people who want maximum intensity.
Electric Chambers: A Consistent, Even Chill
Electric cryotherapy chambers rely on high-powered refrigeration systems instead of nitrogen. They don’t get quite as cold, but the air stays evenly distributed around the body, including the head if it’s a full-body model. Many people prefer this because the cold feels smoother and more predictable. There’s less “sting” and more steady chill, which makes them ideal for beginners or anyone cautious about extreme cold. Electric chambers focus on consistency rather than pushing temperatures to the absolute limit.
Putting the Cold into Context
How it Compares to the Coldest Day on Record
The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was –89°C in Antarctica. Cryotherapy chambers casually blow past that number, and yet people step inside wearing nothing but socks, gloves, and sometimes a robe. The difference is the environment: no wind, no moisture, no biting air. It’s controlled cold, not the kind that tries to freeze your eyelashes off. So yes, it’s colder than Antarctica, but it doesn’t feel like it.
Why it Feels Different: The Secret of "Dry Cold"
Outdoor cold feels brutal because humidity and wind chill amplify the sensation. Cryotherapy uses dry cold, so even at –140°C, it doesn’t claw into your bones the way wet cold does. It’s more of a sharp, surface-level chill that the body quickly recognises and adapts to. Many people say it feels cleaner, lighter, and strangely refreshing. That “dry cold” difference is the reason you can handle such extreme temperatures safely.
Why -160°F Doesn't Feel the Same as a -160°F Wind Chill
A –160°F wind chill outdoors would be catastrophic for anyone caught in it. Inside a cryotherapy chamber, there’s no moving air, no moisture, and no prolonged exposure. Your skin cools rapidly, but the environment doesn’t force the cold deeper. Everything is monitored, controlled, and specifically designed to avoid danger. It’s extreme cold without the extreme conditions.
The Science Behind the Temperature
Why This Extreme Cold is Necessary for the "Thermal Shock"
Cryotherapy works because the body reacts intensely to sudden cold. That thermal shock triggers vasoconstriction, endorphin release, reduced inflammation, and a sharp increase in circulation once you step out. Lower temperatures mean a stronger and more immediate response. Mild cold simply doesn’t produce the same physiological effect. The extreme drop is what flips the switch inside your body.
The Ideal Temperature for Maximizing Benefits and Safety
Most experts aim for –110°C to –140°C, because that’s the range where benefits peak without overloading the skin. Colder temperatures can still be used, but sessions get shorter to keep things safe. Warmer temperatures reduce the therapeutic effect, making the session less effective. This balance of cryotherapy temperature and time is why modern chambers rely on automated systems and trained operators. It’s not about torture, it’s about precision.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is it the same temperature throughout the 3-minute session?
Not always. Some chambers maintain a steady temperature, while others gradually drop as the session progresses. Your perception of the cold also changes as your skin reacts and adapts. Operators constantly track chamber temperature to keep everything safe. The experience is controlled from start to finish.
Is there a risk of frostbite at these temperatures?
The risk is extremely low when sessions are run properly. The air is dry, your skin is checked beforehand, and exposure is brief. Most frostbite cases only happen when someone enters with damp clothing or ignores instructions. With trained supervision, frostbite is very rare.
Who controls the temperature in the chamber?
A trained technician sets and monitors the chamber temperature during your session. Electric chambers also use automated systems that adjust cooling in real time. You’re never left alone to “figure it out”someone is always watching the readings and your reaction. Safety is built into the process at every step.