Pick your model
Dedicated recovery studio, wellness center, med spa service line, or an add-on inside a gym you already run. The machine mix follows the model.
From empty room to open doors
How To Start A Cryotherapy Business
The equipment, the money, the buildout and the training, from the manufacturer that has been putting operators in business since 2007.
The path
Six steps to opening day
No mystery, no fluff: this is the sequence every operator walks, and we walk it with you.
Choose the equipment
Whole-body chamber, electric kiosk, localized device, cold plunge, or a combination. Each is a separate line on your menu.
Line up the money
Financing, lease programs and startup packages exist across the lineup, so the equipment doesn't have to come out of working capital.
Build the space
Facility development is part of our turn-key support: layout, utilities and the practical details of putting cold machines in a working room.
Train your people
Staff training comes with the platform, and the onboard software carries point of sale, memberships and client management from day one.
Open and sell sessions
Whole-body sessions run 2–3 minutes, so a single machine can serve a full day's schedule with time to spare.
Business models
Three ways operators run it
Same equipment, different businesses. The right model depends on what you already have: a lease, a client list, or a membership base.
Recovery studio
Cryotherapy is the headline. Sessions, memberships and packages built around the chamber, with localized and plunge as companions.
Wellness center / med spa line
Cryo joins an existing menu. Your booked clients become cryo clients without a single new lead.
Gym or club add-on
An unattended electric kiosk turns square footage into a service line without adding payroll.
The revenue math
What does a day of sessions gross?
$24,000gross revenue per month, worked example
The client-supplied worked example: 20 treatments a day at a $40 average ticket. Change either number and the calculator does the rest: monthly revenue, annual revenue, and payback.
The business guide
Get the blueprint before you sign a lease
The guide walks through the six steps in detail: choosing a model, sizing the equipment, financing routes, buildout, training and launch. Written by the manufacturer, not a franchise pitch.
- Which machines fit which business model
- How financing, leases and startup packages differ
- What turn-key support covers, end to end
- The revenue levers: sessions, memberships and packages
Download the business guide
Tell us where to send it and a specialist will follow up with answers, not a script.
Your details go straight to our sales team. No spam, no sharing.
The complete guide
Learn the business of cryotherapy
Whether you add cryotherapy as an amenity or open it as a stand-alone business, there is a straightforward way to understand the opportunity. This guide covers how to start a cryotherapy business, section by section.
01 · Revenue model
Cryotherapy business revenue model
Cryotherapy sessions provide a stable revenue stream with minimal overhead compared to the potential profits, whether you are starting a cryotherapy store or adding cryotherapy services to an existing business.
Gym or trainer
New customers are drawn to your facility for cryotherapy, and existing members can be upsold to add cryotherapy packages to their membership.
Luxury spa
Your spa can become the envy of your city and bring in new clients with a new revenue stream.
Chiropractor
Cryo has become increasingly popular in the chiropractic space, mainly because chiropractic patients continue to see positive results, so demand keeps increasing.
Stand-alone
In a stand-alone cryotherapy spa the chamber is the focus of attention. The XR arrives ready to operate: unbox it, roll it into your building on its industrial-strength wheels, plug it in and go.
Medical spa
People go to medical spas for advanced therapies such as anti-aging and laser treatments. Cryotherapy shares a lot in common, and most med spas have clients who are interested in it, if not already doing it.
Day spa
Better your services by adding new, cutting-edge technology. The chamber provides an extra revenue stream, with full financing or lease options available.
Tanning salon
Cryo chambers can operate with minimal supervision. Much like a tanning salon, a staff of one or two can operate and manage a cryo business with ease.
Owner success story
17 weeks
to return on investment
From our own customer success stories: Adam and Julie Aragon, owners of Studio 127 Salon & Day Spa, leaped off the starting line and reached their return on investment in 17 weeks.
02 · Session costs
Cryotherapy session costs
Cryo businesses generally charge more for a single session than for subscriptions, bundles and packages. The going rate varies by state, from $25 to $70 a single session in the markets below, while nitrogen on the XR costs $4 to $5 per session.
$4–$5
Nitrogen cost per session on the XR
$25–$70
Average single-session price across the states listed
Session costs across the United States
The average cost per session differs across the country based on various factors. Research the price of cryo in your area before you settle on a price of your own. The figures exclude promotional prices and discounts.
Average cryotherapy session price in the U.S.
Cryo Innovations works with hundreds of businesses across the world to help them provide cryotherapy services to their customers.
- Global presence
- The XR Cryotherapy Chamber is one of the most popular cryotherapy machines in the world.
- International shipping
- We help you get started with your cryotherapy business no matter where you are located.
| State | Average session price |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $50 |
| California | $45 |
| Colorado | $55 |
| Delaware | $55 |
| Florida | $45 |
| Georgia | $50 |
| Iowa | $25 |
| Idaho | $50 |
| Indiana | $45 |
| Kentucky | $25 |
| Louisiana | $60 |
| Massachusetts | $55 |
| North Dakota | $35 |
| New Jersey | $45 |
| New York | $70 |
| Ohio | $40 |
| Oklahoma | $25 |
| Pennsylvania | $30 |
| Tennessee | $25 |
| Texas | $40 |
| Utah | $35 |
| Wyoming | $50 |
03 · Subscriptions, packages and discounts
Cryotherapy subscriptions, packages and discounts
A cryotherapy subscription is a great way to upsell customers while encouraging them to commit to periodic sessions. These are the packages cryotherapy businesses offer today, and the XR’s built-in point of sale handles every one of them.
Unlimited subscriptions
Clients pay once and receive as many sessions as they want. This is the most lucrative way to grow and scale a cryo business. Remember: the more back-to-back sessions you run, the less nitrogen a nitrogen-based chamber uses.
Monthly and yearly subscriptions
Like unlimited subscriptions, clients get as many sessions as they want, but for a limited time frame. A great way to promote your business during the holidays.
3, 5 and 10 session packages
The most popular option so far. Many cryo businesses offer 3, 5, 10, 100 or even larger packages. Packages move a client from a single session to a series, and you make more money too.
Time-limited discounts
Whether you are starting up or promoting over the holidays, a limited-time discount is a great way to promote your business. Customers want to take advantage of scarcity, so engage your audience with a time-limited offer.
Built-in point of sale on the XR
The XR includes built-in point-of-sale software that automates your cryotherapy business for you. It isn’t required for operation, but it is included for the first 3 years as an added benefit.
Cryotherapy gift cards
Gift cards let your existing customers promote your services and brand. Successful cryotherapy businesses let satisfied customers share the gift of cryo with friends and loved ones. Personalized gift cards help your customers promote your business and build your brand equity, and the XR’s point-of-sale software has gift cards built in.
- Custom subscriptions
- You or your staff create personalized subscriptions: unlimited, periodical, one-time, special-offer and free-session packages to suit your business.
- Built-in upsell
- Clients can easily re-subscribe to cryotherapy services and renew their subscriptions.
- Built-in discounts
- Discount by a dollar amount or a percentage. Limit a discount to a time period or make it permanent. Take full control of your price structure.
- Custom gift cards
- Gift cards for a set number of prepaid sessions or a dollar value. Limit the duration, stop a card being used after a set date, or limit it to one location to promote that location.
04 · Budgeting
Budgeting for cryotherapy
The total cost of a cryotherapy center depends on your location, the licenses and permits required, one-time startup costs and ongoing operating costs. Nitrogen chambers cost $42,000 to $75,000; on the XR, nitrogen runs about $5 a session, power is a standard 110V outlet and insurance averages $200 a month.
Existing businesses
Adding a cryosauna to an existing business is almost always the most cost-effective route, because rent is not an additional cost. A small empty room of 8’ x 10’ will suffice.
New businesses
Where you locate changes your costs greatly. Look for the most lucrative storefronts in your area and weigh both competitors and complementary businesses: opening near an existing cryo center may hurt your sales volume, but positioning near complementary businesses such as fitness centers can help. We help you find your ideal location.
Licenses and permits
Some cities and states require certain licenses and permits. You may need to contact your city about the international building code, fire code and mechanical code that apply to your business. Cryo Innovations helps you navigate roadblocks like these.
Startup costs: overall cryo chamber cost ranges
$42,000 to $75,000
Nitrogen chambers
$130,000 to $700,000
Electric chambers
Operational and setup costs
The line items that go into a nitrogen chamber budget, from the running costs to the one-time setup.
| Line item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid nitrogen | $4–$5 per session | Varies with location, number of sessions and the time between sessions. On the XR it is approximately $5 per session. |
| Nitrogen dewar rental | ~$65 per month | Liquid nitrogen dewars are rented. |
| Dewar refill | ~$140 per refill | One 230L dewar covers 30 to 45 sessions. |
| Electricity | About a TV | Varies by chamber. The XR runs on a standard 110 volts and uses about the same electricity as a TV. |
| Insurance | ~$200 per month | Varies with coverage. On average, insurance for a cryo business is $200 a month. |
| Exhaust fan | $150–$200 | Plus about $200 to install. You are responsible for purchasing and installing it. |
| Shipping | Budget $1,000 | For shipping the chamber to you. |
An average retail cryo session runs about $40 to $80, or $35 to $45 in a subscription-based model. Against $4 to $5 of nitrogen, that makes for a very high-margin 1 to 3 minute treatment. Read the full budgeting guide.
Stand-alone store: estimated monthly costs
Opening a stand-alone cryo shop adds rent and staff to the budget. These are the estimated monthly costs from our stand-alone revenue model. These are estimated numbers; your actual numbers will vary.
Put your own session volume and price into the ROI calculator.
| Monthly cost | Estimate |
|---|---|
| In-house labor at $15/hr | $3,600 |
| Rent, 800 sq ft | $1,500 |
| Utilities (phone, internet, electricity) | $200 |
| Insurance | $200 |
| Total expenses | $5,500 |
05 · Industry regulations
Cryotherapy industry regulations
In the United States, cryotherapy chambers and cryosaunas are not regulated by the FDA as medical devices. Operators should educate clients on the risks, avoid misleading statements, ventilate nitrogen chambers properly and carry cryotherapy-specific insurance.
Food and Drug Administration
It is important to understand that in the United States, cryotherapy chambers and cryosaunas are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as medical devices. Your customers should be aware of the FDA’s position and consumer guidance on cryotherapy products and cryosaunas.
Cryotherapy operators should avoid any misleading statements about the use of their chambers. Cryotherapy chambers are not intended to be used for the treatment of any disease, disorder or illness.
DoEducate your clients on the risks and side effects of cryotherapy.
Do notProvide any misleading statements about the use of cryotherapy chambers.
Cryo Innovations is the only cryotherapy company with a GSA contract for purchases by the government.
Proper ventilation
Nitrogen-based cryotherapy chambers and cryosaunas need to be properly ventilated. That means installing an exhaust fan to provide safe air for you and your customers to breathe. You may need a large bathroom-style exhaust fan routed outside; home improvement stores and Amazon carry them. The rule of thumb is 1 cubic foot per minute (CFM) for every 1 square foot of room size.
Insurance
Most general liability business insurance policies do not cover injuries such as skin burns. As a cryotherapy provider, choosing the right policy is the difference between being covered and being denied coverage. Look for a policy with:
- Cryotherapy general liability insurance
- Covers slip-and-fall claims, product liability and other general claims.
- Cryotherapy professional liability insurance
- Protects against injury suffered by a client from cryo services.
- Cryotherapy license action reimbursement
- Protects you during a government action against your business.
- Cryotherapy business property insurance
- Covers your cryo chambers and saunas, computer equipment and similar property.
06 · Chamber features
Cryotherapy chamber features to look for
Look first at safety and owner liability, then efficiency, performance, business tools and warranty. On the XR that means eight on-board safety features, about 3 liters of nitrogen per session, TV-level power draw, a point of sale included for 3 years and a 3-year fix-or-replace warranty.
Safety and owner liability
Perhaps the biggest risk in owning and operating a cryotherapy business is customer safety and owner liability. Build your business on a stable, safe and secure product. When comparing cryosaunas, pay close attention to the safety features: they help prevent serious harm to your clients and to your business.
Built-in contraindications
Digitally stored contraindications make your services easier to use. The XR’s built-in contraindications are stored in the cloud, and the user must reaffirm them at every session to minimize the owner’s liability.
Gear included
Clients need protective equipment for their extremities during a session. If a chamber does not include it, you have to provide it. When you purchase the XR you get 2 robes, 2 pairs of booties and 2 pairs of gloves, ready to use right away.
Safety sensors
In 2015 a 24-year-old woman died accidentally while using a cryotherapy chamber in Las Vegas. The investigation concluded she died of asphyxiation after inhaling too much nitrogen gas and collapsing inside the chamber. She was alone, with nobody to rescue her. To give clients a safe experience and minimize your liability, look for a chamber with as many safety measures as possible.
Cryo Innovations saw that tragedy as a call to revamp and innovate the cryo industry. The XR has 8 on-board safety features and sensors:
- Fingerprint authorization
- Two fingerprint authorizations are required to operate the XR: one from an approved operator and one from an approved user.
- Operator required
- The operator must touch the screen every 30 seconds to verify they are monitoring the user.
- Door design
- The door never locks and needs little force to open. A proximity sensor in the door shuts the valves down when it opens.
- Interior geometry
- If the user’s head falls below the top opening for any reason, the physical design forces the door open, activating the door sensor.
- Pulse oxygen sensor
- Monitors the client’s blood oxygen level while they are in the chamber (for entertainment purposes only).
- Head sensor
- If the user’s head falls below the safety level, the valves shut down automatically.
- Emergency stop button
- Shuts the unit down and stops all flow of liquid nitrogen.
- Emergency shut-off valve
- Shuts off the machine if the stop button does not work.
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Electricity and nitrogen consumption
A chamber’s energy and nitrogen consumption bears directly on your profitability, so pick a machine with low electricity and nitrogen usage. It is better for the environment too. The XR’s power consumption is minimal, often compared to a regular-sized TV, and it uses just 3 liters of nitrogen per session.
See the nitrogen usage statistics of the XR and how to budget for it.
Coverage
Cryotherapy machines vary in performance. Some distribute cold air and nitrogen to the body more evenly, and so deliver a more effective experience. The XR gives full-body coverage with its proprietary Cyclone Flow™ technology, which distributes nitrogen evenly. Its Recovery Range Scale™ technology lets users see their recovery in real time based on their skin temperature.
Business tools
Much like smartphones against traditional phones, smart cryotherapy machines offer more and better tools for your business.
- Mobile sign-up
- Simple mobile registration. Clients register on their phone or tablet while they wait in reception.
- Point of sale
- Automate billing and sales: create subscription packages, offer gift cards, manage session and sales statistics, and give incentives for future purchases. POS is included for the first 3 years.
- Multiple location management
- Built with chains and corporations in mind: manage multiple business locations and chambers from a single back-end administration system.
- Analytics at your fingertips
- Rich business analytics and powerful dashboards, so growth and operating decisions are made on data.
Warranty
Buy from a manufacturer that stands behind its product and guarantees it is free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service. Cryo Innovations offers a 3-year Fix or Replace Warranty with the purchase of the XR Cryo Chamber.
07 · Buying options
Cryotherapy equipment buying options and financing
Most buyers finance or lease a chamber. A financier generally wants more than 1 year in business, a personal FICO score of 650 or higher and reserved funds in a company bank account. If that isn’t you yet, investors, your own accounts, SBA and bank loans, family and friends, and crowdfunding are all routes in.
Financing
The most critical part of any cryotherapy business is the machine: before you can provide cryotherapy services you have to acquire a cryosauna or chamber. When it comes to buying options, most people think of financing. Depending on your personal credit, you may be eligible to finance or lease a chamber.
General requirements for approval
- Time in business of greater than 1 year
- Personal FICO credit score of 650 and above
- Reserved funds in a company bank account
Alternative funding options
Find investors
- Seek an angel investor: early-stage investors who are interested in startup businesses.
- Prepare a thorough presentation that shows your knowledge of the business and its industry. That may mean market analysis and a strong marketing strategy.
- Prepare a business plan for your cryotherapy business. Be clear about your needs and goals.
- Show you believe in what you are doing. Investors want to see passion, not a get-rich-quick plan.
- Stay engaged with potential investors. Follow up with update emails that do not ask for money.
Tap into your own accounts
- Look into your retirement/401(k) and personal savings accounts. You may want someone experienced to help you draw from a 401(k).
- Get a second mortgage on your home or property. Mortgage loans often offer some of the best rates for borrowing money.
- Starting a business means you are confident it will make a profit. Show you are willing to take the risk and believe in yourself.
Apply for special loans
- Contact the Small Business Administration and look into an SBA loan for your business.
- Banks such as Chase and Bank of America may approve you as well.
Borrow from family and friends
- Send close family and friends a letter explaining what you are trying to do and how.
- Set a goal for the amount of money you want to raise.
- Don’t underestimate your weak ties, your C-list of acquaintances. Sometimes your A-list may not want to help.
Crowdfunding
Many successful entrepreneurs have used crowdfunding to fund their startups: many people invest in your business or idea, instead of one person putting up everything you need. Popular platforms include:
- Kickstarter
- Indiegogo
- Patreon
- GoFundMe
- Crowdrise
- PledgeMusic
- MightyCause (formerly Razoo)
- InKind (formerly Equity Eats)
- Crowdfunder
- Give
- Charitable
- Lending Club
- AngelList
- Ulule
- Funding Circle
- Seed&Spark
- Crowdcube
- GoGetFunding
- Fundable
- Kiva
Revenue sharing
Consider a revenue-sharing plan with an existing business. Look for businesses in the industries that best complement cryotherapy:
- Athletics
- Chiropractic
- CrossFit
- Fitness studios
- Gyms
- Medical spas
- Physical therapy
- Plastic surgery
- Recovery centers
- Salon / spa
- Sports medicine
- Sports teams
- Tanning
- Wellness centers
Disclaimer: Cryo Innovations does not revenue share with other owners.
08 · Ideal location
How to find the ideal location for a cryotherapy business
Place your business near potential customers: the customer profiles most likely to use cryotherapy. Existing businesses already have a location; a new cryotherapy business should research one next to complementary industries such as gyms, sports teams, recovery centers, med spas, physical therapists and chiropractors.
Complementary industries
Some medical, health and fitness industries complement cryotherapy because their target market is similar to, if not the same as, the cryotherapy market. Position yourself near businesses in these industries to take advantage of the existing customers in the surrounding area.
Data suggests having at least half of these profiles near you. That makes it easier to find customers, and some may become regular visitors, buying sessions once or twice a week or even unlimited sessions.
Top businesses that complement cryotherapy
- Gyms and fitness centers
- Cryotherapy works best for serious athletes, since it can improve recovery time and decrease downtime: professional athletes, bodybuilders and CrossFit trainers. More and more high-end gyms and fitness centers add cryotherapy so their members can take advantage of it. Use a gym or fitness center location to maximize your revenue.
- Sports teams
- More and more professional sports teams are looking into and using cryo. Some teams even have their own chambers.
- Recovery centers
- Cryotherapy has been widely used to enhance recovery from injuries. Recovery centers all across the world are looking at cryotherapy because it complements their existing business and can increase their growth and ROI.
- Medical spas
- When we think of a medical spa we think of results: advanced therapies such as anti-aging and laser treatments. Cryotherapy shares a lot in common, and most med spas have clients who are interested in it, if not already doing it.
- Physical therapists
- Cryotherapy augments physical therapy, since the two aid one another in getting the best results for the patient. Find a physical therapy center and start your cryo business next to it.
- Chiropractors
- Cryo has become increasingly popular in the chiropractic space, mainly because chiropractic patients continue to see positive results, so demand keeps increasing.
- Tanning salons
- Cryo chambers can operate with minimal supervision. Much like a tanning salon, a one- or two-person staff can operate and manage a cryo business with ease.
- High schools and colleges
- Some say cryo is just a trend. We don’t think so, but we do believe that catering to early adopters and enthusiasts, and letting them find out on their own how cryotherapy can benefit them, is good for business.
Potential partnerships
Another great option is to team up with an existing business that complements cryotherapy. A strategic partnership puts your cryo business inside or next to an existing business, cutting startup costs and boosting sales potential. Contact the business owners and present your cryotherapy business idea to see if they are interested.
- Personalized assistance
- Cryo Innovations works closely with you to find the right spot for your cryotherapy business.
- Demographics
- We have tools to help you research your target market. Contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
- We can connect you
- Find out how we can connect you with an existing business to create a mutually beneficial relationship.
You are not doing this alone
What turn-key actually includes
Buying the machine is the easy part. The rest of the launch is where a manufacturer either shows up or disappears.
The 5 steps to being cryo-ready
Liquid nitrogen supplier sourcing
We have partnered with a nationwide liquid nitrogen supplier to ease your setup, and we can also source local suppliers quickly and efficiently, sized to a chamber that uses just 2–3 liters per session.
Customized marketing materials
Custom-branded marketing materials and exclusive access to digital marketing content to help grow your business.
Facility development
If the room you choose for the chamber has no air ventilation, we help you understand what is needed. Exhaust fans are usually required for safe air ventilation, and they are not that expensive.
Social media consulting
Access to elite social media consulting to enhance your marketing strategy. Over a 3-month period you learn how to use social media to target your prospects.
Training
Once your chamber arrives, our team is readily available by video call to help with any technical requirement or training your staff needs: sessions, safety, point of sale and memberships.
Add cryo-specific insurance availability and a 3-year fix-or-replace warranty, and the risk column of your business plan gets a lot shorter.
Ready to open a cryotherapy business?
Tell us your model and your market. A specialist comes back with the equipment mix, the worked numbers, and the financing to get to opening day.
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