Dave and Pete try out the latest fad, Cryotherapy.

Julie, Dave and Pete recently attended Fit Con, a two day expo in STG where vendors displayed everything fitness and health related.  It was fun and entertaining.  They had many exhibits, but the most fun was the American Ninja Warrior Course.  Dave tried the log roll.  This is where you wrap your arms and legs around a log that is set up on a track.  Once you take off the log rolls down a slope and you spin with it.  If you can hang on, you get to ride it to the end.  If not, the centrifugal force tosses you off.  Dave rode it to the end, but was dizzy for about the next five minutes.  Not recommended for anyone who suffers from motion sickness which he does.  Dave has a new respect for the contestants on TV who get off of the log roll only to jump into the next stage of the race.  There were a number of hanging and climbing obstacles that were very tantalizing, but Dave is recovering from elbow tendonitis and had to pass.  He did try the warped wall which was only 12 feet high.  The one on TV is 14 feet.  After several valiant attempts, he was finally worn out and never made it over the wall.  As Dave says, there are no points for almost making it.  Next year.

One of the vendors was offering discounts on the most amazing treatment that does away with all aches and pains, helps in recovery from injuries and burns calories long after the treatment is over.  What is this miracle?  Cryotherapy  In simple terms, all that I am capable of, they put you in a tube and fill it with nitrogen gas, which is cold, VERY cold.  In fact the gas surrounding your body is -260 degrees F.  I know that sounds unbearable, and for some people it is.  It last 3 minutes.  During that 3 minutes the blood in your body rushes to your core in order to keep you from dying.  When the 3 minutes is finally up, the blood rushes back increasing circulation to your extremities, and bringing all kids of good stuff with it.  They provide socks and slippers as well as gloves which you will be very happy to have as the cold gas washes over your fingers.  Besides that, we only wore our skivvies.

With our discount coupons in hand, we arrived at the office early Saturday morning.  We signed all the wavers which may have overstated the dangers of exposing your body to -260 degrees.  I mean really, nothing is going to fall off, is it?  I decided to go first in order to put Pete at ease with the process.  After undressing and putting on the socks, slippers and gloves, I entered the booth which was already pretty cold.  I rang the buzzer that it was safe for the attendant, Pete and Julie to witness the process.  The attendant cranked up the gas and down the temperature as soon I was covered in freezing gas.  I will have to be honest, it was not all that bad.  I have been colder in a ski lift line.  None the less, I whined and complained to enhance the experience for Pete who was by this time white as nitrogen gas. Before I knew it the time was up and now it was Pete's turn.  We waited for Pete to change his clothes and enter the booth.  After several minutes of not hearing anything, I bravely entered the room ahead of the ladies not knowing what I might see.  What I saw was Pete struggling to get into the booth as he had to stand on a stack of pads that they put in the booth to keep vertically challenged people's heads above the layer of nitrogen gas.  It was also apparent that Pete had not listened to the attendants warnings as he had not donned the gloves.  We eventually got him sorted out and soon it was time to start the gas.  Pretty quickly Pete began to feel the full effects.  In response to the cold he began moving with the confines of the booth trying to keep warm.  Here are some pictures of his experience...

This is not so bad...

I think I like my body parts going numb!

Ummm, how much longer?  I miss my boys...

Don't ever ask me to do this again...

Well, the big question is how did it work?  To tell you the truth, neither Pete or I experienced the advertised effects.  While it was a fun and highly entertaining experience, we do not think we will be going back.  Besides, there are so many new gimmicks to try!  We will keep you posted!

P.S., Pete has not "fully" recovered if you know what I mean...