Contrast therapy is gaining steam but until recently hadn’t extended its reach into the Tri-State. Enter Cold Plunge & Wellness Studio, which Tommy and Tracie Ayers opened in October 2025 as the first business offering contrast therapy in Evansville and Newburgh. The combination of sitting in a sauna, then briefly plunging into a tub of cold water has been shown to boost circulation, reduce inflammation, and even calm anxiety. Cold Plunge & Wellness Studio recently added red light therapy, bringing its services to the cellular level, too.
Thinking about taking the plunge? Tracie, who like Tommy often coaches clients during their cold plunges, offers helpful tips, client success stories, and how contrast therapy has changed her life.
What inspired you to introduce contrast therapy here?
Our journey started with a personal experience in Indianapolis in 2024, and we were immediately hooked. We loved how it made us feel physically and mentally and started seeking out contrast therapy everywhere we traveled. As we researched the industry, we realized there wasn’t a dedicated contrast therapy studio anywhere in the Evansville or Newburgh area. Instead of building our dream setup at home, we decided to build it for our community. We knew people would be curious because, while contrast therapy has been practiced in European cultures for centuries, it’s still relatively new to many people in the U.S. What surprised us was how quickly that curiosity turned into excitement. Fast forward, seeing our guests make contrast therapy part of their wellness routine has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
Tell us about your first cold plunge.
Like most people, we were both a little intimidated the first time. Your mind immediately tells you not to get into cold water. But once we focused on our breathing and trusted the process, we realized it was much more mental than physical. We both walked away feeling energized, clear-headed, and surprisingly calm. Tommy also experienced dramatic improvements in inflammation, and we both benefitted from substantially better sleep, which is what convinced us that this wasn’t just a trend — it was something that could genuinely improve people’s quality of life.
For readers unfamiliar with contrast therapy, give us a rundown of the key physical and mental wellness benefits.
Contrast therapy combines the heat of traditional Finnish sauna with the invigorating effects of a cold plunge. Together, they can help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, ease muscle soreness, support recovery, improve sleep, and help the body better manage stress. We’ve also had members tell us they have more energy, better focus, and feel calmer after making it part of their routine. While everyone’s experience is different, the positive changes we’ve witnessed have been incredible.
How do you encourage someone nervous about sitting in cold water?
We hear “I hate the cold” almost every day. The good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. We coach every first-time guest through the entire experience, from breathing techniques to body positioning, and there’s never any pressure. We usually encourage people to aim for just one minute their first time. Most people leave saying, “That wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected,” and many are already planning their next visit before they walk out the door. For us, the few minutes of discomfort are well worth the long-term health and longevity benefits.
What do you hope new clients take away from their first experience?
We hope they leave feeling better than when they arrived, whether that’s less stressed, less sore, more energized, or simply proud of themselves for trying something new. We also want every guest to feel welcomed and supported. Our goal is to make wellness approachable and help every guest build confidence from their very first visit.
Your studio recently added red light therapy. How does it complement cold plunge and sauna therapy?
We added red light therapy because it naturally complements what we already offer. While sauna and cold plunge work together to improve circulation, recovery, and resilience, red light therapy works at the cellular level to support muscle recovery, healthy skin, reduced inflammation, and overall wellness. Together, they create a well-rounded recovery experience that helps our guests feel their best.
What other wellness services are you considering adding to your studio?
We’re always researching new modalities and listening to what our members want, but we’re intentional about every addition. Our goal isn’t to offer everything; it’s to offer services that are evidence-informed, complement one another, and truly improve people’s health and well-being. We’re excited about what’s ahead and look forward to continuing to grow alongside our community.
You’re a hands-on owner. What has been the most rewarding part of operating Cold Plunge & Wellness Studio?
Without question, it’s the people. We love getting to know our members and guests, hearing their stories, and celebrating their progress. Watching someone come in nervous for their first visit and later become one of our biggest advocates never gets old. We’ve built more than a wellness studio, we’ve built a community, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.
Tell us about a memorable client story.
One of our very first members came to us using a cane because of chronic pain. After making contrast therapy part of his routine, he no longer needs the cane, and now, he’s one of our biggest advocates. We also love seeing the reactions of first-time plungers. Watching someone step out of the cold water smiling, laughing, and saying, “I can’t believe I actually did that,” is a reminder that sometimes the biggest transformations begin by doing something that feels uncomfortable.
What types of people benefit from contrast and red light therapies?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that contrast therapy is only for athletes. While athletes certainly benefit from faster recovery, our members and guests include busy professionals, people whose jobs are physically demanding, and those simply looking to reduce stress, sleep better, recover from everyday aches and pains, or prioritize their overall well-being. Wellness looks different for everyone, and that’s exactly why we created a space that’s welcoming to all.
What client feedback has been most meaningful?
The feedback that means the most isn’t about how cold the water is, it’s when someone tells us they’re sleeping better, have less pain, feel more energized, or have found a healthier way to manage stress. Hearing that we’ve become part of someone’s wellness routine and knowing we’ve helped improve their quality of life is exactly why we opened Cold Plunge & Wellness Studio. We experienced these benefits ourselves, and being able to share them with our community has been more rewarding than we ever imagined.
When You Go
Cold Plunge & Wellness Studio
8390 High Pointe Drive, Ste. 401, Newburgh
7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Contrast therapy and red light therapy sessions can be purchased in single, four, and eight packs, or as a monthly membership for unlimited sessions.
