Red light therapy is a bed of red and near-infrared LEDs used to support muscle repair and skin health. The evidence is promising but early, and the effects are modest. We would rather say that than oversell it.
What it is — and is not
You lie on a bed surrounded by LED panels emitting red and near-infrared light. There is no ultraviolet light, so it is not a sunbed: it will not tan you and it will not burn you. The session runs for a set time and you feel little beyond a gentle warmth. No shower is needed and you can leave straight afterwards.
It is also not a sauna, despite “red light sauna” being how most people search for it. There is no steam, and the room does not get hot.
Recovery is one of five treatments at Floatwell Cambridge, 500 m from the station — about recovery →
How it is thought to work
Red and near-infrared light is absorbed by cells, particularly by mitochondria, the structures that produce cellular energy. The leading theory, photobiomodulation, is that this light helps cells produce energy more efficiently and calms local inflammation. “Thought to” is doing real work in that sentence — the mechanism is plausible and reasonably well studied, but not settled.
What the research actually shows
Studies on red and near-infrared light for exercise recovery suggest it may reduce muscle soreness and support performance in some settings, which is why it is widely used in professional sport. Results vary considerably between studies, devices and doses, and the field is still developing.
Be wary of anyone claiming more. Red light is sold with some extraordinary promises attached, and the gap between the marketing and the papers is wide. Our position: a promising, low-risk addition to a recovery routine, not a cure for anything.
A session at Floatwell
The bed is in a private room. You lie down, the session runs, you leave. A single session is £35, and it is included in several recovery packages. Keep your eyes closed while the light is on. You can keep your phone with you — there is no steam and little heat — but with your eyes shut there is not much to look at.
Who it suits
- Runners, lifters and team-sport players wanting an easy addition to recovery days
- People already combining sauna or massage into a routine
- Anyone curious to try it once before committing to anything
Combining it with other treatments
Red light pairs with heat and rest. A common order is infrared sauna first, then red light, then a float or massage.