Recovery Room · Revive Madrid · Salamanca & Justicia
NIR Infrared.
The light that
goes deeper.
This isn't standard red light therapy. It's photobiomodulation with near-infrared wavelengths that penetrate deep into the mitochondria, boosting cellular energy production. Available in the Revive Recovery Room — Salamanca and Justicia.
Is NIR right for you? Tell us your goal →
Infrared booth vs red light
What is NIR
and why
it penetrates deeper
"Red light therapy" is a broad term. What truly makes the difference is the specific wavelength and its depth of tissue penetration. Near-infrared (NIR) reaches several centimeters below the skin into muscle, tendon, and bone — activating the key photoreceptor: cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondria. Pair it with the Finnish sauna to trigger HSPs and convective heat that NIR doesn't generate.
The most common question
Infrared or Finnish sauna?
When to use each
The answer: it depends on your goal for the day.
Choose the Finnish Sauna when…
Intense convective heat
You want intense heat stress, cardiovascular recovery, and the classic hot-cold contrast protocol. The Finnish sauna activates HSPs, boosts growth hormone, and primes the body for contrast with an ice bath.
Choose the NIR Booth when…
Deep muscle recovery
Your focus is deep muscle recovery, targeted tissue pain relief, or whenever intense heat isn't the best fit — high-fatigue days, heat sensitivity, or right after Strength classes.
The ultimate approach: combine both. They don't compete — they amplify each other. Everything is available under one roof in your Recovery Room.
The science behind it
How photobiomodulation works:
from photon to muscle ATP
Here is how NIR light converts photons into more ATP — the energy currency powering every cell in your body.
Light penetrates
The NIR wavelength (810–950nm) passes through skin and adipose tissue straight into muscle cells. No other light therapy reaches this deep.
Mitochondria activate
Inside the cell, light activates a key receptor (cytochrome c oxidase). This receptor produces more ATP — the fuel powering every cellular repair process.
More energy, less damage
With more ATP available, the body repairs damaged tissue faster, reduces local inflammation, and speeds up recovery — all without intense heat or strain.
Source: Hamblin et al. — Photochemistry and Photobiology (2016). Photobiomodulation is one of the fastest-growing fields in biomedical research, with over 6,000 studies published through 2024.
Scientific evidence
Benefits of NIR
infrared therapy:
published scientific evidence
Over 6,000 published studies. We've selected the most relevant findings for athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to boost performance and optimize recovery. Ideal after Strength classes or heavy lifting sessions.
More reps. Less fatigue.
Applying NIR before or after training allows for 13% more repetitions and delays fatigue by 11%. In blood tests, lactate and C-reactive protein drop — direct markers of fatigue and inflammation.
Leal Junior et al. · Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 2009
Outperforms cryotherapy in recovery
In a head-to-head study, NIR photobiomodulation reduced muscle soreness and tissue damage markers more effectively than cryotherapy at 48 hours. Recover faster and better.
Leal Junior et al. · Lasers in Medical Science, 2022
More muscle from the same workout
Applying NIR before eccentric training enhanced strength gains and muscle hypertrophy in healthy individuals. Same effort, better results.
Ferraresi et al. · European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2015
Greater aerobic performance in elite athletes
Elite basketball players improved their endurance with NIR. The 655–950nm meta-analysis confirms improvements in time to exhaustion and peak strength across multiple studies.
Pinto et al. · NCBI / PMC, 2012 · Ferraresi meta-analysis, 2017
Dive deeper into the science on our longevity and recovery blog.
The complete system
NIR infrared within the
complete recovery
protocol
The infrared booth is most effective when integrated into a comprehensive protocol that activates distinct, complementary physiological mechanisms. Everything is available under one roof inside our Recovery Room. Combine them in a single visit or distribute them throughout the week based on your protocol.
Finnish Sauna
Thermal stress, HSP proteins, growth hormone. The foundation of the contrast protocol.
NIR infrared
Photobiomodulation, mitochondrial ATP, deep tissue recovery. You are here.
Compression therapy
Lymphatic drainage, venous return, metabolic waste elimination. The ultimate finishing touch.
During the session
9 minutes per area.
Zero effort.
Maximum impact.
The NIR infrared session is the simplest of all therapies — it's just you and the light. No intense heat, no discomfort. Just the precise wavelength doing the work while your body restores itself.
- No invasive heat. Unlike traditional saunas, infrared light doesn't heat the surrounding air. The sensation is gentle, warm, and deep-reaching.
- Ideal pre- or post-workout. Pre: primes muscles and reduces injury risk. Post: accelerates recovery and minimizes DOMS.
- Pairs perfectly with sauna and ice bath. The ultimate recovery trifecta: infrared + sauna + ice bath maximizes the benefits of each protocol.
- Visible skin benefits. NIR light stimulates collagen and elastin synthesis — with documented improvements in skin texture, tone, and elasticity.
Why choose NIR
NIR vs.
alternatives.
Not everything labeled "light therapy" or "recovery" works the same way. The difference lies in the wavelength, depth of penetration, and documented mechanism of action.
NIR Photobiomodulation · Revive
Acts at the mitochondrial level
- 4–5 cm penetration · reaches muscle and tendon
- Directly activates cytochrome c oxidase
- Documented increase in ATP production
- +13% performance and recovery (meta-analysis)
- Superior to cryotherapy for post-exercise DOMS
- No documented side effects
Basic red light / Decorative LED
Superficial penetration
- Only reaches epidermal and dermal layers
- Does not activate cytochrome c oxidase
- No direct mitochondrial benefit
- Non-replicable performance studies
- No comparison against cryotherapy
- Wide variability in panel quality
How to use infrared therapy
The protocol
that maximizes
the benefits.
A NIR infrared session is simple — but doing it right makes all the difference.
Clean, dry skin
Enter the booth with clean skin, free from creams, oils, or sunscreen. Any layer between your skin and the light reduces wavelength penetration.
Distance and positioning
Stay between 15–30 cm from the panels for optimal irradiance dosage. The panels provide full-body coverage — rotate your position to maximize exposure.
Recommended session: 9 minutes per area
Consistency
The greatest benefits come with consistent use. 3–5 sessions per week show cumulative results in recovery, strength, and skin health in 8–12 week studies.
Combine the protocol
Infrared + sauna + ice bath is the ultimate high-impact sequence. Infrared can be done before or after the rest — both sequences have scientific backing depending on your goal.
Session formats
30 min or
a full hour.
Infrared therapy is included in all Recovery Room sessions alongside the sauna and ice bath. Choose the duration that best fits your day.
Recovery Boost
Ideal for a quick post-workout infrared boost. 9 minutes of NIR are enough to trigger recovery mechanisms and reduce acute muscle inflammation.
Full session
The trifecta: infrared + sauna + ice bath in one hour. The most complete recovery protocol Revive offers — and the one backed by the strongest scientific data for cumulative benefits.
3 sessions · Valid for 7 days · Includes infrared, sauna, and ice bath · View all options
Where to find us
NIR Infrared
across two studios.
Our NIR infrared booths are available at both Revive locations. Same panels, same wavelength, same effectiveness.
Main Hub
Justicia
Calle Bárbara de Braganza 10, Madrid
NIR infrared booth, Finnish sauna, and ice bath. A complete Recovery Room experience in the Justicia neighborhood.
Get directionsBarrio de Salamanca
Salamanca
Barrio de Salamanca, Madrid
The same NIR infrared experience in Madrid's most exclusive district, featuring a sauna and ice bath included in the Recovery Room.
Get directionsFrequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
about the infrared booth
in Madrid
They operate through different, complementary mechanisms. The Finnish sauna uses dry convective heat at 85–95°C to induce intense sweating and activate heat shock proteins (HSP). The NIR infrared booth uses photons with wavelengths between 660–950 nm that penetrate 4–5 cm into muscle tissue, directly stimulating mitochondria and boosting ATP production at a much lower ambient temperature (40–50°C). You can use both in the same session: they are protocols that amplify each other.
Infrared booth sessions last 9 minutes per target area. Depending on the muscle groups you want to treat, you can combine several areas within the same visit to the Recovery Room. The session includes full access to the Recovery Room with sauna, ice bath, and infrared.
NIR photobiomodulation is safe for the vast majority of healthy individuals. It is not recommended during pregnancy, for photosensitive epilepsy, when taking photosensitizing medications, or directly over areas with metal implants. If you have any specific medical conditions, please consult your doctor beforehand.
Wondering if NIR is right for you? Ask us →Initial effects (reduced muscle soreness, boosted energy levels) are usually noticeable from the very first or second session. For cumulative results in recovery, athletic performance, and inflammatory markers, studies demonstrate significant benefits with 8–12 session protocols. The optimal frequency for active individuals is 2–3 sessions per week. Check out our Revive memberships for recurring access.
Yes. The NIR infrared booth is available in the Recovery Room at both Revive studios in Madrid: Justicia (Calle Bárbara de Braganza 10) and Salamanca. With the intro offer of 3 sessions for €79, you can use it at either location within 7 days.
Power your cellular energy
9 minutes
of light that your
body truly feels.
3 Recovery sessions for €79. NIR infrared, Finnish sauna, and ice bath in Salamanca and Justicia. No contract. If you stay, the €79 is credited toward your membership.
Intro Offer · 3 Sessions · €79