A cryotherapy session at a sports centre in Paris ended in tragedy on Monday evening when a suspected nitrogen leak from a cryotherapy chamber killed one woman and left another in critical condition. The incident occurred at On Air gym in the 11th district of the French capital, where around 150 people were present at the time.
Read More: Gaza has become ‘mass grave’: MSF
Authorities confirmed that a gym employee in her late 20s died at the scene. A client in her 30s, who was undergoing a cryotherapy session when the leak occurred, was rushed to hospital in critical condition. According to a police source, both women were exposed to the leaking gas inside or near the cryochamber.
Cause of the Incident
Initial findings suggest the tragedy was caused by a nitrogen leak from the cryotherapy cold chamber. Investigators are treating the incident as a case of potential poisoning. The Paris public prosecutor’s office has launched an official investigation into the cause of death.
Three other people who were in contact with the victims and attempted to give first aid were also taken to hospital for treatment. The gym was evacuated swiftly after the leak, with emergency services sealing off the area. AFP journalists reported seeing a body being removed from the scene under a white sheet. Screens were placed outside the gym to block visibility from the street.
Understanding Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy involves exposing the body to extreme cold — typically below -100°C (-148°F) — for no longer than three minutes. The procedure, often done inside walk-in cryochambers filled with nitrogen gas, is popular among athletes and wellness enthusiasts for its claimed benefits, which include reduced muscle soreness, inflammation, stress, and skin issues.
The cold exposure causes the body to constrict blood flow and release hormones like adrenaline and endorphins. Proponents say this offers quick recovery after intense physical activity. High-profile figures like LeBron James, Demi Moore, Floyd Mayweather, and Jennifer Aniston have all reportedly used whole-body cryotherapy.
However, despite its popularity, many medical experts remain sceptical. Researchers argue that the treatment lacks substantial clinical backing and warn of its potential risks. Susan Kwiecien, a clinical research manager at the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma in New York, explained that while cryotherapy is essentially the withdrawal of heat from the body, the method of doing so — especially using nitrogen gas — can pose significant dangers if not carefully regulated.
Past Warnings Ignored?
This is not the first time cryotherapy has come under scrutiny. In 2015, a 24-year-old woman named Chelsea Patricia Ake-Salvacion died in Las Vegas after becoming trapped in a cryotherapy chamber she entered after hours. Her body was discovered the next day by a coworker.
Such incidents have led to increased calls for regulation and oversight of cryotherapy procedures. Yet despite repeated warnings, the industry remains largely unregulated in many parts of the world, with some centres offering the treatment without sufficient medical supervision.
Local gym-goer Diego Brisset, 26, who had planned to work out at the Paris facility that evening, expressed his concern after learning of the tragedy. “I was always told it was dangerous,” he said. Brisset does not practice cryotherapy himself.
Read More: Millie Bobby Brown takes a stand against media’s obsession with …
As the investigation continues, French authorities are expected to look closely into the gym’s safety protocols and maintenance of its cryotherapy equipment. Experts hope this incident will prompt tighter regulation and more thorough research into the safety and effectiveness of cryotherapy.