What is it? Stripping down to your pants and spending three minutes in a room chilled to –85C. No, wait, come back – it’s good for you.

How much does it cost? Two sessions at Cryoclinics in a BMI private hospital in Hendon, north London (one of the only full-body cryotherapy units in the country) costs £50.

What does it promise? There are two ways to approach full-body cryotherapy. If you suffer from inflammation, due to either disease or injury, it can relieve pain and improve joint function. But if you’re an athlete, it’s a tool to accelerate recovery, limit muscle damage and enhance performance. The theory is that bursts of extreme cold allow serious athletes to train harder. Mo Farah apparently uses cryotherapy, as do most top-flight sport clubs.

What’s it actually like? It’s cold. You strip down to your shorts, put on gloves, socks and a hat, and step into the cryochamber. God, it’s cold. Time slows to a crawl as your extremities start to sting. You look down. Your chest hair has gone white. You’re pretty sure that your eyelids have started to freeze. All you’re aware of, mentally and physically, is the cold. But then it’s done and you step out, and the blood rushes back to your extremities and you’re invigorated. The soreness in your limbs from that morning’s workout has left your body. You feel supercharged. You can’t wait to get back in. Then you do, and immediately regret it. God, it’s cold.

Best and worst bits The surge of elation when you leave the chamber. The worst bit? Did I mention how cold it is?

Is it worth it? If you’re seriously training for something, it might be worth the investment.