Smarter Recovery Why We Updated Our Magnesium Therapy Pools

By Michael James – Fitness Industry Professional, Facility Owner & Wellness Coach

Great facilities don’t stand still. They refine, adjust, and improve — always with the member experience in mind.

Recently, we made a considered adjustment to the configuration of our Magnesium Therapy pools inside our Wellness Centre. On the surface it may seem like a minor technical change, but in practice it has significantly improved how more people can access and benefit from contrast therapy.

The shift was further reinforced after hosting the North Queensland Cowboys, who utilised our pools as part of their recovery protocols. Conversations with their Head of Sports & Performance highlighted something simple but important: temperature, capacity, and flow all matter. Recovery environments need to work not just physiologically, but practically.

Previously, our larger pool operated at 32°C, while another pool was heated to 38°C. Demand for true therapeutic heat consistently centred around the 38°C environment.

The larger pool now operates at 38°C, allowing far more members to experience full hot immersion at the same time. The pool that previously ran at 38°C has been reset to 12°C, creating a cold immersion option that remains highly effective, while being more approachable for a broader cross-section of members.

For those who intentionally seek extreme cold exposure, the 6–8°C plunge remains unchanged.

Why temperature precision matters

At 38°C, magnesium-enriched hot immersion supports vasodilation, circulation, muscular relaxation, and activation of the parasympathetic nervous system — the state associated with recovery and restoration. Increasing the capacity at this temperature simply means more members can access meaningful heat therapy without congestion.

At 12°C, cold immersion still delivers vascular constriction, nervous system stimulation, and recovery benefits — but in a way that is sustainable and repeatable for more people.

This is particularly relevant for women. Emerging research suggests that excessively aggressive cold exposure may amplify stress responses in certain hormonal phases. A 12°C immersion allows members to access the resilience-building benefits of cold therapy while being more supportive of endocrine balance.

Meanwhile, the 6–8°C pool remains available for experienced users and high-performance athletes who deliberately pursue that level of stimulus.

Capacity, flow, and experience

With three Magnesium Therapy pools holding over 70 people combined, alongside our 30-person traditional hot-rock sauna, the Wellness Centre has been designed to operate at scale. The updated temperature structure improves flow within the space and distributes demand more evenly across hot and cold experiences.

Contrast therapy works best when it’s structured, calm, and repeatable — not rushed or crowded.

These refinements reflect a broader philosophy: attention to detail matters.

Because real wellness isn’t about extremes for the sake of it. It’s about balance, accessibility, and creating an environment where more people can integrate recovery into their lifestyle.

And that’s exactly what we continue to build at Fitness Cartel Mackay.

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