Geelong’s Best Gym Recovery Room is Now at Carbon Gym: Introducing the Dopamine Lab
TL;DR: Carbon Gym Geelong has launched the Dopamine Lab, a purpose-built recovery room in Studio 5 featuring a Dopamine Lab Vatra infrared sauna, two luxury red cedar ice baths, mood lighting, and a private sound system. It’s included in full memberships and available as a standalone Recovery+ membership for $49.99 per week. Spots are limited. Message us to book your induction or a free trial session.
Most people train hard. Not many people recover well. If you’ve been waking up sore, struggling to back up session after session, or just feeling like your body isn’t keeping pace with your training, you’re not alone, and you’re probably missing the second half of the equation.
Recovery isn’t passive. It’s something you do. And now, Carbon Gym members in North Geelong have access to one of the best recovery setups in the region.
We’ve built the Dopamine Lab inside Studio 5 at Carbon Gym: a dedicated recovery room with an infrared sauna, two luxury ice baths, programmable mood lighting, and its own sound system. It’s the kind of facility that used to be reserved for elite sports clubs and high-end wellness centres. Now it’s in your backyard.
What Is the Dopamine Lab at Carbon Gym?
The Dopamine Lab is a fully equipped recovery room located in Studio 5 at Carbon Gym, North Geelong. It’s been built in partnership with Dopamine Lab, an Australian brand specialising in premium infrared saunas and cold plunge equipment.
The room includes a Dopamine Lab Vatra infrared sauna (3-4 person capacity), two luxury red cedar and stainless-steel ice baths with commercial chillers (capable of temperatures from 0-45°C), selectable mood lighting, and a dedicated sound system. The room is designed so you can use it alone or with a training partner, and bookings are made during staffed hours so staff are always on hand.
What Are the Benefits of an Infrared Sauna?
Infrared saunas work differently from traditional saunas. Instead of heating the air around you to uncomfortable levels, infrared panels radiate heat that penetrates directly into your muscles and tissue. The cabin runs at a lower temperature (around 45-60°C) but the effect goes deeper.
Research published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (2025) found that post-exercise infrared sauna use improves recovery of jump performance, while traditional sauna at the same temperature doesn’t produce the same detrimental effects on next-day physical performance.
A 2024 study focused on resistance training found that post-exercise infrared sessions improved the recovery of neuromuscular performance and reduced muscle soreness (DOMS) significantly better than passive rest.
For martial arts athletes at Carbon, this matters. Muay Thai, boxing, and BJJ training puts heavy demands on your joints, connective tissue, and nervous system. The faster you can clear soreness and restore function, the sooner you can train again at full capacity.
Beyond soreness, regular sauna use has shown benefits for cardiovascular health, sleep quality, stress and cortisol regulation, and heat acclimation for competition. A 2007 study showed that post-exercise sauna bathing improved 5km time trial performance by approximately 2%, a meaningful margin at any competitive level.
What Are the Benefits of Ice Baths and Cold Plunges?
Cold water immersion has been used by elite athletes for decades. When you submerge in cold water, your blood vessels constrict (vasoconstriction). Metabolic waste like lactic acid is pushed out of the muscles faster. When you step out, your vessels dilate and nutrient-rich blood rushes back in, accelerating repair.
Research from Stanford Lifestyle Medicine shows that cold water immersion may improve mental health by increasing endorphin and norepinephrine levels, while also improving resilience to stress by decreasing cortisol levels after the session.
A 2025 human crossover study found that an ice bath at 8-12°C increased circulating norepinephrine by approximately 127-144%, a boost of more than double, with cortisol following its normal rhythm without spiking.
In plain terms: you feel sharper, calmer, and more focused after a cold plunge. If you’ve ever finished a hard sparring session feeling like your head is buzzing and your legs are lead, that’s exactly when an ice bath delivers.
What Is Contrast Therapy and Should I Try It?
Contrast therapy means alternating between hot (sauna) and cold (ice bath) exposure in a single session. The typical approach is 10-15 minutes in the sauna, then 3-5 minutes in the ice bath, then back to the sauna. Repeat two or three times. The alternating thermal stress creates a pumping effect on your circulatory system, flushing waste and pulling fresh blood through your muscles rapidly.
Research reviewing both hot and cold therapies indicates the combination improves athletic recovery, with each modality contributing distinct physiological benefits. Having both the sauna and ice baths in the same room is the key. The Dopamine Lab is built for this exact protocol.
Hygiene Note: Showering between the sauna and ice baths is mandatory. It’s a shared facility and clean water matters to everyone who uses it
How Does the Dopamine Lab Recovery Room Work?
The Dopamine Lab is located in Studio 5 at Carbon Gym, North Geelong.
Before your first visit: You’ll complete a short induction with one of our staff members covering safe use of the equipment, session timing, hygiene protocols, and how to get the most from your session. It’s required before your first booking.
Booking: Sessions are available during staffed hours. You’ll book your spot in advance to ensure availability and maintain the private feel of the room.
Lighting and sound: The room has selectable mood lighting and a private sound system. Set it however you like.
What to bring: Bathers or shorts, a towel, and a water bottle.
To book your induction or a complimentary trial session, send us a message and one of our team will get back to you.
What’s Included in the Recovery+ Membership?
The Recovery+ membership gives you full access to every recovery tool at Carbon Gym.
At $49.99 per week, Recovery+ includes: Dopamine Lab infrared sauna (Studio 5), two luxury Dopamine Lab ice baths (Studio 5), the existing ice bath, existing traditional sauna, recovery compression boots, massage chair, and all current recovery facilities.
Current full members (including paid-in-full) can upgrade for an additional $10 per week and get first access before spots open to the general public. Spots are capped to maintain high availability. Once full-member spots are allocated, we’ll open remaining availability to Gym & Recovery members.
| Membership | Weekly Cost |
|---|---|
| Recovery+ (new members) | $49.99/wk |
| Full Member upgrade | +$10/wk |
To find out more, view our membership page or speak to our staff in person.
Who Is the Dopamine Lab Recovery Room For?
Everyone who trains here.
Whether you’re a Muay Thai competitor managing cumulative fatigue from twice-daily sessions, a mum doing boxing three times a week who wants to feel good for the rest of the week, or a weekend warrior who can’t afford two days of DOMS, proper recovery changes how your body responds to training.
Our boxing, Muay Thai, and BJJ athletes in particular will notice the difference. The athletes who recover well train consistently, stay injury-free longer, and show up to competition ready. The Dopamine Lab isn’t a luxury add-on. It’s part of what it means to take your training seriously.
How Do I Get Started?
Ready to try the Dopamine Lab? Message us to book your induction or a complimentary trial session. You can also speak to our staff at the gym or call us on 03 5278 3551.
Current full members: check your inbox. We’ll be reaching out to first-option upgrade holders directly. Get in touch now to lock in your spot before availability opens to the general public.
Recovery is training. Make it count.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to do an induction before using the Dopamine Lab?
Yes. All members must complete a brief induction with Carbon Gym staff before their first Dopamine Lab session. It covers safe use of the infrared sauna and ice baths, session timing, and hygiene requirements. It only takes a few minutes and can be arranged by contacting us here.
Is the Dopamine Lab included in my current Carbon Gym membership?
Access to the Dopamine Lab is for full Carbon Gym members who upgrade to Recovery+. Full members can upgrade for an additional $10 per week and get first priority on limited spots. Gym and Recovery members can access remaining spots once full-member allocation is complete.
How long should I spend in the infrared sauna?
Most research protocols recommend 15-30 minutes at around 45-60°C. For post-training use, 15-20 minutes is a solid starting point. For contrast therapy, 10-15 minutes in the sauna followed by 3-5 minutes in the ice bath, repeated two or three times, is an effective protocol. Your induction will walk you through it.
How cold are the ice baths in the Dopamine Lab?
The Dopamine Lab luxury ice baths use a commercial 2HP chiller and can be set anywhere between 0°C and 45°C. They can operate as cold plunges or hot plunges, making them ideal for contrast therapy. Research suggests 10-15°C for 5-10 minutes is optimal for reducing soreness without compromising training adaptation.
How much does the Recovery+ membership cost at Carbon Gym Geelong?
Recovery+ is $49.99 per week for new members. Current full members (including paid-in-full) can upgrade for an additional $10 per week. Spots are limited and full members have first priority. Contact us here to check availability or lock in your spot.
