Red light therapy is becoming more and more popular every day thanks to its wide-ranging health and wellness benefits, and gyms and fitness centers have been eager to get in on the action. In fact, you can now find red light therapy at Anytime Fitness locations around the country. More specifically, these Anytime Fitness locations are allowing members access to the RenuvaSkin Red Light Bed, a device that promises benefits like workout recovery, skin rejuvenation, and enhanced relaxation.
But do these claims add up? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the RenuvaSkin Red Light Bed at Anytime Fitness to explore how it works and if it’s the best option for people seeking red light therapy.
What is the RenuvaSkin Red Light Bed at Anytime Fitness?
The RenuvaSkin Red Light Bed is the first device for Red Light Therapy Anytime Fitness has invested in. As of 2024, they are available at select Anytime Fitness gyms, where they are designed to provide members with access to advanced RLT in a private and comfortable setting. Though the partnership with RenuvaSkin is likely the company’s attempt to compete with the Planet Fitness Total Body Enhancement System, there are some notable differences between the two offerings.
For starters, the RenuvaSkin device is much more similar to a tanning bed. The company bills it as an ergonomically designed device wherein users can enjoy full-body exposure to therapeutic light. Anytime Fitness gyms state that members can use the bed while wearing minimal clothing or even fully clothed, although skin-to-light contact is optimal for the best results.
This bed boasts a nice selection of modern features, including 32 red light lamps (designed to provide even coverage) and a cooling system for user comfort. The company that manufactures the device is rather light on claims about what it can do. However, they do promote it as a great way to enjoy full-body red light therapy.
What is a Red Light Therapy Device?
Red light therapy devices utilize low-wavelength red and near-infrared light to deliver a wide array of therapeutic benefits. They come in all shapes, sizes, and types, but the RenuvaSkin Red Light Bed Anytime Fitness promotes is most similar to a tanning bed. The good news is that it only emits safe, non-UV light. In fact, anyone who’s experienced a red light therapy before and after will tell you the benefits are quite noticeable.
The treatment works through a process called photobiomodulation, where light penetrates the skin to stimulate cellular energy production and regeneration. When the red light penetrates the skin, it activates the mitochondria in cells, boosting the production of adenosine triphosphate, also known as ATP. This is a vital energy molecule that powers cellular repair and renewal processes. This results in all sorts of benefits, from enhanced circulation and reduced inflammation to faster healing and improved skin elasticity.
How Does the ProSun RenuvaSkin Red Light Bed Work?
The model of RenuvaSkin Red Light Bed Anytime Fitness gyms offer to their members is likely to be the L32 Model. This particular device features 32 total lamps, 18 in the canopy and 14 in the bench. Those in the top are rated to 110 watts, while the bottom ones are 100 watts, thus ensuring consistent, full-body exposure to red light.
In order to maximize user comfort, the beds also feature an adjustable cooling system, an easy-to-use digital timer, and a dual-hour counter that tracks lamp usage for efficient maintenance. Sessions typically last about 15 minutes, with recommended usage of three to four times per week for the first few months.
Potential Benefits of the RenuvaSkin Red Light Bed
According to Anytime Fitness, the RenuvaSkin Red Light Bed purports to provide a wide array of benefits that make it an invaluable tool for wellness, beauty, and recovery. As with the Planet Fitness Total Body Enhancement system, the company claims that regular use of the RenuvaSkin can increase muscle strength and stamina, promote weight loss, and help you recover after a workout by reducing inflammation. The L3 is also reported to have numerous skin benefits, including improving skin tone, reducing sun damage, reducing acne, and helping scars heal more quickly.
However, this is where it’s important to point out how the RenuvaSkin Red Light Bed at Anytime Fitness differs from Medical Grade devices. Most important of all is the fact that it uses CFL bulbs, not LED bulbs. CFLs are the same sorts of bulbs used in tanning beds. They are not only less efficient, but they have a shorter lifespan and take longer to reach full brightness. While they emit a broad spectrum of red light, that light is less targeted and effective. This is why CFL bulbs are typically used in lower-end red light therapy devices.
As a result, the red light treatment Anytime Fitness offers is unlikely to compare to the treatment users might get with medical-grade RLT products using LEDs.
Benefits of the Red Light Therapy
Regardless of how efficient the RenuvaSkin Red Light bed is, there’s no denying that there are distinct benefits to Red Lighter Therapy in general.
Below, we’ll discuss some of these benefits in more detail:
Skin Health and Anti-Aging
By stimulating collagen production, RLT helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and scars, resulting in smoother, firmer skin. Additionally, the therapy promotes an even skin tone and lightens hyperpigmentation, such as sunspots, age spots, and redness from conditions like rosacea. Red light's anti-inflammatory properties also reduce puffiness and irritation, making it a powerful tool for those seeking vibrant, healthy skin without invasive treatments.
Pain Relief and Muscle Recovery
For those who frequent the gym, RLT is an excellent addition to a fitness routine. This is because Red light therapy can penetrate deep into muscle tissues and joints, reducing inflammation, improving blood flow, and accelerating the body's natural healing processes. In fact, this is a big reason you can find Red Light treatment at Anytime Fitness and Planet Fitness in the first place, as it can help alleviate post-workout soreness, stiffness, and chronic pain.
Better Circulation
Good circulation is essential for overall health, and Red Light Therapy can help support this by enhancing blood flow throughout the body. For instance, regular use of the therapy encourages the formation of new capillaries and improves oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues. This aids in faster recovery while helping to maintain optimal organ function and promotes a healthier cardiovascular system.
Mental Health
Studies show red light therapy can boost serotonin production, helping to elevate mood and even alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. By reducing oxidative stress in brain cells, the therapy may also enhance mental clarity, focus, and memory retention.
Enhanced Longevity and Disease Prevention
Red light therapy's ability to positively affect both inflammation and oxidative stress makes it a powerful ally in the fight against aging and degenerative diseases. For instance, chronic inflammation has been linked to a wide range of conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. Regular red light exposure helps counteract these effects by improving mitochondrial function, reducing free radical damage, and supporting overall cellular health. Some studies show that RLT may also contribute to better immune system performance by increasing white blood cell activity.
Bone and Muscle Density
For those concerned about aging-related issues such as osteoporosis and muscle loss, RLT offers significant benefits. Indeed, regular red light exposure has been shown to stimulate osteoblast activity—the cells responsible for building bone tissue—which may help us maintain bone density as we age. Additionally, it promotes muscle growth and recovery by enhancing protein synthesis and improving mitochondrial function in muscle cells.
Pros and Cons of the Red Light Treatment Anytime Fitness Offers
The RenuvaSkin Red Light Bed provided at Anytime Fitness gyms offers a variety of features that make it a convenient and appealing wellness option. For instance, its full-body exposure, adjustable cooling system, and modern design create a spa-like experience that most users are sure to enjoy. However, the device's CFL technology limits its effectiveness compared to medical-grade LED devices, which are available for at-home use. Such devices provide targeted, higher-intensity treatments and offer the convenience of daily use without the need to visit a gym.
Pros of the RenuvaSkin Red Light Bed:
· Full-Body Exposure - Provides comprehensive red light therapy across the entire body.
· Accessible - Available at Anytime Fitness locations, making it a convenient option for gym-goers.
· Ergonomic Design - Features a contoured bench and canopy for comfort during sessions.
· Adjustable Cooling System - Built-in fans provide a customizable and comfortable experience.
· User-Friendly Controls - Includes a digital timer for easy session management.
· Modern Aesthetics - The sleek design adds a spa-like feel to fitness centers.
Cons of the RenuvaSkin Red Light Bed
· Uses CFL Bulbs - Less effective than LED technology, as CFL bulbs emit a broader, less-targeted spectrum of red light.
· Limited Spectrum Penetration - CFLs lack the depth of penetration provided by LED devices with focused wavelengths.
· Privacy Concerns - Sessions often require minimal clothing, which might be uncomfortable in a gym setting.
· Inconsistent Usage - Regular usage (3–5 times a week) is recommended but may be challenging for gym-goers to maintain.
· Limited Effectiveness - Compared to medical-grade or LED-based devices, the therapeutic effects may be less potent.
Guidelines for Using the Pro Sun Renuva Skin Red Light Bed
To maximize the benefits of the RenuvaSkin Red Light Bed, it’s recommended to follow these guidelines:
- Use the device three to four times per week for the first three months.
- Maintain results with one to two sessions per week thereafter.
- Ensure skin is clean, dry, and free of products before each session.
- Wear protective eyewear during use.
- Aim for consistent usage to achieve noticeable improvements in skin health, pain relief, and overall well-being.
All of this is good advice, of course. However, it’s still important to point out that many people do not go to the gym every day. Therefore, it could be difficult for them to maintain the level of usage needed to see any real benefits.
Is Anytime Fitness’ Red Light Therapy the “Real Deal?”
While the RenuvaSkin Red Light Bed at Anytime Fitness provides legitimate red light therapy benefits, it’s important to note some limitations compared to advanced medical-grade devices. Chief among these is the fact that the RenuvaSkin bed uses compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which emit a broad spectrum of red light rather than focusing on specific wavelengths. This makes the therapy less targeted and less effective than devices equipped with LEDs and focusing lenses, which penetrate deeper into the skin and tissues.
In the end, the RenuvaSkin Red Light Bed at Anytime Fitness is a convenient way to explore the benefits of red light therapy. But while it provides a relaxing, full-body experience and contributes to wellness, its effectiveness is limited by the use of CFL bulbs and the constraints of a gym setting.
For those seeking deeper therapeutic effects, at-home LED devices, such as those offered by Recover Red, deliver targeted, medical-grade treatments with greater convenience. Investing in a personal red light therapy device like this may yield more consistent and impactful results for those seeking long-term benefits.
