How Palm Cooling Is Changing Athletic Performance and Endurance

NATIONWIDE - JANUARY 2026 - (USAnews.com) For decades, athletes and coaches have searched for ways to train harder, last longer, and recover faster without adding strain or risk. While supplements, extreme cooling methods, and wearable gear have all had their moment, one of the most effective performance tools has remained largely outside the mainstream: targeted palm cooling.

Cryomedics is helping bring this science into practical use with Cryo-1, a handheld palm cooling and warming device designed to help athletes regulate core body temperature during training and recovery. Built on more than two decades of peer-reviewed research from Stanford University, Cryo-1 applies proven thermoregulation science in a portable, easy-to-use format.

The Science Behind Palm Cooling

The palms contain specialized blood vessels called arteriovenous anastomoses, or AVAs. These vessels allow heat to move rapidly into and out of the bloodstream, acting as natural heat exchangers when properly stimulated.

Stanford research has shown that cooling the palms can slow the rise of core body temperature during exercise. In controlled studies, athletes using palm cooling were able to increase work output, extend endurance, and complete more total training volume compared to traditional rest or surface cooling methods. Some studies reported improvements in strength training work volume of up to 144 percent.

By targeting the palms rather than cooling the skin broadly, palm cooling allows athletes to remove heat efficiently without triggering the body’s protective responses that can limit performance.

From the Lab to Real-World Training

Cryo-1 was designed to translate this research into a tool athletes can actually use. Unlike other options, Cryo-1 is compact and portable, allowing for targeted cooling during rest periods or between training sets.

Athletes across endurance sports, strength training, and outdoor competition are using palm cooling to stay cooler longer, manage fatigue, and maintain training intensity in hot or demanding conditions.

Luke Tipple, founder of Cryomedics, says the goal was always to make performance science accessible.

“Palm cooling has been validated in the lab for years,” Tipple explains. “What was missing was a practical way for athletes to use it consistently. Cryo-1 was built to take that research out of controlled environments and put it into everyday training.”

Beyond Cooling: Recovery and Consistency

Managing heat is not just about pushing harder in the moment. Excess heat buildup can shorten workouts, limit recovery, and increase perceived exertion. By helping regulate core temperature, palm cooling allows athletes to recover more effectively between sets and sessions.

Many users report feeling fresher deeper into workouts and better able to maintain consistency over time. Rather than relying on extreme cooling strategies, palm cooling offers a controlled, repeatable approach that fits into normal training routines.

A Tool for Modern Athletes

Cryo-1 is being adopted by competitive athletes, recreational fitness enthusiasts, and outdoor professionals who train or work in hot environments. The device delivers fast, on-demand cooling without bulky equipment or significant setup.

Registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a Class I medical device, Cryo-1 reflects Cryomedics’ commitment to science-backed design and real-world usability.

Join the Thermoregulation Revolution with Cryomedics

As training methods evolve, interest is growing in strategies that improve performance by managing internal load rather than adding external stress. Palm cooling represents a shift toward smarter thermoregulation rather than more extreme recovery methods.

Cryomedics continues to explore new applications of palm cooling and warming across sports, training, and occupational performance. By focusing on temperature regulation at the source, the company aims to give athletes a simple, effective way to train harder, recover better, and perform more consistently.

Discover Cryo-1 today and see how this simple, effective tool can help you take control of your body’s temperature and improve your wellness routine.