Terms, Waiver & Assumption of Risk

1. Wellness services, not medical care

Ember & Ice provides wellness and recreational services only. We do not provide medical care, diagnosis, treatment, or therapy, and our staff are not physicians or licensed medical providers. Nothing we offer, and nothing on this website, is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Any wellness benefits described are general and are not a promise of any specific result. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your individual health, especially before beginning heat or cold exposure.

2. Assumption of risk & release of liability

You understand that using a sauna, cold plunge, and contrast therapy involves inherent and significant risks — some foreseeable, some not — including risks that may arise from the ordinary negligence of Ember & Ice or its staff. These risks include, without limitation:

• From heat exposure: dehydration, overheating, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, hyperthermia, burns, dizziness, fainting (syncope), and added strain on the heart and circulatory system.
• From cold exposure: cold-shock response (involuntary gasp and rapid breathing), afterdrop (core temperature continuing to fall after you exit), hypothermia, numbness, cardiovascular stress from blood-vessel constriction, and fainting.
• From contrast cycling: swings in blood pressure and heart rate from moving rapidly between hot and cold, and lightheadedness during transitions.
• General facility risks: slips, trips, and falls on wet surfaces, and injuries related to fainting.

Knowing these risks, you voluntarily assume all risk of injury, illness, or loss arising from your use of our facility and services. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you release, waive, and agree to hold harmless and indemnify Ember & Ice Contrast Therapy LLC, its owners, employees, and independent contractors from any and all claims, demands, or liabilities arising out of your use of the facility, except to the extent caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct.

3. Health warnings & contraindications

You should not use our heat or cold services, or should do so only with clearance from your physician, if any of the following apply to you:

• Cardiovascular disease, a heart condition, irregular heartbeat, or a recent heart attack or stroke
• Uncontrolled high or low blood pressure
• Pregnancy (heat exposure is generally contraindicated without physician clearance; use caution with cold)
• Epilepsy or a history of seizures
• Diabetes, particularly with neuropathy (reduced ability to sense heat, cold, or burns)
• Respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD that may be triggered by heat, steam, or cold air
• Raynaud's disease or other peripheral vascular conditions (cold plunge)
• Recent surgery, open wounds, or an active infection or contagious skin condition
• Fever or feeling unwell

Do not use our services under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Both sharply increase the risk of fainting, cardiac events, and impaired judgment, and are not permitted before or during any session. Stay hydrated, listen to your body, and exit immediately and tell a staff member if you feel dizzy, nauseated, short of breath, or unwell.

4. Age requirements

Guests must be at least 18 years old to sign this waiver and use our services independently. Guests aged 16–17 may use the sauna and cold plunge only with a parent or legal guardian present and a guardian-signed waiver. We do not permit children under 16 in the heat or cold stations.

5. Facility rules & hygiene

To keep the space safe and pleasant for everyone, all guests agree to:

• Shower before entering the sauna or plunge, and wear appropriate swimwear in all shared water and heat areas.
• Observe posted time limits at each station and rotate considerately when others are waiting.
• Keep the recovery lounge quiet — it is a rest space. No glass containers anywhere on the premises.
• Wear the provided sandals in common areas and follow all posted and staff-given safety instructions.

6. Booking, memberships & cancellations

A signed waiver and completed health screening must be on file before your first session. Sessions may be booked online or in studio.

Cancellations & no-shows. You may cancel or reschedule any session free of charge up to 24 hours before its start time. Cancellations inside 24 hours, or no-shows, forfeit the session (drop-in) or incur a $20 late fee (members). Arriving late may shorten or forfeit your session so we can stay on schedule for the next guest.

Memberships. Memberships are month-to-month and renew automatically each billing cycle until cancelled. You may cancel or freeze your membership at any time, effective at your next billing date, from your account or by contacting us; we do not charge a cancellation fee. Intro offers and single-session passes are one-time, non-transferable, and for new guests only where indicated. Membership terms are also provided in your written membership agreement at sign-up, consistent with Louisiana law governing physical-fitness and health-club service contracts (La. R.S. 51:1571 et seq.).

7. Right to refuse service

For the safety of all guests, we may refuse or discontinue service to anyone who appears intoxicated or unwell, who has a condition contraindicated for our services, or whose behavior is unsafe or disruptive.

8. Photography & media

Our sauna, plunge, and lounge are shared spaces, and you may incidentally appear in another guest's photo. Please be respectful and ask before photographing anyone. Ember & Ice will never use your image in our own marketing without your separate, explicit consent — such consent is voluntary and is never bundled into this waiver.

9. Governing law & changes

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Louisiana. We may update these terms from time to time; the "last updated" date above reflects the current version, and continued use of our facility or website constitutes acceptance of the current terms.

10. Contact

Questions about these terms? Reach us at [email protected] or (225) 555-0163, or write to Ember & Ice Contrast Therapy LLC, 3140 Government St, Baton Rouge, LA 70806.