This Hong Kong wellness centre offers HBOT, infrared saunas and red light therapy – and we tried them all out
The Circuit at 10x Longevity has taken cutting-edge treatments out of the laboratory and the domain of elite athletics to make them part of everyday wellness routines
As someone who has dabbled in cold plunges and infrared saunas, I was curious to see how The Circuit weaves these modalities together. The founder of 10x Longevity, Jill Van Vugt, explained the philosophy behind the experience. After years as a litigator in the insurance industry, she realised the toll of chronic stress and ageing on the body – and the importance of recovery. “After experimenting with different methods, I found these three in combination worked best,” she said.
The Circuit begins with a 45-minute session inside the hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) chamber, a metallic tube with a clear window as a door, which increases oxygen levels in the blood by using pressurised air. Research, including a 2023 study in the journal Metabolites, has shown that HBOT can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, while a 2019 study in Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology highlighted its ability to alleviate fatigue and pain.
Initially, I felt apprehensive about being locked into an enclosed space, but the clear window made it feel less confining. Cushioned with pillows and a blanket, the chamber was surprisingly comfortable. The low whooshing sound of the pressurised air was soothing, like white noise, and I even managed to sneak in a quick nap.
Next came the contrast therapy, which alternates between a 70 degrees Celsius infrared sauna and a cold plunge. In a private room overlooking Admiralty’s skyline, I completed three cycles: five minutes in the sauna, followed by three minutes in the cold plunge.
