Red light therapy at Crunch Fitness is a full-body light treatment offered as a gym amenity, typically using a stand-up booth that exposes your skin to red and near-infrared wavelengths. Most Crunch locations that offer it use a Beauty Angel machine, which combines red light panels with a vibration platform you stand on during the session. It’s marketed for skin health, circulation, and recovery, and sessions generally last around 12 minutes.
How the Machine Works
The Beauty Angel booth looks similar to a stand-up tanning bed, but the technology is completely different. Instead of UV rays that tan (and damage) skin, the panels emit red light in the 600 to 700 nanometer wavelength range. These wavelengths fall within a “window” where light penetrates skin most efficiently, because melanin, hemoglobin, and water absorb very little of it. The light reaches deeper tissue layers and triggers activity in your cells’ mitochondria, the structures that produce energy. This increases the rate of ATP production, which is essentially your cells’ fuel, and boosts oxygen use across multiple cell types.
At the base of the booth, a vibration platform gently oscillates while you stand. This causes your muscles to rapidly contract and relax in response to the movement. The combination is designed to increase circulation and metabolic rate during the session. The machine runs pre-set programs, so you step in, select a program, and stand for the duration.
What It’s Promoted to Do
Crunch positions red light therapy primarily as a skin and wellness benefit. The main claims center on collagen stimulation, improved skin texture, and reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Red light does stimulate collagen production and increases fibroblast activity (fibroblasts are the cells that build collagen). Cleveland Clinic notes that red light therapy is showing promise for wrinkles, acne scars, stretch marks, rosacea, and overall facial texture, though the clinic is careful to call it an “emerging treatment” rather than a proven one.
The vibration platform adds its own list of purported benefits: reduced appearance of cellulite, tighter connective tissue, improved muscle tone, better flexibility, and stress relief. These are low-impact effects, and the vibration intensity is mild enough for people of all fitness levels.
Some members use the booth after workouts hoping it will speed muscle recovery. The evidence here is less convincing. A study published in Frontiers in Physiology tested whether red light therapy reduced delayed onset muscle soreness after sprint interval training and found no significant effect compared to placebo, cold-water immersion, or active recovery. That doesn’t mean the light does nothing for your body, but if faster soreness relief is your main goal, you may not notice a difference.
What to Wear and How to Prepare
Red light works best when it hits bare skin. For full benefit, you’d ideally wear as little as possible in the booth. If you prefer to stay clothed, lighter fabrics like cotton or linen in white or light gray allow more light through than dark or thick materials. Avoid shiny synthetic fabrics or tight-fitting clothing, which block penetration.
Before stepping in, your skin should be clean and free of lotions, sunscreen, makeup, or other products. These create a barrier that reduces how much light your skin absorbs. If you’re using the booth after a workout, wiping off sweat with a towel is a good idea but isn’t as critical as removing product buildup.
How Often to Use It
If you’re using the booth for skin benefits like texture, tone, or fine lines, three to five sessions per week is a reasonable starting point. Most people begin to see visible changes after three to four weeks of consistent use. For soreness or general inflammation, some protocols suggest daily sessions for the first two weeks, then tapering to two or three times per week.
A single session won’t produce noticeable results. Red light therapy is cumulative, so the people who report the most benefit are the ones who use it regularly over several weeks. At Crunch, this is easier to maintain because the booth is right there in the gym. Many members build it into their post-workout routine.
Who Should Skip It
Red light therapy is generally considered low-risk, but certain conditions make it a poor fit. If you have diabetes-related retinal issues or other retinal conditions, the light exposure can be problematic for your eyes. People with a history of skin cancer or systemic lupus erythematosus should avoid it. Several medications also increase photosensitivity, including lithium, melatonin supplements, certain antipsychotics, and some antibiotics. If you’re taking any of these, check with your provider before using the booth.
Availability and Access at Crunch
Not every Crunch location offers red light therapy. It’s most commonly found at Crunch Signature clubs and select premium locations. At many of these gyms, the Beauty Angel booth is included with higher-tier memberships (often called the “Peak Results” or equivalent level). Some locations charge an add-on fee or include it as part of an upgrade package. Your best bet is to check directly with your local Crunch, since availability and pricing vary by franchise.
Sessions are typically self-service. You reserve a time slot (or just walk up if the booth is open), select your program, and the machine runs automatically. No staff assistance is needed, and no appointment with a specialist is required. The whole process, including getting in and out, takes about 15 minutes.