Coral Gables Just Got a Wellness Studio That’s Worth the Hype

Pause Studio is home to 9 kinds of recovery modalities your body has been craving.

When’s the last time you took a pause? Not the kind where you hit “pause” on Netflix to grab your Uber Eats at the door. But a real pause that lets your body and mind reset. If your brain is getting a little fuzzy, even trying to remember, it’s time for some much-needed R&R. 

But before booking a deep-tissue massage, consider a new way to recover that calms the mind and body—and even challenges your comfort zone. Such is the case at Pause Studio in Coral Gables, a next-generation wellness concept redefining what it means to rest and recover. 

Located in The Plaza at Coral Gables, Pause is a wellness studio designed for people who want to recover smarter, not just rest harder. “We’re shifting the narrative,” says co-owner Whitney Culp. “Recovery isn’t about slowing down—it’s about creating space to come back stronger.” That philosophy is evident the moment you step inside.

What to Expect 

When you walk through the doors, you’re greeted by a friendly staff eager to help you feel like the best version of yourself again. The vibes are chic and zen, with bright windows in the waiting area, followed by a cozy hallway leading to treatment rooms designed for privacy and connection. The communal Sauna Social features cold plunge tubs for two and multi-person saunas—perfect for couples, groups, or anyone who prefers to recover together.

There’s freshly brewed herbal tea in the waiting area, Le Labo bath products in the showers, Osea skincare in the treatment rooms, and an Alo Yoga breathwork partnership for guided sessions.

9 Ways to Refresh

So, what can you find inside? Nine science-backed services designed to help your body recover faster. Here’s a look at some of Pause’s most popular treatments.

Compression Therapy 

Imagine zipping into a pair of high-tech pants that give your legs a slow, rhythmic squeeze. It feels like your legs are inside one of those blood pressure cuffs. That’s compression therapy, and it’s weirdly relaxing. The pants inflate and deflate in waves, mimicking your muscles’ natural rhythm to boost circulation and help your legs feel lighter. 

Pause Studio uses the Normatec by Hyperice system, which lets you choose between full-leg attachments (calves up to quads) or hip attachments that hit your glutes, hamstrings, and lower back. Athletes swear by it for flushing out built-up tension and easing soreness, but you don’t have to run marathons to appreciate how good it feels.

Benefits: Better circulation, less puffiness, improved mobility. 

Contrast Therapy 

This centuries-old practice is having a major moment right now. Pause’s experience takes place in one of five private contrast rooms. You can even hook up your own playlist if you want to set the vibe. 

Here’s how it works: You’ll alternate between the deep warmth of an infrared sauna and the brisk jolt of a cold plunge. A full 60-minute session takes you through the cycle four times, and each round feels more intense (in a good way) than the last. Short on time? Opt for a 30-minute express session or move through the cycles at your own pace.

Pause makes the cold plunge easier with guided Alo Yoga breathwork videos you can pull up in real time, ranging from 30 seconds to multiple minutes, depending on your level. 

Benefits: Faster muscle recovery, reduced inflammation, improved sleep, and less stress.

Flotation Therapy 

One hour in a float tank is equivalent to four hours of sleep. Sounds too good to be true, right? But after hearing people rave about how rested they feel afterward, it’s worth exploring. 

You‘ll float effortlessly in 10 inches of body-temperature water loaded with over 1,200 pounds of Epsom salt, feeling completely weightless. Ease into the tank, close the lid (or leave it cracked if you’re claustrophobic), and let yourself drift into what’s called a Theta state, that dreamy in-between moment where your mind drifts and creativity sparks. It’s sensory deprivation at its finest. 

Benefits: Released endorphins, stress hormone levels drop, and tight muscles finally loosen up. 

LED Light Therapy 

If you’ve ever been inside a tanning bed, the setup will feel familiar—except this time, you’re not baking your skin. LED light therapy uses gentle light that reaches beneath the surface to wake up collagen and energize your skin. The goal is to boost circulation, calm inflammation, and give your skin (and body) a serious energy lift.

Each session is around 10 minutes, but Pause recommends going every other day for the first few weeks to see real results. Red light is ideal for collagen production and anti-aging. Green light is great for dealing with eye strain or migraines, and purple has antibacterial properties, which are helpful for anyone dealing with acne or skin irritation.

Who is Pause Studio for? 

What’s great to keep in mind is that you don’t have to be an athlete to come here. Pause is for anyone who’s stressed, burnt out, sore, not sleeping well, or just generally running on empty. 

Pause Studio offers single drop-in passes for those who want to test the waters, plus monthly memberships and packages for those who’re ready to commit. It’s flexible enough to fit into whatever wellness routine you already have (or are trying to build).

The Verdict 

After one visit, I walked out of Pause Studio feeling genuinely refreshed. I did an hour of compression therapy—30 minutes on my legs, 30 minutes on my hips—followed by an hour-long contrast therapy session. The hip compression was especially comforting for someone dealing with lower back pain. I used to sleep on compression therapy as a concept, but now I completely get it.

I’ve done full-body ice plunges before, and they never get easier. What I loved most here was the privacy, which let me fully connect with myself and settle into both the sauna and the cold plunge. I used the 30-second Alo Yoga breathwork videos each time, pushing myself to stay a few seconds longer with every round. By the end, I felt invigorated and ready to take on the rest of my day.

Whether you’re an athlete, a stressed-out professional, or someone who just needs to hit the reset button, Pause Studio is worth the visit. The Coral Gables location will be followed by a second Miami outpost in Brickell later this year.

Pause Studio is located at 111 Palermo Ave. Ste. 214, Coral Gables, FL. For more information, call 786-661-3461, or visit their official website.