Our Finnish friends did it before anyone we know and when we were in university we enjoyed a hot tub and then a jump in the snow. But cold water plunges, as our writer Brian does every year in the New Year is a growing trend that has emerged out of the Wim Hoth method.
Want to go for a plunge and don’t live near an ice cold river, lake or sea? The easiest way to make an ice bath is to fill water in an old standalone freezer and if you live in a cold climate just leave it outside. Or buy some blocks of ice for $5 a bag and make a cold plunge out of your bath.
If you live in nature, you can carve a path into the lake or pond in the winter and secured by a rope and a spotter plunge to your heart’s desire. But if you are regular city cold water plunger and live in a warm climate and want the ability to cold plunge at your leisure there are a growing number of products on the market. Mark my words, you will find something in Costco by this summer.
One of the new products is created by a US company called Ice Barrel which makes the Ice Barrel 500. With the name from the 80s this cold water chiller is an upright, spacious, chiller-ready cold therapy tool made to fit nearly every body type and space.
Wyatt Ewing, Founder & CEO of Ice Barrel says: “While we continue to educate consumers on the physical and mental health benefits of cold therapy, we are dedicated to creating innovative products that are effortless to use while providing maximum personal benefit, holistic well-being, and optimal human performance.”
But then again it’s still a sort of luxury item, all plastic, and retailing for $1500.
Key Features include:
- Fully Insulated: Whether you’re using ice or a chiller, the thick polyurethane foam insulation throughout the barrel and lid helps keep your water at your desired temperature longer, especially in warm climates. Comes chiller-ready without modification, with a fully insulated and UV-resistant lid, a UV and water-resistant cover, and hardware (drain spout, plugs, bulkheads, and seals).
- With an integrated seat and generous interior space, the Ice Barrel 500 allows you to enjoy a comfortable, upright seated position to easily plunge up to your neck and shoulders for maximum full-body benefit.
- Keep it on your roof? Easy To Drain and Clean: Can hold 356 liters (94 gallons) of water and 104 lbs. when empty. Requiring very little maintenance, it is recommended to change the water every four weeks or as preferred using a water stabilizer to keep the water clean. Ice Barrel’s maintenance kit includes everything needed to keep your Ice Barrel 500 clean and functional.
Some people report that cold water plunging helps with pain relief, low moods and improves their immune system. While your city lifestyle might prevent you from getting in nature, we can guarantee you a better experience cold water plunging in nature.
There are plenty of tutorials online on how to make a cold plunge bath cheaper than $1500:
The Plunge is a read-made cold bath you can install on your porch.
