Words: Josh Lee
With the turn of a new year, we’d wager that the number of gym sign-ups has skyrocketed in recent days, with many around the country hoping to shift their mindset from festive feasting to wellness and wellbeing. And, as you’ve likely invested in the right gear for the treadmill, we’re inclined to suggest a more leftfield piece of high-tech to help you achieve your new fitness goals: an ice bath.
Indeed, the ice bath is a form of gear that dates back to antiquity – ancient Greeks, notably, took to cold water for both therapeutic and social reasons – and today, such equipment has become the preserve of elite sportspeople. But just because you may not be burdened with the same expectations as the world’s most famous athletes doesn’t mean that you can’t take your approach to health in a similar manner.
Below, we outline the benefits of cooling down in an ice bath during the frosty months, and the very best to plunge into now…
The Benefits
Though cold-water immersion (sometimes called cryotherapy) may not be the most agreeable sensation to entice the senses, it is scientifically said to help alleviate inflammation, encourage blood circulation, relieve tension and speed-up muscle recovery after arduous exercise (when shocked by cold water, your blood vessels will constrict; once you’ve left the bath, these vessels will dilate at speed and, in turn, rid of metabolic waste products).
There are also arguments to suggest that piercing dips can boost dopamine, the happiness hormone; facilitate better sleep; fine-tune your breathing; and, as a result, help you manage stress better.
The Routine
If you’re looking to maximise your gym visits – or simply want to re-centre the mind – we suggest investing in a high-end ice bath or plunge (see below, even if the price-tags give you goosebumps) and following this straightforward method:
- Get dressed in a t-shirt and shorts (avoid going clothes-less, in order to protect the skin)
- Set aside a different set of clothes in an accessible spot; following your dip, you’ll have to dry and warm-up as soon as possible
- Fill your tub to the halfway point with cold water (and ice, if your machine requires it), reaching, ideally, anywhere between 10–15°C
- Set your timer to a maximum of 15 minutes
- Slowly and steadily submerge your lower body into the bath; while doing so, take deep, slow breaths so as to not shock the system
- Once you’ve become acclimatised to the temperature, briefly dip your upper body underwater
- After 15 minutes (or earlier), leave the bath slowly, remove your wet clothes, put on your warm layers, and drink a hot beverage in order to raise your body temperature to its normal level
The Coolest Essentials to Invest In
Renu Therapy Siberian Cold Plunge Ice Tub
The California redwood trim on this ice tub brings to mind the style sensibilities of some of Scandinavia’s finest saunas, steam rooms and health retreats. The main attraction is the seating deck on the lid, which provides space for you to undertake breathwork, either before or after submersion. Spa lights can also be added on, if you prefer to recover and unwind after hours.
Avantopool Cold Water Plunge Kinos
Compact and small scale (in relative terms, anyway), the Avantopool Kinos is a mobile option, ideal if you want to move your plunge between terrace and garden. It features a wide-range of temperature options, from 4°C to 38°C, providing you with the option of a warming, jacuzzi-style experience; the stairs and railings can be added on either the sides or at the end; and sections, such as the side panels and corners, can be customised. Industrial in look, it comes in black, dark grey or white.
Brass Monkey Ice Plunge
Handmade in a north England workshop, Brass Monkey’s creation is perhaps the most premium-looking in this edit, with a herringbone finish that makes it appear as a high-end piece of furniture worthy of a showroom. The USP here is that it uses technology that freezes and releases broken-up ice sheets at regular cycles, keeping temperatures as low as 0°C. Smoothness of usage is further enhanced by a companion app that allows the user to schedule timings.
Cold Plunge by Plunge
Sharp yet unobtrusive in look, the stripped-back Cold Plunge draws upon a strong cooling, filtration and sanitation system that circulates water rapidly and breaks down contaminates. Its acrylic, metal and fibreglass build means it’ll last a lifetime, and is available in various sizes and speeds.
Want something else to awaken the senses? These are the best pod coffee machines for fast-paced mornings…
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