Sitting in an ice plunge tub may not sound appetizing, but it has become a widely used means of enhancing recovery, health, and mental well-being. Because of the numerous benefits of ice baths, more people than ever before are integrating them into their weekly routines.
The number of individuals worldwide who use ice baths is increasing, and the current trend indicates that plunge tubs will only become more popular in the future.
However, joining the crowd in taking ice baths is not as simple as purchasing a portable tub and getting started. To get the most out of your cold water plunge, you must first understand what type of ice bath you require based on the space available to you, and what the health benefits of cold water immersion are, so that you fully understand why you are taking an ice bath and remain motivated to stick to whatever routine you undertake.
Since the information mentioned can be looked up easily, we would rather focus on elements that influence your ice plunge tub purchase. With this in mind, here’s a comprehensive guide to what you must know.
1. Make & Build
A DIY cold plunge is frequently the most cost-effective option to incorporate ice bathing into your regular wellness practice. Some individuals use an old trash can or rain barrel, while others turn an old chest freezer into a cool plunge tub. However, the disadvantage of most DIY solutions is that it is challenging to keep the water within the plunger cool and clean. As a result, DIY plunges usually require regular water changes, which add maintenance time, reduce usage, and raise water expenses.
Using a chest freezer and non-toxic water treatment solutions is a cost-effective approach to avoid weekly water changes and the need to add ice before each plunge. The disadvantage of the chest freezer strategy is the risk of electric shock if you fail to unplug the appliance before climbing in.
Budget permitting, the more convenient and less hazardous option is to acquire an ice plunge tub that keeps the water clean and at the correct temperature. Of course, you may buy a standalone chiller and connect it to your DIY plunge, but this will reduce the cost savings because the chiller is the most expensive component of most high-end plunges.
2. Cost Involved
Some cold plunge tubs are quite expensive.
That said, a cold plunge can cost between $100 and $10,000, depending on the materials, size, filtration, and cooling capability. Ultimately, what you pay for is determined by two factors:
- Material quality
- Convenience
Some of the cheapest plunges are inflatable tubs (similar to kiddie pools, but taller) that don’t keep the water cool for more than a few minutes and have no water filtration (though some can be connected to external chillers).
The higher-end plunges, however, are built of high-quality materials (e.g., acrylic or aerospace rubber) and have a chiller that maintains water hygiene for several months and at the proper temperature around the clock. As a result, you do not have to bother about changing the water or adding ice to the tub before taking a plunge. That is a convenient aspect that some people are willing to pay for. Others decide to invest less money (often much less) and tolerate higher ongoing maintenance costs.
Finally, you must assess how much the added convenience is worth.
3. Manual Ice Baths or Self-Cooling Systems
When purchasing an ice plunge tub, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is whether to buy a manual ice bath setup or a self-cooling system. Manual ice baths are the conventional method of cold immersion therapy in which you fill a tub with water and add ice to get the appropriate temperature. This method is typically less expensive up front, but it involves more effort each time you use it, such as purchasing and handling vast amounts of ice.
Self-cooling systems, on the other hand, include built-in units that maintain continuous cold temperatures without the need for ice. These systems are especially useful for daily users because they may be used immediately without requiring any setup.
While self-cooling plunge tubs are substantially more expensive than manual counterparts, many users believe the convenience, time savings, and exact temperature control make the purchase worthwhile, particularly in professional settings or home gyms.
4. Temperature Control and Cooling Performance
If your plunge does not have a powerful chiller, use block ice instead of ice cubes to immediately lower the water temperature. One of the most significant characteristics of a cold plunge is its capacity to achieve and maintain the proper water temperature.
Depending on where you live, keeping the water in your tub slightly above freezing may not be an issue throughout the cooler months of the year. However, in some regions in the United States, a high-performance plunge tub or a large amount of ice is required to keep the water cold most of the time. With the exception of scenarios where the ambient temperature is at or near freezing, you’ll need a chiller, an ice maker, or block ice to drop the water temperature within your tub to an appropriate level.
Besides, a high-performance chiller is probably the most convenient technique to keep the water at the right temperature.
5. Hygiene & Filtration Options
An ice plunge tub is not something you fill and then forget about. Regular cleaning and water maintenance are required to prevent the growth of germs, algae, and unpleasant aromas, particularly in tubs that keep water for a lengthy period of time.
Water filtration will be an essential part of your plunge experience. Many chillers on the market include built-in water filtration capabilities that use a sediment filter and ozone to remove debris and kill germs that may cause illness. Some systems can even have a UV lamp to eliminate organic molecules, such as algae and germs.
The difficulty with UV lights, however, is that they only last around three years before needing to be replaced. It’s also worth noting that non-toxic water treatment chemicals can be used without a chiller. This allows you to change the water in your tub every two or three weeks rather than weekly.
However, if you want to significantly reduce the frequency of water changes, utilize a chiller in conjunction with non-toxic water treatment products. If you do, you can change the water once every six months.
Conclusion
An ice plunge tub can be an incredible addition to your wellness toolkit, offering recovery, resilience, and relaxation benefits. However, buying the right one requires careful thought. From clarifying your usage purpose and choosing between manual or self-cooling systems to evaluating material quality, hygiene features, size, and cost, each factor plays a prudent role in your experience.
