Cold plunging

Before we get into anything cold plunge related, I just want to note that I am obviously not a doctor of any kind, and am strictly sharing my experience with our cold plunge. As with anything, please do your own research before deciding to cold plunge!

 

what is a cold plunge

A cold plunge is fully submerging yourself in a cold (32 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit) body of water. In our case, we use a cold plunge tub! Cold plunging has only really recently gained a ton of traction via Tiktok/social media, but cold water immersion dates way, way back. It’s essentially seen as a recovery tool, with many other added health benefits.

 

How cold should the water be

To be a considered a true “cold plunge”, the water needs to be 59 degrees or less! We have ours set around 46 degrees, and that is a mental battle in and of itself, but I know people who do it all the way down to 32 degrees!

We started at 59 and slowly worked our way down each day, until we found a “comfortable” (I use that term lightly) temperature / one that feels doable for around 2 minutes for us both! It definitely takes some trial and error to find a temperature that’s doable, but one that is still pushing your limit so that you’re getting the benefits of the cold plunge!

 

How long you should plunge

Research has shown that the sweet spot is around 11 minutes per week! I try to plunge 5-6x per week, so around 2 minutes each time, but you can break it up however you want!

 

what can a cold plunge help with

  • endorphin rush

  • spike dopamine

  • improve sleep

  • improve mood

  • reduce stress

  • help with aches and pains

  • boost injury recovery

  • reduce swelling

  • promote lymphatic drainage

  • accelerate metabolism

  • decrease inflammation

 

Things I have specifically noticed

I wasn’t always a believer in cold plunging. I had seen this phenomenon on social media for months before we got ours and it definitely took some convincing for me to try it.

I told myself I would give it a solid month before I wrote about it/talked about it, because I don’t think you’re truly getting the benefits until you’ve made it a habit and given your body time to adjust. And as always, I want to be transparent with you when I’m sharing!

After cold plunging for about three months now, I can safely say it’s a part of my daily routine, and one that’s become a non negotiable. It never gets easier (!!) but the benefits heavily outweigh that first 10 seconds of shock when you lower into the tub. It takes a little self talk/motivation, but I have truly come to crave this part of my daily routine.

I can attest to almost every benefit on the list above, but a few main things I’ve noticed myself:

  • better quality sleep - I have had no trouble falling or staying asleep in the last 3 months, with zero supplementation

  • recovery/muscle soreness - I strength train almost every day, I’ve seen a huge difference in my muscle soreness when I’m consistently cold plunging

  • mood/stress - as most of you know I struggle with anxiety; I have noticed a significant difference in my anxiety levels and my general mood since starting to plunge

  • energy levels - by late afternoon/early evening, I’m typically crashing from my work day; since starting the plunge, I’ve noticed such a difference in my energy levels not only at night, but the next day too due to not only the increased endorphins, but also quality sleep

 

WHen i cold plunge

Taylor and I both cold plunge in the evening. I know some people do it immediately post workout, but I like to give my body time to recover on it’s own throughout the day before I plunge. Doing it closer to nighttime I also think has contributed to one of the main benefits I’ve noticed, which is better sleep.

 

Our cold plunge tub

We have the B-Lieve Ice Bath, and we love it! There are two key differences in this tub versus others on the market.

  • For one, our ice bath gets cold enough that it creates its own ice!

  • Our tub also has a variable speed pump, meaning we can control the flow of water in the tub at any given time. This is not typical of the cold plunge you’ll see anywhere else.

 

Specifications of our ice bath

  • Copper-wrapped stainless steel tub 60” X 24” X 24”

  • Cedar and marine grade plywood stained and sealed with a UV, mold, and mildew resistant all-weather coating 

  • Inline heater prevents water lines from freezing in low outdoor temperatures

  • Ozone generation that cleans and disinfects the water allowing minimal maintenance and water changes

  • WiFi thermostat that connects to your phone for constant connectivity

  • Designed for indoor or outdoor locations

  • Footprint: 84” Long X 31” Wide X 27” Tall

  • Weight: 350 pounds empty

  • Electrical: 110v 3 prong GFCI 6-foot long power cord 

  • 3-Year Limited Warranty 

  • Designed and assembled in Kansas City 

 

Frequently asked questions

  • Where can we place the B-lieve?

    • The B-lieve is designed for indoor and outdoor use. If you live in an area that has temperatures that reach below freezing you will need to keep your filtration on while the outdoor ambient is at or below freezing. We use cedar and marine grade plywood that is stained and sealed with a UV, mold, and mildew all-weather protectant.

  • How do you drain it?

    • Inside the mechanical bay is a boiler drain that you can hook up a garden hose.

  • Do I have to assemble it?

    • Your B-lieve will be delivered to your driveway and once it's set in place you just need to unwrap it, fill it up, plug it in and turn it on.

  • Do I need to unplug it while I’m using it?

    • The B-Lieve is GFCI protected and designed to operate 24/7

  • What electrical will I need?

    • 15amp 120 Volt circuit within 6 feet

  • Warranty

    • The warranty is good for 3 years from the date of delivery.

 

Discount code

You can use the code ‘AUBREY500’ at checkout for $500 off a B-Lieve tub!

Previous
Previous

Italy!

Next
Next

Thailand