Patrick Gunther
My Own Ice Barrel 500 Experience
I recently had the opportunity to experience and review firsthand the Ice Barrel 500. Ice Barrel makes 3 different vertical cold plunge units. The first one, the Ice Barrel 300, is a shorter and more circular model that can accommodate users up to 6 feet in height. The second version, the Ice Barrel 400, is truly a barrel in shape, and can accommodate cold plungers up to 6 feet 6 inches in height. The third and final version, the unit that I am reviewing herein, is the Ice Barrel 500, and it can fit… a Sasquatch, a.k.a. an individual up to 6 feet 9 inches in height. I opted for the Ice Barrel 500 because it features built-in stairs and a seat inside of it.
Even though I am providing you with my video review of the Ice Barrel 500, I would like to expound upon that by penning some thoughts here that should help to give you some additional insights should you decide to look into the Ice Barrel 500 (or the Ice Barrel 300 or Ice Barrel 400, for that matter).
Straight Up – I Have a Bias Towards Vertical Cold Plunges
I cannot tell a lie – I do prefer vertical cold plunges over horizontal ones. I don’t dislike horizontal cold plunges, I just prefer to get into the crouching position when I plunge, reason being I tend to be able to stay in longer, and withstand colder temperatures. I believe this has to do with the circulatory system, and how it is designed to pump with the force of gravity. Similar to how if you eat a meal and then lie down and have difficulty in digesting, this is how I envision the flow of blood when you are in the supine position (lying on your back with your face and torso up). It’s just more efficient being vertical in a cold plunge to my thinking, but I do recognize that many people wish to lie down and relax during cold water immersion therapy.
The Ice Barrel 500 Has a Minimal Footprint
The Ice Barrel 500 really doesn’t take up much space. This makes it so much easier in deciding where you want to set it up and keep it for extended periods. Whether you decide to house it indoors our outdoors, or even in your garage, you can know exactly how much space you will need with this cold plunge unit, and it can fit in a very small area.
It’s a Beast, and Has a Lifetime Warranty
It’s not hard to understand why the Ice Barrel company offers a unique lifetime warranty on this cold plunge. The Ice Barrel 500 is exceedingly strong and thick. I can’t imagine anything that would cause it to wear out prematurely, unless it was intentionally abused. In terms of durability, this is almost as robust as a steel enclosure.
The Insulation is Top-Notch
The Ice Barrel 500 boasts the most insulated cold therapy product on the market. Whether or not this is true (the very best), or simply marketing-speak, it certainly is very well insulated. It holds its temperature quite well, and doesn’t create to much of a load on the chiller to get to your desired temperature. This will ensure that any water chiller unit hooked up to it will have better longevity by not being overly-exerted, or made to stay on full time.
Ice Barrel 500 Value for the Money
I can tell you without hesitation that the value for the money of the Ice Barrel 500 is definitely present and accounted for. It’s like purchasing a block of steel, and not having to worry that it will be in existence 500 years from now (maybe that’s why it’s called the Ice Barrel 500?). Having built-in steps, featuring a seat, and being so durable makes it a great value at a retail price of $1,599.00. It will outlast you, and will require very little maintenance to do so.
Drawbacks of the Ice Barrel 500
Shipment Time
I don’t like having to wait and wait and wait for something I have committed a significant amount of money to. As I explain in the video, though, it may be because of the learning curve in getting used to the demand for this version of the Ice Barrel. New to the market, it may be necessary not to keep a large amount of these in inventory, and only produce them as they are ordered. But, five weeks to delivery is a bit much. In the spirit of full transparency, the product page on the Ice Barrel website does state 3-4 weeks delivery time.
A Combo Package Would be Nice
Everyone likes a good deal, and packaging an Ice Barrel with a water chiller could provide a nice discount for those who desire a water chiller as part of the package. Some cold plunge companies don’t sell their ice baths without water chillers, since it really isn’t too economical to have to add ice to your cold plunge if you are doing it on the regular. I suspect that once the Ice Barrel water chiller gets more assimilated into their marketing materials, and becomes more readily available (there’s currently a wait, as it is pre-order only), that they will offer a discounted package deal.
Worth It
All told, the Ice Barrel 500 is in my opinion worth your time and money. It’s one of the best vertical cold plunges out there. It is also HSA/FSA qualified with a LMN (Letter of Medical Necessity), which Ice Barrel says they can help you get. This makes it so you can spend pre-tax dollars, saving you money. And, you can finance it if necessary, with two different options during the check out process on their website. So, the barriers to entry are slim to none.
Visit my Ice Barrel Discount code page, so you can take advantage of a 10% reduction in price on your Ice Barrel cold plunge purchase. Visit my Ice Bath Tub Reviews page for investigation into several other cold plunge options that may also fit your lifestyle and budget.
