Patrick Gunther
My Initiation Into Cold Plunging
I first learned of ice baths when driving past a sign that advertised a soon-to-open health spa in my city. The advertisement featured a cold plunge option that would be available at the location. It intrigued me, so I went online to learn about cold plunging. I found out that one of the draws of cold plunges was weight loss (in addition to bolstering the immune system, helping to speed up recovery times for athletes, reducing inflammation, increasing circulation, helping to reduce chronic pain, and potentially giving a boost to your mental health by the endorphin release you can receive). Inasmuch as I had just started a health program to work towards some health goals I had recently set for myself, I wanted to find out if there was something that I could use at home on a regular routine basis that would fill the need of a cold plunge. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised to find many options online to choose from. I could get a portable ice bath tub, and use it daily. I thought that I would have enough fortitude to stay in water with temperatures hovering around 60 degrees for a couple of minutes at least for 5 nights a week, since the recommendation was only 11 minutes per week. That ought to be easy enough, I told myself.
Why I Chose the Ice Pod
From my research online, and the reviews I read, I chose the Ice Pod from The Pod Company. It was reasonably priced, and it looked like something that reviewers were pleased with on the whole. I ordered the Ice Pod 2.0 PRO because compared to the regular model they sell, it had double the insulation (as well as better UV protection), and I selected expedited delivery. It arrived as stated two days later. The setup was extremely easy. It consisted of mainly placing eight short rods made of PVC pipe through some holes around the cylindrical tub to provide the ice bath with the needed stability, followed by using the accompanying hand pump to put air in the circular inflatable around the top of the tub. There is also a corrugated tube that you can attach to the faucet located at the bottom of the tub. That is your outlet to release the water when you want to change it.
Experiencing My First Ice Bath
After setup, my first night of using it, I sat in it for 10 minutes. The first few times I simply added 3 bags of about 10 lbs each of ice (30 pounds of ice total). But, that can get kind of expensive. After looking for more options (to spend less money in getting the water to a cold enough temperature), I learned that others had been using water bottles, and placing them in their freezer. So, I now have about (30) 16 oz. water bottles that I stock in my garage freezer at night, and use them daily, then refreeze after every use.
Admittedly, the very first time getting into the cold plunge tub, it took my breath away! However, within the first 15-30 seconds, just like entering into a public swimming pool, your body quickly acclimates. Of course, everyone is different, but your body does get used to it. After the first time, I upped the time in the Ice Pod to 15 minutes. I could tell that I was really going to like this! Even after the first time of using it, I noticed a feeling of calmness come over me. To this day, I have used my Ice Pod every single night without fail, except for the nights that I have been out of town, and not brought the Ice Pod with me. I have now been using my Ice Pod on a consistent basis nightly for two months. One of the greatest benefits I have received from cold plunging is the wonderful winding-down, pleasant and calm feeling that I have afterwards. It has gotten very easy for me to jump in on a nightly basis, and just set my iPhone on the porch beside it, and listen to a podcast as I set a timer for 15 minutes. I generally have been able to get the temperature to around 58 degrees each time with the number of frozen water bottles that I place in the Ice Pod.
This is My Routine
My routine is to go in my back yard, make sure the faucet is turned to the off position, and then start filling the Ice Pod with my hose. Then, I go to my garage and spread a towel out on the ground beside the freezer. I open the freezer, and unload about half of the water bottles into my towel. I wrap the towel around them, and then take them to the ice bath tub, which is filling with water, and dump them in. I then go back to the garage to get the second half of the water bottles. I unload those into the ice bath, and then set my timer for about 5 minutes to let the bath fill up to about half way. Each person will fill the bath up to a little bit different level, depending upon their weight. Your weight will determine how much water you will displace upon entering the Ice Pod. The first time using it, I filled it all the way, only to find that much of the water overflowed the edges because I displaced so much water with how heavy I am. I started at 292 lbs and I am 6 ft. 4 inches. I have lost 15 pounds (I’m at 277 lbs) since I started using the Ice Pod. I attribute much of that to changes in my diet (eating more whole foods), and exercise (150 minutes per week), but I also believe that the water temperature, which turns white fat to brown fat (according to what I read about it), has also helped my metabolism. In any case, the best part of the cold plunge for me nightly is that tranquil feeling that I experience, which gets me ready for bed (and I sleep so well after my plunges!). Anyway, back to my routine – after the Ice Pod is filled to about half way, I let it sit for about 20 minutes, while I watch television or listen to a podcast on YouTube. That seems to give it enough time to melt the ice enough to get the ice bath down just under 60 degrees. I wish I could get it colder, but haven’t been able to do so yet, without investing in the chiller that The Pod Company offers (out of stock until later this month). I decided not to get one, as the price if I remember correctly is ~$1,000. I could always add more frozen water bottles, I guess. So, after about 20 minutes, the ice bath is the right temperature, and I just set myself right down in the tub. I recommend not easing yourself in. My mother tried that, and chickened out. Just sit yourself down as quickly as you can, so you start getting acclimated as soon as possible. Since I am so tall, I can’t get up to my neck, but I sit cross-legged, and get it up to just under my shoulders. As long as there aren’t too many mosquitoes out that night, I just “chill out” from that point on.
Rinse and Repeat
When my 15 minutes is up (I personally think that is probably around the point of diminishing returns), I jump out of the tub, and towel myself off, though I have recently learned it might be best to allow your body to air dry, slowly, which I will start doing. Then, personally, I like to drain off the water every night to get a clean batch each time. I turn the bottom red faucet to let the water release onto my tree, while I spread out my towel to fill it up with half of the water bottles, and take back to my freezer, coming back for the second half. After a couple of days, it seems to grow a tiny bit of algae (from the small amount of water that stays in the tub that doesn’t reach as high as the outlet), so I scrub the bottom of the inside, and the bottom of the outside with some dish soap while rubbing my hand on the lining. It comes off nicely after rinsing it down with the hose.
My Ice Pod Score and Recommendation
I have been very satisfied with my Ice Pod. I give it a 5-star rating. For the price of it, and for it being so mobile (I can take it to my parent’s house to let them try it, or to a friend’s), it’s been great. It’s easy to keep clean, and it’s been really sturdy. My only regret is not being able to get it to a lower temperature, as I want to see if I can get even more of that natural “high” that I regularly experience with the endorphin release, and maybe even more of a weight loss benefit. I suppose to do that I would need to foot another $500 to get the chiller, but haven’t convinced myself yet to do so. Putting more frozen water bottles in it is going to have to do for now. For a back yard ice plunge, I doubt you could do much better than the Ice Pod. There are few material possessions that I own that I can truly say that I use and have gotten my money’s worth from. This is definitely one of them, and I continue to use it on a nightly basis.
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For more in depth reviews, visit my ice bath tub reviews page for at-home cold plunges and venue experiences. For a discount on the Ice Pod, visit my Ice Pod Discount Code page.
