There are two types of cold plunge tubs; self-cooling and externally cooled. The self-cooling tubs come with a chiller that makes the water cold and often cleans it too. Externally cooled tubs are heavily insulated and meant to stay cold once you add ice or cold water to them. They also don’t require electricity to function like self-cooled tubs do and are usually less expensive. Are ice baths good for you? Ice Barrel is capitalizing on that question and the movement behind it with an at-home version. The product is exactly what you’d expect from the name: a huge barrel that you keep in your yard, fill and chill with water and ice, and soak in for short stints on the regular. Incorporating the Ice Barrel into my routine hasn’t just present physical benefits; the mental journey is just as impactful – and by the way I am by no means an expert yet; I’m still very much at the beginning of my Ice Bath training, ad loving every minute of it. The HydroBarrel is rotomoulded from highly durable polyethylene (plastic), which is frost, UV and impact resistant, meaning you won’t need to worry about weather damage - over the years, it will stay looking as good as the day you bought it.

I also have the Maintenance Kit that helps me keep the water and barrel clean. The kit includes the following: Some, like those in the training rooms at big universities and pro facilities, are relatively luxurious. Others are more slapdash, like the hotel bath tubs and humble trash cans I’ve rigged up myself or the Colorado streams I’ve improvised with after workouts.van der Lans, A. A. J. J., Hoeks, J., Brans, B., Vijgen, G. H. E. J., Visser, M. G. W., Vosselman, M. J., Hanseon, J., Jörgensen, J. A., Wun, J., Mottaghy, F. M., Schrauwen, P., & van Marken Lichtenbelt, W. D. (2013, July). Cold acclimation recruits human brown fat and increases nonshivering thermogenesis. The Journal of Clinical Investigation. Retrieved Dec. 7 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3726172/ With that in mind you do need to manually monitor the water’s temperature to ensure that it’s at the right level for cold therapy. I found this to be a particularly effective form of meditation, adding to the mental health benefits of cold water immersion.

Since the Ice Barrel doesn’t feature a chiller to control your temperature, you’ll need to use a lot of ice to create that frigid wateryou’re looking for. This could be difficult in the summer months. When we first filled our barrel up, we had to use over 100 pounds of ice since it was around 90 degrees outside. This shouldn’t be as much of a problem during the colder winter months — your water should stay pretty consistently icy then. Draining Having run collegiately and professionally for the last 14 years, I’ve spent countless hours in ice baths. With cold water therapy, the heart rate decreases, heart rate variability improves, and overall stress levels can decrease significantly over time. Cold plunges, which use chillers to cool down the water (like a reverse hot tub), are generally quite pricey and considered a luxury recovery tool. That said, most companies offer some sort of financing, so the price can be broken up over installments, depending on your credit.

What customers are saying about Ice Barrel

Cold plunge tubs or barrels aren’t the only options on the market. You can find inflatable options, too — and they’re a lot more high-tech than a kiddie pool filled with ice. This inflatable cold plunge from Sun Home marries the technology and dimensions of a high-end plunge with the convenience of an inflatable pool. Bieuzen, F., Bleakley, C. M., & Costello, J. T. (2013). Contrast Water Therapy and Exercise Induced Muscle Damage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS ONE, 8(4). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0062356 Not only can cold plunges and ice baths help internally, but the process may benefit your muscles and joints, too. When you train, your body undergoes inevitable wear and tear. Typically, your muscles develop microtears, which your body then heals, promotin muscle growth(aka hypertrophy). If you’re looking to invest in a cold plunge, look no further,” says one customer. “This was easily one of the best decisions I’ve made all year. As someone who is very physically active — yoga, weight training, running — having this at home is true therapy.” Rivera, J., María, ·, Tercero, J., Javier, ·, Salas, S., Gimeno, J. H., & Alejo, S. (2018). The effect of cryotherapy on fibromyalgia: a randomised clinical trial carried out in a cryosauna cabin. Rheumatology International, 38(38), 2243–2250. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-018-4176-0

So, are you ready to take the plunge and embrace the icy depths of ice barrel therapy? Your body and mind will thank you for it. The many cold plunge benefits begin on a small scale. Even though you may not see results after one plunge, they can come with consistent use. Cold water immersion can trigger stimulation of the dopaminergic transmission in the mesocorticolimbic and nigrostriatal pathways in your brain. Translation: As you sit and soak, your body starts working to bring on a rush of mood-boosting dopamine to your brain that can produce a calming effecton your body and mind. ( 1) 2. Improved Immunity

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The Ice Barrel is constructed in the USA from recycled plastic material, so it’s sustainable and very durable. The barrel’s extreme durability stems from the use of this robust material, which offers an excellent balance between strength and low weight. This cold plunge’s barrel shape is aesthetically pleasing and functional, with a space-saving design that can fit in most spaces. Its material is resistant to rot and fungus, provides insulation, and pairs the look of classic homemade cold plunges with modern amenities.

The Ice Barrel Owner’s Guide features some big claims: “ Stress, anxiety, depression, and low energy are common phenomena with significant health implications. We’ve discovered one solution to all these problems, and that is our Ice Barrel.” Pretty wild stuff, huh? Cold plunges come in many shapes and sizes. It’s important to weigh your individual needs — like space, features, and price — before diving into the buying process. Space Over time, I noticed improvements in my muscle recovery times and a marked decrease in the muscle soreness I usually experienced after intense workouts. C-reactive protein is an inflammatory marker because it increases when there is inflammation, although it is not triggering the inflammation. High levels can indicate there is an active infection or chronic inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis.Bleakley, C. M., & Davison, G. W. (2010). What is the biochemical and physiological rationale for using cold-water immersion in sports recovery? A systematic review. British journal of sports medicine, 44(3), 179–187. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2009.065565