A matching colour step will be provided if chosen as an option. The step is made of the same material as your HydroBarrel and is approx 28cm high. As long as you have consulted with your doctor and are in good health, then ice baths may have a bunch of potential benefits. They might help with burning fat, improving cognition, enhancing muscle recovery, and more. References Extending the Lifespan of Your Ice Barrel: Maintenance Matters Keeping Your Barrel for Cold Plunge Pristine My first plunge lasted about 5 minutes, and have since been steadily increasing that number to improve my resilience. Depending on experience, most cold plunges take place around at least 59 degrees Fahrenheit or below to trigger your body into a state of readiness. Remember: You can always make the water colder. Go at a comfortable pace, adjust, then work down from there. Do I need to consult with professionals before using a cold plunge?

Rymaszewska J, et al. (2020). Efficacy of the whole-body cryotherapy as add-on therapy to pharmacological treatment of depression—a randomized controlled trial. Studies indicate that the Vagus nerve, as the largest component of the parasympathetic nervous system, is a significant mediator of exercise recovery (De Oliveira Ottone et al., 2014; Hayashi et al., 1997; Kinoshita et al., 2006; Tindle & Tadi, 2020). As the purpose of the parasympathetic nervous system is to return vital organs and the body to a relaxation state, stimulation of the Vagus nerve would trigger healing and a return to resting state. Non-invasive stimulation of the Vagus nerve is most effective with cold therapy. Heart rate and heart rate variability Although I don’t personally have an issue getting out of the Ice Barrel, because I have abs of steel (joke), I can see how it could be a bit of a challenge to get out of due to the height of the barrel that you need to step, or hop over. The newer model Ice Barrel 300 is slightly different in that it is wider but not as tall; a couple of the benefits include a small seat to sit on inside and it’s insulated, meaning that water inside will stay colder for longer if you intend to use this product in hotter climates. 2. Ultra-Durable Material

What customers are saying about Ice Barrel

The process of submerging myself in the cold water also became a lesson in mindfulness, and It compelled me to be fully present in the moment, focusing on my breath and my body’s responses. Gu, P., Zhang, L., Zheng, X., & Zhang, X. (2021). Effects of post-exercise recovery methods on exercise-induced hormones and blood fatigue factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Palliative Medicine, 10(1), 184–193. https://doi.org/10.21037/apm-20-2409 The upright design allowed me to stay in a natural position and It’s even possible to fully submerge. The physical experience

Embarking on the journey of cold water immersion, I welcomed the Ice Barrel 400 into my daily routine with open arms – or should I say, an open mind.APA. (2020). What Is Depression? https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression The barrel was spacious enough for me to comfortably submerge myself up to my shoulders, allowing maximum skin exposure to the icy water, which is a key factor in achieving optimal benefits from cold therapy. A common phenomenon is for a single injured area to hurt more and for other areas of injury to not have a strong pain response. This is why it is important in assessment of injuries to look beyond the area that is painful and look for other signs such as swelling and bruising for additional injuries. This can be more difficult to assess with exercise-induced injuries such as DOMS and complimentary injuries. An example of a complimentary injury is a change in gait causing hip pain due to an ankle sprain. Post-injury This minimal space requirement, coupled with its lightweight design, means that the Ice Barrel can be conveniently set up in nearly any suitable environment.

The Vagus nerve, part of the parasympathetic nervous system, is responsible for regulating abdominal organs and mood. Its activation can lead to stress reduction and induce relaxation. Jungmann M, et al. (2018). Effects of cold stimulation on cardiac-vagal activation in healthy participants: Randomized controlled trial. Using an ice bath can dramatically decreases your body core temperature. The immersion in cold water constricts blood vessels and slows the flow of blood around the body, which combined with health complications, can cause your blood pressure to rise and give you a higher chance of cardiac arrest or stroke. Shevchuk, N. A. (2008). Adapted cold shower as a potential treatment for depression. Medical Hypotheses, 70(5), 995–1001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2007.04.052This is pretty pricey, so if you don’t plan on moving it often, you might be better off buying a non-inflatable product. Rymaszewska, J., Tulczynski, A., Zagrobelny, Z., Kiejna, A., & Hadrys, T. (2003). Influence of whole body cryotherapy on depressive symptoms – Preliminary report. Acta Neuropsychiatrica, 15(3), 122–128. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1601-5215.2003.00023.x The Ice Barrel’s unique combination of simplicity and efficiency makes it a worthy choice for anyone interested in introducing the power of cold therapy into their daily routine, without breaking the bank (too much). For runners, this post-workout routine of taking a cold plunge provides a myriad of benefits, including reduction in muscle soreness, improved recovery, and metabolic enhancement. https://youtu.be/_by-C_Sxj4k Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: The Plunge Cold Plunge Review (2022) — The PERFECT Plunge? (https://youtu.be/_by-C_Sxj4k)

Users can therefore enjoy their ice baths without worrying about cleanliness or contamination. It’s worth mentioning that the Ice Barrel 400 also comes with a lid and a uv and water resistant-cover to keep dirt out when you’re not using it. This inflatable plunge is just over six feet long, so even taller athletes (up to 6’8”) can comfortably submerge their bodies. This option even doubles as a cold plunge and hot tub, cooling to 37.5 degrees or heating to 104 degrees. Plus, you get plenty of high-tech capabilities, including a mobile app, so you can control your plunge from anywhere.Cold plunges may help burn fat by increasing the metabolism of brown fat as well as increasing thermogenesis, or the amount of energy you burn while at rest, for a period of time after you come out the cold plunge. ( 5)( 6) How long should you cold plunge? 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.