Ice Bath Accessories: How to Upgrade Your Cold Plunge
If you’ve invested in a plunge tub setup of your own, you probably know all about the many benefits of cold plunging. Ice baths can reduce inflammation and chronic pain, help your muscles heal after exercise, supercharge your immune system, and even improve your mood.
But let’s be honest — not all cold plunge setups are created equal. Simply pouring ice into a tub and jumping in won’t have the same positive effects as plunging in a purpose-built system. Read on for ways to take your at-home cold plunge experience to the next level!
Why Upgrade Your Cold Plunge?
When you’re just beginning your cold plunge journey, it can be tempting to cut corners. A high-quality plunge tub is an investment, and you may not have felt ready to commit to plunging every day when you first purchased your setup. However, strategically upgrading your plunge experience can make a world of difference in your wellness routine.
If your setup is sufficient for your needs but a little bit boring (or DIY), simple cosmetic upgrades like better lighting or a cell phone mount might make plunging a more pleasurable part of your day. If your plunge tub is uncomfortable, inconvenient, or unsanitary, you might consider a more substantial upgrade.
Top Ice Bath Accessories & Upgrades
When it’s time to upgrade your cold plunge set-up, consider all the factors that keep you from maintaining a daily plunging practice. A well-chosen accessory may help you overcome physical discomfort, avoid messes, dodge hassles, and find your bliss.
Get Comfortable
Let’s face it — an ice bath can sometimes be a tough sell when you’re exhausted and out of sorts. Adding some cozy accessories to your cold plunge tub won’t just make your set-up look nicer, it may encourage you to stay submerged for just a bit longer.
No matter your setup, it’s hard to argue against adding a neck pillow to your tub. Once you’re immersed, a phone and tablet mount will make it easy for you to chat with friends, check emails, watch your favorite show, or listen to relaxing music. Finally, adding a towel warmer is a great way to make your daily cold plunge feel like a luxury experience.
Create an Enclosure
It’s easier to relax during an ice bath when you’re in a calm, quiet area free of distractions and reminders of the next item on your to-do list. If you have the space for it, consider creating a special environment in your home just for cold plunging. If you can’t fence your cold plunge tub off or place it in a room of its own, consider installing curtains around your tub to create privacy. When decorating your enclosure, choose colors and objects that inspire a meditative and uplifted state of mind.
Light Up
The right lighting can transform any living space — including your cold plunge area. When it comes to illuminating your cold plunge tub, it’s important to consider both safety and good vibes. For safety, install a bright overhead light to make it easy to get in and out of your plunge tub and adjust its settings. A light that is controlled by a remote will allow you to get comfortable faster. Once you’re in the tub, you may want to dim the lights to add ambience (floating LED lights or LED rope lights can add fun and color to your setup).
Keep Your Floors and Feet Clean
Whether you’re cold plunging in your backyard, your garage, or your bathroom, you don’t want to track up the floor or risk a fall. Sure, you could put an old bath mat in front of your cold plunge tub, but who needs another piece of dirty laundry? Plunge’s acrylic and composite basin keeps your feet and floors dry, prevents slips, and looks great with any cold plunge setup. It’s also easier to clean and maintain than any mat.
Add Stairs or Handles
It’s important to exercise caution when you are stepping into or out of any body of water. Slick surfaces can be treacherous, especially if you’re distracted or moving quickly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 100,000 Americans per year are injured while bathing or showering, often by slipping while exiting the tub. Investing in suction grab bars or sturdy steps for your cold plunge tub could help prevent a dangerous slip and fall, especially if you are prone to issues with mobility or balance.
Insulate the Water
When temperatures soar in the summer, it can be refreshing to take a cold plunge outside. However, ambient heat can make it difficult for your tub to maintain the perfect temperature. Even worse, hot weather makes your cooling system work harder, which can impact your electric bill. To keep your ice bath crisp and cold, consider investing in a spa cover that insulates your tub. As an added benefit, the cover will keep debris out of your pool and protect it from the elements year-round.
Better Filtration
It’s crucial to keep the water in your cold plunge tub clean and sanitary. Regularly changing the water, washing the basin, and keeping your setup free of debris between uses can go a long way. If you have a chiller, regularly changing its filter is also an important part of keeping your tub in good working order. You might also consider investing in a carbon hose filter to ensure that you’re filling your tub with pure, clean water. Finally, don’t forget to test your plunge tub’s water quality with chlorine test strips to ensure a perfect plunge every time.
Go Iceless
The optimal temperature for an ice bath is between 45-55°F, and for best results, the temperature should remain consistent the whole time you’re in the tub. That means that chilling your cold plunge tub with ice isn’t ideal. Ice is inconvenient, inefficient, and surprisingly expensive if you plunge on a regular basis.
Adding a chiller to your cold plunge setup will allow you to cool your tub fast, maintain a consistent water temperature, and even filter your plunge tub’s water automatically. If you have a Plunge Air, Plunge Pop-Up, or Plunge Pod tub, a Standard or Pro Chiller can take your cold plunge experience to the next level. If you own another type of plunge tub or have created a DIY setup, Plunge’s Universal Standard Chiller is for you. Our chillers will give you clean, perfectly chilled water on demand, any time.
Invest in a Larger Tub
All cold plunge tubs are not created equal! While some people swear by small, barrel-style plunges for their affordability and minimal footprint, having the ability to stretch out in your ice bath might encourage you to use it more regularly. A larger tub can also allow you to put your head underwater, which maximizes the anti-inflammatory and mood-boosting effects of your cold plunge. You might even invest in a snorkel to make full-body plunging more convenient.
Take Your Cold Plunging to the Next Level
It doesn’t matter if you’re an ice bath neophyte or a cold plunging pro — to reap the full benefits of cold plunging, it’s crucial to invest in a setup that keeps you coming back to your tub day after day. That’s where Plunge comes in!
If you’re ready to start your cold plunge journey on the right foot, consider investing in one of Plunge’s innovative, high-quality cold plunge tubs. If you already have a tub, the right accessories can make a world of difference. And if you’re ready to give contrast therapy a try, it might be time to add a Plunge Sauna to your daily routine!
At Plunge, we’re passionate about engineering the perfect cold plunge experience. Discover how we can help you reach your wellness goals, one plunge at a time.