I’ve tried a lot of health remedies and recovery methods over the years, but none have been as effective and invigorating (literally) as cold plunge therapy. Don’t get me wrong, swimming in warm weather with warm water temperatures is definitely my preference. And initially, the idea of intentionally submerging my body in below 50 degree temps was not my favorite. But I’m a big believer in trying anything once. And guess what? After making a decision to give cold plunge therapy a try, staying consistent with it and sucking it up, it got easier. Just like working out. The more you do it, the better.

Staying consistent with any type of routine, especially one focusing on health and fitness, is easier once you make it part of your daily life. And that’s exactly what I did with my cold plunge. Is dipping my body into frigid water tough? Of course. However the benefits outweigh everything else. Thinking about how hard something is junks up your mindset and keeps you from being your best. It’s easy to say, not today or maybe some other time. But if you want to feel good, help your body recover quicker and tend to aches, pains or injury (hey we all got ‘em) then 3-5 minutes and a little bit of gumption is all it takes.

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How does cold plunge therapy work? Well the science behind it is pretty simple. Ice baths work by cooling down your body after a tough workout, or giving you the chance to jolt your system awake in the early morning. No matter when you decide to plunge, the results are the same and are amazing. Immersing yourself in cold water, usually around 50-59°F, causes blood vessels to tighten up, reducing swelling and inflammation. Woo hoo! Dipping in also numbs nerve endings, resulting in pain relief. As your body warms up again, blood flow increases and your body begins flushing out lactic acid that builds up during exercise. Another win for you!

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So if you’re ready for a change, something that’ll rev your results and benefit your body then it’s time to take the plunge. Check out the top three reasons why so many are jumping in and making cold plunge therapy part of a successful routine. 

Post-Workout Recovery Tool

In a nutshell, ice baths or cold plunges are fantastic tools to use post workout. They ease soreness, help alleviate the stress put on joints and tendons and also help constrict blood vessels responsible for inflammation. They’re perfect for shins splints, sore shoulders, quad strains or just giving your aching body an opportunity to recover. Your body actually settles down and begins to heal faster when you plunge.

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Day after day of training takes a toll on your body which is why post-workout recovery is a necessary part of your training program. The more you take care of your body, the better it’ll take care of you. With a little tender loving care, you’ll be able to perform better and workout harder.

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Plunge pools have been so effective in helping workout fanatics and athletes alike recover faster that gyms all over are partnering up with small business owners to offer cold plunge therapy. Take CrossFit Threefold for example. At Coopersburg’s CrossFit Threefold Gym, you don’t have to go far for an awesome post-work recovery. All you have to do is check out Sweat Equity Mobile Sauna. Sweat Equity offers not only cold plunge baths but also mobile sauna services to help those post-workout aches. What makes it even better is the owner, Jared Miller, is also a CF Threefold coach. You know his goal is helping others become their best self so why not give it a try and support him along the way!

Metabolism Booster 

Whether we like it or not, metabolism slows down. As we age, our bodies respond differently to exercise and eating habits. This is just another reason why having a healthy lifestyle is essential. At CrossFit Threefold we understand the science behind nutrition and exercise and pride ourselves on helping our clients achieve their best by making adjustments along the way. It’s something simple, and something that needs to be done for success.

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But did you know there’s something else you can do to help boost your metabolism and energy levels? Yep, you guessed it. Cold plunging. Cold plunging (when done consistently) has been shown to increase a certain type of fat called, “brown fat tissue.” Brown fat tissue has several functions such as maintaining energy levels. Brown fat tissues are also responsible for burning calories and fat molecules to create heat.  Ever wonder why kids have so much energy or can run around in shorts all winter long? It’s because of their brown fat tissue. Plain and simple, they have more than adults. As we age, and slow down this type of tissue also decreases and is oftentimes replaced with unwanted fat tissue.  But, not anymore! This is where cold plunging comes into play.

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Cold plunging actually activates brown fat tissue sending signals to your body to burn more fat, and increase your metabolism resulting in more controlled blood sugar and insulin levels. That way you can rev up your fat burning machine. I mean really, who doesn’t want to increase their ability to burn fat and have greater energy?

Stress Relief and Mood Booster

This ones a biggie because so much of what we do relies on mood and mindset. When stress takes over, everything else becomes difficult and unmanageable. There are tons of different ways to alleviate stress- exercise, yoga or meditation. And you guessed it, cold plunge therapy.  

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Adding a cold plunge to your morning routine boosts your mood and increases focus before the day even begins. Plunging sends signals to your brain to release endorphins (your body’s natural pain reliever) so you counteract the cold temps and decrease feelings of pain. Through this same response, your sympathetic nervous system ignites and then increases your heart rate, cortisol levels and blood pressure- all linked to improved alertness and focus. 

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Over time you’ll start feeling more alert and decrease your levels of stress. Stay consistent though and soon you’ll be reaping the benefits of a more refreshed start to your day and better sense of self.

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So what are you waiting for? Don’t let a little chill stop you from improving your mood, reducing inflammation or gaining better focus. Just a few minutes, several times a week and you’ll wish you took the plunge sooner. Now go ahead, grab your bathing suit and towel and take some deep breaths. It’s all about mindset. Psych yourself up and go for it. You can do anything for a few measly minutes. Jump on in!

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