Refuel and Recharge: The Benefits of Cold Plunges After a Workout

Refuel and Recharge: The Benefits of Cold Plunges After a Workout

After pushing your body to the limit during a workout, recovery is just as important as the grind. Enter cold plunges — a simple yet powerful recovery method that has been embraced by athletes, fitness enthusiasts and wellness experts alike. We’ve become fans of them ourselves, so much so that we have one in the office for the team to use!

We broke down a few reasons why cold plunges are the ultimate tool to Refuel and Recharge your body post-workout.

1. Accelerates Muscle Recovery

When you’re working out, you can experience micro-tears in your muscles, that's what can lead to soreness and inflammation. The cold water can help reduce inflammation by constricting blood vessels and flushing out metabolic waste like lactic acid. One easy way to help you recover faster! 

2. Reduces Muscle Soreness

Immersing your whole body into the cold water is known for its ability to soothe aching muscles. By numbing those nerve endings and decreasing the inflammation we mentioned above, cold plunges provide immediate relief from post-workout soreness, which is why they have been a go-to for high-performance athletes for quite some time.

3. Boosts Circulation

The sudden drop in temp during a cold plunge triggers vasoconstriction…in simpler terms, the narrowing of blood vessels. When you finally get out, your blood vessels dilate, improving circulation and delivering oxygen and nutrients to your muscles more efficiently. This makes the healing and overall recovery process that much better.

4. Enhances Energy and Focus

We’ve talked alot about the benefits for your body, but they’re a wake-up call for your mind too. The shock of cold water triggers the release of endorphins, giving you an instant boost of energy and improving mental clarity. It’s like hitting the turbo button for your mind…maybe that’s why they put one in our office…

5. Strengthens Your Resilience

We’ll be honest, it’s not the easiest thing to start. It’s a process for sure. But that’s a part of the benefit! Regularly exposing yourself to controlled stress, like a cold plunge, you build mental toughness and resilience that translates into other areas of your life and fitness routine. 

6. Supports the Immune System

Cold exposure has been shown to activate the immune system, increasing white blood cell count and improving your body’s ability to fight off illness. Staying consistent with cold plunges could mean fewer sick days and more time living your best life! 

How to Incorporate Cold Plunges into Your Routine

Starting cold plunges is the hardest part. Once you get going and feel the benefits, you’re hooked. Here’s our quick tips to jump in.

  • Temperature: The ideal temperature for a cold plunge is 50°F and 55°F. Start at a temperature that pushes your limits and work your way to the goal above.

  • Timing: Aim for 2-5 minutes, but start with shorter durations and gradually build up your tolerance.

  • Breathe: Focus on steady, controlled breathing to manage the initial shock and help your body adapt to the cold.

  • Stay Consistent: Make it a regular part of your routine, especially after intense workouts or long training sessions.

  • Wear a Hat: Ok, we might have an agenda with this one. But something from our THERMAL Collection will help keep your head warm and reduce the amount of heat lost if you’re having trouble getting going with the cold plunge. After that, our HYDRO Collection is great since it’s Built for the Water and can last as long as you in the water. 

If you think cold plunges are for you, we put together a list of a few of our favorite ones. There’s plenty out there, but we’ve used these and can say that they are some of the best of the best.

  • Renu: As mentioned above, we have one in the office and it is AMAZING! 
  • Ice Barrel: Used and recommended by melin Fam, Michael Chandler. 
  • Plunge: If you followed us at Summer Camp last year, this was our morning recovery method.