Cold Plunge Tub FAQs
Practice
What is cold water therapy?
Cold Water Therapy is the practice of exposure to cold temperatures through the median of water. A cold plunge refers to the submersion of a person into cold water. By submerging completely into water the greatest benefits of cold exposure can be realized because it triggers the greatest physiological response
How long should I Cold Plunge for?
How long you should cold plunge depends on your experience and goals. The average cold plunge is between three to five minutes below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. More experienced practitioners may go for longer and colder while those just starting may begin by going shorter. It is advised not to exceed 10 minutes.
How much ice do I need?
The amount of ice needed depends on multiple factors such as outside temperature, water temperature, and desired temperature of the Cold Plunge Tub. A general guide is around 80 lbs. of ice or four of the five-gallon re-freezable bags.
What are the different ways to chill my water?
There are several different ways to chill the water for your Cold Plunge Tub™. Traditional ice from an ice maker or bags of ice can be used and generally requires 80 lbs total. Refreezable bags can be used in which four of the five-gallon bags will chill the water to the desired temperature range. Finally, a cold plunge chiller that keeps water at the desired temperature.
Why is the Cold Plunge Tub™ better than a cold shower?
Simply put, the more intense exposure to cold creates greater benefits such as:
Full-body immersion in cold water ensures that all parts of the body experience the therapeutic effects of cold therapy. This complete immersion allows for a more uniform and thorough cooling of the body, promoting systemic benefits for circulation, recovery, and overall well-being.
Increased Physiological Response
Being completely submerged in cold water elicits a stronger physiological response compared to partial exposure in a cold shower. The intense cold exposure of a cold plunge triggers a more significant vasoconstriction response, leading to greater improvements in circulation and muscle recovery.
Enhanced Muscle Recovery
The full-body immersion in cold water provides more effective relief for muscle soreness and inflammation compared to targeted exposure in a cold shower. The deep, penetrating cold of a cold plunge helps constrict blood vessels, reduce swelling, and numb nerve endings throughout the body, promoting faster recovery and reduced muscle fatigue.
Improved Mental Clarity and Relaxation
Immersing the entire body in cold water induces a stronger stress response, leading to enhanced mental clarity, alertness, and relaxation. The immersive nature of a cold plunge creates a unique sensory experience that can help calm the mind, reduce stress, and promote a sense of well-being that may not be achieved with a cold shower alone.
How cold should the water be?
The water temperature in your Cold Plunge Tub™ should be below 60ºF. New practitioners will want to start around this cold plunge temperature as their bodies become accustomed to the cold. More experienced practitioners may have their water around 50ºF and as cold as 40ºF as they build cold endurance.
What is rewarming?
Rewarming is an important part of your cold therapy. It is the process of bringing your body back up to temperature after a cold plunge. This can be done with a variety of different movements and breathing exercises.
Why is rewarming important?
Rewarming is important so that your body temperature is brought back to a level that a practitioner has full function of their motor skills. This also aids in recirculating the newly nourished blood. It is recommended that all practitioners safely rewarm before resuming normal activities such as driving or riding a bike.
Should I take my Cold Plunge after endurance training?
This depends on each person's individual training goals. It is generally accepted that a cold plunge directly after endurance activities is very beneficial—instantly working on inflammation and recovery.
Should I take a Cold Plunge after lifting weights?
For strength training, it is recommended to cold plunge after a cool-down period. The cold plunge can pull blood away from the muscles that are actively building the muscle from the strength routine.
Product & Company
Why Ice Cap?
Ice Cap combines cold therapy–one of the greatest practices for human health–with advanced manufacturing capabilities to create the Cold Plunge Tub™️. People are discovering they do not need to work harder. They need help recovering- body and mind. As we push ourselves to new goals, we need a recharge from daily life. When you seek ways to be more present, the Cold Plunge Tub™️ is the tool.
For over a decade, we’ve practiced cold exposure, trying everything from trash cans to horse troughs. Through this experience, we were able to design a functional, user-focused product–demonstrated by our patented technologies and features.
Developing this product, we put a high priority on your health and the environment, creating an FDA-Approved, Food Safe Resin in the Southeastern United States. We are driven by our passion for cold water therapy, building a community, and making it accessible to everyone.
Why is a vertical cold plunge better than a bath-style cold plunge?
When it comes to cold water therapy, there are two popular styles, horizontal and vertical. The vertical plunge style, like our Cold Plunge Tub™, has many benefits over the bath style. The greater the exposure, the greater the physical response, the greater the benefits.
- Can fully submerge
- Natural positioning
- Better breath control
- Active position increases cold tolerance
- No water up the nose or in the ears when submerging your head
- No blood rush or pressure to the head post-activity
- Deeper in water creates a greater physiological response providing greater benefits
- Smaller footprint
Cons of the bathtub-style cold plunge:
- Laid back position is for relaxing, counter to what is needed when in cold therapy.
- Water in nose and ears when submerging
- Larger footprint (takes up more space)
How is the Cold Plunge Tub Made?
The Cold Plunge Tub™ is made by a process known as rotomolding. The parent company of Icecap is Crescent Kayaks, a leader in rotomolding technology. Every Cold Plunge Tub™ is proudly molded in our Greenville, South Carolina facility.
What is the Cold Plunge Tub Made from?
All Cold Plunge Tubs are made from our proprietary material, Polar Guard.
Where is the Icecap Cold Plunge Tub Made?
Our Cold Plunge Tubs are proudly manufactured at our molding facility in Greenville, South Carolina.
What is the max size person?
The Cold Plunge Tub™ can fit most body types up to 6’6’ or 300 lbs.
What are the fill lines for?
Ice Cap has a patented fill system to ensure water does not overflow and cold water is not wasted. The fill lines have numbers that indicate where the practitioner should fill the water based on their weight. For example, a 250 lb person should fill to the 250 mark.
Is the Cold Plunge Tub insulated?
The base of the Cold Plunge Tub™ is a single-wall construction and the lid is a double-layered wall. We developed an insulated cover instead of foam insulation—minimizing weight and keeping your tub cold.
How do I fill and drain my Cold Plunge Tub™?
The Cold Plunge Tub™ features a fill and drain system with two ball valve fittings underneath the entry step. One valve is intended for a fill hose to be permanently attached. This ensures a hose does not fall out of the tub during filling. The second valve is a drain to hook up a drain hose to disperse water away from the tub's location. For instance, a practitioner can keep their tub inside the garage and easily drain outside of the garage.
Why is the insulated cover by Icecap better than other insulated tubs?
- An intentional design keeps your tub cold and light.
- Thicker insulation at the most critical area for heat exposure
- Doubles as a UV protector from the sun
- Will not delaminate like insulated models, preventing moisture and mold
- Reduces cost compared to insulated counterparts
Is Ice Cap’s Cold Plunge Tub designed for a chiller?
The Cold Plunge Tub™ comes chiller-ready with an input and export hook-up.
Does Ice Cap have a chiller?
We do! Check out the Alpine Chiller, also backed by our limited lifetime warranty.
Chiller FAQs
How cold can the Ice Cap Alpine chiller get?
The Ice Cap Alpine chiller can chill water to 37°F, even at up to 100°F outside temperatures.
Is there a warranty?
Ice Cap proudly manufactures the Alpine chiller in the United States. We stand behind our work and offer a lifetime warranty, committing to repairing chillers at the cost for the lifetime of the product. The first year, the Alpine Chiller is fully covered. Extended warranty options include two years for $199 and three years for $299. The lifetime service at the cost of repair is free of charge. The only requirement is that the original owner pays shipping to and from the production facility.
Is it noisy?
The Ice Cap Alpine chiller is designed for efficiency and minimal noise output. At 60 dB, it ranks low on a decibel chart, similar to normal conversation or background music.
How much does it cost to run?
At $0.12/KWh, the monthly cost of operation is around $20. The compressor and fan only turn on when cooling is needed. Once the water reaches your set point, they turn off, and only the low wattage pump continues to run.
Is it Rated for Outdoor use?
The Ice Cap Alpine chiller is rated for outdoor use and can be used outdoors for its lifetime, including during rainstorms. It is recommended to unplug and drain the entire unit when the temperature outside drops below the mid-30s. Avoiding direct sunlight is encouraged to maximize efficiency.
What can I do to help my chiller cool more efficiently?
To optimize chiller efficiency, keep it out of direct sunlight and maintain a constant running state. Allowing the chiller to maintain a consistent cold plunge temperature rather than cycling between heating and cooling modes is ideal for efficiency and longevity.
Does it have a GFCI Cord?
All Alpine Chillers come with a 10’ GFCI cord, providing additional safety measures against ground faults.
Does the chiller sweat?
Condensation may occur on the hose and chiller fittings due to the temperature difference between the chiller and the surrounding air. This is typical for all chillers.
Why should I always keep my chiller running?
- Cold water helps control bacteria growth, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and chemical treatment.
- Continuous running minimizes power consumption and wear on the pump.
- Cycling the power unnecessarily adds wear and tear to the pump.
How often should I change my water?
Ice Cap recommends changing the water weekly to maintain water quality and prolong the life of your chiller. Chlorine tablets can be used to extend water life, but regular water changes are still recommended.
Why no WiFi?
Constant running of the Alpine chiller ensures consistent water temperature, minimizing bacteria growth and operational stress. While Wi-Fi connectivity may seem convenient, it can lead to less sanitary conditions and higher operational costs compared to a consistently running chiller.
Important Setup Instructions:
*Please note that your setup should gravity prime to the pump, as the pump is not capable of self-priming/suction. Place the chiller within 3′ of the drain of your tub, ensuring that the bottom of the chiller is at the same or lower height compared to the bottom of your tub – DO NOT elevate the chiller above the tub.