Depending on your disposition, a minute in an ice bath can feel like agony or ecstasy. Perhaps you wince at the thought of stepping foot in an ice bath, or maybe you’re an experienced cold plunger who can’t get enough of the endorphin-releasing sensation. Either way, sitting in an ice bath isn’t simply an endurance game. How long you cold plunge for matters.
There are many ways to access cold water therapy from having a cold shower, to submerging your body in a dedicated cold plunge pool. Perhaps you’re a seasoned pro and have invested in one of the latest cold plunge tubs with an automatic chiller, or maybe you prefer wild swimming on a cold winter day, or you’re simply keen to get the best from your gym’s cold therapy area. Either way, setting limits on how long you remain in the cold water is key to reaping the benefits.
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To Cold Plunge or Not?
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Photograph: Martin Cizmar
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Photograph: Martin Cizmar
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Photograph: Martin Cizmar
Polar Monkeys
Brainpod 2.0
Those who love a cold plunge will no doubt tell you they love it—for muscle relief, improved circulation, focus, energy—or perhaps even a better understanding of homogeneous algebra? Why stop there? But cold water is a stressor and comes with risk, so it’s important to know how long to cold plunge for and whether it’s right for you.
We tackle some of these questions in whether you should cold plunge before or after a workout, but if you’re unsure if cold plunging is right for you, always consult your doctor. Go into the water mindfully and with a clear plan of how long you plan to stay in. Be cautious about dunking your head, as the sudden chill sometimes makes people gasp—not a great thing to do while your head is underwater.
How Long Do You Cold Plunge?
The time limit and risk factor for cold plunging depends on numerous factors such as how experienced you are, your body fat percentage and body size, and how controlled your breathing is. I spent months testing cold plunge pools and have managed to build up tolerance over time. But everyone is different. After the first few attempts of only being able to endure about 10 seconds before dramatically exiting the water, my body has adapted.
I now tend to sit in my ice bath for one minute each time, but that’s enough for me and enough to clear my head ready for my working day.
For experienced ice bathing enthusiast Dan Bosomworth, founder of Brass Monkeys, it’s a different story. “Personally, I ice bath for two or three minutes at 37.4°F to 41°F (3-5°C) most mornings,” he says. “That’s my sweet spot where it’s cold enough to feel challenged and short enough to stay consistent.” Consistency beats intensity every time.
“It’s finding what challenges you enough to release those catecholamines—the stress chemicals that drive the benefits,” Bosomworth says. “Research recommends aiming for around 11 minutes in total per week for metabolic benefits as that’s where you start seeing meaningful brown fat activation. You can break that up into what works for you and your schedule–perhaps daily 90-second sessions or longer 3-5 minute dips a few times weekly. At colder temperatures below 41°F (5°C), even 1-2 minutes triggers a significant stress response.”
Personalize Your Plunge
When it comes to how long you cold plunge for, Bosomworth recommends going colder for shorter, or warmer for longer. For beginners, 30 second cold showers that build up to two minutes can help, although they’re not essential. “Once the cold water starts to feel manageable, move to a cold bath around 50°F (10°C) for a minute or two or what feels right,” he says. “Only then should you introduce ice.”
Also, think about why you’re cold plunging. If you’re just after a mood boost, 30 seconds of cold water is adequate. Exercise recovery can be accomplished in around two minutes. If you’re working on your mental resilience, you might want to try even longer.
