Athletes Swear by Ice Baths – Here’s Why You Should Too

04 August 2025 • By stephan debeer

In the world of elite sports and performance recovery, cold therapy has become non-negotiable. From Olympic runners to MMA fighters, athletes across every discipline rely on cold plunges (often referred to as ice baths) to recover faster, reduce soreness, and gain a mental edge.

And the best part? You don’t need to be a professional to benefit.

Even if you’re training after work or chasing a personal best on the weekends, your body deserves the same high-performance recovery used by the pros. That’s where Kryozen’s ColdPlunge Pro comes in.

Why Athletes Trust Ice Baths for Recovery

Faster Muscle Recovery

Cold plunging works by reducing inflammation and muscle fatigue. Through vasoconstriction, it limits swelling after exercise and kickstarts the body’s healing response. Athletes with tight training schedules use cold therapy to minimise downtime and perform at their best day after day.

“Recovery doesn’t just help you bounce back—it helps you stay in the game.” – Strength & Conditioning Coach (Anonymous)

Reduced Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

Ice baths are proven to reduce Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). After events like races, competitions, or heavy lifting days, cold plunges help flush metabolic waste and reduce the deep soreness that often lingers for days.

Mental Resilience and Performance Edge

Cold plunging builds mental toughness. Athletes use cold exposure as a form of psychological conditioning, helping them stay focused, calm under pressure, and resilient in competition.

Athlete-Approved Benefits Backed by Science

Anti-inflammatory Response

Cold exposure narrows blood vessels (vasoconstriction) and limits inflammation, especially in overused or strained muscles. For context, heat therapy has its place, but typically 24–48 hours after exercise, not immediately post-workout like cold plunges.

Circulatory and Lymphatic System Boost

The body’s rewarming phase increases circulation and encourages a lymphatic flush, supporting toxin elimination and faster muscle repair, essential for sports like rugby, CrossFit, and resistance training.

Hormonal and Sleep Regulation

Cold therapy helps regulate norepinephrine, endorphins, and even sleep-related hormones. This improves recovery not just physically, but also through deep rest and hormonal balance.

How Athletes Integrate Ice Baths into Their Routine

Timing and Duration

Post-workout or post-competition
10–15 minutes, 1–3 times per week
Some athletes build it into their evening recovery ritual

Ideal Temperature Range

50–59°F (10–15°C) is the optimal range
Anything colder can cause unnecessary stress without extra benefit
Always listen to your body and progress gradually

Pro Tips from Athletes

🧠 “Treat it like mental training—breathe through it.”
🥶 “Get in slowly. The first 60 seconds are the hardest.”
🔁 “Pair it with heat therapy on recovery days for contrast effect.”

You Don’t Need to Be a Pro to Benefit From Ice Baths

Cold therapy isn’t just for elite competitors. Whether you’re a weekend runner, spin enthusiast, or working out after hours, cold plunges can improve recovery, prevent injury, and boost energy.

Functional recovery tools like the ColdPlunge Pro bring elite-level performance recovery into your own home.

Kryozen’s ColdPlunge Pro – Designed for Peak Recovery

Performance Features for Athletes

Double-layer insulation keeps water cold longer with fewer ice additions
Portable and packable — lightweight and easy to set up anywhere
Effortless setup and maintenance — just add water and ice, clean quickly, and store easily