Began using a cold plunge- there’s something to it!
 

My gym just installed a hot sauna and cold plunge. After a morning workout, I’ve taken to 18 minutes in the 190F dry sauna, quick rinse and then 1-1/2 to 2 minutes in the 37F 100 gallon cold tank. It immediately gets your attention and your mind yells at your body to GTFO, but after a minute or so you sort of equalize with it.

Anyway, I feel glorious on the ride home. Almost like sitting in the sunlight with a slight buzz. And I normally at 57 y/o, I go two days on, rest on Wednesdays, and then go 3 days on, rest on Sunday. With no other changes, I’ve felt up to working out on Wednesday last two weeks. So opinions are all over the place, but for my N=1, it’s been a good addition and based on how I’ve felt, there’s something to the hype about improved recovery. If you get a chance, try it.

I'm seriously concerned that my heart wouldn't like it much.

"I wuz in the pool ... I wuz in the pool!"

Pass :D

Opens the pores.

At Philmont there was an Indian type sweat lodge at Apache Springs. A big fire out in front where large rocks were heated. When it was your group of 4's turn you would roll the hot rocks inside and pour water over them. It steamed up the place. As you exited they would douse you with cold water. Exhilarating!

My thought as well...any cardiologists on here who'd care to weigh in?

I get massive headaches doing that, won’t do it again.

109 degree sauna? 190 seems a bit excessive...


We had a telescope on a mountain back in the day, funded by the University of Minnesota. In other words, Northerners. Laplanders. Swedes....

The building had a sauna hidden away in the back. It was originally speced and built by actual Swedes or Laplanders or whatever that helped fund the scope.

There was a LOT of famous astronomers who did the "strip down, go in the sauna, then go out and jump in the snow" procedure. So many, than you can still go up there and see their signatures on the wall, but only the ones that follow the rules...

Jumping in the snow is nothing after a sauna, doesn't even shock your system. My stepdad used to come out of the sauna and jump through a hole in the ice into the lake. That's a cold plunge.

It's become trendy in recent years with people posting videos on social media. We Minnesotans have been doing it since Jesus was in short pants. I actually think that the ocean in the middle of winter is about perfect temperature for a polar dip. And yes, it has major therapeutic benefits, especially after a hot sauna.

Helena Christensen has tons of videos of herself taking polar dips on IG. :)

When at summer camp hiking 100 miles of the AT we used tarps and hot rock to build a sauna and then plunged into the Nantahala river 55f)

Invigorating!

Just got home from another round of gym/sauna/cold plunge. And yes, the sauna is 190F. The digital control outside the room says 194F, the inside round thermometer up near the ceiling says 188F so it’s damn hot. It’s much hotter on the upper seating area, where a deep breath might cause a reflexive cough; the lower bench is much cooler but I don’t have a number.

I could see the plunge being an issue for someone in poor health. The first few seconds do almost take your breath away, and breath control is one of the challenges to overcome. There’s definitely a powerful response or reaction to the cold water, and I guess that could be the last straw for someone. It also hurts- everyone is different (I feel it the most in my calves), but it lasts for maybe 20 seconds and then fades. Works for me!

There's a reason most polar bear plunges don't let people fully submerge. Brrrr I wish I could handle it.

Scandinavian lifestyle thing, Saunas and Polar plunges.

What is hygge & how does it work?

Hygge encourages being present in the moment and fully appreciating your surroundings and experiences. It’s a way to practice mindfulness and gratitude for the present. The concept of hygge aligns with well-being and self-care. It’s about creating a space and a lifestyle that supports relaxation, comfort, and mental well-being.

Wim Hof set the record for swimming under ice. The first time that he tried it, his corneas froze, so he had to stop, and when he set the record, wore goggles.

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Two questions:

Does your voice go back to normal after?

And how long does it take the twins to ease back into position?

Cold plunge releases all those feel-good chemicals into your blood for sure. Can last a good part of the day sometimes!

Easier to go from the sauna to the cold plunge. Try the opposite .