A Backyard Cold Tub Without the Hype

You do not need a $6,000 machine with an app. You need a tub, a hose, and a friend who will laugh at you.

Cold tubs have gone from strange habit to very expensive hobby in about five years. We like the cold because it is funny, it is hard, and the rest of the day feels easy by comparison. We are not doctors, we make no claims about what it does for your health, and you should ignore anyone selling you certainty. What we can tell you is how to set one up cheaply and safely.

Cold water is a real stress on the body. If you have any heart condition, high blood pressure, are pregnant, or have any other health concern, talk to your doctor first. Never get in alone, and never get in after drinking.

The basic kit

• A galvanized or poly stock tank. About 100 gallons fits most adults. A farm supply store has them for far less than anything marketed as a plunge.
• A level spot near a hose, on pavers or gravel.
• A thermometer that floats.
• A cover to keep out leaves, bugs and the neighbor’s cat.
• A step or sturdy stool for getting out with numb feet.

Keeping it cold

In late fall and winter, Ohio does the work for you. Outside of that, frozen water jugs are the cheap trick: keep a few in the freezer and swap them in. Blocks of ice work too, though it adds up quickly.

Keeping it clean

Standing water goes bad. Start with the simple approach: dump and refill every week or so, and sooner if it looks or smells off. Rinse before you get in. Keep the cover on. If you want to go longer between changes, read up on proper sanitizing for small tubs and follow the product directions exactly.

How to get in without being an idiot

1. Have a person within shouting distance, every time.
2. Start warmer than you think, around 55 to 60 degrees, and keep it short. A minute or two is plenty when you are new.
3. Do not dunk your head and do not hold your breath. Breathe slow.
4. Get out if you feel dizzy, numb in a way that scares you, or confused. There is no medal.
5. Warm up with dry clothes and gentle movement. Wait before a hot shower so you do not get lightheaded.
6. Keep kids and pets away from the tub. Any standing water needs a secure cover.

Is it worth it?

For us, yes, for the same reason a hard hike is worth it. It is three minutes of not being comfortable, on purpose, in your own backyard. And it gives you the best possible answer to ‘what did you do this morning?’

Members of the Ice Bath Society wear the hoodie for the walk back. We would not call it mandatory, but we would not walk back without it.