The Hidden Cost of Cheap Cold Plunge Gear: Why Quality Matters More Than Ever

Introduction Since 2023, there’s been a flood of low-cost cold plunge gear entering the market- especially chillers and ozone generators. On the surface, they look appealing. The price is low, the marketing looks slick, and for the budget-conscious DIYer, it seems like a smart move. But here’s the truth: most of these products are poorly…

Ozone vs. UV: Which Offers Better Sanitation for Your Cold Plunge?

If you love using your cold plunge, but hate the amount of time and testing that it takes to use chemicals to keep it clean, you might be considering using ozone or ultraviolet (UV) light instead. There are pros and cons to both, and this article will help you help you make an informed decision….

Critiquing Dr. Mike

Overview In August of 2024, someone in my cold plunge community posted a clip from Howie Mandel’s YouTube channel with Dr. Mike’s comments about cold plunges. It was published on July 26, 2023, so my response is clearly late. The title is “Cold Plunges are NOT Recommended.” I did not search for updates, and do…

From Sunk Costs to Smart Choices: A Rational Guide to Making DIY Decisions

From Sunk Costs to Smart Choices: A Rational Guide to Making DIY Decisions

How do you decide when to keep investing money and time into a project or start over? This article will give you some insights. Introduction Have you ever found yourself trying to solve a problem with a project- putting in more time and money- only to have it end up costing far more than you…

How Hot is Too Hot for Your Chest Freezer’s Outside Walls?

Introduction One of the most common types questions about chest freezers-whether they are being used for a DIY cold plunge or food storage- is about the temperature of the outside walls. It is normal for them to feel warm or hot to the touch. But is this a problem? How hot is too hot? This…

How Cold and How Long?

Bio-Individuality and Variables Affecting Responses to Cold Water Immersion by John Richter and Robyn Landis Introduction Two of the most frequently asked questions about how to create a cold-water immersion practice are: After hearing from thousands of people worldwide since 2014 about what works and doesn’t for them personally, we can say with 100% certainty…

Risks & Contraindications with Cold Water Immersion

IntroductionWe love to talk about the benefits of cold water immersion, and there are plenty of great reasons to create a regular practice. However, there are potential risks that are important to know before we start. We encourage people to go slow with their practice. Start with warmer temperatures and shorter times. Allow yourself to…

Chest Freezer or Chiller – What Makes the Best Cold Plunge?

There is much conversation about which type of DIY cold plunge is best – a chest freezer or chiller. After being in the DIY space since 2017, I can say with 100% certainty: The best DIY cold plunge is the one you can get up and running and will use regularly. I know that’s not…