Ice baths have become an important part of the recovery process for both athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Ice bath tubs were once only accessible in high-end sports centers and clubs, but there’s now a rising demand for cold water immersion at home too, thanks to their effectiveness and convenience.
There are several benefits that come with using ice baths on a regular basis, which is what makes them so appealing. Keep reading to find out more.
Table of Contents
Why is the ice bath becoming so popular?
Global market value of ice bath tubs
Ice bath tub benefits
Conclusion
Why is the ice bath becoming so popular?
Using an ice bath involves immersing the body in ice-cold water for a period of time. This ancient practice leverages the therapeutic benefits of low water temperature, which helps to enhance recovery, improve overall performance, and reduce muscle soreness. Cold therapy is a trend that’s gained a lot of traction in recent years among sporting professionals, and ice baths are now a must-have for anyone serious about their training and recovery.
According to Google Ads, “ice baths” has an average monthly search volume of 301,000. The most searches appear in February with 450,000 searches, and this is followed by 36,800 searches in both January and September. Searches drop slightly during the other months of the year, but remain above 20,100 per month, showing just how high in demand ice baths are among consumers.
There are several key ice bath benefits that make them such popular alternatives to a regular cold shower for all levels of athletes, regardless of what sport they take part in. And these benefits aren’t just related to the physical form of an individual.
Global market value of ice bath tubs
The level of interest among consumers for ice baths, also referred to as cold plunge tubs, is high. They’re very popular among a wide range of consumers, most notably within the sports industry. The increasing popularity of hydrotherapy, including the use of hot tubs, as well as consumers wanting to improve their overall health, has led to a rise in sales of ice baths. This includes home use as well as use in places such as sports centers and clubs.
There can be a high cost for maintenance with both an inflatable ice bath and a permanent ice bath tub, like those made from wood or stainless steel. A higher price point can inhibit consumers in a lower income bracket from purchasing their own cold tubs. Buyers also need to have ample space for their purchase.
According to Future Market Insights, by 2023 the global cold plunge tub market was valued at approximately USD 318.6 million, and by the end of 2024 it’s expected to increase to USD 332.9 million. Between 2024 and 2034, the market is projecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of at least 5.2%, which will bring its total value up to USD 552.7 million.
There’s a growing emphasis on living a healthy lifestyle and people’s emotional health. Hydrotherapy equipment that can be setup with ease and that is considered top-notch, such as ice baths, will continue to trend far beyond this projected period due to the long-term benefits it can provide.
Ice bath benefits
Using an ice bath tub post-workout offers several important benefits for the individual, both physically and mentally. It’s the perfect tool for consumers who are looking to maintain peak performance levels and recover quickly from physical exertion. In the past, it was the ice barrel that was designed for cold plunge use but that quickly evolved into a high-quality ice bath tub that focuses on individuals.
Reduce muscle soreness
One of the top benefits of ice bath tubs is that they reduce muscle soreness and inflammation. The icy water causes blood vessels to constrict, which limits overall swelling and gets rid of metabolic waste like lactic acid. The numbing effect that comes with the cold temperature helps to alleviate pain, and when the body starts to heat up again, the increased blood flow brings essential nutrients to the muscles. This promotes faster recovery and eases muscle tension.
Improve blood circulation
Improving blood circulation is another important example of the many ice bath benefits that sports enthusiasts can enjoy. When a person enters the cold water, their blood vessels constrict, which helps to reduce swelling and eliminate waste products. When the body starts to warm again, the blood vessels dilate, and an increase in blood flow ensues. This is followed by essential nutrients being delivered to the body. All of this combined helps to speed up muscle repair and reduce soreness.
Enhanced recovery
Enhanced muscle recovery is one of the biggest ice bath tub benefits and is a major reason why so many professional athletes use them. By reducing inflammation and muscle soreness through vasoconstriction, ice baths are able to minimize swelling and flush out waste products such as lactic acid.
The rewarming process promotes vasodilation, which increases blood flow and delivers oxygen as well as essential nutrients to the muscles. This generates faster muscle repair and reduces recovery time, allowing athletes to train more effectively.
Decrease swelling
There are a lot of ice bath tub benefits when it comes to recovery and increasing blood flow. Ice baths are also known to decrease swelling by constricting blood vessels. This limits the accumulation of fluids in the tissues, which is important after an intense workout or match. By reducing blood flow, the cold water in ice baths slows down the inflammatory response, thereby preventing excessive swelling. This cold water therapy also numbs the affected area, which is something that can help with overall discomfort.
Other ice bath benefits
Ice baths are only growing in popularity in the sporting world, and choosing the best cold plunge tub can be a big task. Ice bath tub benefits such as improved recovery time and a reduction in muscle soreness are both excellent examples of why these recovery tools are in high demand and can be beneficial for athletes of all skill levels. There are, however, a few other benefits worth highlighting that consumers may also be interested in, including:
- Improve sleep: Ice baths create a calming effect when the temperature of the body is lowered. This can help to promote better sleep since the nervous system is in a more relaxed state. For consumers who struggle to sleep, this can have a very positive impact on their overall performance levels and well-being.
- Boosted immune system: There are some recent studies that suggest ice baths can help to stimulate the immune system, which will help in reducing the likelihood of illness. This can only be done with regular exposure to cold water, though, and isn’t a benefit that will be seen right away.
- Pain relief: Ice baths can be an immediate pain relief option for injuries or muscle strains. The numbing effect of the icy water can temporarily be an effective remedy for acute pain, but the injury should be dealt with properly once the person has exited the ice bath.
- Enhance mental resilience: Using an ice bath tub isn’t all about physical ailments. Ice bath benefits include enhancing mental resilience too. The cold water is known for improving an athlete’s ability to cope with physical and mental stress while they’re performing. Again, this benefit needs to be worked on over time and isn’t something that will happen immediately.
Conclusion
The wide variety of ice bath tub benefits, from improving blood circulation down to boosting the immune system, is what sets this sport recovery tool apart from others. Modern versions of ice baths are extremely portable and come in different sizes to suit the number of people who’ll be using them. Due to their portability, ice baths can easily be installed at home or where space is limited, and their accessibility is what will help drive sales for years to come.
