9 plunge pools to boost your mood from your own back garden
Plunge pools, cold water swimming and ice baths have certainly took on a newfound popularity these last couple years, and it's no wonder really. With phones and screens so rife in our culture, it seems only right that we should want to connect with the natural elements and, whether you've taken up lido swimming or a dip in those Hackney swimming ponds Harry Styles seems to frequent, getting your fill of the cold water has been proven to boost moods.
Yep, made famous by Wim Hof - or the ‘Iceman’, as he's often penned - taking a cold plunge in icy water can help to boost your immune system, rebalance hormones, improve sleep and, all-importantly, give your endorphins a little manual restart (a.k.a get those happy feelings circulating). Wim himself takes this to extreme levels, and currently holds the world record for swimming under ice; however, you can get pretty much the same fix from the confines of your own home, and here's how. Introducing, garden plunge pools.
Swimming can serve you both mentally and physically.
Indeed, nowadays, you can buy an inflatable or portable plunge pool on Amazon to pop up in your garden or patio and, the best part? Most of them will even fold away for easy storage when not in use. Whether you're looking for something that can double as a warmer inflatable pool for summer, or a literal steel ice tub like something out of an athlete's changing room, we've pulled together a round up of the best options.
See this 70 by 70cm option, for instance; with two different designs to suit your exterior, an easy valve for drainage and several layers of reinforced durability, you'd be hard pressed to find a problem with it at just £55.99. By comparison, the Viomed RecoveryTub is a tad more expensive at £145 but, with a bath-like structure, it's easier to lower yourself in slowly, especially if you're nervous at the idea of a sudden cold shock (and we don't blame you).
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How to cold plunge at home:
- First off, pick a time that you're going to attempt (and succeed!) at your plunge, and stick to it everyday if you can.
- Ideally, you want the temperature of your pool to be hovering around 7-10ºC but, from March to mid-May, it's likely that your pool will be this temperature anyway if left outside.
- If you feel up to it, get in in one smooth motion while breathing on an exhale. You might not be able to do this first time and, if you need to ease yourself in slowly, be forgiving to yourself - you showed up and you're doing great!
- Start a stopwatch once you get in and don't put pressure on yourself to stay in the water longer than feels good. That said, try to at least regulate your breathing before you succumb to a warm towel (make sure to leave one on the side). Ideally, after around 21 days of plunges, you'll have worked yourself up to a ten minute duration, but take it at your own pace.
- Breathe as slowly as you can, deep and resonating breaths and, most importantly, try to enjoy it!
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After more wellness content? Head this way for sleeping tips, over here for the benefits of CBD and this direction for how to stop procrastinating. We've also got headache solutions, how to improve your heart health and new wellbeing trends.
For more from GLAMOUR UK Commerce Writer Lucy Smith, follow her on Instagram @luceeeeesmith.
Scroll for our full edit of the best plunge pools to revitalise your wellbeing
Plunge pools UK
SMONTER 70X70 Portable Bathtub Spa, £55.99, Amazon
Foldable and easy to store, this Amazon portable plunge pool is insulated, so will somewhat retain heat in summer if you'd rather a relaxing dip come the summer months and, with a 70 x70cm size, it'll fit into small corners and won't detract from your garden overall.
Pros: Takes only three minutes to set up.
Cons: If you're using it as a cold-water plunge pool, you'll be paying for unnecessary added insulation, though this won't affect the performance of the product for this purpose.
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Plunge pool kit
Adult Foldable Ice Bath Tub, £39.99, Amazon
With a cute strawberry design, this Amazon plunge pool serves as an ice bath and, equally, as a fun spot for kids to cool off in summer. It's affordable and has good reviews: a top pick for first-time cold plungers.
Pros: Has a cushioned base for extra comfort.
Cons: Doesn't include a cover to keep out debris.
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Small plunge pools
CO-Z Inflatable Portable Adult Bath Tub, £42.99, Amazon
Shallower than some competitor brands, with a unique lie-down structure, this inflatable plunge pool needs only blowing up and, should you come to part with it years down the line, it's recyclable, too.
Pros: Has three air holes for quick inflation and packing away.
Cons: Won't fit buyers six feet plus.
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Best plunge pools
Keszing Inflatable Bathtub, £66.99, Amazon
Made from a durable PVC, this Amazon plunge pool is designed to last through multiple folds/packing away roll ups and can even be used indoors should you need an impromptu portable bathtub due to renovations or plumbing work.
Pros: Has dual drainage and a turn-on/off faucet if you only want to let out a small amount of water.
Cons: Some reviews say the faucet tap is a lower quality than the pool itself.
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Above ground plunge pool
happy life Folding bathtub spa, £47, Amazon
Currently discounted, this Amazon plunge pool is light for easy manoeuvring and, needing only to be inflated by mouth, as opposed to by pump, it's super simple to set up.
Pros: Can fit two people.
Cons: Only two layers of PVC, compared to some competitors with three.
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Plunge pools for sale
RecoveryTub Inflatable Ice Bath – Solo, £145, Viomed
One of our favourite designs, considering it's been specifically constructed with cold plunges in mind, this Viomed RecoveryTub is easy to get in and out of and, if you ask us, easy doubles as either a kids paddling pool or a portable sun lounger.
Pros: Pump included for inflation.
Cons: Longer than some smaller models, so not ideal for small outdoor spaces.
DIY plunge pool
RecoveryTub Inflatable Ice Bath – team, £179.99, Viomed
DIY in the sense that you have to inflate it yourself, this RecoveryTub, like its solo counterpart, is great for athletes in need of some muscle reflexology and, equally, buyers looking to boost their mental health with a cold plunge.
Pros: It's easier to brave the plunge when you can do it with friends or family.
Cons: Takes 10-15 minutes to fill.
Plunge pools
Cht-adult Foldable Portable Home Bath Tub, £99, Fruugo
With all the motivation you could possibly need to brave the cold adorned across the front, this motivational plunge pool can be easily stored and only takes up a 0.5metre diameter when constructed.
Pros: No weight limit and free delivery.
Cons: We can't flaw it!
Plunge pools near me
Huge 54 inch Galavnised Steel Outdoor Ice Bath, £245.99, eBay
With free delivery nationwide, this luxury steel ice bath won't mar your garden decor and, should you change your mind about cold plunges, it could easily be up cycled as a garden planter.
Pros: Features handles either end for manoeuvring and carrying.
Cons: Designed for outdoor use only.
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