The Best Cold Plunge Tubs: $99 to $10K+ Tried & Tested!

[@edanner93]

Alright test the saunas next!!

[@GarageGymReviews]

Coming in HOTTTTTT 🔥

[@connormillwood5840]

@@GarageGymReviews Sweat Tent is the best deal around!

[@edanner93]

I sent the comment before watching the first 1 minute 😂

[@anthonybrown06]

Can’t wait for the sauna review!!

[@JZ-xu3vg]

do a radiator one plz!

[@Jay30k]

2:19 you can't give a list of names without mentioning the GOAT of cold plunge: Wim Hof.

[@Strategic.Strength]

DIY chest freezer conversions are the best bang for your buck easily!!!👍💪

[@dalton1824]

Yep, love mine.

[@whyareyouaskspam2111]

Thats the way to go. Thousands of dollars is ridiculous.

[@ensleyist]

Most definitely! Fraction of the cost to get the same results.

[@tannermendez4553]

Yep, chest freezer, and an ink bird was massively effective. Adding Epsom salt made it brutal.

[@TheLockWhisperer]

How do you get it cold , ice or plug it in lol ?

[@BasementBrandon]

Cold plunge video would have been a great opportunity for the puffy jacket! I think for most, just a cheap big ol tub you fill and chill yourself makes the most sense. It's funny you post this today as earlier this morning in your Q&A on IG I asked what you thought the biggest fitness fad of this year was going to be.

[@KenanTurkiye]

I don't know, I ain't getting in any tub that isn't knurled. :/

[@SaulFemm]

Cold plunges are nonsense (for recovery/performance/hypertrophy/etc). Good review though.

[@doctorgorgomel]

For recovery, they're good. As in if you have to perform again, let's say the next day (competition/tournament, etc) as it does reduce inflammation. That's why in season athletes use it. But exactly this is why it's detrimental to hypertrophy, as it reduces the signal (eg. inflammation) for muscle growth (and in turn performance increase). Now i'd say for "anyone interested in fitness" as the video puts it, it's a waste of time and energy. Unless you particularly like to be uncomfortable. :)

[@rodolfomedini9931]

I know someone who will be upset that Coop took off his shirt. #gymcrafter

[@nickvasios3650]

I got into cold plunging as part of a joke about a year ago. I saw the price for the non insulated ice barrel and I said to myself “I’ll just buy a garbage bin from Home Depot for 50$. No way I’m paying 1200$ for a plastic barrel”. I quickly realized that garbage bins won’t work and I went the “Ice Pod” way. Cheap and definitely super easy to set up and get going. However getting ice blocks made, particularly in the summer was a pain. I bought a chest freezer next to make the process of making ice blocks faster. It helped a lot but like you said Coop it’s not sustainable. Then the ice pod fabric ripped and I had to decide whether to buy an expensive one or go the stock tank way. I ended up getting a Rubbermaid 100 gallon stock tank. Loved the space and the fact that you would lie down. However, being a much larger volume than the ice pod, I needed about 50-60 lb of ice a day in the summer. I also needed to drain the plunge every other day to prevent algae and bacteria build up. Next purchase was a pump/filter and ozone to constantly filter and circulate the water and sanitize it. Ended up building a frame around my tub and applied foam board and spray insulation. It was a long project. I still needed a chiller but every chiller on the market was 1000$+ and I still needed to prove to myself I would use this thing for at least a year. Didn’t need a chiller over the winter but now, a year later, I found a vevor 1/3 hp chiller for 250$ and it’s the best purchase I’ve made. The tub is constantly cool at 47 or below, water is always clean and the setup looks amazing. However the entire project cost 1200-1500$ and countless hours and trips to Home Depot. I say that to say that if you’re serious about it, it’s very difficult to make it cost any less. It’s up to you. Do you want to spent the time and energy or want the peace of mind of a warranty backed product?

[@jumbojaz]

Thank you for the detailed journey, I'm on the same boat as you!

[@michaelhalstead64]

Super helpful. Thanks.

[@fernandotrejo7118]

Chest Freezer conversion to Cold plunge. I think it's the cheapest way to get temperature control and filtering for not much more than the cost of the chest freezer. A lot of DIY step by step builds on the Internet for free. You epoxy the inside in whatever color you want and can even wrap the outside. Won't even look like a freezer when finished. I paid someone that converts them instead of doing it myself. Was still cheaper than any branded cold plunge with a chiller out there.

[@ThanksWyatt]

I spent $1000 on building mine with a 1/2 hp active aqua chiller and a Rubbermaid 100gallon. Abhor ozone generator and whole house filter. Works the same as the 10k units.

[@khancorleone]

⁠@@ThanksWyatt What’s the process on using the ozone generator and house filter? Do you drain the water and use the generator?

[@joseaugustocostamartinsjun5185]

Honestly, why is this just so expensive ? I mean, a whole freezer is 300 dollars new, you fill it with water bottles you get ice, then you get a Rubbermaid tank and use the water bottles There, 450 to 500 dollars and you can cold plunge as much as you want

[@jaybman2700]

Spent 100 bucks on a cold plunge pod, and then bought a $300 icemaker and it makes about 80 pounds of ice a day and I already have a big freezer at home so I just packed the ice in there. It’s kind of a pain in the ass but it only cost me about 440 bucks for the whole deal.

[@archenemy2242]

I think you're misrepresenting the inflatable drop stitch tubs. I've had mine on my uncovered patio in the Florida sun since February. It doesn't look like you've inflated any of yours to the proper psi. Most, if not all, come with a pump and a psi Guage. Usually the connecter on the tub has a MAX PSI rating. I pump mine to 1 psi below the max (allowing for thermal expansion being in the sun etc) and the side walls are hard as a rock. I'm 250lbs and can do dips off the sidewalls without them even dimpling under my weight. What I do see is almost none of the manufacturer companies of these tubs recommend it, but I highly advise you get a mat underneath your tub, I use those interlocking gym floor squares for mine to protect the floor of the tub from abrasion and opportunities for holes. I live in an apartment with a patio with the aim of moving to a house soon. The heavy acrylic tubs, like the plunge, seem like once you install them, they tend to live there forever as it's too much of a pain to move/transport them to another location. That's why I went with the inflatable option but I built mine the DYI route with an active aqua chiller and pump with strainer. Also got a separate ozone generator for sanitation and im still less than half the cost of say the edge theory labs tub/chiller build.

[@Morten_Mueller]

Put the shirt back on! The old Coop would review cold tubs and sun screen with a shirt on. #unsubscribed 😜

[@opetyr]

"Military grade" means lowest price. Look at every government contract and they pick the lowest price even if it costs more long term. In my field comapnies lower their price to get into the door sicne after the governement agency will just usually accept change orders. It will cost more than good companies in general. My company usually is higher and we have to fix the things that the "Military grade" companies make.

[@aztecmeza9234]

The sauna is a must for anyone who can afford it because of the health benefits.

[@BB-ni8vy]

Not remotely interested in a cold plunge cause I’m not a moron but love watching coops vids

[@scoobtoober2975]

Ice cold showers everyday for 8 months now. Very satisfying and nerve breaking. If you don't feel good. Try it. Icy water bath on the other hand. Has to be next level. or is it easier than 48 deg shower water. It's intermittent contact. Let me know

[@DD-zh4by]

This is 100% a placebo. Cold showers have no benefit but waking you up. Sorry mate.

[@turbochampx]

Omg 😱 Coop took his shirt off…unsubscribed!!! -Gymcrafter (ifykyk)

[@eseckinger1]

The Ice Barrel 300 plus a $400 1/3 HP Chiller from amazon work great even in 95+ degree heat due to the insulation of the Ice Barrel 300 which is incredible. 3/4 IN Hoses and closed cell foam insulation on the intake and return hoses and ZERO condensation. $1700 Invested and I feel about the best you can do for the money for no condensation and efficiency when outside on your porch etc

[@Joe-qo8wb]

The cost to benefit of a cold plunge is a huge waste of cash for the majority of people. Unless you got 5k of play cash it doesnt make sense. Take a cold bath or shower and you get 90 percent of any perceived benefits.

[@evelynn4273]

I just use an old freezer.

[@questshots4189]

I have a knock off Amazon bought Cold Pod-type extra large unit - I am 6’4” - (ironically named Good Luck for $59) and it has been great for the last 5 months as low cost investment. The cover keeps it clean and it actually froze over less than my buddy’s open “feed tub”. I add a quarter cup of bleach, change it out when I can’t see the bottom(about 6-8 weeks). It might be a challenge to chill in the summer but great through the winter in a colder state. It has been 32-60 degrees so far just sitting in the shade under my deck. My kids love it for their sports too. I do see a soreness benefit that is immediately noticeable but fades over time. I use 4 hours apart from strength but jump in after hard cardio sometimes.

[@nickstrasser6173]

I “jumped” into cold plunges this past fall. Door dashed a 100gal stock tank from tractor supply (their official site says “deliver with door dash”). Filled it and used it all winter with Mother Nature as my chiller. I had about 2 months straight of 32-40° water which was my preferred temp. Did 3min when our wind chill was -9° out. Pros: -it’s a “hard” thing that you can do everyday that can get you in a habit of doing the work you don’t “feel” like doing. -you feel great when you get out Cons: -the water must stay clean. I let it get murky even tho I had an ozone bubbler and scored myself an itchy butthole and uti 😂 -I didn’t have any recovery benefits. No reduced soreness at all whether I used before workout, after workout, as a part of contrast therapy. -going back to con 1 you have to swap the water regularly and if outside temps are too cold you’ll risk freezing your hose bib. Using smart water style bottles and freezing them to use as reusable ice is a good option. With summer around the corner I have my tub listed for sale. At 6’3” I’ll probably get the 150gal tank next fall. I bought a sauna from almost heaven 5 years ago during their March madness sale-$3k for a 4 person and put it in my basement. It’s the best thing that I’ve ever spent money on and it’s not even close. Nothing better on a cold day than to get it and sweat. Or to burn off stress after a rough day. Or to keep the cardio system working after a lift or cardio session. Get a sauna hat to protect your hair follicles and to maximize your temp/duration. My typical is 20 min at 200-220 then 3 min cold shower then 10-15 more min in the sauna and back to cold shower. It’s the best!

[@12thMandalorian]

This is why i believe this is simply a trend

[@nickstrasser6173]

@@12thMandalorian agreed. It’s cool to have but not the panacea it’s been dubbed. If a nice chiller gets down to $1000 I’d consider getting one. Ive tried cold plunges, Epsom baths, sauna, hot tub, a gram of magnesium, etc and nothing had come close to the recovery that I’m getting 7 weeks into using the peptides cjc1295/Ipa and BPC 157. It’s a night and day difference.

[@wadelawson8449]

I’m currently sitting in my almost heaven sauna and I agree that it is one of the best things I’ve ever purchased

[@Boostisablast]

The itchy bung is the worst! I hope you had to work hahahaha!

[@obiwan5999]

@@nickstrasser6173 Hormone replacement therapy? That's what you're promoting? GFTOH! Studies back up this is not a fad, it has tremendous benefits.

[@Drewsky_16]

The hard part with a "budget" one is the cost of ice adds up super quick. I started with a "Cold Pod" and was spending $10 + on ice every time I wanted to use it. So to use it daily, we are talking $300 + per month on ice. I was using it daily so just went all in and got a "Plunge" and love it.

[@dustinzahursky6557]

Try the ice barrel 500 with the Penguin chiller

[@NboOfficialAus]

Just buy a second hand deep freezer for 2 or 300 turn it to its hottest temp and put salt in the water so it dosent freeze then buy a 30$ water circulator for a fish tank

[@AlchlcSmnThrwr]

Lulz @ believing "military grade" is more than $100. Military grade simply means MADE BY THE CHEAPEST CONTRACTOR! RAH

[@billwindscheif6671]

Coop! Thanks for this great video. Couple questions. I've seen some people make their own cold plunge, king of a DIY. Any thoughts there? I get that you're just reviewing what's out there, but a video on a good DIY solution, using a chiller / filtration system would be awesome. Also, I've seen some guys actually convert the spa / hot tub of their backyard pool to a cold plunge. Cbum was one of these. Any idea how you would do that, what would be required? I suppose just buying a chiller and having it plumbed in? Seemed like kind of a cool solution. Thanks!

[@user-sd8bz2zr5j]

I canceld the $8500 plunge bc their support wouldn't help me sort out some details. Insanely difficult to get a response. Very happy with this decision. I get cold weather half the year, $180 stock tank with $30 cover works perfect for 6 months. No chemicals/electric, $200 compared to $8500 and ongoing expenses.

[@icenic_wolf]

Most people with home gyms will want to know: cold plunging significantly blunts the post-workout inflammation that causes muscle growth. So if you're trying to grow more muscle, you probably want to avoid this (just like you want to avoid NSAIDs post-workout). But if you have a sport season where you compete and need to recover before the next game, and that's way more important to you than the small amount of muscle growth that you'd get between your last match and your next one, they're absolutely great for that. sources: Menno Henselmans, Dr. Mike Israetel.

[@JBS7551]

Yeah its best to do far apart from your workout

[@giovannyfuentes5903]

please review the WALL-MOUNTED ATHENA™ BUILDER

[@Sourpusscandy]

My idea of luxury is a commercial ice maker next to the tub, to dump right in.

[@jaredvanaken9611]

Not a single mustache on Coops ancestors? Missed opportunity lol Now we need a chicken COOP review 😂 4:15

[@Cjaslor]

Coop! One thing I didn't hear about was which options have pumps to move the water around vs not. That thermal layer from not moving is real and makes a difference when coming in from a hot sauna - which does this best?

[@stevenowilson]

My son's HS football team bought a few plastic cattle troughs from Tractor Supply. They fed it with a commercial ice machine. Great. Don't forget the neoprene booties for your toes

[@MarcCrawford01]

You should have looked at Iceup Industries barrel and chiller. It is the best portable option.

[@ryckjunior9911]

Just buy a big enough 2nd hand chest freezer, seal up the interior with silicone and fill it with water. Way cheaper for the same effect.

[@dano1242]

All these are diy able, i used a food barrel 20$ and got 1/4 hp for 200-250$ and 80-150 for filtering

[@charlesandrews6769]

Anybody who has served in the military and hears “military grade” knows it’s going to break🤣🤣.

[@bens_lifts]

Do this type of video with saunas, smaller infrared 1-2 person ones for home gym or something

[@DV-ty6yc]

I think you missed an opportunity for a Mini-Coopers shrinkage rating for your top two picks!

[@ProneInstinct]

How about the RecoverFun it’s only 1000 and comes with a chiller

[@yaya1012]

Why are your inflatable ones so floppy?! Mine has been solid for months with no deflating.

[@MrHoops555]

portable ice barrel LUMI Recovery PRO™ Ice it’s good

[@zxcvbnmmasdfghjkl]

Lol honestly none of this makes sense beyond budget non chillers unless you’re a business or a professional athlete

[@WondererFree]

I'm so excited for the Sauna video!!

[@davidbeiler]

is it cheating wearing clothes? Seems like it would help keep you warm i just go in naked.

[@thecleaner94]

Excited for the saunas. Cold therapy wise I think I’d stick to filling up my bathroom tub with water and a few bags of ice. I’d like to sauna every day if possible but cold maybe 2x a week. Gotta spend wisely like you said

[@albertmacdonald8387]

For someone who struggles with IBS I can say that the cold plunge has changed my life in the positive way. I cold plunge twice a day since Feb. I do want to upgrade my inflatable one but gotta save the money. Thanks as always!!

[@mongoosekhan3079]

Do cold plunges help with IBS? I am curious. What is your experience? How does it help?

[@thejohnhend]

Yeah do you poop in the tub or after?

[@themeatinthemiddlepodcast]

@@thejohnhend same question

[@albertmacdonald8387]

@@thejohnhend lol lol 😂

[@Haloking7000]

other diy option is chest freezer mods bunch of articles on it for a cheaper option

[@danielseddon6138]

What about a chest freezer? Is that not a budget friendly option ?

[@Bloody_yank516]

I was debating Sauna box vs Ice plunge and because of price...sauna wins

[@3Runner95]

cold plunges are fucking terrible for you

[@Fahim-il7wz]

Yall should have made one from a chest freezer, that’s the real homegym option

[@mnadeau1992]

who the fuck pays 1200$ for a barrel LMAO

[@ganeshlange4354]

I’m wondering what the electric costs are for each over a month time period

[@eliaswormuth3276]

I tried cold plunges for two weeks, and it messed up my shoulders

[@JZ-xu3vg]

glad I already have a tub I can just put ice in. smh....

[@Da_TRAV]

It would be great if you could review pop up saunas

[@TrenbologneSandwich]

Yeah that's what matters, the ones under $1000 and preferably like under $200

[@pedrosantanna7274]

I paid 2k for a 1st gen The Plunge. Works great.

[@davidhiggins2780]

Great video! DIY’d my own for about $1500. Works great and love it

[@marvellstarks2434]

Those things are useless. Just got people pretending to be real athletes

[@bradwideshot8448]

This is a lot of stuff needed to just jump into cold water.

[@93mavsfan]

Is there nothing in between $100 and $1,300?

[@crazyfoodjunky9233]

What the best for someone 6’5” with long torso?

[@ryancolleran245]

How about the Ice Barrel 500? Got some steps and seat built in and will have ability to add chiller when available

[@DD-zh4by]

Is there a reason people dont use their own bathtub?

[@brodee1978]

Damn you talk to much. Just get to the point

[@darkknight716]

*in the rock's voice* ..Finally, The Old Coop, has come back, to GGR!

[@GarageGymReviews]

By evidence of my receding hair line, the 'old" coop is very much the 'present' coop. - Coop

[@vintageweightspgh]

Ultra low budget? I feel seen. 😂. I appreciate the thoughts from a practical standpoint on the DIY option.

[@dannycole125]

Having served myself, military-grade simply means it's the cheapest option available with the lowest quality.

[@highwaypete77]

I’ll give ya best advice , take your old recycling blue garbage can and hide it. Call city ask for a new one. When it comes swap them out. It is sturdy has a lid to protect from weather just add ice as needed. FREE. Your welcome

[@RyanKevinTomlinson]

So your advice is stealing one?

[@HowAboutThat224]

What’s wrong with using a bathtub?

[@nl5h]

Have you tried the nuvio recovery?

[@DanielTheStoic]

What are your thoughts on the Renu??

[@rnarval]

Been using my, Bathtub and 2 or 3 bags of ice add water, for years . 6,000 to 10,000 dollars, will I reckon will buy a lot of bags of ice, or a big ice maker, but that is just me.

[@masonntn5292]

In b4 people misquote Huberman. “Cold plunging after a workout inhibits hypertrophy ****if the plunge takes place

[@jamiesoncostello]

Would most people even consider 4.5 hours later to be "after a workout"? I think no.

[@masonntn5292]

@@jamiesoncostelloFor sure, they wouldn’t. But the things online are “ice baths inhibit muscle growth!” as a blanket statement with no nuance. You can take ice baths if your goal is hypertrophy. Just do them long before or after your workout and you’re fine. You can grow muscle while making cold plunging a daily routine item. Just for the record, I do not do cold plunging, so I’m not just trying to justify the things I do! Haha

[@HeavyMetalMerchant1]

The '4 hours timeframe' time frame is not nuanced itself and fully influencer cherry picked as there are controlled studies showing Cold water immersion attenuated long term gains in muscle mass and strength. It also blunted the activation of key proteins and satellite cells in skeletal muscle up to 2 days after strength exercise. Better of just posting links to the study abstracts. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4594298/

[@alex47style]

Buy a big chest freezer Seal the seam with silicone Buy a temp controled outlet (inkbird) Aquarium pump You welcome

[@NoLimitsCommemorativ]

I think cold bath water works just fine without forking over your $$$, and this is a fad. Workout really hard, sweat it out, jump in your cold bath tub. I believe your money would be better spent on a full tower red light or UV light therapy bed- you can even get your insurance to cover the cost if you navigate the american healthcare system just right. 😉

[@Cokblokula]

Just stand in cold shower water for 3-5 minutes. It's the same thing in terms of hormone production and liver shock protein production.

[@timl6450]

Not my thing, but even if it was, I’m not seeing the advantage over a regular bathtub. My bathtub can go hot or cold. It’s easy to drain. Instant access to clean water. I can dump ice cubes in it if I’m into that sort of thing. And no pump, chiller, or electronics that can break. And I don’t need an app to run it.

[@MavRickChiro]

You didnt come close to filling those inflatables up. They should be at around 10psi and so rigid that I can put the top on and stand on it. And I weight 250lbs.

[@middletownchurchofchrist4671]

I have an inflatable that I bought from Alibaba for less than $300 shipped. They pretty much make the tubs for everybody. I've had mine for almost 2 years and don't really have to put air in. If you have to keep adding air, you have a leak somewhere. I have an inflatable top as well and I had to add air. Found a pin hole leak, fixed it and now no issues. I have a 1&1/2 HP chiller from Vevor, OZ generator and filters. All in I'm probably less than $1300.

[@PickIeRick]

What are the best options for us tall folk. I’m 6’6” and get really worried about buying something because I usually don’t fit in anything and don’t want to be cramped up sitting in it (rather not cross legs in it)

[@ohplezz]

I'm waiting for costco to sell one of the chillers. They will be 800 bucks for a top of the line model that is chilled all the time in my garage in Vegas.

[@RGraw]

From what I’ve seen, ice baths are bad for you if you’re trying to gain muscle. Apart from maybe the psychological effect, why do it

[@matthewclark820]

You guys didn't inflate the inflatables all the way. Those are suppose to be up to like 14-16 PSI so they're firm and hold their shape.

[@NahWitNoJuice]

cold showers it is

[@tshelley4232]

Can you use a meat deep freezer. Maybe put a liner inside or have a livestock tank. Add some water and should have a solid ice cold water. Plenty used deep freezers for sale cheap. Can dual use for actual meat freezer or works good at a storage unit to hide a body.

[@andrewdenney2859]

What about the chillers that can go into a bathtub as an option? I’ve been doing cold plunge in my tub as a way of getting started but even with well water it’s just not cold enough now. I like the idea of a dedicated cold plunge but don’t want to mess with filters and all that.

[@SeanFarrell1]

Buy a chest freezer, seal it, fill it with water - done. $500 option that I am surprised you didn't mention.

[@tylerscott6640]

You didn't talk about just using a meat freezer chest. I know Chris Bumstead uses one. He may have upgraded, I'm not sure, but he definitely uses the freezers.

[@darrtetzy]

I'm leery about using a cold plunge that needs steps to get out - I'm already a bit clumsy. My feet would be wet and I'll be shocked by the cold water...I can see myself slipping and falling hard.

[@cyber-yo9378]

Any good ones made in Japan?

[@MudPig6110]

The companies still coming out with white cold plunges are really missing the boat on realistic placement of a cold plunge. Who wants to have something on their back deck that looks like they just put a used bathtub out back because they could get the trash guys to haul it away. Give us an option for another color please.

[@spacemanspiff9687]

How was the classic steel whirlpool not on here? We used those in college and imo they’re the goat. The circulating water makes you go numb fast so you can just chill after the first minute or two

[@-Cristian_12]

Waiting for the comparison between REP Adonis vs ROGUE CTM-1. I was ready to get the Adonis but apparently the copy from Rogue 😉 is the same price, waiting on your opinion.

[@amukherjee424]

Could you share your thoughts on the Polar Monkey's Star 2.0? On GGRE the reviewer said she didn't like it because of the seat, but the company has since removed it. It seems much better aesthetically than the Nordic Wave.

[@thejohnhend]

Just wait about 2-3 years and you’ll be able to pick these up for a song on the used market once the fad wears off.

[@Good-luck-Jonathan]

Joolca hottub! And buy a chiler from velvor. I want to take the tube on camping so dual use.

[@louisgordon9403]

I am 6'5. You started to mention with height and fitting in. Which ones would fit my height but also be good in an apartment as well? Looking forward to the sauna reviews and hope you cover height, space and maybe an option for apartments or even the blankets. Been using your reviews to find a few things to put in small studio where noise is an issue.

[@JoeyLisano]

As an endurance runner, I did lower body plunges back in high school and college since they had commercial ice makers nearby. I don't understand why these are popular for general fitness, home use given the space claim and cost.