Best Ice Baths for Athletes and Recovery: Top At-Home Ice Baths

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Whether you just got off the basketball court or wrapped up your toughest workout of the week, there’s no shortage of post-workout recovery methods that you can take advantage of these days to help prep your muscles for your next sweat session. But if you’ve spent any time following your favorite athlete online, there’s a good chance you’ve seen them taking a dip in an ice bath.

For the uninitiated, ice baths (also sometimes called cold plunge pools) have become a growing recovery method trend that touring musicians and professional athletes alike have tried, from Usain Bolt to Cristiano Ronaldo. In short, they’re designed to help ease your sore muscles. While there’s still plenty of research left to do on the benefits of using an ice bath, some have suggested that ice baths can help increase circulation, reduce inflammation, relax tight and sore spots, and overall boost muscle recovery.

But the truth is that you don’t have to be signed to a multimillion-dollar contract to get the benefits of cold water immersion — brands across the board have made it easier than ever to upgrade your post-workout recovery with at-home ice baths. Here’s what you should know before taking the plunge on your own, along with our top ice bath picks.

In This Article

Best At-Home Ice Baths

What Is an Ice Bath?

How Long Should You Take an Ice Bath?

Ice Bath Buying Guide

Best Ice Baths for Athletes & Recovery

Below we’ve picked some of the top at-home ice baths to use for post-workout recovery.

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro

BEST FREESTANDING TUB: Ice Barrel

BEST INDOOR/OUTDOOR: The Plunge Tub

BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY PICK: The Cold Pod Ice Bath Tub

Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro

Best for serious athletes, Sun Home Saunas’ Cold Plunge Pro checks all the boxes for a top-of-the-line ice bath for relieving sore muscles. Though it’s a bit of an investment, it has everything you could want in an ice bath, boasting premium features that take your recovery as seriously as you do your time in the gym.

As the brand puts it, the Cold Plunge Pro is “the only self-cooling ice bath rated for outdoor use.” It features an industrial-grade stainless steel tub that maintains icy temps, durable, military-grade materials that are tough enough to withstand the elements, plus sturdy forged wheels that make it surprisingly portable. Built with its own ice generator, it can hold up to 150 gallons and reach temperatures of 32-48 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Cold Plunge Pro also includes LED lighting so you can use it at nighttime, plus a UV sanitation chamber and an ozone injection system that work together to keep your ice bath clean and ready to go. It even comes with a headrest, as well as an insulated lid for when it’s not in use.

Ice Barrel 300

Designed using recycled materials here in the States, the Ice Barrel 300 can accommodate athletes up to 6’2″ and up to 250 pounds, and it can hold up to 77 gallons of ice and water. Unlike some units, what makes the Ice Barrel stand out is its relatively portable design — it weighs a mere 61 pounds when it’s empty. In other words, when you’re done recovering after a tough workout, you can drain it and move it to the corner of your patio or garage until you’re ready to use it again. Keep in mind you won’t be able to stretch out with the Barrel like you can with some other ice bath models. Shipping takes up to four weeks.

The Plunge Tub

This model might not be quite as portable as others on this list, but the Plunge tub is one of our top picks for, well, stretching out and taking the very cold plunge. The ice bath can cool down to 39 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s built for both using indoors or outside. The Plunge also has a 20 micron filter that helps get rid of unwanted hair and other debris, plus its own ozone sanitizing system. The tub plugs into a 110V outlet, and once you fill it up with water, the company says you won’t need to replace it for up to three months. And, oh yeah, did we mention they’ll throw in a rubber ducky?

The Cold Pod Ice Bath Tub

This freestanding ice bath tub from the Cold Pod Store has an 85-gallon capacity, and is designed for anyone up to 6’7″ and sitting in an upright position. We like that it comes with its own cover so you can prevent bugs or leaves from falling into the water, and it also includes an easy-to-drain tap for when you want to clean it and empty it out after a few recovery sessions. A bestseller on Amazon, it’s a solid option if you don’t want to break the bank but still want to prioritize your post-workout recovery.

“Honestly, for what I paid I didn’t expect much,” one Amazon reviewer wrote. “Yet, when I received the product I was pleasantly surprised at how thick the exterior material felt, and by how easy it was to assemble. Within 10 minutes I had it set up on a foam exercise mat in my garage and I was filling it with water. I added some spa enzyme treatment and two cups of scented epsom salts, and I was off to the races. The biggest surprise was how sturdy it felt once I filled it up. The way it’s designed, you can sit in it and lean against the side without any fear of collapse, which was something I didn’t expect.”

What Is an Ice Bath?

So what exactly is an ice bath? Put simply, an ice bath is a lot like your bathtub at home, but it’s specifically designed for pre- and post-workout recovery. Many models feature insulation that helps keep your ice bath at a consistent temperature and to accommodate full-body immersion (as opposed to just taking a cold shower). They come in a variety of shapes and designs, though the two most common are standalone tubs that you can sit in, as well as longer plunge pools that let you stretch out like a traditional bathtub.

How Long Should You Take an Ice Bath?

Once you finally get your ice bath, you’ll want to make sure that you get the most out of it (without overusing it). Some experts suggest taking a dip at least 24 hours after your workout in water that’s between 50-59 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes to start (if you can handle the cold temperature). Taking an ice bath for the first time? You might want to start with a cold shower to work your way up to it first. And of course, consult a doctor before hopping into your ice bath.

The bottom line: Don’t overdo it, and remember to start slow to avoid injury. It’s always a good idea to have a friend or professional nearby while taking an ice bath should something go wrong. Again, talk with your doctor or a medical professional to make sure that using an ice bath is right for you and your situation before diving in (feet first).

Ice Bath Buying Guide

When you’re shopping for a new ice bath, there are a few features you’ll want to consider.

Size & Design: Ice baths come in a range of shapes and varying capacities, but the two most common designs are freestanding tubs or the more traditional rectangular tubs that mimic the ones in your home. The freestanding tubs often have a barrel-like shape fit for sitting upright, while the longer rectangular models make it easier to stretch out and immerse your entire body.

Cooling System: Some ice bath models feature built-in cooling systems to help cool down the water once you add it to the tub. More portable tubs with upright seated positions are often insulated enough to keep your ice bath at the optimal temperature, though you may have to manually add ice to the water more frequently.

Setup & Ease-of-Use: Overall, most ice baths are easy to install and set up right out of the box without the need for separate plumbing. You’ll find both plug-in and freestanding versions of plunge tubs. Keep in mind that some may require access to an outlet.