Did you know that exposing your body to cold water can boost your mood, reduce inflammation, and even provide you with better sleep?
But which is better, a cold plunge or a cold shower? Whether you’re a shower type of person or you prefer a plunge, you’re in the right place.
Down below, we’ll show you the benefits of both a cold plunge and a cold shower, and showcase the situations where each shines. By the end of the article, you’ll know exactly the benefits you can achieve and what’s the best way to maximize them.
Cold Plunge or Cold Shower
If you’re new to cold plunging, a cold plunge is a practice that involves immersing yourself in cold water, usually below 59 degrees for a couple of minutes.
Cold showers are pretty self-explanatory, and the main goal is keeping the temperature cold (above freezing) but much colder than most people are accustomed to.
Cold plunges can offer an immersive, all-in experience that’s often used by athletes for deep recovery. On the other hand, cold showers are accessible and practical for daily routines.
But would you need the intensity of a full-body immersion to achieve all the benefits of exposing yourself to cold water?
The long answer short - yes, cold plunge provides more benefits due to the intensity which cold showers can’t achieve.
Both a cold plunge and a cold shower have benefits, but it’s just that a cold plunge brings better benefits to the table. Therefore, you can see it being embraced by athletes all around the world.
While these two are similar, they have quite a few differences you have to consider before making a choice:
- Accessibility and convenience
- Intensity
- Health benefits
- Time commitment
- Cost and equipment
Accessibility and Convenience
Cold plunge requires you to have a dedicated setup or access to natural cold water. Luckily, many cold plunge tubs for home use are easy to set up, move around your home, and even transport.
Cold showers can be done anytime and anywhere with a regular shower, which is something every household includes.
Intensity
Cold plunge is way more intense due to the full-body immersion in colder temperatures, while cold showers provide mild and easier intensity, ideal for beginners.
While not everyone can tolerate the intensity of a cold plunge, one of the reasons it brings more benefits is the intensity. Therefore, we highly recommend starting with a shower and working your way to a cold plunge.
Health Benefits
Both cold plunge and cold showers can help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and boost mood.
However, it’s the cold plunge that provides more effective health benefits, especially for muscle recovery due to the greater intensity we’ve mentioned earlier.
Time Commitment
If you don’t have a cold plunge at home, it can definitely be a time commitment - something you’ll have to set time aside for. Luckily, there are many cold plunge tubs that you can have delivered and set up in the comfort of your home.
With that being said, cold plunge shouldn’t take too much of your time and the time commitment is almost even between both the shower and the cold plunge.
Also, keep in mind that 3 to 5 minutes in a cold plunge will provide better health benefits than 10-15 minutes under a cold shower. Therefore, having a cold plunge at home can actually help save you time.
Cost and Equipment
Now that you know a cold plunge can actually provide better health benefits and save you time, you’ll only need to invest one time in a quality cold plunge tub.
A cold shower is virtually free since almost every household has a shower and cold water. A cold plunge will require you to have a tub and a cooling system.
But if you’re into cold plunging, this shouldn’t scare you away as there’s plenty of quality choice that won’t break the bank, yet will allow you to experience the benefits of cold plunge in the comfort of your home.
Effectiveness for Fitness and Recovery
Recovery is a vital part of a fitness journey, which is why you could see so many athletes opting in for a cold plunge.
Cold plunge can help repair muscles, reduce soreness, and prepare the body for the next challenge.
Exposure to cold reduces inflammation, promotes blood flow, and accelerates the removal of metabolic waste, which makes it a very popular choice for post-exercise recovery. Keep in mind that some athletes even take advantage of a cold plunge before a workout to lower the risk of injury.
But which one is better and can a cold shower even be a good competitor to a cold plunge? Here’s what we think.
Cold Plunge
Cold plunge provides uniform cooling due to full body immersion, which reduces muscle soreness and is very effective after an intense workout.
It’s ideal for athletes or heavy lifters who experience muscle strain or joint inflammation. Longer exposure at lower temperatures can significantly lead to more pronounced recovery benefits.
Cold Shower
A cold shower still makes a great choice for a quick cooldown after light to moderate exercise. It’s less effective for deep tissue recovery, but it can still help reduce general inflammation.
Being a more accessible option, it’s easier for beginners to incorporate into their routines without the shock of full immersion. It’s also a great introduction to cold plunges.
Cold Plunge or Cold Shower - Which is Better?
Cold plunges offer intense recovery and deeper health benefits due to a higher intensity. Cold showers are practical, accessible, and easy to incorporate into daily life - but they aren’t as effective as cold plunges.
We recommend trying both and discovering what works best for you. However, we also believe that once you try a cold plunge, no cold shower will be able to provide benefits even close to the benefits of a cold plunge.
And if you’re only missing a cold plunge tub, that’s not a problem - you’re just one step away from enjoying cold plunges. Browse the best cold plunge tubs now!