The Cold Pod

I’ve seen cold water therapy doing the rounds, and there is a lot of hype online now. I wanted to try it and thought it would suit paddle boarders and other paddle sports. We spend a lot of time in cold water, so we should be quite used to the water temperature, or at least some paddlers will be. However, can more exposure help? Will it make a difference to your recovery and how you feel daily?

When it arrived, my first thought about The Cold Pod was that it was a nice size. The packaging was a lot smaller than I expected. Obviously, it folds up relatively small with PVC and the pole system. The bath also comes with a bag for transportation if you want to take it with you.

The Cold Pod portable ice bath is the brand’s entry-level cold water ice bath consisting of a thick PVC outer pressure-resistant casing and a simple six-pole system that makes it quick and easy to put up and will add structure and stability to your ice bath. There is also a single inflatable rim around the outside at the top to give it more support. Once the poles have been slid into the channels on the outer PVC (my daughter, aged five, assembled the pod), you pick up the supplied hand pump and inflate the top rim. That is the only assembly required, and it was erected in two minutes, no more. There is a lid with a drawstring to close the bath and prevent it from becoming contaminated. The lid has a small drain in the centre, allowing water to get through and not pool on the lid.

Once set up, it’s time to fill. It took about half an hour to fill the bath, but this would depend on your supply speed. Our water temperature, once filled, was about 6 degrees, making it an excellent temperature for starting.

I’ve been using the bath for a week, starting small at one minute and managing five minutes by day seven. I am enjoying it and have found that it has greatly improved my alertness and energy.

The benefits include those mentioned and many more, including reduced muscle damage, pain relief, weight loss, better sleep, immunity, and many others. So far, although early, I can say my sleep and energy levels have improved. I’m looking forward to using it after a paddle and seeing how it helps muscle recovery.

I cleaned the bath after day seven to refresh the water. The bath has a built-in tap to empty, making it relatively quick and easy. Although I didn’t this time, The Cold Pod recommended a quick wash down with soapy water. Mine is filling as I write this after just a simple hose down, as it wasn’t that dirty. If your bath is situated away from a drainage point, they supply a small extending hose that can direct the water a little further.

All in all, this is a simple set-up and use product. It takes a little willpower to keep taking a dunk, but it has many benefits. Will they benefit you? I can’t wait to see the results after a month.
Price: Special offers £75. XL version: £120