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Ice Bath
Are they more than just a trend?
![Men on beach Breathing exercise in ice bath](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/xtra-clubs-ice-bath-bondi-blue.jpg)
Ice baths. You’ve likely heard about them through a friend, a video on Instagram, or by listening to the fitness podcast you put on at the gym. Ice baths have become a popular way to recover from workouts and soreness, not just among elite athletes – but for everyday fitness enthusiasts too.
Dipping your toe into the world of cold plunge therapy, especially if you’ve never actually seen an ice bath in person before, can understandably be a little daunting.
To help you make the first step, we’ve compiled a full breakdown of what cold therapy is. Below, you will also learn how significantly beneficial to your health having your body immersed in chilly waters can be and the easiest (more affordable) way to incorporate ice baths into your lifestyle.
![Ice bath in Bondi with Xtra Clubs](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ice-bath-xtra-clubs-614x1024.jpg)
What is an ice bath?
An ice bath is a brief immersion into water (around 3 to 8 minutes), typically ranging from 5 to 8 degrees Celsius. Studies have demonstrated that cold water immersion aids faster recovery, especially after intensive sports or workouts.
For context, our body utilises a significant amount of energy to maintain the core and internal organs at a consistent temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. When you immerse yourself in cold water, you’re essentially prompting your body to use more energy.
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The benefits of ice baths
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Alleviating muscle soreness
Arguably, what ice baths are most well-known for, is that exposure to cold waters can lessen a person’s muscle damage during soreness.
Muscle damage repair leads to inflammation, which, when reduced, may alleviate soreness. They aim to decrease metabolites and cytokines in muscles, potentially aiding muscle recovery.
Strengthened mental fortitude
Frequently using an ice bath doesn’t just grant you physical perks. The cold plunge experience tests your mind too. More specifically, your self-awareness, mental grit and impulses.
Every moment that you challenge yourself by embracing the discomfort, you’re flexing and strengthening your mental fortitude. So when life throws an uncomfortable curveball your way, you can channel the same mental resilience, and overcome the challenge.
![Running wellness](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ice-bath-mental-fortitude-1024x1024.jpg)
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Greater pain threshold
Ice baths have also been linked to increased blood pressure in the muscles, which prompts a release of lactic acid. This is due to the limited flow of blood being pumped to the skin, which is the body’s natural safeguard against cold temperatures.
Simultaneously, the heart rate rises to clear out metabolites. This process, coupled with improved muscle contractility, not only intensifies pain resistance but also promotes prolonged and intensified workouts.
Boosted metabolism
Ice baths are great for those on a weight-loss journey. That’s because the faster your metabolism, the more calories you burn.
Ice baths are understood to enhance metabolism by up to 22% – for up to three days!
This spike results from non-shivering thermogenesis, a mechanism where the body generates heat via muscle contractions.
![](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/healthy-snacks-1024x1024.jpg)
![Group after sauna](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ice-baths-mental-health.png)
Mitigation in depression and anxiety symptoms
Research further suggests that cold water immersion can alleviate depression/anxiety symptoms.
Cold therapy is said to have mood-elevating effects.
![](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/blue-to-white-curve-1024x92.jpg)
The Home of Ice Baths and More
Now that you know some of the benefits of frequent ice bath therapy, you’re likely thinking – well, what will this all cost me?
In the past, Sydney recovery and wellness centres have locked access to their ice baths behind expensive memberships or one-time costs. Some businesses still charge their members over $40 per week, making the therapy unachievable for many.
Seeing this entry cost as an unacceptable barrier to what should be entitled therapy for all Sydneysiders, the founders of XtraClubs are providing affordable access to ice baths, saunas and steam rooms. Starting at $23.95 per week, XtraClubs is your best way to benefit from ice bath therapy.
![](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ice-baths-v2-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Ice baths
Custom-built ice baths, each tailored for individual immersion. With 4 temperature settings from 4°C to 10°C, find your comfort and advance in contrast therapy, enhancing your wellness journey.
![](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/two-saunas-1024x1024.jpg)
Traditional & infrared saunas
Numerous traditional and infrared saunas built to accommodate many in communal sessions. Built with expert knowledge, our saunas deliver on a top quality experience.
![](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/steam-room-1024x1024.jpg)
Steam room
Our expansive steam room offers ample space for all. Inspired by Turkish hamam principles, it’s a haven of warmth and cleansing, deeply rooted in age-old wellness traditions.
![](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/blue-curve-1024x66.png)
Ice Bath Membership
Your passport to regular Ice Baths sauna and steam
It’s with great excitement, that we announce the first XtraClubs location will be in Bondi Junction!
Launching in February 2024, Oxford St Mall is easy to access through public transport and car. Giving you every chance to reap the benefits of ice bath therapy.
Future locations
Only foundation memberships are being sold for future locations.
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Cronulla
Opening date announcement coming soon
Foundation memberships only for future locations
![](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/xtraclubs-crows-nest-map.jpg)
Crows Nest
Opening date announcement coming soon
Foundation memberships only for future locations
![](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/xtraclubs-liverpool-map.jpg)
Liverpool
Opening date announcement coming soon
Foundation memberships only for future locations
![](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/xtraclubs-manly-map.jpg)
Manly
Opening date announcement coming soon
Foundation memberships only for future locations
![](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/xtraclubs-marrickville-map-1024x1024.jpg)
Marrickville
Opening date announcement coming soon
Foundation memberships only for future locations
![Sauna Neutral Bay, Steam Room Neutral Bay, Ice Bath Neutral Bay](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/xtraclubs-neutralbay-map.webp)
Neutral Bay
Opening date announcement coming soon
Foundation memberships only for future locations
![Sauna Newcastle, Steam Room Newcastle, Ice Bath Newcastle](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/xtraclubs-newcastle-map.webp)
Newcastle
Opening date announcement coming soon
Foundation memberships only for future locations
![Sauna Newtown, Steam Room Newtown, Ice Bath Newtown](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/xtraclubs-newtown-map.webp)
Newtown
Opening date announcement coming soon
Foundation memberships only for future locations
![Sauna North Sydney, Steam Room North Sydney, Ice Bath North Sydney](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/xtraclubs-northsydney-map.webp)
North Sydney
Opening date announcement coming soon
Foundation memberships only for future locations
![](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/parramatta-xtra-clubs-location.webp)
Parramatta
Opening date announcement coming soon
Foundation memberships only for future locations
![Sauna Surry Hills, Steam Room Surry Hills, Ice Bath Surry Hills](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/xtraclubs-surryhills-map.webp)
Surry Hills
Opening date announcement coming soon
Foundation memberships only for future locations
![Sauna Townhall, Steam Room Townhall, Ice Bath Townhall](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/xtraclubs-townhall-map.webp)
Town Hall
Opening date announcement coming soon
Foundation memberships only for future locations
![Sauna Wetherill Park, Steam Room Wetherill Park, Ice Bath Wetherill Park](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/xtraclubs-wetherillpark-map.webp)
Wetherill Park
Opening date announcement coming soon
Foundation memberships only for future locations
![Sauna Wollongong, Steam Room Wollongong, Ice Bath Wollongong](https://xtraclubs.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/xtraclubs-wollongong-map.webp)
Wollongong
Opening date announcement coming soon
Foundation memberships only for future locations
Ice baths at XtraClubs
Curious how ice baths, along with other XtraClubs facilities like infrared/traditional saunas and steam rooms can better your overall health outside of just physical therapy?
Continue reading by clicking the link below.
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Some key questions about ice baths
Ice baths, specifically portable ice baths, are readily available online. However, the convenience of easily buying the ice bath, doesn’t stack up to the effort you need to take to refill the ice in it for each use. At XtraClubs, we offer ice baths that are sanitised daily and have a regulated temperature of from 4, through to 14°C.
Frequent plunges in ice baths are beneficial for losing weight. Up to three days after using an ice bath, the body’s metabolism is given a significant boost, which in-turn, burns calories.
Although you will experience an increased heart rate in cold plunges and subsequent health benefits such as an increased release of lactic acid, the body’s ‘cold shock response’ may be dangerous for those with a heart condition. For more information, visit heart.org
Having a warm or hot shower immediately after stepping out of an ice bath is said to reduce the benefits of a cold plunge. Instead, aim to wait for 2 hours before having a shower, and have the body gradually warm up on its own.
Pushing your body to stay in an ice bath for as long as you can is strongly advised against, as it risks serious health consequences. Aim for between 10 to 15 minutes. At 15 minutes, leave the ice bath.