What is a plunge pool?

Have you ever just wanted a little body of water to relax, lounge, or just cool off in? A plunge pool is perfect for exactly that. It’s a small, compact pool that comfortably fits a few people, made to hop into when looking to cool off or just relax. They’re growing in popularity, and companies like Soake Pools specialize in delivering these space-saving oases.

The beauty of a plunge pool is they’re small, so they save room and are cost-effective, and they can be used as a hot tub, cold plunge, or a traditional pool. Beyond relaxation and comfort, both cold and hot forms of hydrotherapy offer some amazing health benefits like reduced pain and inflammation, blood pressure regulation and cortisol levels, and much more that we’ll explore further. We’ll also cover cost, where to buy, and everything else you need to know about owning and using your own plunge pool.

Plunge Pool Health & Therapeutic Benefits

History

Both cold water and hot water hydrotherapy are known to be great for muscle recovery. Athletes and personal trainers have been utilizing ice baths and hot tubs as aids for performance and recovery for years.

Cold and hot water therapies have also been used throughout history by the ancient Romans, Greek, and Egyptian civilizations who used it to treat pain and sickness, and for rejuvenation. (LINK). And, many are realizing that these ancient empires were onto something.

Reduced Pain & Inflammation

Many athletes and everyday people like to use these forms of hydrotherapy after a workout, as cold and hot plunges are known to reduce inflammation and pain, and improve muscle recovery time. The combination of sauna therapy and water immersion.

Studies have found that cold water immersion reduces pain for those suffering from chronic conditions like fibromyalgia and rheumatism. The cold water constricts blood vessels, lowers tissue temperature, causing a reduction in swelling and inflammation in the afflicted area. It also numbs nerve endings, causing an immediate relief of pain.

Another controlled study found that warm water therapy was superior to drug therapy for patients with chronic pain conditions.

General benefits of water immersion

One hour water immersion studies proved to lower heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels in participants. Cold water plunges have been known for its impressive cognitive benefits. Cold immersion releases endorphins causing amazing benefits like improved mood, rejuvenation, stress reduction, and increased energy levels. Other notable benefits include improved circulation and improved immune system function.

Who is a plunge pool for?

Anyone can benefit from owning their own plunge pool. Athletes and chronic pain sufferers can benefit from the impressive pain reduction from hydrotherapy. Besides the amazing health benefits we’ve mentioned, they can also be great for exercise. Plunge pools are typically large enough for a full aquatic exercise routine (standard sizes are around 7 square feet).

If water aerobics aren’t your thing, plunge pools are also a great resource to have at your house if you’re looking to relax in a hot soak after a long day or on a weekend. They’re also amazing to dip into on a hot day, after a workout, or when you’re looking to rejuvenate.

Recommended usage

For both hot and cold pool plunges, experts recommend hot or cold water immersion for 20 minutes. We personally recommend starting off in shorter intervals. Especially for cold plunges, try a few minutes at a time. You will reap the benefits in 10-20 minutes of use, but the experience can be a little intense at first. You’ll feel results in as little as 20 seconds.

Sauna + Plunge Pool

For a truly cognitive enhancing experience, try sauna bathing followed by a cold pool plunge. The combination of heat and cold therapy contracts your blood vessels, and elevates your heart rate. This improves circulation throughout your body, including areas of inflammation, causing a reduction in swelling, pain, and a faster recover time. The cold also numbs nerve endings, reducing pain immediately. You’ll exit the pool feeling revitalized, with a surplus of endorphins coursing throughout your body. You’ll also reap the added health benefits of sauna therapy.

Cost of plunge pool

A typical plunge pool costs $20,000 to $25,000. Contrast this with an in-ground pool which averages around $50,000, and you get many of the same advantages for about half the cost.
You also save on maintenance costs as most pool plunges are under 1,000 gallons. They require less cleaning, maintenance, and take up less space than the 25,000+ gallons of full sized in-ground pool.

Plunge Pool Kits

Plunge pools kits come with all the equipment necessary to install a plunge pool in your backyard or inside your home. There are a lot of great Made in the USA options like this one from Pool Warehouse.

DIY plunge pool

While we recommend buying a plunge pool kit and having it installed professionally, there are ambitious DIYers out there who are thinking, “I can build that myself.” To those thinking about going it alone, there are some good resources out there that can help. Just remember, there’s a ton of factors that go into building your own plunge pool like zoning, pool location, digging, pouring concrete, water systems, and more. Be sure to do your homework before embarking on your own DIY plunge pool.

Whether you’re looking to buy a plunge pool for health or exercise reasons, or you simply want the hydrotherapy benefits that come with using a plunge pool, they are an excellent, cost effective and space saving option.