In recent times, there has been an increase in the number of people partaking in what’s commonly referred to as a cold plunge. A cold plunge is a practice where individuals plunge into a tub filled with cold water for a short period. At first thought, a person might wonder why on earth anyone would do such a thing.
It turns out that there are plenty of health benefits, some of which include reducing inflammation, increasing blood flow and energy levels, speeding up recovery, and improving endurance.
As fascinating as it was for us, duo Michael Garrett and Ryan Duey got together to launch Plunge to “satiate [the former’s] appetite for cold water.” Want to know how you can plunge into the comfort of your home? Here’s a comprehensive review of the brand, its offering, and many others, but first, let’s start with the backbone: the Plunge Story.
What is Plunge?
Plunge is in the business of offering at-home hot or cold plunges. As maintained by the team, their goal is “to deliver stunning, easy to use, reliable cold plunges to the world at affordable prices.” Based in Sacramento, California, each Plunge is said to have been handmade, thoroughly tested, and packaged with care. Most touching to our editorial team was, of course, the Plunge story.
When COVID-19 struck, it shut down co-founder Michael Garrett’s float spas. In exploring the realm of cold plunges, he was disheartened by the pricing. With help from his father, Michael decided it was time to bring affordability back into the markets. Friend-turned-co-founder, Ryan Duey quickly onboarded this endeavor, where the trio built and started by building 20 Plunges out of Michael’s garage. Eventually, they opened a factory in Sacramento and are now delivering their units worldwide.
In an interview with Skinny Confidential [1], Ryan shared the following:
“My career has been built around bringing health & wellness services & products to market. Prior to Plunge, I founded a float therapy company located in the Sacramento region of Northern California. I was introduced to cold plunging & utilizing the Wim Hof method when I had a run of constant sickness in 2017. Through the integration of both practices, my immune system strengthened & I was hooked. Fast forward a couple of years & Plunge began from a mission of my co-founder, Mike Garrett & I to create a beautiful, functional cold plunge at a price that was more affordable than what was already out there.”
What does Plunge offer?
Plunge has plenty in store for avid individuals wanting to get started or continue with cold plunging. Below is a brief on the different product offerings currently available.
Cold Plunge
Cold Plunge uses powerful cooling, filtration, and sanitation to give cold, clean water whenever required. For people interested in purchasing a Cold Plunge, it is safe indoors and out and is straightforward to use. In the latter case, individuals are merely required to fill the Plunge with a hose, turn it on, and set the temperature to 39 degrees Fahrenheit. This easily puts ice baths and chest freezers to shame.
If a cold plunge isn’t entirely of interest, there’s also the option to go with the following:
- Cold Plunge Pro: Upgraded chiller for over 5 plunges an hour or rapid cooling
- Hot & Cold Plunge: Transforms the Plunge into a hot tub (103 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Hot & Cold Plunge Pro: Upgraded chiller for over 5 plunges an hour coupled with hot tub settings
Plunge Pro XL
The Plunge Pro XL is 3” taller, 6” longer, and 1.5” wider than the standard Plunge models. This has been done to provide a more spacious tub that’s ideal for taller individuals. All Plunge Pro XLs include a Pro chiller that provides 1HP of cooling power. Like in the standard case, this plunge comes in Cold and Hot & Cold settings for either a cooling or mixture experience.
Commercial Plunge Pro
Commercial Plunge Pro is undoubtedly suitable in a commercial setting. It includes everything found in the Plunge Pro model in conjunction with a more robust pump and commercial warranty. The other model is available in-store in the Commercial Plunge Pro XL.
Supplies & Merch
For maintenance purposes, the team at Plunge has a couple of useful supplies worth having on hand. These include the Residential Maintenance Package (6-month supply), Filters (6-Pack), Carbon Hose Filter, Phone/Tablet Mount, Measuring Teaspoon/Tablespoon, Baqua Spa Surface Cleaner, and from Sirona Spa Care, we have the Sanitizer, Test Strips, Oxidizer, Alkalinity Up and pH Down. As for merchandise, we are looking at anything from clothing to mats, towels, and cups.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What are the dimensions of the Plunge versus the Plunge XL?
A. The dimensions of the Plunge are 67” by 45.75” (including the plumbing system) by 28” in length, whereas the Plunge XL measures 73” by 46.75” (including the plumbing system) by 28” in length.
Q. What’s the difference between Plunge and Plunge Pro?
A. Plunge is a standard model where the water temperature is lowered at a rate of 2 to 3 degrees hourly, while Pro is an advanced model that lowers water temperate at a rate of 10 degrees hourly. Additionally, the standard model holds temperatures in the mid 40’s even in the peak summer heat, whereas the Pro maintains 39 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. For people residing in extremely warm places, the Pro is more suitable.
Q. Is cold plunging the body safe?
A. There are mixed opinions on this matter. One source explained that when the body is submerged in cold water, it goes through a fight or flight response, which in turn floods the bloodstream with norepinephrine. Then, the blood vessels are constricted, bringing warm blood to the core to protect vital organs [2]. Other effects include an increased heart rate and awakening.
That said, a small study that implemented the Wim Hof method (i.e., the widely known cold-water immersion method combining meditation and breathing practices) found that participants may have a better immune response. Specifically, the source explained that trained individuals showed fewer flu-like symptoms than the control group, not to forget the former group’s increased levels of anti-inflammatory mediators.
All things considered, individuals need to be watchful of outlandish claims that haven’t been backed by science. Finally, it is important for novice users to have someone nearby in case of an emergency. On the other hand, first-time users are asked to seek a healthcare professional’s opinion beforehand!
Q. How long will it take to set up Plunge?
A. Setup of the Plunge is described as “plug-and-play.” Individuals are simply asked to place Plunge onto a sturdy surface where a standard GFCI 110V outlet is available. Most of the setup time is devoted to filling the Plunge with water. As per Ryan, the entire process should take 10 to 15 minutes.
Q. How does delivery work?
A. Once a Plunge unit has been purchased, two notifications will be sent out (one via SMS and another via email) to set up an appropriate delivery time window. For the lower 48, the delivery crew will place the order anywhere in the home on the first floor. Should a house have stairs, these details must be mentioned while booking for delivery. As for international orders, each Plunge will be delivered with the box and pallet.
Q. How cold will the water get?
A. It will be lowered to 39 degrees Fahrenheit.
Q. What if I am large, will I fit into Plunge?
A. Yes, body composition has been factored into the Plunge design.
Q. How often does the water inside Plunge need to be changed?
A. Rarely. Each Plunge comes with a robust filtration system that includes UV, Ozone, and a 5-micron filter. So along with the maintenance pack offered, individuals will have access to crystal clear water for 6 months or longer.
Q. Does Plunge come with a cover?
A. Yes, each Plunge comes with an insulated spa cover, which has been equipped with straps with clips that can be locked.
Q. How much power will Plunge use?
A. The amount of power used varies according to the outdoor temperature, direct sunlight, and the set temperature. As a reference, at 72 degrees Fahrenheit and a set temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit, we are looking at 4Kw daily (or equivalently $1).
Q. How long will it take to heat the Plunge?
A. The water heats from 50 degrees Fahrenheit to 103 degrees Fahrenheit in around 12 hours.
Q. How loud is the Plunge?
A. The Plunge’s noise level is roughly measured at 53 decibels, while the Pro model is measured at 61 decibels. In general, the former is a moderate fan sound, whereas the latter is a much stronger fan sound.
Q. Does Plunge come with any warranties?
A. Each purchase includes a one-year factory warranty. However, individuals can add either 3 or 5 years of product protection with Clyde.
Q. Does a refund policy protect all Plunge purchases?
A. A 30-day money-back guarantee protects all Plunge purchases. If, within this allotted period, the Plunge system fails to promote enjoyable cold plunging, customer service should be contacted for a full purchase price refund. Bear in mind that shipping is the customer’s responsibility and the necessary packaging (returned in the right box and pallet). For clarity on the processes, consider the following means of contact:
- Email: info@thecoldplunge.com.
- Address: PLUNGE, 7500 14th Ave. #26, Sacramento, CA 95820
How much does a Plunge cost?
It depends on the model selected. Below is a summary of the prices by model type, along with maintenance and spa care products and merchandise (before applicable shipping and taxes):
- Cold Plunge: $4,990 (or $139 monthly through Klarna)
- Cold Plunge Pro: $5990 (or $167 monthly through Klarna)
- Hot & Cold Plunge: $5,490 (or $153 monthly through Klarna)
- Hot & Cold Plunge Pro: $6,490 (or $181 monthly through Klarna)
- Cold Plunge Pro XL: $6,990 (or $195 monthly through Klarna)
- Hot & Cold Plunge Pro XL: $7,490 (or $209 monthly through Klarna)
- Commercial Plunge Pro: $6,490 (or $181 monthly through Klarna)
- Commercial Plunge Pro XL: $7,490 (or $209 monthly through Klarna)
- Residential Maintenance Package (6-month supply): $190
- Filters (6-Pack): $36
- Carbon Hose Filter: $28
- Phone/Tablet Mount: $39
- Baqua Spa Surface Cleaner & Sirona Spa Care Sanitizer: $36 each
- Sirona Spa Care Test Strips: $25
- Sirona Spa Care Oxidizer, Alkalinity Up, and pH Down: $36 each
- Measuring Teaspoon/Tablespoon: $5
- Merch: $9.20 to $32.33
If paying in full is not feasible, individuals can choose to go with Klarna and Affirm. While Affirm offers 6-, 12-, or 36-month options, Klarna only offers 36 months, but the latter is more willing to offer as low as 0% financing.
Final Verdict
For cold plunging enthusiasts out there, Plunge is a company devoted to making the art an at-home friendly experience without negatively impacting one’s wallet. Our editorial team was quite impressed by the different models available, especially the ones that facilitate both cold plunging and a hot bath and those suitable for commercial settings. The difference between the standard and advanced models rest in the rate at which water cooling or warming occurs. Obviously, the former is much slower than the latter, hence, the clear price differences. How can anyone overlook the energy uses, which appear to be reasonable for average uses?
Regarding safety, it is imperative to understand that although plunging is beneficial, risks are often neglected, especially for people new to the concept. It isn’t as simple as getting into a tub of cold water, and it requires both meditation and breathing practices to be performed. Ultimately, expert users will find Plunge rewarding, whereas novice users will need to have someone nearby to ensure a safe and pleasant experience. From the looks of it, Ryan also follows the Wim Hof method, which might be a good place to start. In the meantime, more information on Plunge can be gathered by visiting here >>>
