On a chilly Saturday morning in Houston, you may not be thinking about jumping in the pool. The average temperature of surface water in January is about 58 degrees. Is that too cold? NO! Celebrities and star athletes use cold water therapy in their physical training programs. By rapidly cooling the body, blood circulation is stimulated, pours are closed and detoxified. Cold plunge pools also numb the joints and are effective in reducing pain and relieving muscle spasms. Medical experts suggest at least 59 degrees for a stimulating cold plunge but no colder than 50 degrees. Spend 10 to 15 minutes in the water and immerse your whole body. Ease into the water feet first and ease out. JJ Watt swears by a deep massage and a cold plunge after a Texans game. Houston gymnast Simone Biles prefers heat but uses cold water therapy, too. And, a singer you might be familiar with takes a cold plunge almost every day.
Justin Bieber has been photographed many times in cold water and takes a cold plunge almost every day. He’s featured here in the icy waters in Canada.
How To Begin
- Experts recommend water temperatures between 50 and 59 degrees. 40 degrees is painfully cold.
- Don’t spend more than 15 minutes in the water.
- Ease in the water feet first. Then, ease out.
- Beware of hypothermia in water below 49 degrees. Don’t let your body temperature drop too low.
What do you think?
Do you swim in the winter? How cold is too cold for you? Do you recommend an occasional cold plunge? Let us know in the reply box below.