$30K Cold plunge pools are the trendiest new home amenity

Would you pay $30,000 for an ICE BATH? How cold plunge pools plugged by Lizzo and Gwyneth Paltrow became the trendiest new home amenity – and experts say it could help sell your property more quickly

• Cold plunge pools have been plugged by Gwyneth Paltrow and Lizzo 
• Designers say demand for in-home ice baths has increased 10 times since 2019 
• And realtors say they could help to sell your property more quickly  

Households are splurging tens of thousands of dollars on ice baths as experts say they have become the trendiest home amenity among the super-wealthy.

So-called ‘cold plunge pools’ are filled with water below 59 degrees Fahrenheit and have been plugged by everybody from Lizzo to Gwyneth Paltrow for their apparent health benefits. 

Colorado pool manufacturer Diamond Spas and Pools told the Wall Street Journal that orders for its ice baths have increased 10 times since 2019. 

Costs hover around $20-$30,000 depending on the model – though some custom-made designs can be as expensive as $65,000. 

Cold water exposure has exploded in popularity in recent years as an anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory cure-all.

I have an ice bath at home in Los Angeles 🧊💙🥶

Cold water exposure has exploded in popularity in recent years as an anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory cure-all. A host of celebrities and TikTok stars have purported the value of ice baths

It forms part of a ‘bio-hacking’ movement where people try to achieve perfect health through lifestyle fads such as fasting, plant-based diets and red-light therapy. 

Those who engage with it claim it has reduced their anxiety, alleviated muscle pain and boosted energy and focus.

The shock of the cold water is said to trigger the release of stress hormones such as noradrenaline and cortisol. It is also believed to activate the parasympathetic branch of your nervous system which helps the body to relax following a stressful event.

However the science remains under-researched and it has also been linked to adverse effects such as hypothermia and cardiac stress. 

The trend has become so popular that developers are adding cold plunge pools to luxury complexes.

In New York, the luxurious condominium One Manhattan Square boasts an ice bath in its amenities.

Rent on a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in the block costs $6,918 a month or – $1.2 million to buy. 

And realtors say investing in a pool for your property can help it stand out in a competitive landscape – though you’re unlikely to make all your money back.

Last week it was reported that the US property market in the midst of an unprecedented cooldown, with some homes in some areas selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars less than they did last year.

Licensed realtor Adie Kriegstein, who founded Compass in New York, told Dailymail.com: ‘We’re in a pendulum market right now which is shifting in favor of buyers. 

‘Having something like a cold plunge pool will definitely help your house stand out – people go crazy for stuff like this now.

Manufacturer Odin sells a cold plunge pool, pictured, for up to $13,500

Realtors say adding one to your home can help it to stand out in a competitive market 

The BlueCube Malibu 56 Cold Plunge costs as much as $28,999.99

‘It’s hard to say how much money it will actually add to your property – you’re unlikely to get the full cost of the pool added onto your home but it will get attention for sure.’

Homeowner Stephen Garten, from Austin, Texas, said he spent $19,000 on a pool from manufacturer Blue Cube. The firm offers units up to $29,000. 

The 37-year-old told the WSJ: ‘It’s brutal. It’s a real challenge every day.

‘Cold plunging has made a profound difference in my life.’

Meanwhile Mitch Martinek, design manager at Diamond Spas and Pools, said the demand for ice pools had shot up following the pandemic which made households more concerned about their health and wellness. 

‘Our cold plunge projects have increased 10 times since then,’ he told the WSJ.

The pools chill water to between 40 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. They are made from stainless steel or copper and can sit indoors or outdoors. 

On average, the company charges $45,000 to install a cold plunge pool costs $45,000 – but can go up to $65,000. 

The units are often more expensive depending on the size, material and add-ons offered with them including extra lighting, built-in infiltration and UV sanitation systems.

Prices will also vary depending on whether a homeowner wants to install one or just buy a free-standing bath.

Gwyneth Paltrow previously revealed she has a cold plunger in her at-home spa, pictured

On average they cost between $300 to $400 to maintain each year which covers the cost of chlorine and balancing agents, according to manufacturer Renu Therapy.

Other manufacturers include Odin which charges up to $13,000 for its cedar ice bath. 

Its online description reads: ‘A true ice bath capable of reaching 32ºF (0ºC), the Odin is capable of producing ice when left on at low temps. 

‘Equipped with a filtration system that uses an ozone generator to sanitise and a pleated sediment filter to clean and keep the water crystal clear.’

Households can also buy portable, folding tubs they fill themselves for as little as $50 on Amazon.

Back in September, Lizzo filmed herself getting into an ice bath in a cream two-piece.

She wrote: ‘It’s so cold I’m numb but it helps my inflammation. My body feels better.’

And Gwyneth Paltrow also revealed last year she has a cold plunge pool in her at-home spa which she shares with her husband Brad Falchuk.

She said at the time: ‘Brad is an obsessive cold plunger.’ 

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