The therapeutic benefits of cold water immersion (CWI) are well-documented. According to a systematic review of previous studies, cold plunging may provide relief from pain, inflammation, and stress.
Further evidence suggests the practice might support cardiovascular health, promote restful sleep, and boost immunity. Other notable benefits include stimulating creatine kinase synthesis, improving mental alertness, and activating fat browning.
CWI’s ability to improve physical and mental well-being explains its popularity with athletes and fitness buffs. If properly undertaken, the therapy can accelerate post-workout muscle recovery and minimize downtime.
However, you require the right accessories to unlock the therapeutic benefits of cold water therapy. One such component is a chiller.
In this post, we unveil what a chiller is and its role in cold water immersion.
What Is A Chiller?
A chiller, more aptly called a cold plunge chiller, is a piece of equipment designed to cool the water ahead of your cold plunge therapy. It’s perhaps the most indispensable accessory in modern cold plunge systems.
But a chiller doesn’t just precool cold plunge water. It also works in the background to maintain the ideal water temperature, ensuring uninterrupted cryotherapy sessions.
A cold plunge chiller is a step up from traditional cold plunges that solely rely on adding ice. The device functions like an air conditioner, monitoring fluctuations in your cold plunge’s temperature and responding appropriately.
How Does A Chiller Work?
A chiller works in harmony with other cold plunge accessories.
First, a water pump obtains water from your cold plunge tub and directs it to the chiller through special hoses. The chiller’s internal components include a refrigeration system.
Inside the device, a refrigerant absorbs heat from the water and cools it down to a preset temperature. The chiller releases the cool water back into the cold plunge tub to maintain the tub’s desired temperature.
After pumping water back to the tub, the heated refrigerant undergoes systematic compression and cooling. It then passes via a heat exchanger inside the chiller, where the heat escapes into the surroundings.
The refrigerant is now chilled and ready for the next round of cooling.
Note that this cycle continues throughout your cryotherapy session.
What’s The Role of a Chiller in Enhancing Performance and Recovery?
1. Helps Achieve Desired Water Temperature
This is arguably the most compelling reason to invest in a cold plunge chiller. To be termed “cold water therapy,” the water must be chilled down to specific temperatures.
Many consider 50-65°F (10-18°C) as the optimal temperature for cold water immersion. Beginners may start with warmer temperatures of 55-65°F, while seasoned plungers can safely experiment with chillier conditions of 40-50°F.
A chiller cools down your cold plunge to the desired temperature.
2. Maintains Ideal Temperature
Chillers don’t only make your cold plunge chillier. They can also maintain a constant temperature throughout the session, allowing you to focus on the treatment.
Simply preset the device as required.
By maintaining the optimal temperature range, chillers make it super easy to track your recovery progress. You can quickly gauge the efficacy of the current settings and adjust as required.
3. Accelerates Recovery
You can somewhat enjoy all the therapeutic benefits of cold water immersion using traditional cold plunges, which require constant ice addition. But for accelerated healing, consider chiller-integrated cold plunges.
A chiller expedites post-workout recovery by providing an uninterrupted cold water therapy. Whether it’s soothing muscle soreness or alleviating stress, you can experience the effects sooner than if you were using traditional ice baths.
4. Different Settings for Targeted Recovery
Every plunger is unique. While some can tolerate near-frigid conditions, others are more comfortable with warmer water.
Fortunately, cold water chillers come equipped with different temperature settings. You can tailor the device to your specifications, improving the therapy’s efficacy while minimizing safety issues like cold shocks.
5. Enhances Your Safety
The integration of multiple temperature settings is one way cold plunge chillers improve your safety. As mentioned, you can implement settings that minimize the risks of cold shock and hypothermia.
Besides, using a chiller means you can remain still throughout the therapy session. This reduces any injuries you could suffer during those multiple ice pack-fetching trips.
6. Saves Time
Let’s face it – cold water therapy is initially an uncomfortable experience for most people. Therefore, you want to get in there, sit tight for those few seconds/minutes, and then climb out of the plunge with minimal drama.
Chillers provide a hands-off approach to maintaining your cold plunge’s water temperature. The devices eliminate the inconveniences of fetching additional ice, which saves you time while improving the therapy’s overall efficacy.
7. Easy to Transport
Cold water immersions used to be a preserve of high-end spas. Not anymore!
With modern systems, you can enjoy cryotherapy benefits wherever you please. Most chillers are quite portable, making them effective at home, in the workplace, and even while camping. The appliances are particularly resourceful if you’re traveling with an inflatable ice bath tub.
8. Highly Versatile
Modern cold plunge chillers are compatible with different plunge tubs. Therefore, you can replace an irreparably damaged chiller without overhauling your entire cold plunge system.
9. Saves You Energy
The fears of racking up high monthly energy bills can dissuade many plungers from unlocking the full benefits of cold water immersion. Since chillers are powered devices, it’s understandable why some people may settle for the traditional ice packs.
However, chillers are surprisingly energy efficient. Besides, using a chiller reduces the energy required for mass ice production. It also minimizes the physical exertion associated with constantly fetching ice packs.
The Bottom Line
Since a chiller plays the biggest role in cold water therapy, you must exercise due diligence while shopping for it.
Choose a chiller that offers unparalleled cooling capabilities. Some high-end models can cool your water down to 37°F and warm it to 107.6°F, making them excellent for diverse users.
For enhanced durability, select a chiller designed with industrial-grade, weather-resistant components.
The provision of dual-stage filtration and ozone sanitization is a critical factor, too. Both mechanisms improve a chiller’s performance while letting you enjoy your treatment in clean and safe water.
Don’t forget convenience features like Wi-Fi-enabled controls and LED displays.
