Ice baths used to be the domain of pro athletes and Scandinavian saunas. Now Harry Styles<\/strong> <\/a>is taking daily dips at Dublin\u2019s Vico Baths, Lady Gaga<\/strong><\/a> is timing her post-show recovery to the minute and LeBron James<\/strong><\/a> is starting game days submerged in freezing water. The cold plunge has crossed over from elite recovery tool to mainstream wellness habit \u2014 and doctors are split on whether the hype matches the science.<\/p>\n Here is what to know about the trend, who is doing it and what cardiologists want you to consider before you climb in.<\/p>\n A cold plunge involves submerging the body in cold water \u2014 often neck-deep \u2014 for short periods. People do it in plunge pools, natural lakes and oceans, or as part of spa and hotel wellness circuits. The practice is now common at gyms, resorts and hotels across the United States, with some followers preferring structured spa setups and others heading outdoors.<\/p>\n Many enthusiasts also reference Wim Hof<\/strong>, known as \u201cThe Iceman,\u201d whose method combines breath work with cold exposure.<\/p>\n Supporters point to benefits like reduced stress, better sleep, faster recovery and stronger immunity, with claims often tied to cardiovascular health and nervous system regulation.<\/p>\n Dr. Marcus Coplin<\/strong>, a naturopathic medical doctor and medical director for The Springs Resort, told Vogue<\/a>, \u201cCold water plunging is like an exercise system for the circulatory, hormonal, nervous, and immune system all at once.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cRecently, I\u2019ve seen a major uptick in the amount of people who want to take a cold water plunge as part of their self-directed health and well-being practice.\u201d<\/p>\n Harry Styles<\/strong> swims outdoors daily and uses ice baths for post-show recovery. \u201cI feel like people who have discovered cold water swimming are just so happy for you that you\u2019ve also found it,\u201d he told Better Homes & Gardens<\/a> in 2022. \u201cThat\u2019s the thing with a swim \u2014 it\u2019s the one thing you never regret.\u201d<\/p>\n LeBron James<\/strong> opened up about his strict recovery routine in Netflix\u2019s docuseries Starting 5<\/em>. On game days, the 39-year-old is up at 6:30 a.m. and starts with a cold plunge before warming up on the court.<\/p>\n Lady Gaga<\/strong> uses ice baths to help manage chronic pain from fibromyalgia. In 2019, she shared her post-show routine on Instagram: \u201cIce bath for 5-10 [minutes], hot bath for 20,\u201d followed by a compression suit packed with ice packs for another 20 minutes.<\/p>\n Hugh Jackman<\/strong> regularly posts polar plunges and tried cryotherapy<\/a> in 2017, spending minutes in a chamber where temperatures can drop as low as minus 218 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n Kelly Clarkson<\/strong> told People<\/em><\/a> in 2024 that walking around New York City sparked her fitness journey. \u201cAnd I just got a cold plunge because everybody wore me down.\u201d<\/p>\n David Beckham<\/strong> shared his ice bath routine in a 2024 Instagram reel<\/a>, part of a recovery practice he has used since his playing days.<\/p>\n Gwyneth Paltrow<\/strong> keeps a cold plunge in her home spa room alongside a hot tub and sauna, calling it \u201cexcellent in circulation.<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n Chris Hemsworth<\/strong> has endured Arctic swims for his \u201cLimitless\u201d series, calling cold immersion \u201cone of the hardest things\u201d he has ever done.<\/p>\n Medical experts caution that evidence for some of the bigger health claims remains limited. Dr. Prashant Rao<\/strong>, a sports cardiologist at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, told Harvard Health Publishing<\/a> the practice is not the best fit for most people.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m pretty cautious about recommending cold-water therapy, especially because the reasons for doing it can be much better served with other interventions, such as exercise,\u201d he said.<\/p>\nWhy Cold Plunging Is Having a Moment<\/h2>\n
Which Celebrities Cold Plunge Regularly<\/h2>\n
What Doctors Say About the Risks<\/h2>\n
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