Studies show that exposing your body to cold water within the therapeutic temperature range (below 59°F) is beneficial in any form. When cold water contacts your skin, it triggers a number of physiological responses from the body. This exposure to cold water can occur as a bath or as a shower.

Some research suggests that an ice shower may actually be more beneficial than an ice bath. In an ice bath, a thermal layer begins to build around your body due to the stillness of the water. In an ice shower, your body is constantly exposed to a continual flow of cold water. However, we love ice baths too (they're what gave us the idea for Coldtheory™ in the first place!), and we prefer to view Coldtheory™ as a great complement to ice baths – there's a time and a place for both in a healthy wellness routine.

If you'd like to research more online, be careful when searching things like "cold showers vs. ice baths." Note that most studies simply compare ice baths to a cool shower that uses regular, cool tap water. A regular cool shower will not have the same benefits as an ice bath, since the tap water in most American homes can't get cold enough to reach the therapeutic temperature range year-round. However, Coldtheory™ reduces shower temperatures to within the therapeutic temperature range, creating a true "ice shower" comparable in temperature to an ice bath.

The lowest temperature setting on your shower might feel cold already, but chances are, it's still too warm to reach therapeutic levels. In most parts of the US, the coolest tap water ranges between 65° and 75°F for most of the year. Research widely indicates that water temperature must be in the range of 50° to 59°F, or even colder, to deliver the benefits of cold therapy.

It's the same reason that athletes fill their bathtubs with ice or buy expensive chilling equipment: tap water just isn't cold enough by itself.

By infusing your shower stream with ice, Coldtheory™ chills your tap water to within the therapeutic temperature zone.

You bet! Coldtheory™ includes an on/off valve, allowing you to easily bypass the system when it's not in use. Plus, the sleek wall-mounted design takes up minimal space and means you can shower normally without having to remove the system.

The duration of your cold shower depends on the initial temperature of your tap water, which varies depending on where you live and the time of year. In general, a chilled shower will last between 2 to 5 minutes, which is precisely within the recommended time range for a daily cold plunge.

Coldtheory™ includes a built-in flow regulator, which allows you to extend your cold shower duration in warmer months by decreasing the flow rate.

Coldtheory™ simply screws on to your existing shower arm and mounts to your shower wall with suction cups. The system comes with everything you need for installation. Installation can be done in less than 5 minutes with just one person.

For showers with unevenly textured walls or many grout lines, each order also includes removable, reusable adhesive pads to mount the suction cups to any surface.

Coldtheory™ comes with everything you need to transform your shower into an ice plunge, including:

• Cooling chamber with suction cup mounting
• Ice maker
• Bypass switch valve
• Connection hoses
• BONUS Chill Extender ice rod molds
• BONUS easy-load ice funnel
• BONUS reusable adhesive pads for mounting on showers with textured walls

Nope! Coldtheory™ uses significantly less water and less ice than a traditional ice bath. All the ice you'll need is provided by the included ice maker, which comes with every order.

The Coldtheory™ system does not use any electricity. Simply use your existing freezer to freeze the Ice Pods using the included molds.

Ice plunging has long been recognized as a safe, effective activity for healthy adults. Always follow the proper usage and safety instructions. Speak with your healthcare provider before use, especially if you have preexisting health conditions that may be aggravated by cold water exposure, including respiratory or heart conditions. Coldtheory™ is not a medical device and is not intended to treat or diagnose any condition.

Coldtheory™ is U.S. Patent Pending.

We're proud that Coldtheory™ is assembled and packaged in the USA, all in our facility in Richmond, Virginia. The main body of the device, its lid, and its connection pieces are also manufactured in the USA. Some other components are sourced from international suppliers. All sourcing is carefully vetted to meet our high standards of quality.