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October 6, 2025 โ€ข 38 mins

Do cold plunges really work or are they just another wellness trend? This trend has taken the internet by storm but what does science actually say?

In this episode, Michael dives deep into the research on cold plunges. We explore their history, the benefits (and myths) around recovery, inflammation, mood, sleep, and fat loss and where the evidence is still shaky. You will learn what cold plunges actually do for your body and whatโ€™s just clever marketing.

So if you are curious about trying cold plunges or if you are an athlete wondering if ice baths really help, this science-backed episode about cold water immersion is for you.

๐ŸŽ—๏ธ Timestamps:
05:52 Introduction to Cold Plunges
09:53 History of Cold Water Therapy
13:13 Cold Plunge Claims Vs. Research and Lack of Research Diversity
16:36 Do Cold Plunges Help Muscle Recovery?
20:22 Cold Plunges And Athletic Performance
23:30 Cold Plunges For Inflammation & Immunity
25:54 Can Cold Plunges Support Fat Loss?
29:35 Cold Plunges For Mental Health & Mood
30:36 Do Cold Plunges Improve Sleep?
36:00 Do Men And Women Respond Differently To Cold Plunges?
37:24 Final Thoughts & Takeaways

๐Ÿ“’ Resources Mentioned:
๐Ÿ“„
Sex difference in cold perception and shivering onset upon gradual cold exposure
๐Ÿ“„ Cold water immersion impact on muscle and strength gains:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33146851/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4594298/?utm
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11235606/?utm
๐Ÿ“„ Cold water immersion impact on brown fat:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35837014/
๐Ÿ“„ Cold water immersion on mood:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11778651/

๐Ÿ’› STAY CONNECTED
Donโ€™t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an episode.

๐ŸŸก How to: Fitness
Instagram: @howtofitnesspod

๐ŸŸก Michael Ulloa
Website: michaelulloa.com
Instagram: @michaelulloapt

๐ŸŸก Kate Lyman
Website: katelymannutrition.com
Instagram: @klnutrition

Thank you for listening to the How to: Fitness Podcast with Michael Ulloa and Kate Lyman!

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