Cold Therapy at Home: Exploring The Ice Pod's Benefits and Features
The Ice Pod 2.0
Cryotherapy, also known as cold baths, cold dunks, cold exposure, and freezing your butt off, is good for you. Research has shown that it improves mood, and glucose metabolism, decreases the risk of cardiometabolic disease, and even improves your immune system. Cold therapy is just one of many types of hormesis where your body is acutely exposed to a stressor for a short period of time for science-based health purposes.
I've known this for a long time and wrote an article about it in the past, but my cold water exposure was limited to ending my showers with as-cold-as-possible water for the final few minutes each night. I considered DIY cold tubs and even perused tubs, pods, and pools for options I could buy but I never pulled the trigger--and thank God. The long game paid off when I finally found The Cold Pod made by The Pod Company.
Today I'll review The Cold Pod 2.0 and break down the pros, the cons, my experience with cold water immersion, and whether it's a worthwhile vessel to get you shivering.
The Ice Pod Pro (2.0)
Durability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Performance & Function: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Price: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Overall: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
The Bottom Line
The Ice Pod 2.0 by The Pod Company proves to be a game-changer for those looking for the benefits of cold water therapy without breaking the bank. It’s great for ice bath rookies to veterans who want portability and something that won’t take up any more space than is needed. The ease of assembly and effectiveness in getting cold without the frills deliver the desired cold therapy experience to make it a worthy investment. The option to extend the warranty and a 100% satisfaction guarantee add to its appeal.
For those with the financial means and a preference for high-end, stationary cold pods, The Ice Pod 2.0 is not for you.
The bottom line is that The Ice Pod Pro (2.0) is a simple, affordable, and efficient way to get the health benefits of cold water therapy.
The Ice Pod Pro (2.0)
From The Manufacturer
"Introducing the ultimate portable & affordable ice bath, simply designed to enjoy cold water therapy anywhere. Experience a natural high feeling like no other & get all the amazing health benefits, without the need for a chest freezer, or spending 1000's on a custom ice bath. The Ice Pod is for indoor & outdoor use, Insulated and fits 1 person (person up to 6ft7 or 205 cm).
What are the benefits of cold water therapy?
❆ Boost the immune system
❆ Improve blood circulation.
❆ Better deep sleep.
❆ Boost energy & elevate mood
❆ Prevent/help depression
❆ Reduce inflammation.
❆ Reduce muscle soreness
❆ Improve metabolic function.
❆ Improve mood.
❆ Reduce chronic pain
❆ Practice discipline & resilience"
Selling Points
Affordable. There are a lot of ice baths out there but there aren't any worthwhile that are as cheap as The Ice Pod. Many cost upwards of $1,000 with more expensive ones being multiples of that (The Plunge, for example, is $5k while The Nordic Wave Viking is $6k). The Ice Pod comes in at a price barely above $100.
Portable. The Ice Pod weighs only 7 pounds and it folds up nicely. While you may not be transporting this too often, I've found that it's already been good for moving from outdoors to indoors (during a big storm). I’m looking forward to bringing it to my parents to do a contrast bath with their hot tub as well.
Simple assembly. I had it up and running within 10 minutes, including inflating the rim of the pod as well as the over (pump included).
Made of BPA and phthalate-free lining.
Made of UV-resistant lining. This lets you use it indoors or outdoors and even in below-freezing temperatures.
Comes with a cover lid. The lid is technically more like a water cover. It is big enough to cover the water but not the entire top of the pod. It’s proven helpful in preventing leaves and twigs from infiltrating the water.
Easy draining. It comes with a valve and a small but extendable hose for easy draining.
Comes with an extendable warranty. Right out of the box, you get 6 months of a full manufacturer’s warranty which you can extend to 2 years when you're checking out.
100% satisfaction guarantee. Not satisfied in the first 100 days? Send it back.
Accessories. You can buy a bunch of accessories that seem extravagant (neck pillows, LED night, etc.) but the one that is on my list is what they call The Water Chiller. As The Pod Company describes, "It measures just 12x12x13in (29x29x32cm), weighs 40lbs (18kg) and brings your water down to a refreshing 39°F (4°C) in no time." The X-factor is the price at $999 for the 280-watt one and $1,499 for the 500-watt.
Drawbacks
No storage container is included.
Can only fit one person in at a time. While the average length of stay in these things is sub 10 minutes, this proves to be a moot point but it would be nice to suffer together with someone.
Idea proposal for The Pod Company: Make The Ice Pod Buddy, a multi-person version with a timer in the middle to challenge one another.
The cover on top covers only the water and not the entire top of The Ice Pod. This proves not to be a huge deal since it works to keep debris out and keeps the water cold but it would be nice if it was larger.
Who Do I Recommend It For?
The Ice Pod:
Anyone who wants to go all-in on cryotherapy without spending too much.
Those with limited space
Anyone who wants to upgrade from shower cold soaks.
Those who don’t want an expensive or permanent bold bath fixture at their house.
Nomads who want a portable cryotherapy option.
Cryotherapy:
Those who want to strengthen their immune system (when going into flu season for example).
Chronic Pain Sufferers: Those with chronic conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia
Migraine and Headache Sufferers: Cold therapy has been shown to provide relief
Acute Anxiety Management: Getting cold water on your body is a great hack to acutely shock you out of your own head. At the very least throw your head into the cold water next time you’re feeling panicky or anxious.
Low Mood Or Depression: One study found that when “adults diagnosed with depression underwent ten cryotherapy sessions, they showed marked reductions in depressive symptoms and improved quality of life, mood, and disease acceptance, suggesting that whole-body cryotherapy benefits mental well-being and quality of life.”
Injury Recovery: Got an injury that won’t go away? Add this to your injury recovery protocol.
Workout recovery: Research has shown that post-workout ice baths for endurance athletes are beneficial while the cold immersion immediately after a strength-based workout actually blunts the effects. Still do it, just not immediately afterward if you’re looking for hypertrophy.
Fat loss: Cryotherapy has been shown to activate the brown adipose tissue. While this is true, it won’t let you shed significant weight. Consider this a supplement to other lifestyle modifications.
General Wellness: Anyone interested in improving overall well-being can incorporate cold therapy into their self-care routine to improve circulation, reduce stress, and enhance their overall health.
Tips
Don't forget the towel! Big regret on my first time in.
Add raw sea salt, Epsom salt, or hydrogen peroxide to the water so that you don’t have to drain it. This lets the water stay in there for 2-4 weeks. Otherwise, you’ll need to change the water every 3-5 sessions to disinfect it.
Consider where you’ll be draining the water. It fits 79 gallons so make sure you’ve got a place for the water to go (with the drain valve near that point) before putting the water in.
Do breathwork while you’re in the water to last longer. My favorite technique is box breathing but experiment with a variety of breathwork techniques.
Get a floating thermometer to keep in there.
Specifications/Features
Diameter: 32 inches (80cm)
Height: 29 inches (72cm)
Weight: 7 lb (3 kg)
Capacity: 79 gal (300L)
Suitable for heights up to 6′9 foot (2.1m) and fits people weighing up to 250-300lbs (115kg-135kg) comfortably.
The Difference Between The Ice Pod Standard And The Ice Pod Pro (2.0)
While The Ice Pod Standard and Ice Pod Pro (2.0) are both portable ice baths designed for cold water therapy, the main difference between the two models is the amount of insulation. The Ice Pod 2.0 has double the insulation of the Ice Pod Standard, which means that it can keep your ice bath cold for longer. It is also made of slightly better materials and comes with a few additional features, such as a floating thermometer and insulated lid.
Which Ice Pod is right for you depends on your individual needs and budget. If you are new to cold water therapy or only plan on using your ice bath occasionally, the Ice Pod Standard is a good option. It is more affordable and still provides many of the benefits of cold water therapy. However, if you live in a warm climate, plan on using your ice bath frequently, or have a lot of people using it, the Ice Pod 2.0 is a better choice.
There's also an option for a PRO bundle which includes an insulated lid, thermometer, and extended 1-year warranty.
My Experience
I’ve been meaning to get some sort of tool to get me cold for years. I’ve wanted to take advantage of the benefits of cryotherapy in a more all-in approach than my cold showers. I considered making one of the millions of DIY versions but when I looked into each one further, they proved not to be worthwhile. The freezer chest gets grimy, is an electrocution risk, and doesn’t always have a drain. The hard trashcan tubs seem difficult to get in and uncomfortable to sit in, and anything between them is questionable at best. I would love to get a permanent ice tub but they’re prohibitively expensive and I don’t want to have to deal with the maintenance. The Ice Pod is a perfect compromise.
The box it came in was smaller than I expected but as soon as I pulled everything out the setup was intuitive and quick (less than 10 minutes including inflating time). What took the longest was actually filling it up with my hose. Twenty pounds of ice later I was in The Ice Pod up to my chin.
The ice-buying part is annoying for now but I’ve added hydrogen peroxide and Epsom salt (as recommended) to allow it to sit outside and get naturally cold as we go into these shorter days. By the time spring and summer roll around I’ll consider buying the Water Chiller so that getting it cold is quick and seamless.
On a side note, my kids love playing with it. They’re 4 and a year and a half so we stay close to them when they’re near it but they really just take the top off, flick water at one another, and then move on to something else. My son keeps asking to get in it but we’ll save that for the warmer days of summer when it might have a dual function.
The Final Verdict: Is The Ice Pod Worth It?
If you're just dipping your toes into the world of ice baths or don't plan on using them daily, The Ice Pod 2.0 is an excellent choice to begin with. Plus, if you're someone on the move who needs portability, this purchase is a no-brainer.
Conversely, if you have the financial means to invest in a stationary cold pod worth thousands, The Ice Pod 2.0 may not meet your needs. The consensus from online reviews and many user experiences echoes my sentiment: it's a valuable tool that consistently delivers rapid cold therapy.
*Use my link above to get $10 off too.
FAQ
How portable is The Ice Pod?
It weighs only 7 pounds and folds up easily, making it convenient to transport and store.
Can I use The Ice Pod outdoors in winter?
Yes. The Ice Pod is UV-resistant and can handle freezing temperatures.
What happens if I accidentally puncture it?
The Pod Company offers repair kits, but extensive damage might require a replacement.
How long does the warranty last?
The standard warranty is 6 months, but you can extend it to 2 years at checkout.
How does the Ice Pod compare to other portable ice bath options?
It's generally more affordable, lighter, and easier to assemble than many competitors.
How do I clean the Ice Pod?
Empty the water, wipe it down with a damp cloth and mild soap, then air dry completely before storing. For deeper cleaning, you can use a diluted bleach solution.
How often should I clean it?
After every use, especially if you don't add salt or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the water.
Can I leave water in it for a long time?
Adding salt or hydrogen peroxide will allow you to keep the water in the Ice Pod for 2-4 weeks. Otherwise, drain and clean it every 3-5 sessions to prevent bacteria growth.
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