In the recent period, unfortunately several ice bath tub and cooling unit type products of uncontrolled quality appeared on the European market, so we would like to draw the attention to the possible risks they may possess. Read the article and make a thoughtful decision if you are considering purchasing an ice bath system!

Encouraged by the success of iCoolsport, which has been stable for 20 years and is constantly developing, start-up companies are trying to break into the market. Although they understandably see a great opportunity in the field of the increasingly popular cold therapy, in reality they can cause a lot of problems for customers due to their lack of preparation and quality control.

Various business statistics show that 4 out of 5 of these companies go bankrupt within 2 years, so it is not possible to guarantee repairs and replacements when needed. These companies often only sell 1-2 products, in the vast majority of cases they do not even come close to the expected level. These are anonymous products of not reliable quality, which the manufacturer puts a logo on according to the wishes of the distributor, so that it looks like it’s their own product. Therefore, we warn everyone against getting their ice tub or cooling unit from such places, because such a decision can have many disadvantages in the long run.

Suspiciously cheap inflatable ice tubs are weak imitations of those manufactured by iCoolsport, which have already proven themselves in many world competitions. In many cases, the cooling units of the mentioned manufacturers are not designed for this purpose, they are more like an aquarium or beverage cooler, and their performance is far below the cooling units of iCoolsport. Most of them have a cooling power of less than 1000 watts, while in the case of the iCoolsport, even the smallest model boasts five times that, 5000 watts. So it is not daring to say  that these anonymously rolled off the production line and then branded as desired products are far behind what iCoolsport offers in terms of both technology and efficiency.

Of particular concern is the fact that such “ice bath” companies often deceive customers, because in addition to often exaggerating on their website, many of them are not even licensed by NPHMOS (The National Public Health and Medical Officer Service). Regarding the lifespan of the products, it is also worrisome that the distributors cannot provide a service background, and their only response to product defects is to point the customer to an aquaristic company, where they might be able to help.

Naturally, iCoolsport’s parent company takes decisive action against the operators of these websites. Customer deception exhausts certain elements of PTK (Civil Code) and BTK (Criminal Code), and iCoolsport is not afraid to stand up for the interests of customers, because a regeneration product without NPHMOS (The National Public Health and Medical Officer Service) permits can even have harmful effects towards someone’s health.

The name of the iCoolsport brand is now synonymous with ice baths, cold therapy, home regeneration and supporting the performance of elite athletes. As competitors know exactly who they can trust, iCoolsport has been the official supplier of the world’s most important sporting events for almost 20 years, so it is possible that you have already come across the name in sports broadcasts. Team pools and special high-performance cooling units of the Turbo and Team Recovery series can be found in hundreds of stadiums and sports clubs, and more than 10,000 of the widely known and liked Compact cooling units are already helping the regeneration of our customers in every part of the world.

We are proud of the fact that our company, founded in 2010 – as the official distributor of iCoolsport – has a very large product range in the sector and even has a European service background.

All iCoolsport products of our company have an official NPHMOS (The National Public Health and Medical Officer Service) license, so it can be verified what and to what extent can possibly dissolve from the ice tubs. Since we work with electricity and water, it is also essential, but worth highlighting, that all iCoolsport cooling and cooling-heating units have CE certification and an MSDS (Materials Safety Data Sheet) material safety certificate. Of course, these products have received permits and certificates without any problems so far, which can help anyone to be convinced that iCoolsport’s products can really serve people’s healthy regeneration. Let us remind you again not to buy from companies that cannot provide the listed certificates.

Make a thoughtful decision, and if you have any further questions, feel free to contact us, we will be happy to help you choose!

There are usually two options that come to mind when thinking of cold therapy: One is a cryochamber, the other one is an ice bath tub. But what is the difference? Which one should we choose? We’re here to help!

We emphasize the numerous benefits of cold therapy in our articles. It is very useful for competitive sports, but can also play an important role in the life of hobby sportsmen and sportswomen. You may also benefit from it if looking for mental balance, want to support your skin health more, would like to lose weight efficiently, or just simply would like to pamper your muscles after the load of everyday activities.

But once getting to the point to actually try one of the forms of cold therapy, which one is it best to choose? First, we have to define what exactly cryotherapy is.

What does cryotherapy mean?

Cryotherapy basically means spending a couple of minutes in a chamber at low temperatures. We can state it without any exaggeration that this temperature is rather low, as we’re talking about minus 85-100 degrees Celsius. This temperature can be reached by the use of liquid nitrogen, which turns the chamber’s air very cold and dry. You should not spend more than 3-4 minutes in the chamber, and although there are many benefits of using it, building a cryochamber filled with liquid nitrogen is not the first thing that pops to our minds while renovating our home, as it is also quite costly.

What are the benefits of cryotherapy?

The benefits of cryotherapy and cold water immersion in ice bath tubs are quite similar, as both offer the same:

• Supporting your immune system
• Improving your blood circulation
• Supporting your mental health
• Benefitting your skin health
• Reducing pain and swellings
• Boosting your energy

So what is the real difference between cryotherapy and cold water immersion?

While cryotherapy is about spending a short time in a cold chamber, cold water immersion is about staying in water of around 4 degrees Celsius, while maintaining the right breathing technique.

Moreover, ice bath tubs, especially those equipped with professional cooling units, have the advantage of lowering the temperatures gradually, in the case of beginners, for example. Nothing prevents you from starting at a higher temperature, and getting used to cooler water temperatures gradually.

Another advantage of cold water immersion is that water actually touches your skin, which means losing more heat. Don’t think that it appears as a bigger challenge than using a cryochamber, as getting used to immersing gradually, ice bath tubs can be a great tool to keep or restore your mental and physical health.

If you have ever researched cold therapy, you must know that it is a bit easier to do cold water immersion at home than using a cryochamber. There are inflatable, thus easily portable, yet stable ice bath tubs, which you can set up in your garden or even on your balcony. It is most useful for competitive sports, as packed up, one can easily take them to competitions, races or to training camps.

You might feel that investing in an ice bath tub and a cooling unit is not worth it solely for the reason of cold therapy, but let us tempt you with one more thing: There are also cooling units which can heat up the water as well! Think about it: How amazing would it be to mix your recovery goals and wellness-relaxation time with the help of your very own ice bath tub equipped with a cooling-heating unit!

If you’d like to learn more about ice bath tubs, or had any further questions, do not hesitate to contact us. And to read more about ice bath tubs and cold water immersion, scroll through our further articles.

You’ve heard about cryotherapy and ice bath tubs, but have never tried ice bathing? You would like to give your muscles an icy treat or do something against the negative effects of stress and to become more balanced? Read out article on what you need to know before your first ice dive.

Ice bathing is getting more and more popular for a reason, as it has plenty of advantages. It is widely known that professional athletes often take an ice bath to relax their muscles after hard trainings, games or competitions. Today, however, this amazing therapy is also available for everyday people as well, as swimming halls, gyms and wellness centers have all begun supporting their customers with this high-quality service. And the cherry on top is that you can even get your very own ice bath tub, or surprise yourself with a mobile ice bath, if you wish.

What is an ice bath?

An ice bath, also known as cold water diving, is a type of cryotherapy. Its main idea is that people sit or lie in a bath tub full with water cooled down to a proper temperature for a given time after a considerable physical activity, or to balance their mental state.

Numerous studies have examined and proven the physical and mental benefits of ice bathing, and it is no coincidence that the football legend Cristiano Ronaldo also uses this method, and so does Madonna to support herself for her outstanding on-stage performances.

But what are the actual benefits for which professional athletes and entertainers choose the ice bathing method?

You may have wondered about this as well, so let us list the things your body and mind experience after an ice bath session:

• It relaxes you aching muscles after a hard training
• It decreases swelling and inflammation
• It cools down your body
• It potentially improves your performance
• It supports weight loss
• It strengthens your immune system
• It helps you improve your sleeping quality
• It helps you find your mental balance
• It helps you handle stress

Reading the wide scale of benefits might have gotten you in the mood for a dive, right? But of course, before your first jump, let us tell you about what you will experience at your first ice bathing session.

How to prepare for your first ice dive

Ice bath tubs are, of course, no places for somersaults. Keeping it gradual is very important, and you should also know what you need to do before getting in and after coming out of the tub.

First, have a towel and dry clothing ready next to the tub, so you can get dressed fast after the session.

You can prepare yourself for your first ice dive by learning the right breathing rhythm before the actual session as well. For this, it is good to take a cold shower regularly, so you can learn how to control your respiration, how not to gasp for air when cold water touches your body, but rather to inhale and exhale calm and steadily.

Your body needs to adapt to cold. This begins and ends with breathing, thus it is key that you follow our advices and learn how to control your body.

Begin to take a few slow breaths for one or two minutes before getting into the water, as this will help you relax. Then take a few deeper breaths for one to three minutes, and, whenever you feel ready, step into the tub with holding your breath at the exhaling phase for a few moments. By doing this, you can decrease your shock response, to which you will adapt later, but which might feel strange at first.

A gradual approach is key! It’s OK if you begin with two-to-five-minute ice bathing sessions. As we’re all different, our bodies need different things as well. Don’t feel bad for baring cold circumstances for ‘only such a long time’. Get a stopwatch or your cell phone ready instead, and measure each minute pass to increase your feeling of accomplishment.

A gradual approach is also necessary when it comes to the water temperature. You do not have to set yourself for a water at four degrees Celsius at first. It’s OK to start at 15 degrees, to concentrate on steady breathing and on yourself.

So what comes after an ice bath?

You already have your towel and dry clothing prepared next to the ice bath tub, so dry yourself fast. Don’t rush anywhere after this short task, rather do some easy exercise, such as windmills, squats or hip rolls to finish your session.

If you’re ready to take an ice bath, take a look at our ice bath tubs and cooling units, and contact us for further details.

Did you know?

iCool is used at all world tournaments, at the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games, as well as at Tour de France.

If you have never heard of ice baths yet, it is time to get familiar with them, since they have so many positive effects that it would be a shame to miss out them, especially if hasty recovery is important to you. Here are 5 reasons that will presumably convince you of the important role that a decent ice bath system can play in the lives of both hobbyists and pro athletes alike.

In a world choc-full of miracle creams and dietary supplements that promise magical health and eternal life, it’s hard to find things that actually help regenerate and increase performance. That’s why we are not intent on labeling iCool ice baths with puffed-up slogans, but rather just list five simple facts that speak for themselves.

All who play sports regularly know how significant proper regeneration is, because without it, not only can pain occur, but subsequent results can also be unsatisfactory. It is fairly obvious that anyone struggling with acute muscle fever is more likely to produce worse results than usual. But let’s also look at the facts that make Cristiano Ronaldo, for example, more than happy to take the ice plunge.

1. Limits the body’s inflammatory response, reduces pain

Both recreational and competitive athletes can suffer from muscle soreness after a strenuous workout. Muscle fever is essentially mechanical damage to muscle fibers that leads to inflammation and pain. However, taking a dip in an ice bath can help alleviate the problem, as it can reduce muscle pain by up to 20%.

If you’re wondering how this is possible, the answer is logical: cold slows down the speed at which the nervous system sends messages, which diminishes the sensation of pain.

2. Facilitates regeneration, reduces the risk of injuries

Another advantage of this particular form of cryotherapy is that cold water immersion reduces tissue swelling, and alleviates micro-injuries in the muscles, which means that the rate of recovery is significantly increased compared to those whom do not use such cold-water therapy can expect significantly faster regeneration than those who choose not to do this for their muscle health.

Fast recovery is not only desirable by athletes in the strict sense. It is often a much needed necessity of performers who are exposed to serious physical strain, for example during a music and dance tour. For example, Lady Gaga likes to preserve her health and beauty with the help of an ice bath.

3. It has a positive effect on mood and mental state

Every athlete knows that excellent results are only partially dependent on physical strength and technique, because if the mind is not in perfect harmony, then victory is almost always beyond reach. The good news is that cold water therapy not only plays a major role in reducing inflammation, pain and speeding up regeneration, but also in preserving mental balance.

Immersion in cold water stimulates the chemicals in our brains that determine our potential to focus and concentrate, as well as our current mood. Ice diving naturally (and effectively) creates mental balance by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters (such as noradrenaline and serotonin – of which the latter is responsible for our general emotional well-being).

Ice baths can also provide effective help in overcoming stress, as cold water therapy awakens the natural fight or flight emergency response and thus naturally trains the brain to cope with everyday stress more easily.

Ice bathing reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines that are responsible for anxiety and depression, effectively helping us fight off stress and bad mood in general, which is undoubtedly a crucial factor during tournament season, and helps get by our everyday lives too.

4. Supports weight loss and proper metabolism

The icy experience contributes to the contraction of blood vessel walls, thus slowing down metabolism. When the body is no longer immersed in water, the blood vessels dilate again, resulting in accelerated flow of fresh blood, which is particularly effective in evacuating harmful by-products from the system. This can play a big role in losing weight – aside from proper exercise and diet.

If that didn’t convince you, it is worth noting that the Queen of Pop, who turns 64 this summer, regularly takes ice baths to maintain her famous figure. Yes, you guessed it – we are talking about Madonna. If she can keep herself in such great shape with ice bathing, why would you do otherwise?

5. Fortifies the immune system

Submersing oneself into an ice-bath, together with the use of appropriate breathing techniques has been proven to facilitate the adaptive capability of the immune system. This is called controlled hypoxia, which effectively activates the stress hormones.

Cold water diving forces the body to work outside of its comfort zone, thereby directly impacting the immune system. In the meantime, the body initiates a response to the nervous system, thereby affecting oxygen uptake and increasing energy.

The worldwide epidemic reminds us how important it really is to have a strong immune system and a healthy lifestyle. Do your part in taking care of your health – contact us today, so that we may help you find just the right ice bath, tailored to your needs!

Fun fact

ICOOL® is used in all world competitions, Olympics, Paralympics, and in Tour de France.

You can find the products mentioned in the post in our webshop.