As I stood over the ice bath, there was nothing I wanted to do less than climb over the rim and put my legs in.
But then I took notice of my muscles, and how they were still in bits after racing the Rome Marathon just days prior.
Next thing I know, I’m screaming like a child who has just stepped on some LEGO.
It has long been known that the cold plunge, while not the most pleasant experience, is brilliant for recovery after periods of intense exercise. Footballers use them on the regular – Cristiano Ronaldo loves a midnight dip into ice – and Andy Murray used to swear by them.
An ice bath produces a mini shock to the metabolic system of the athlete who gets in it, while they fight off delayed onset muscle soreness. And boy, were my muscles sore after 26.2 miles of smashing tarmac.
Now, I’m no athlete, but I do like to dabble in my fair share of exercise. And these days, you don’t need to be a record-breaking Portuguese striker, banging in goals for Real Madrid, just to get your hands on an ice bath.
I managed to secure ALDI’s viral £24.99 ice bath that took the internet by storm when it was released last May. My curiosity over this little tub was rife. I needed to use it, not only for the good of my knackered legs, but also to scratch the itch.
It had been 10 years since I last tried cold exposure therapy, back when I was a swimmer and a hotel bathtub would do.
These days, though, cold plunges cost a pretty penny. I have seen tubs with all the bells and whistles going in the hundreds, sometimes even thousands of pounds. Somehow, a simple ice bath is becoming inaccessible.
This is where ALDI steps in. Their ice bath – which, after a hiatus, returned to stores in early March – is a budget-friendly option that more than just does the job.
First of all, it’s easy to build. The box tells you it takes 20 minutes to put together, but after taking all the bits and bobs out into my garden, I was able to knock it up in less than five minutes.
It’s also a really sturdy bit of kit. I had seen videos of cheap ice baths falling over once filled up, and that had me worried, but this bath didn’t budge. The legs provided keep the bath stable, even when putting weight on the upper blown-up rim (which is what I did when I was desperate to haul myself out of it).
It’s portable, puncture-resistant, a decent size, and even comes with a cover. Simple but effective.
But above all, away from the low price and surprising stability, it does the job just as well as most ice baths. In an era when even a coffee will cost you a small fortune, you don’t always need to go with the more expensive option to ensure effective recovery.
However, if you are to purchase this bit of kit, I hope you have a hose on hand. Personally, I don’t own one, and it took roughly half an hour to fill the bath with just a kitchen tap, two buckets, and six bags of ice.
While my experience in the ice bath had me quivering from the second I dipped my toe in, and took my breath away to the point I felt like I could barely talk – yes, I know I’m dramatic – it also had an immediate impact on my recovery.
Once the shock and shaking had subsided, I fell into a state of euphoria. My mind was clear, and my legs felt as though they were normal again, at last.
And this was despite my using the ice bath slightly wrong. I was in it for roughly 30 seconds, which is over two minutes less than the recommended time frame. Also, I dipped my head under the water, which is also not advised.
To ensure ultimate recovery, the ice bath should be used two to three times a week, and for two to three minutes per usage. If you’re feeling frisky, you can even use it twice in quick succession.
So, taking all that into consideration, the £24.99 price tag on ALDI’s ice bath is quite remarkable. If you use it twice a week for a whole year, then it works out to be 24p per usage.
The perfect option for exercise enthusiasts who love a bargain and own a hose.
