Discover the Reset Your Body’s Been Craving
At Vitality Fitness OC in Huntington Beach, we believe recovery is just as important as training. Whether you’re chasing your next PR, trying to keep up with the kids, or looking for a natural way to feel more alive—discovering cold plunge benefits might be the missing piece.
This ancient wellness practice is making a huge comeback, and for good reason. Backed by modern science and used by athletes, health seekers, and everyday people, cold water immersion is known to boost energy, speed up recovery, and sharpen the mind. If you’re looking for a proven way to elevate your wellness routine, our cold plunge experience in Huntington Beach is a great place to start.
SO WHAT ARE THE COLD PLUNGE BENEFITS?
We’ve listed a summary of the cold plunge benefits below. However, there are some experts who have done A LOT of research in this area. If you want to nerd out on the benefits of cold plunging, we’ve curated a list of the top three experts in the field and given you resources to dive deep into their research. At the bottom of the page you fill find their links. Look at their YouTube channels, podcasts, blogs and you will get a good education on the benefits of cold plunging (AKA- cold water immersion, cold bath, ice bath, deliberate cold exposure)
❄️ Physical Recovery & Inflammation Control
One of the most well known cold plunge benefits is in its ability to help reduce inflammation and flush out metabolic waste—perfect after a hard workout, a long day, or chronic joint pain. Athletes and physical therapists have used cold therapy for years to support faster muscle recovery. Even if you’re not training for anything, you’ll notice the difference: less soreness, less stiffness, and a quicker bounce-back.
“Cold exposure reduces exercise-induced inflammation, improves recovery time, and alleviates delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS).”
– Mayo Clinic Health System
💥 Boosted Metabolism & Fat Activation
Here’s where body hacking meets biology. This cold plunge benefit gets people excited! Cold plunging activates brown fat! What is brown fat? It is a type of fat in the body which burns calories to warm your body. That means a higher resting metabolism, better blood sugar regulation, and support for healthy weight goals. Just one of the many reasons cold plunges are gaining traction in Huntington Beach and beyond.
Dr. Susanna Søberg’s studies show even short cold exposure stimulates brown fat and increases metabolic activity.
🧠 Sharper Focus & Elevated Mood
That post-plunge feeling isn’t in your head—it’s in your neurochemistry. Cold exposure triggers a surge in norepinephrine and dopamine, boosting clarity, energy, and resilience. Whether you’re preparing for a big meeting or clearing mental fog, a quick cold plunge in Huntington Beach can help you reset fast.
The Huberman Lab reports dopamine levels can rise up to 250% after cold exposure—giving you a longer-lasting “natural high.”
🧘♀️ Stress Relief & Nervous System Reset
Think of a cold plunge like a deep breath for your nervous system. It helps shift you out of fight-or-flight and into a more balanced state—reducing anxiety, improving emotional resilience, and helping your body recover from daily stress. That’s why so many in the Huntington Beach community are using cold therapy as part of their mental health toolkit.
“On the days I cold plunge at Vitality I can feel the reset in my body, and it lasts all day”
– A regular at Vitality Fitness OC
🌙 Better Sleep at Night
Struggling with sleep? Cold plunges have been shown to support deeper, more restorative rest by balancing your nervous system and lowering your core temperature. Especially if done in the afternoon or evening, plunging may help you fall asleep faster and wake up more refreshed.
🔁 Build Resilience & Mental Grit– an overlooked cold plunge benefit.
It’s not always easy—but that’s kind of the point. Cold plunging builds mental toughness, helping you get comfortable with discomfort and carry that strength into everyday life. Whether you’re training for a marathon or parenting toddlers, this kind of resilience goes a long way.
🧊 How to Start Cold Plunging the Right Way
Ok- so are you ready to jump in? Want to know how to maximize your cold plunge benefits? If you are new to cold plunging you might be asking yourself- “How long do I stay in? How cold does it need to be?” We have provided links below to people who have gone into depth in this area. I would encourage you to nerd out on those sites. If you want a quick start guide, here is how you can start.
Water Temperature:
Start at 50–59°F (10–15°C). That’s enough to trigger all the major benefits—no need to go full hypothermia! At Vitality Fitness OC we keep our cold plunge between 53-55°F. We have the capability of making it much colder than that. We feel this is a great temperature to introduce yourself to cold plunge. If you want to go colder, simply let us know one day in advance and we will make efforts to have it colder for you.
Time in Water:
Begin with 1–2 minutes. Build up to 3–5 minutes over time. Your body will adapt surprisingly fast. The first 2-3 minutes are the hardest. So to be honest, if you make it to 3 minutes, you can usually stick with 5-7 minutes.
How Often:
2–3 times per week is a great rhythm. Many locals doing cold plunge in Huntington Beach use it after training or as part of their morning routine. If your schedule doesn’t allow that many uses, simply getting in 1x a week, or when your schedule allows will still give you body reset and hormonal benefits.
Control Your Breath:
Don’t fight the cold. Breathe through it. Controlled, deep breaths signal your brain that you’re safe, helping you calm down faster and feel the reset.
💡 Want to dive deeper into the science? Check out Dr. Andrew Huberman’s Cold Exposure Protocol
⚠️ A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Cold plunging is powerful—but it’s not for everyone right away. If you have high blood pressure, cardiovascular conditions, or specific medical concerns, check in with your doctor first. And always, always listen to your body.
👉 Ready to Experience It for Yourself?
You can book your cold plunge session in Huntington Beach through our Book Now
Take the plunge. Feel the shift.
READY TO NERD OUT ON THE SCIENCE OF COLD PLUNGE BENEFITS?
Here’s a list of the top three voices on cold water immersion and the science behind it.
🧠 1. Dr. Andrew Huberman
- Role: Neuroscientist and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
- Why He’s Important: Huberman has brought cold exposure into the mainstream through clear, science-backed protocols and explanations of its effects on the brain, hormones, and performance.
- Focus Areas: Dopamine response, metabolism, mental resilience, stress response
- Where to Learn More:
🔗 https://www.hubermanlab.com
Or directly to cold exposure protocols:
🔗 Cold Exposure Protocols – Huberman Lab
❄️ 2. Dr. Susanna Søberg
- Role: Danish PhD researcher in metabolism and stress physiology, founder of The Søberg Institute
- Why She’s Important: One of the first researchers to document brown fat activation and hormonal changes from cold exposure in humans. Her “Søberg Principle” outlines how to combine cold and heat therapy for maximum effect.
- Focus Areas: Brown fat, metabolism, longevity, mental health
- Where to Learn More:
🔗 https://www.soeberginstitute.com
🌡 3. Dr. Rhonda Patrick
- Role: Biomedical scientist and founder of FoundMyFitness
- Why She’s Important: Known for her deep-dive discussions on cold and heat shock proteins, hormonal response, and overall cellular resilience. She bridges the gap between biohacking and rigorous science.
- Focus Areas: Hormesis, inflammation, stress adaptation, longevity
- Where to Learn More:
🔗 https://www.foundmyfitness.com