#Coldplunge

A fresh study challenges a popular fitness trend, suggesting that repeated cold plunges after workouts could blunt muscle growth by as much as 20%. The research arrives as ice baths and cold immersion gain traction among athletes, wellness influencers, and fitness clubs in Thailand and beyond.

Cold water immersion has long been marketed as a fast track to reduced soreness and quicker recovery. In Bangkok and other Thai cities, many gyms now feature dedicated cold plunge stations, and social media is filled with testimonials from trainers and athletes. Yet new findings warn that post-exercise cold exposure may hinder the very muscle gains many pursue.

A newly published study has cast fresh doubts over one of fitness culture’s most buzzed-about trends, revealing that repeated cold plunges may significantly stunt gains in muscle growth—by as much as 20%, according to research highlighted by Boing Boing. The findings arrive as ice baths and cold immersion routines surge in popularity among athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and even wellness influencers in Thailand and worldwide.

In recent years, plunging into icy water has been widely marketed for benefits ranging from boosting recovery to enhancing overall well-being. Many fitness centres in Bangkok now offer cold plunge stations, and social media is crowded with testimonials from amateur and professional trainers alike. Yet despite these claims, new research cautions that cold water therapy—particularly when used post-workout—could be counterproductive for those seeking maximum muscle gains.

Cold plunges, or ice baths, have saturated wellness scenes worldwide, from gym mirrors to elite athlete recovery routines. Now new research prompts a careful rethink of their value, particularly for muscle growth after strength training. Reports from major outlets highlight growing scientific skepticism about whether cold water immersion truly delivers the promised benefits.

In Thailand, cold plunges have become a familiar feature in upscale gyms, luxury spas, and boutique hotels across Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Beyond recovery, claims include mood improvement, reduced inflammation, and sharper mental focus. Yet recent studies summarized in 2025 point to questions about whether the practice lives up to expectations or may even hinder training adaptations.

Cold plunges—also known as ice baths—have swept wellness trends across the globe, from Instagram feeds of urban fitness influencers to the recovery routines of elite athletes. But fresh evidence suggests plunging into icy water may not be the ultimate recovery hack many believe, especially when it comes to building muscle after strength training. A new wave of research, reported by sources such as The Washington Post, is prompting both enthusiasts and health professionals to reevaluate the chilly ritual’s true value (Washington Post).