Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about cold therapy. The answers below will teach you the basics about the Ice Baths and how to use it. For further information, explore our blog articles or contact us with any other questions you have.
What is cold water immersion?
Cold water immersion is a therapeutic where you submerge your body in water temperatures of 15°C or below for a given period of time in order to experience health benefits.
Why ice baths instead of a cold shower?
Cold showers offer a cheap and easily accessible means of experiencing cold water immersion. Whereas, ice baths allow you to completely immerse your full body in colder waters. This enhances the beneficial effects of cold water immersion such as enhanced recovery.
What is the best ice bath for me?
If you are a beginner we would recommend starting off with the pod or face plunge to allow yourself to get used to the cold shock. Once you are ready to take your cold water journey to the next level we would recommend a barrel or a pro ice bath to allow for a more comfortable and effective. For those looking to optimise their ice bath experience and make it as easy as possible to maintain a luxury ice bath would be recommended.
What are the benefits of ice baths?
There are 5 key Scientifically proven benefits of ice baths:
Check out our why ice baths page to find out more.
I am a beginner. How should I take an ice bath?
We have 3 main recommendations for beginners when using their ice bath for the first time:
Should I take an ice bath immediately after a workout?
If you want to maximise muscular adaptations post exercise we would advise you to wait 4 hours post exercise to have an ice bath as this is when the acute inflammatory phase would end. Alternatively you could have an ice bath the following morning to help maximise recovery. Check out our blog page if you want to find more information.
What is the theory behind contrast water therapy?
Contrast therapy has been shown to improve recovery, promote healing and reduce swelling of damaged muscle tissue post exercise. Alternating between cold and hot will cause intermittent states of vasoconstriction and vasodilation. This create a pump like effect which will increase blood flow to the damaged muscles providing them with a larger amount of oxygen and nutrients which are essential for muscle repair.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept the majority of mainstream payment methods, this includes Amex, Apple pay and Klarna finance.
Is my payment secure with you?
All of our payment methods are secure, and run through the industry standard ‘Stripe’ so you can be assured that your data and money will be handled securely. Please refer to stripes privacy policy for reassurance.
Do you store my payment information?
We will only store your payment information if you consent to it being saved for future transactions. It will be stored via our payment processor stripe which will tokenize your actual card details converting them into a unique token. This enhances security as Stripe will not store the actual card details.
Do you offer payment plans or instalment options?
Yes! We offer Klarna and Clearpay instalment options, this is to ensure flexibility and convenience when deciding how you’d like your payment to be processed.
Why isn’t my discount code being applied in the store?
If you believe your discount code is still valid and not working, please contact [email protected] via our contact us page.
Are there any additional fees associated with certain payment methods?
There are no additional fees incurred by using different payment methods. However all transactions should be in GBP(£) as we only ship in the United Kingdom currently, so if you do decide to pay in a different currency this will be the only exception as you may incur a conversion fee.
How long after my purchase am I eligible for a refund?
Our refund and exchange policy lasts 30 days. If 30 days have passed since your purchase, we can’t offer you a full refund or exchange. Except for extreme circumstances.
How do I initiate a refund/return?
Please fill out the form below with the relevant information and our team will review it and continue your request to the next stage if all checks out.
How long does it take to process your refund?
After being approved for a refund, it will be processed within 10 working days. If it’s been longer than this, please check with your bank first and then contact us via email at [email protected].
How much can I get refunded?
You will be refunded the full amount you paid. This includes any sales price and discounts.
Who pays for shipping when returning products?
You are responsible for any shipping costs incurred when returning your products.
What is our Exchange Policy?
Our exchange policy is similar to the refund policy. The request must be raised within 30 days of the delivery of your product. It must be undamaged and in a good enough condition, with its original packaging, to be sold to another customer. Whatever the difference between the original and exchanged product price, will have to be paid or refunded. Find out more here.
Do you offer a warranty for the products?
Yes, to find out about our warranty coverage for your product, please see the specific product page where it should detail the duration. If you are still unsure, contact us at [email protected]
I’ve noticed a fault with my product, what can I do?
Take photos, fill out the form below and wait for us to review your warranty claim.
Do you offer extended warranties?
Currently we do not offer any extended warranties, however this may change in the near future.
What documentation do you need to provide for a warranty claim?
Please provide us with proof of purchase, this can include the order confirmation email, order number and name, or order tracking number.
Additionally, clear pictures of the damage/fault.
What happens if the product is discontinued during the warranty period?
Your warranty will still be valid until the warranty expiration date.
Where do I submit my warranty claim?
Submit your warranty claim below, and remember to fill out the form with all relevant information required!
How long should I use an ice bath for?
Generally the recommendation for a beginner is to spend 11 minutes spread out across 3-4 sessions over the course of a week to experience the benefits of cold water immersion. However, if you are more experienced or have a specific cold water therapy goal such as enhanced recovery check out our blogs page for more specific information.
What temperature is best for my ice bath?
If you are a beginner we recommend starting at temperatures between 10-15 °C. However, if you are more experienced or have a specific cold water therapy goal such as improved mental health check out our blogs page for more specific information.
How often should I have an ice bath?
Generally, we would recommend you have a cold plunge every other day. However, if you are someone who trains regularly at a high intensity it would be best to have an ice bath daily. If you want further information regarding this check out our blog pages.
I'm worried about taking an Ice bath, what should I do?
Firstly, it is completely normal to be anxious prior to your first ice bath as initially immersing yourself in cold water is an unnatural experience. To overcome this anxiety you could start off by practising contrast water therapy by gradually lowering the temperature from hot to cold whilst having a shower. Additionally you can try meditation or breathing exercises to help calm yourself.
How often should I change the water in my ice bath?
If your ice bath is not fitted with a chiller with a built in filtration system, change the water every 2 weeks. If it is then you can change the water and clean out the filter every two months.
What types of ice baths do you sell?
At Optizens we pride ourselves on having an ice bath for all with our selection ranging from the basic pod all the way up to the high end luxury baths. If you want to find out which ice bath is right for you check out our product descriptions which list the unique features of each type of ice bath.
How long will it take to receive my order?
Most products should be shipped within 3-5 days. Please allow for exceptions when dealing with specific products that are harder to source. Due to the variation of products we sell, it’s always best to check the specific product page for the delivery time.
How much does delivery cost?
All orders over £100 will have free UK delivery, otherwise the shipping cost will vary depending on what type of shipping you require. Please check specific product page for items less than £100 to get a better idea of what your shipping will cost.
Is there free delivery?
Yes, All orders over £100 will have free UK delivery.
Do you ship internationally?
Unfortunately, we do not ship internationally yet and are based solely in the United Kingdom at this point in time.
Do you provide tracking information for orders?
All orders will be shipped and supply a tracking number to you via email. If you haven’t received a tracking number, or a confirmation email, please contact our support team so that we can solve the issue.
My order was damaged during delivery, what should I do?
If your product arrives damaged or doesn’t arrive at all, please contact us immediately at [email protected] with your order number, address and full name so we can resolve the issue as quickly as possible for you.
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