Commercial pricing: £15–35 for single sessions, £25–45 for breathwork-paired group classes. Equipment is split between the Plunge brand (US, increasingly imported), local manufacturers like Cold Sea and Soak, and converted IBC tanks in DIY communities. Most studios run 2–6 °C with 1–4 minute exposure protocols.
Research evidence: cold-water immersion has solid post-exercise recovery evidence (Versey 2013, Bleakley 2012, Šrámek 2000). The mood and metabolic claims popular in some UK marketing exceed the data. UK cold-water researchers Mark Harper and Mike Tipton are notable voices on safety in particular — sudden immersion in genuinely cold water (under 10 °C) carries real cardiovascular risk for older adults and people with hypertension. Most reputable UK studios screen for these conditions.
