Ice bath therapy, also known as cold water immersion or cryotherapy, involves briefly immersing the body in very cold water for health and wellness purposes. An ice bath typically uses water cooled to temperatures between 50 and 59°F (10 and 15°C).
During an ice bath, the cold temperatures cause the blood vessels near the skin to constrict. This helps flush lactic acid and other waste products out of the tissues. The cold also activates the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, helping induce a state of calmness.
Proponents claim that taking regular ice baths can help relieve muscle soreness, reduce inflammation, boost immunity, increase energy levels, speed up workout recovery, and promote better sleep. The cold exposure may also activate brown fat, which helps burn calories.
Exquisite Ice Bath Locations in Dubai
Dubai offers several exclusive venues to experience ice bath rituals catered to wellness and rejuvenation. Most locations combine cold water immersion with other therapies like breathwork, massage, or heat exposure for an enhanced physiological effect.
Luxury beach clubs, high-end spas, and boutique wellness centers arrange ice bath sessions with guidance from trained professionals. Pricing varies based on the overall experience, with some venues offering complimentary baths. Contact details are listed for each location below:
Cool Out! Breath In!
Benoit Demeulemeester founded Cool Out! Breath In! in 2019 to conduct weekly ice bath meetups focused on breathing techniques. The community-oriented sessions take place on Fridays at locations across Dubai, including public beaches and residential pools.
Each 60-90 minute session begins with a briefing on safety, breathing exercises, and the benefits of cold exposure. Participants then take a quick 30-60 second ice bath wearing swimsuits. After gradually acclimating to the cold over multiple sessions, participants can stay in longer.
The free sessions end with a group sharing circle to discuss experiences. Breathwork coaching and post-bath relaxation techniques help participants remain calm during and after the ice bath.
Overview of the benefits of ice bath therapy for cooling and rejuvenation
Beyond the thrill-seeking and social aspects, ice baths offer scientifically-backed health and wellness benefits derived from cold thermogenesis. As the nearly freezing water chills the skin, it activates the body’s self-warming mechanisms, triggering several physiological responses.
The cold causes vasoconstriction of blood vessels, flushing lactic acid and metabolic waste from tissues. This helps reduce soreness and inflammation after exercise. The body also increases production of antioxidant and collagen-producing enzymes for anti-aging benefits.
As the nervous system works to heat the vital organs, the calming parasympathetic system activates. This lowers heart rate and blood pressure while releasing pleasure-inducing endorphins. The experience provides stress relief similar to meditation.
Emphasis on community-building and breathing exercises during the sessions
A unique aspect of Cool Out! Breath In! is the community focus. Participants congregate weekly not just for the exhilarating cold exposure but also to support and learn from one another. The sessions foster meaningful conversations about health, personal growth, and spiritual insights.
Founder Benoit Demeulemeester emphasizes proper breathing techniques before, during and after the ice baths through verbal guidance and leading by example. By consciously controlling their breathing patterns, participants can remain relaxed in the freezing water rather than panicking.
The breathing exercises also allow participants to reduce stress, quiet mental chatter, and enter meditative states. Many attendees share that the social bonds and spiritual connections formed feel just as vital as the physiological benefits of the ice baths themselves.
Pricing and contact information
The weekly ice bath sessions arranged by Cool Out! Breath In! are entirely free to attend. Anyone is welcome to join regardless of prior cold exposure experience. The only requirement is signing a waiver before the first bath.
Benoit asks participants to bring their own towels. He also suggests wearing swimsuits rather than everyday clothes to avoid carrying extra weight in the water. For safety, the minimum age to participate is 18 years.
Excellency Center
The Excellency Center in Downtown Dubai offers private and small group ice bath sessions led by founder Elisabeth Bohler. A former national swimmer from Sweden, Bohler guides participants on proper breathing techniques, safe entry and exit of the baths, and getting comfortable with the cold.
Each 60-minute session includes a briefing on the benefits of cold thermogenesis, two to three rounds of ice bath immersions lasting up to 3 minutes each, and relaxation techniques afterwards. The center’s baths use purified ice water maintained around 50°F (10°C).
Discussion of the expert guidance provided during the session
A major benefit of booking ice bath sessions at the Excellency Center is the expert coaching provided by founder Elisabeth Bohler throughout the experience. As a former competitive swimmer familiar with cold water training, Bohler understands how to help clients past the initial shock and fear of freezing temperatures.
Bohler teaches breathing patterns to activate the parasympathetic nervous system which controls the body’s self-warming mechanisms. This knowledge allows participants to remain calm once immersed. Her guidance helps clients gradually acclimate to the cold during the first few sessions.
Pricing and booking information
The Excellency Center offers both individual and group ice bath sessions. Individual 60-minute sessions are priced at AED 600. Small group sessions for up to 4 participants cost AED 750 total.
The center recommends booking ice bath appointments at least 3 days in advance via email at hello@theexcellencycenter.com or by calling 050 459 4093. Same-day bookings may be accommodated depending on availability.
Additionally, the Excellency Center offers 10-session membership packages for AED 5000 providing access to daily ice baths and other facilities. Members can walk in without appointments. Discounted 5-session and 20-session packages are also available.
Elisabeth Bohler’s Sessions
Center founder Elisabeth Bohler personally leads the majority of ice bath sessions. She is a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and Transformational Mindset Coach focused on high performance, resilience, and empowerment.
Bohler’s coaching incorporates her knowledge of health psychology and experience with extreme endurance challenges like ice swimming. Her calm and compassionate presence helps guide clients out of their comfort zone and into cooler waters both literally and figuratively.
Pricing, schedule, and location details
Elisabeth Bohler charges AED 600 for 60-minute private ice bath sessions with up to 2 participants or AED 750 for groups of 3 to 4 people. Bookings are recommended at least 3 days in advance via email or phone.
Bohler schedules appointments from 8am to 8pm daily except Sundays at the Excellency Center located at Mazaya Business Avenue in Downtown Dubai. The center has two ice bath stations along with other facilities like infrared saunas and float pods.
ReFIVE Spa Experience
The ReFIVE concept spa at FIVE Palm Jumeirah offers a signature ice bath ritual combining cold immersion with heat therapies. The 90-minute Ice Bath Experience begins with a eucalyptus-infused steam bath to open pores and relax muscles.
Guests then fully submerge in an ice bath set to 57°F (14°C) containing purified ice water with activated charcoal. Gentle fiber optic lights inside the tub provide chromotherapy. The cold exposure lasts for up to 5 minutes for an invigorating shock to the system.
Overview of the one-on-one ice bath experience at FIVE’s Palm Jumeirah spa
The ReFIVE Spa at FIVE Palm Jumeirah brings a high-end luxury approach to ice bathing. The Ice Bath Experience offers a private sensory journey focused on guest relaxation conducted in a custom-designed spa suite.
Upon arrival, a personal therapist discusses desired outcomes and guides guests through sequenced heat and cold stations. Guests fully submerge in the ice bath tub which stimulates tissue regeneration and lymphatic drainage through cold thermogenesis.
Pricing and contact information
The 90-minute Ice Bath Experience at ReFIVE Spa costs AED 800 per person. Advance reservations are recommended to ensure spa suite availability. Bookings can be made by calling 04 455 9989 or emailing refivespa@fivehotelsandresorts.com.
The spa is open daily from 10am-10pm for guests and visitors of FIVE Palm Jume
The spa is open daily from 10am-10pm for guests and visitors of FIVE Palm Jumeirah staying at any of the Five Hotels & Resorts properties. Additional spa services can be added to complement the ice bath session.
Conclusion
As ice bath therapy rises in popularity worldwide, Dubai’s luxury spas and wellness centers offer unique takes on cold water immersion. Options range from free community gatherings like Cool Out! Breath In! to exclusive one-on-one sessions at high-end beach resorts. While the exhilarating physiological effects may first draw people to try ice baths, many continue for the social connections and mental clarity gained over time. Guided sessions help newcomers safely acclimate to the cold through expert coaching.
