Should you plunge or sauna first?

Author: Emiliano Carroll  |  Last update: Monday, April 21, 2025

There is no 'correct' way to do contrast therapy. Generally it is recommended to first sauna then cold plunge as sauna sessions increase the blood flow and heart rate and make our muscles relax.

Should you plunge before or after sauna?

After your sauna session, head directly to the cold plunge for 1-3 minutes of cold immersion. The sudden cold exposure will: Cause your blood vessels to constrict, directing blood to your core to protect vital organs. Reduce muscle inflammation and soreness.

Should you do a sauna or plunge pool first?

It's definitely preferable to go from the sauna directly to the cold plunge as directly and quickly as possible. The more heat your retain from the sauna the better the experience. However, if the cold plunge is a shared tub then rinsing first is probably best simply out of consideration for others.

Should you sauna first or bath first?

Yes, it's generally recommended to shower before going into a sauna. Showering helps to remove sweat, dirt, and oils from your skin, which can enhance the sauna experience and promote better hygiene. Additionally, rinsing off can help your body acclimate to the heat more effectively.

What is the best routine for sauna and cold plunge?

As such, we suggest you go for a 20-30 minute sauna session followed by a 2-5 minute cold plunge or ice bath. For instance, if you're just starting out with a cold plunge sauna routine, 20 minutes in the sauna and a 2-minute cold plunge should be apt.

Cold Plunge or Hot Sauna - Which One First?

Should you do a cold plunge or sauna last?

To put this to practice, finish your temperature therapy sessions with a cold plunge. Practically, here are some guidelines for structuring your hot/cold routine: Sauna sessions of 12-15 minutes. Followed by a cold plunge session of up to 3 minutes.

How long to stay in the sauna for detox?

Knowing how long to sit in sauna for benefits is crucial to ensuring safe and effective results. While the optimal duration may vary depending on individual factors and sauna types, a general guideline of 15-30 minutes per session, 2-4 times per week, is a good starting point.

What is the best order for sauna?

Before you enter the sauna, drink one to two glasses of water and rinse off in a shower.
  • Warm yourself in a dry sauna for up to 10 minutes without adding humidity.
  • Exit and rinse off in a second quick shower.
  • Allow your body to continue to cool down by drinking something refreshing, such as water.

Should you shower before or after cold plunge?

Balancing this process is crucial to obtaining the full benefits of the ice bath. With that in mind, it is generally recommended to wait at least 2 hours before taking a warm shower or bath. This allows the body to fully experience the benefits of the cold therapy, such as reduced inflammation and muscle soreness.

What is the correct order for a spa?

Choose the right procedure for perfect relaxation!

Use the services in the following order: First, use the pool, then the whirlpool, then the saunas, and finally enjoy a massage.

How often should you cold plunge?

Cold Plunge for Improved Metabolism

Susanna Soberg tells us that precisely 11 minutes of cold exposure in divided sessions per week is enough to get the metabolic benefits of brown fat activation. This could amount to 1-5 minutes of cold therapy 2-4 times a week.

Can I take my phone in the sauna?

The short answer is that it's generally not recommended to bring your phone into a sauna. The high temperatures and humidity levels can cause damage to your phone's internal components, and the risk of overheating or even explosion is not worth the convenience of having your phone with you.

Should you plunge pool or sauna first?

Beginning in a warm steam room or sauna starts the process of soothing achy muscles and joints. Following the warm-up with a brief dip in a cooling plunge pool then stimulates muscle recovery and is incredibly refreshing.

Can you sauna everyday?

One of the most common questions we get asked is, "Can I sauna every day?" The short answer is yes, it can be safe for most people to sauna daily. However, it's important to keep a few things in mind, like how long you stay in and any health conditions you might have.

What is the Nordic cycle?

The Nordic Cycle involves starting with a 20-minute hot sauna session, followed by a cold water immersion session. While this technique might feel intense for first-time practitioners, the benefits are worth the initial discomfort.

Is it better to cold plunge or sauna first?

It is recommended to first sauna then ice bath and not the other way around, as sauna sessions increase the blood flow and heart rate and make our muscles relax, which cold plunges slows down the heart rate and makes our blood vessels contract.

Can you cold plunge and sauna in the same day?

While it is possible to engage in cold therapy before your sauna, you will benefit more from the effects of the cold plunge after the sauna is used. Another significant factor that may dictate how one uses contrast therapy is time of day dependent as well as the total amount of time spent in cold exposure.

Is it safe to go from sauna to cold plunge?

Key Takeaways. Transitioning from a sauna to an ice bath can pose serious health risks, including cardiac arrest and hypothermia, making acclimatisation essential. It is crucial for beginners to start with brief cold exposures and gradually increase immersion time, with a maximum recommended duration of 1 to 12 minutes ...

How can I maximize my sauna results?

How to get the most out of your sauna:
  1. Shower before and after using your sauna.
  2. Maximize skin exposure to heat.
  3. Maintain a regular schedule and routine.
  4. Exfoliate and boost circulation to the skin.
  5. Stay hydrated.
  6. Stretch out or lay down.

How to sauna and cold plunge?

Spend 15 minutes in a 125°F sauna and 30 seconds in an ice bath for the cold plunge method. Repeat this process three times. So, if you're feeling chilly and can withstand it for a while, you'll probably get some brown fat and heat shock proteins generated.

What is the rule of 200 in a sauna?

Basically, the Rule of 200 states that adding your sauna temperature and humidity level together should equal 200 if you would like to achieve perfect comfort. For example, if your sauna's temperature is set to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, then you need the humidity at 40%, so that you can achieve the desired Rule of 200.

What toxins do saunas remove?

Additionally, unwanted waste products are removed from the body when you sweat. Various studies have proven the effectiveness and efficiency of saunas when it comes to removing heavy metal toxins, PCBs, solvents, pharmaceuticals and organic chemicals from the body.

Should you wipe sweat off after sauna?

Thoroughly wipe yourself off after your sauna. Optionally shower 15 minutes later with room temperature or cold water. Hydrate all the time and during your session, but avoid restroom breaks that interrupt your session.

Previous article
How do you bring your ears forward to avoid a double chin?
Next article
What is better than minoxidil?