Apartment living? How to cold plunge in small spaces (2025)

The view from the balcony of your third-floor apartment is jealousy-inducing. You can see the skyline stretching out before you, with its bustling streets and city lights sparkling. As you sit on a space-saving patio chair, you can feel the energy of the city below.

When it comes to maintaining your recovery routine, that stunning view doesn’t always make up for the space constraints inside. You are scrunching up in your bathtub full of ice as friends in the suburbs are posting pictures of their patio cold plunges.

The reality of apartment life often means dealing with limited space, lease restrictions, and curious neighbors. But here’s the good news: You don’t need a large patio or a mortgage to enjoy the benefits of cold water immersion. An inflatable cold tub, like the Chilly GOAT GO!, is the perfect solution for apartment living. It offers all the advantages of a cold plunge while being tailored to fit your space constraints.

These tubs are designed to be portable, packable, and convenient, allowing you to maintain your cold therapy routine without crowding your living area. Whether you’re on the top floor or have limited room, this adaptable solution provides the flexibility and practicality you need to keep up with your recovery, right at home.

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Inflatable cold tubs: A perfect fit for every living space

Cold water therapy is quickly becoming the coolest way to prioritize both physical and mental health. Just a few minutes a day can help reduce inflammation, boost your mood, increase energy levels, and support your immune system.

At-home cold tubs like the Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT Cold Tubs by Master Spas make it easier than ever to incorporate this beneficial practice into your routine.

However, if you live in the city or are renting, you might not be able to incorporate a cold tub like the Alpine into your setup.

The new Chilly GOAT GO!, an inflatable cold tub, offers a flexible and practical solution, allowing you to enjoy cold water immersion and prioritize your well-being. It’s designed to fit into your space without the need for permanent installations or landlord approvals.

Find the perfect spot

The first step in setting up your Chilly GOAT GO! is finding the right spot. Depending on the space of your rental, you might be able to put the cold tub in a courtyard or balcony —if it’s reinforced. For apartments with limited space, a corner of your bathroom might be the obvious choice. However, you can also consider a spot near a window, or even the living room if it’s roomy enough.

The Chilly GOAT GO! is 34 inches long by 13 inches wide when inflated. When you are picking the best spot for your inflatable ice bath, make sure that it won’t interfere with your daily activities.

Make setup and storage easy

One of the biggest advantages of an inflatable cold tub is its portability and ease of storage. At less than 40 pounds, you can easily carry it up the stairs to your apartment or move it outside for the summer.

If you have limited space, you can easily deflate the ice bath and store it away in a closet or under the bed. To make setup even easier, keep a dedicated space for your cold tub supplies, including a pump, hose, and digital thermometer. An electric air pump, which costs less than $20 on online retail sites, allows you to quickly set it up and fill it when needed.

But if you have space to keep the GO! inflated, simply put the cover on and buckle it when you are not plunging.

Optimize your water source

In an apartment, you might not have access to a large outdoor spigot or a convenient place to dump water after use. Instead, use a standard bathroom or kitchen faucet to fill your tub. You can purchase an adapter that attaches to your faucet, making it easy to connect a hose and fill your tub directly.

For draining, you can open the plugs of the GO! A small pump can make it easier to empty the tub efficiently —especially if it’s indoors. Direct the water into a bathtub, shower, or out onto a patio where it can safely drain away. This method keeps the process clean and straightforward, making it apartment-friendly.

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Control the temperature

Keeping your ice bath at the right temperature is essential for getting the most out of your cold therapy sessions. Aim to keep the water below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Going colder than 40 degrees, however, won’t provide many extra benefits, so there’s no need to push it too far.

To get started, fill your tub with the coldest tap water you can, then add ice as needed. A good general rule is to use an ice-to-water ratio of 1 to 3 — so for every three gallons of water, add one gallon (or about 7.6 pounds) of ice. If freezer space is a concern, reusable ice packs are a great option since they can be refrozen after each session.

Because a portable ice tub needs to be drained after one or two uses, you’ll likely need to refill and re-ice it. To help retain the cold temperature and save on ice, the Chilly GOAT GO! comes with an insulated cover that you can buckle into place when you are not cold plunging. This can make it easier to stick with your routine.

Enhance your experience

Just because you’re renting or have a small living space doesn’t mean you can’t make your cold therapy sessions enjoyable. Add a few personal touches to create a relaxing environment. Consider placing your tub near a window with a nice view, or even surrounding it with some plants to bring a touch of nature indoors.

Setting up mood lighting with candles or a small lamp can add warmth to the space — something you might appreciate as you get into your 50-degree ice bath.

If you’re worried about water splashing or making a mess, consider using a waterproof mat underneath the tub to protect your floors. This is especially helpful if you’re setting up in a living area or other carpeted space.

With an inflatable ice bath like the Chilly GOAT GO!, you can create a personalized wellness space that fits your lifestyle and living situation. These tubs bring the rejuvenating effects of cold therapy right to your home, allowing you to recover smarter and feel your best, whether you’re in a spacious house or a cozy apartment.

Choosing the Best Cold Tub

Do you want to enjoy the benefits of cold water therapy wherever you go? Having a Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT Cold Tub by Master Spas allows you to realize the impact of cold water. Enjoy clean, clear, cold water on demand. Click here to learn more about the benefits of incorporating a Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT Cold Tub into your routine. Start your journey today!

Apartment living? How to cold plunge in small spaces (2025)

FAQs

How to do a cold plunge when you live in an apartment? ›

Use an adapter that attaches to any shower and a garden hose. Tighten one end to the shower, and the other end to the hose. Turn the water on cold, add your ice and fill in your tub. Make sure it gets between 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can an apartment balcony hold a cold plunge? ›

Balconies are typically designed to support the weight of people and lightweight furniture, but they may not be able to handle the weight of a filled cold plunge. It's crucial to ensure that your balcony can safely support the weight without compromising its structural integrity.

What is the cheapest way to make a cold plunge? ›

What is the cheapest way to make a cold plunge? If you have a bathtub in your house, that'll be the cheapest way; just fill your bathtub with ice and water to create a literal ice bath. However, you can purchase a large stock tank for around $100 if you want an ice bath outside your bathroom.

Can I use my bathtub for a cold plunge? ›

At home cold plunge approaches. The simplest and cheapest route is to use an existing tub or shower.

How to take an ice bath without a bathtub? ›

If you want to take the cold plunge and you know that a cold shower is not going to cut it for you, then try and invest in a livestock trough. The best thing about using this as an ice bath is that you can fill it with cold water and ice so that you can reach the desired water temperature.

How do you make a cold plunge bearable? ›

START WITH SHOWERS TO AVOID COLD WATER SHOCK

So before you head for the mountain lakes and rivers, start to acclimatize in the shower. Building up your tolerance to cold water in the shower can drastically reduce your cold water shock response, making your plunge bearable and safe.

How to drain a cold plunge on a balcony? ›

Remove the lids. Attach the drain tube to the spigot at the back of the tub. Let it drain for about 10 to 12 minutes. Put it on a slope to drain the rest of the trapped water.

How do you keep a cold plunge sanitary? ›

So keeping your cold plunge tub water crystal clear is as simple as draining and refilling it! Experts recommend changing your water out every 2-4 weeks or so, although you might have to change it more frequently depending on how often you use your tub.

Are there any negatives to cold plunge? ›

The shock of cold water can immediately put your body in distress. The American Heart Association says that cold plunging can cause a sudden, rapid increase in breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Hypothermia can also be triggered faster.

How to simulate a cold plunge? ›

Simulate a Cold Plunge in the Shower

For many beginners, starting with cold showers can prove a helpful way to acclimate the body without too much of a shock. Start with lukewarm showers, slowly taking colder showers each day for a week, with the final day reaching the full cold setting.

What is an alternative to a cold plunge? ›

If you're looking for something similar to a cold plunge, an ice bath might be right up your alley. Just like a cold plunge, you submerge your entire body in ice-cold water. The best part? You can do it right from the comfort of your own bathtub.

What not to do after cold plunge? ›

As tempting as it is, making a beeline for the sauna, a steamy hot shower or cranking up the car heating after an ice bath or wild swim… isn't the best idea. After exiting the cold, we'd recommend avoiding any sudden exposure to warm environments or whacking on loads of layers of clothes.

Is tap water cold enough for a cold plunge? ›

Depending on your climate and the season, you might find that water straight from the tap is cold enough. Many times, water from the hose comes out at around 60 degrees Fahrenheit or even colder.

How to turn a regular bathtub into a cold plunge? ›

The most obvious and way to take an ice bath at home is to put ice in your bathtub. Just run cool water and then add as much ice as you can withstand. For some, it's preferred to get in the tub of cool water and have someone add the ice. Your indoor bathtub is convenient and easy to drain, too.

How can I make my apartment cold warmer? ›

Try these winterization ideas to keep warm air in and cold air out:
  1. Insulate the apartment windows. ...
  2. Install thermal curtains. ...
  3. Change the ceiling fan's direction. ...
  4. Pick up a few door sweeps. ...
  5. Insulate walls for heat. ...
  6. Get thick floor coverings.
Feb 20, 2024

How do I prepare my apartment for cold weather? ›

Winterize your apartment before winter
  1. Putting in draft guards.
  2. Sealing / insulating your windows.
  3. Covering exposed floors and walls.
  4. Switching over to winter bedding.
  5. Breaking out the boot tray and/or humidifier.
  6. Giving your first aid kit an upgrade.

How do pipes freeze in an apartment? ›

Such a problem is not immune to pipes – it can happen with plastic and metal products. But the solid cold outside is not the main factor that provokes freezing pipes in the apartment. Poor room heating and lack of or ill-conceived insulation also contribute to the problem.

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