Steam Sauna & Cold Plunge: The Ultimate Recovery Combo for Fit Dads
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably seen or at least heard of the benefits of cold plunging and hot saunas. With the 'dad bod' trend shifting towards a healthier, fit dad lifestyle, this topic is likely on his radar for longevity and recovery.
Just a decade ago, many gym bros and gym dads relied heavily on bro science from the big meatheads at the gym. While some of us still aspire to be as jacked as Thor from 'Love and Thunder' or Hugh freaking Jackman in 'Wolverine', most are aiming to build muscle as a means of staying active, burning fat, and living a long, healthy life. In today's world, we have access to an enormous amount of knowledge from sources far more credible than our local gym's beefcake. Scientists, professors and doctors on TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube, and podcasts are spreading and sharing knowledge. If he's really into learning about the science of things, he probably listens to the Andrew Huberman Podcast and has come across the Cold and Heat Exposure episode.
Heat exposure impacts body temperature, metabolism, heart health, hormone production, exercise recovery, cognition, mood, and promotes better sleep and longevity. Cold exposure, on the other hand, can enhance mental health, physical health, and performance.
While I love all the health benefits that were listed above, what really tipped me in the direction of getting a steam sauna was actually being miserably congested. Hot showers are great but they don't last a full 90 mins. I began to search for a portable steam sauna option that would be much more affordable price tag than any sauna you'll find on Wayfair. What I love most about these options is that they are fully portable; it doesn’t need a permanent spot. Although, once you start experiencing its benefits, I can’t see why you'd ever want to take it down, unless you're taking it with you on your travels.
I was a bit concerned about something that was going to take up too much space so I started my search for something that was easy to put up and take down and still be able to sit completely inside of because again I wanted to use it when I was congested and this sitting steam sauna fit my needs. It comes highly rated with nearly 700 reviews at 4.5 stars. Equipped with a 1000W steam engine, the sauna tent rapidly fills with steam, offering nine adjustable heating levels up to 140°F/60°C, allowing you to customize your sauna experience with ease. The 2.6L capacity steamer supports sauna times from 1-90 minutes, catering to your unique relaxation needs.
Now if you have the space and really want something that you can sit or stand or perhaps you don't like confined to such a small space then I recommend this SereneLife portable sauna. This was a top pick for me because it had over 2000+ reviews with 4.1 Stars. SereneLife portable sauna steamer box tent has a 1600 watt high power heating element and can reach a max temp of 122°F/50°C in no time making it highly power efficient. It also comes w/ wired controller for timer/auto heat settings.
Now for the dreaded cold plunge. The Cold Pod easily came in favored products because it was engineered from 4 layers of robust, waterproof and tear-resistant materials; this freestanding cold plunge barrel features a PVC inner layer, Nylon outer layer and the middle layer is Pearl Foam which basically means I could leave it on my back patio. Another big factor was the dimensioned allowed me to get easily into and out of The Cold Pod as quickly as possible and still be fully submerged while in it. If you haven't had the luxury of getting into freezing cold water then you might not know the best way to do it is fully committing, and I didn't want something that I was going to have trouble climbing in an out of. I wanted to be in it for the benefits and out of it as soon as I was allowed. This product also comes with nearly 1000+ reviews at a 4.4 star rating.
If your dad hasn’t discovered the benefits of a steam sauna or a cold plunge, this could be a fantastic way to surprise him. It’s a way to say, 'Hey Dad, I want you around for a long time, and not just because I call you when I don't know something but because you’re pretty great.'
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