Cold plunge therapy
Feel better, think better and recover better
Invigorate your senses with a cold plunge. In addition to accelerating weight loss, the body’s natural reaction to cold therapy causes improved circulation, increased energy, better sleep and improved mood. The refreshing chill restores your body and mind, leaving you feeling energized and renewed.
Take the plunge
Taking a cold plunge is a transformative and invigorating experience, that involves briefly immersing your body in cold water. While the idea of such cold temperatures might sound intimidating, the benefits it offers are numerous and supported by scientific research. At Alleve you get your own private room, complete with personal shower, amenities, and changing area.
Cold plunge therapy at a glance
Discover the powerful benefits of cold therapy, as recommended by health experts and backed by extensive scientific research.
The Alleve approach
Experience the rejuvenating effects of cold plunge therapy, a powerful way to invigorate both body and mind. Use our guided ice bath tracks to help focus on slow, deep breathing, grounding you in the present moment.
Recommended protocol
Beginners
Plunge: Start with 1-3 mins.
Shower: Take a 2-3 min warm shower to reheat and reset.
Plunge: Repeat with another 1-3 mins.
Experienced Plungers
Plunge: Aim for 8-10 mins.
It’s essential to listen to your body and exit immediately if numbness, intense shivering, or dizziness occurs.
Discover the strength within
Take you performance to the next level.
FEEL BETTER
Boost immunity
Improve cardiovascular health
Sleep better
Relieves chronic pain
Boosts your metabolism
THINK BETTER
Improve mental clarity & focus
Elevate mood
Increase energy levels
RECOVER BETTER
Increase blood flow
Reduce muscle soreness
Reduce inflammation & swelling
The science-backed
benefits of cold therapy
Increases energy and focus
Cold exposure rapidly increases norepinephrine levels by up to 300%, improving alertness, energy, and cognitive function. This natural boost enhances focus and mental clarity for hours post-exposure.
Builds resilience and grit
Regular cold therapy trains the body to adapt to stress by activating the sympathetic nervous system, strengthening resilience and mental toughness, and helping individuals better manage everyday stressors.
Increases metabolism
Cold exposure activates calorie-burning brown adipose tissue, which heats the body by metabolising stored white fat. This thermogenic effect boosts metabolism and supports fat loss, promoting a healthier body composition over time.
Enhances mood and combats depression
Cold immersion can elevate dopamine levels by 250%, acting as a powerful mood enhancer. Regular practice has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by increasing "feel-good" neurotransmitters.
Speeds up recovery
Cold plunges aid in reducing inflammation, decreasing muscle soreness, and flushing out metabolic waste. This accelerates recovery time and allows athletes to return to peak performance faster after intense physical activity.
Reduces inflammation and pain
Cold therapy decreases inflammatory markers in the body and boosts norepinephrine, providing natural relief for pain and helping manage chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis, joint pain, and muscle aches.
Improves brain health
Cold exposure stimulates the release of cold-shock proteins like RBM3, which regenerate brain cells. This neuroprotective effect lowers the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, supporting long-term cognitive health.
Strengthens the immune system
Regular cold exposure has been shown to increase white blood cell count and activate immune cells, strengthening the body’s defenses and reducing susceptibility to infections, colds, and seasonal flu.
“Just 11 minutes per week of cold exposure can increase baseline dopamine levels by up to 250%, with effects lasting hours after each session. This has powerful implications for motivation, focus, and resilience against stress.”
— Andrew Huberman
Cold therapy is for everyone
Whether you're seeking to boost your energy, build resilience, or simply find a natural way to optimise your health, cold therapy is for you.
Cold therapy can help you if you:
Need a natural boost of energy and focus
Want to build resilience and mental toughness
Seek a natural way to elevate mood
Are looking to speed up recovery and reduce soreness
Want to strengthen your immune system
Struggle with chronic inflammation or pain
Aim to increase metabolism and burn fat naturally
Cold plunge FAQs
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We provide everything you need for a comfortable experience, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, moisturiser, face wipes, deodorant, a hair dryer, and hair straighteners.
If you'd prefer, you can bring your own towel to avoid our £1.50 towel hire fee.
You’re welcome to bring a swimsuit, though it's optional as our facilities are private, and many guests choose to use them nude.
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For Beginners:
Cold Plunge: Start with 1-3 minutes.
Hot Shower: Take a 2-3 minute warm shower to reheat and reset.
Cold Plunge: Repeat with another 1-3 minutes.
For Experienced Plungers:
Cold Plunge: Aim for 8-10 minutes.
It’s essential to listen to the body and exit immediately if numbness, intense shivering, or dizziness occurs.
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Normal cold plunge session are 20-minutes.
We also offer a 50-minute session that includes both the sauna and cold plunge
All sessions can be booked for one or two people.
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Our private sauna and cold plunge room can accommodate up to two people. If you've booked a two-person session, please note that the shower and changing area is shared, so you’ll need to be comfortable using these facilities together.
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Your session duration, includes time for showering and changing. So during a 30 min slot you would need to shower and change.
After your sauna, you're welcome to unwind in our beauty room, where you can use our facilities to style your hair, apply makeup, and enjoy complimentary tea.
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Individuals who are sensitive to cold temperatures or have circulatory conditions, open sores, or a pacemaker should avoid using the sauna and cold plunge. Pregnant individuals are also advised against using these facilities. If you're on medication or have any health concerns, we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before your session.
If you're using Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), be aware that heat exposure may increase oestrogen release, potentially leading to hormonal imbalances.
For full details, please review our sauna and plunge waiver.
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The sauna and cold plunge share the same space so guests can enjoy the benefits of contrast therapy.
We offer a 50-minute session that includes both the sauna and cold plunge, or a 20-minute cold plunge-only session. All sessions can be booked for one or two people.
For extended sessions, please contact us at info@merakihealth.co.uk. We kindly ask that you vacate the room promptly to ensure smooth scheduling for all guests.
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Contrast therapy is a powerful health optimisation technique that involves alternating between hot and cold environments. We offer this therapy using a traditional Finnish-style sauna and a Brass Monkey cold plunge in a private, relaxing setting. The combination of heat and cold improves blood circulation, reduces muscle inflammation, boosts mood, and strengthens the immune system.
Have any other questions before you visit?
Email us at info@alleve.co.uk, we’re always happy to help.
