Heating Up and Cooling Down

Hot, cold or cold, hot — whichever order you choose, combined hot tub-cold plunge units are giving homeowners an easier way to experience contrast therapy without separate systems.

Why combo units are catching on 

Kevin Richards, Master Spas president, says units like their Chilly GOAT Valaris are engineered for a seamless user experience. With two systems in one unit, each side stays at a consistent temperature so users can move between them without any adjustment.

“When you set up two separate units, you’re suddenly dealing with two power sources, two installations and even extra ventilation needs,” Richards says. “A combo simplifies all of that by putting everything into one footprint that’s built to work together.”

Full-foam insulation between the two sides prevents temperature bleed and acts as a vapor barrier to control condensation — a challenge manufacturers face when cold components drop below surrounding air temperature. Richards notes that the company’s reversible heat pump supplies both heating and active cooling, and the cold-side jets are designed to “disrupt the thermal barrier” users naturally create in cold water.

“Wellness enthusiasts and biohackers often take advantage of contrast therapy,” Richards says. “Families typically use the hot side for everyday relaxation while keeping the cold side available for whoever wants the cold experience.”

A retailer’s personal experience

For Veronica Oubre, showroom manager at the Dream Maker Factory Showroom, contrast therapy became more than a product — it was a lifeline. She began using the Hot Shot Cold Plunge to help manage degenerative disc disease and arthritis after pain “so excruciating” it sent her to the emergency room.

Her treatment journey included epidurals, Valium, acupuncture, massage, stretching, exercise and diet changes. Adding contrast therapy accelerated her progress.

“I started doing hot-cold contrast therapy — three minutes hot, one minute cold,” Oubre says. “And I worked my way down. I’m still only at 58 degrees, which to some cold plungers is not cold, but I see benefits. That’s all that matters.”

Contrast therapy has helped regulate her body temperature, increase energy and decrease pain. And she noticed an improvement after the first use — which is something she tells interested customers.

Engineering a true hot-cold experience

Andrew MacKay, senior director of marketing for Jacuzzi Group, Dream Maker’s parent company, says a true combo unit must offer two simultaneously usable environments — not a single body of water that heats and cools.

“[A single body] heats or cools roughly 1-2 degrees per hour, so it would take around 24 hours to go from 100 degrees down to 50, or from 50 to 100,” he says. That rules out the idea of a one-tub system for real contrast therapy.

“Having everything all in one place contained within one device makes it more versatile and easier to transition between the hot and cold side, which is what it is really for,” MacKay says. 

Reliable insulation and efficient chillers are critical, particularly outdoors. MacKay notes that cold water wants to warm quickly, so the cold-side equipment must be powerful enough to maintain set temperatures regardless of climate. Smart controls also matter — customers want to monitor temperatures remotely and ensure their system is operating safely.

“These products require highly precise and reliable safety controls,” Richards adds. Master Spas’ units include “critical safety sensors and automatic shut-offs” and are certified to UL 1563.

Who’s buying them?

Typically, athletes gravitate to contrast therapy, as well as biohackers and health-conscious young professionals. MacKay uses one for recovery and is impressed by what research is revealing.

“All of us could benefit from this,” he says. “The white papers that are coming out about things like diabetes and cardiovascular health … this category is still just the tip of the iceberg in terms of awareness.”

Combo units are also resonating with older weekend athletes and customers focused on recovery and longevity. Families enjoy the dual-use nature, even if they don’t fully adopt contrast routines.

Compact footprint, streamlined operation

Matt McCaulley, national sales manager at Bellagio Spas, says customers value simple controls and the ability to switch sides easily. Bellagio designed its model to run on a single power source.

“We were able to combine ours into one power source, so the installation is essentially identical to putting a hot tub in your backyard,” he says. “The only difference is you have to fill both sides instead of just one.”

He compares it to “having one remote that works for both the television and the cable box,” noting that integrated controls cut down on potential failure points.

At 7 feet by 7 feet, these units fit spaces suited for a standard hot tub, with panel access and airflow around the chiller the biggest considerations.

McCaulley recommends accessories like steps and a handrail to complement a combo unit, along with items typically sold with a hot tub.

A ‘life-changing machine’

Retailers report that customers frequently have strong, positive reactions to contrast therapy. Bellagio dealer and Shoreline Outdoor Living Depot sales director Matt Mauro says clients love slipping from a cold plunge into a steaming hot tub.

“It’s amazing what it does for inflammation, especially for people with debilitating circumstances like fibromyalgia, lupus or osteoarthritis,” Mauro says. 

He recalls a customer recovering from a severe car accident who first visited using a cane and, after a few months with a combo unit, returned “running around like he was decades younger,” Mauro says. “It’s a life-changing machine.”

The future of contrast in retail

Retailers say showroom presentation is key. MacKay recommends placing units near the entrance because shoppers immediately stop and ask, “What is that?” Even better, he says, is displaying a unit that’s filled and running to demonstrate true contrast.

Oubre agrees: offering customers the chance to feel both temperatures — even for a minute — often seals the sale.

As awareness grows and wellness trends continue to surge, hot tub-cold plunge combos are poised to become a staple category. And for many users, the value isn’t theoretical.

As Oubre puts it: “I love it. It’s incredible. It’s helped me in so many ways.”

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Hot and Cold Combo Units

Chilly GOAT Valaris (Master Spas)

• Type: Dual-zone hot tub + cold plunge contrast tub
• Seating: three people (two hot, one cold)
• Dimensions: 84 inches x 84 inches x 30 inches
• Temperature range: 40 degrees cold; 104 degrees hot
• Water volume: 150 gallons hot; 120 gallons cold
• Jets and features: 18 hydrotherapy jets, LED lighting, built-in seats and armrests, cupholders, UV filtration, 24-hour circulation pump, Wi-Fi control
• Power: 240V / 50 Amp
• Highlights: Two independent systems in one unit with full-foam insulation to maintain separate temperatures and reduce condensation; reversible heat pump and powerful chiller for consistent contrast therapy.

Hot Shot Cold Plunge (Dream Maker Spas)

• Type: Dual-zone hot + cold therapy tub
• Seating: two (one hot, one cold)
• Dimensions: 72 inches x 74 inches x 34 inches
• Temperature range: 38 degrees cold; 104 degrees hot
• Water volume: 95 gallons cold; 115 gallons hot
• Jets and features: eight stainless-steel jets on hot side, LED lighting, centralized digital control, easy filtration, locking weather cover, full foam insulation
• Power: 120 VAC plug-and-play
• Highlights: Designed as an accessible wellness unit with a compact footprint and simple electrical setup; dual therapy zones encourage contrast routines without need for dedicated wiring.

VINTERKOLD Masrren Hot Cold Fusion (Bellagio Spas)

• Type: Dual-zone hot tub + cold plunge combo
• Seating: four adults
• Dimensions: 85 inches x 85 inches x 39 inches
• Temperature range: Heated spa zone and chilled plunge zone (independent systems; specific temp ranges vary by user settings)
• Water volume: 304 gallons total (divided between hot and cold zones)
• Jets and features: 22 hydrotherapy jets powered by a dedicated 2.0 HP pump, separate chiller pump (Balboa C8ZII) for cold side, circulation pump, Joyonway touchscreen control panel, dual 50 sqft filters + ozonator, LED lighting and aesthetic fountain feature, SmartConnect Wi-Fi app control
• Power: Typically 240V service with dedicated wiring (varies by installer)
• Highlights: Fully integrated hot/cold unit with independent plumbing, pumps and filtration, unified by a single touchscreen control for both sides; engineered for contrast therapy with strong insulation and efficient heating/chilling systems to maintain two distinct temperature environments in one footprint.