Master Spas takes the plunge into cold water therapy trend with Chilly GOAT cold tubs
There’s a growing trend toward cold-water therapy, and Master Spas is at the forefront with its new line of Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT cold tubs.
As everyone from professional and amateur athletes to wellness enthusiasts embrace cold-water therapy, Master Spas is taking advantage of this trend by collaborating with famed Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, whose feedback was instrumental in the Chilly GOAT creation and design.
“I’ve used several different types of cold tubs over the years but was always challenged by their size and shape,” Phelps says. “It was important to me that we design a tub that allows for full submersion to help maximize the benefits of cold-water therapy. I don’t know if I could have drawn up a more ideal tub.”
Following the legend
The partnership with Phelps makes sense. With 28 Olympic medals — 23 of them gold — Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time. Not to mention he’s had an ongoing partnership with Master Spas since 2010.
“His ability to consistently break records and set new standards helped further solidify his status as the GOAT [greatest of all time],” says Susan Rekeweg, marketing manager. “With the cold tub, Master Spas wanted to set a new standard and push the industry forward. Cold water tubs are a natural progression in Master Spas’ mission to ‘help people live better.’ ”
GOAT features
The Chilly GOAT cold tub temperatures can be set to anywhere from 40 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Studies show the health benefits of cold-water therapy start at 60 degrees or below, but those new to cold-water therapy should start warmer and work their way down in temperature.
To maximize the cold-water experience, Chilly GOAT cold tubs boast comfortable seating and an all-weather cabinet with full-foam insulation, which allows it to be installed outside and used year-round in any climate. A circulation pump, filter and UV light assist in keeping the water sanitary. Additionally, two flow jets circulate the water, which helps it stay cold longer.
“When you are in cold water, your body loses heat to the external environment,” Rekeweg says. “As such, your body will actually warm up the water around you and create a thermal barrier. The Chilly GOAT has two dual flow jets that gently move the water around you, maximizing the benefits of cold-water therapy.”
Cold-water therapy benefits
The benefits of cold-water therapy include reduced muscle soreness, inflammation and swelling, as well as improved circulation, stress reduction and increased mobility.
“While athletes are commonly associated with cold-water immersion, we think the market goes beyond recovery and performance,” Rekeweg says. “As more people prioritize their well-being, they are looking for different ways to relieve stress and promote relaxation. We see these wellness-seekers also buying our product.”
While athletes are commonly associated with cold-water immersion, we think the market goes beyond recovery and performance. As more people prioritize their well-being, they are looking for different ways to relieve stress and promote relaxation.
Susan Rekeweg, Master Spas
As cold-water therapy grows in popularity, more people seek the ease and convenience of cold tubs in their private residences, as opposed to health spas and gyms. While many try to incorporate cold-water therapy through DIY ice baths, purchasing pounds of ice can be inconvenient, and controlling temperature and timing is difficult.
“An at-home cold tub makes it easier to incorporate the practice into daily life,” Rekeweg says. “The homeowner can set the water temperature and feel more at ease since they are at home. In addition, the cold tub can be used by more than one person in the household.”
Suntek Pools & Spas in Long Island, New York, now offers the Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT line after many customers requested a cold tub option, says Dylan Lucia, Suntek co-owner and sales manager. One of the line’s most popular selling features is that it’s self-contained, meaning the chiller and plumbing are all in the unit, he adds.
Lucia has used the Chilly GOAT cold tub at his own home and raves about the rewards of a cold plunge. “The feeling afterward is hard to describe, but the best way I can put it is that you feel powerful.”