How to Convert a Chest Freezer into an Ice Bath | GPS Human Performance

Learn How to Convert a Chest Freezer into an Ice Bath.

It's a fairly easy process with minimal steps required. Please note that some chest freezers are more water tight than others, but, they are not designed to actually hold water, so you will need to do a little work to prep it.

WARNING: ALWAYS UNPLUG THE CHEST FREEZER BEFORE GETTING IN IT! And never go in without someone around for safety.

Step 1: Purchase a Chest Freezer and supplies.
Step 2: Clean the inside of the unit.
Step 3: Seal all of the seams with the silicone listed below and let it dry for the time listed on the label. I let mine seal for 48 hours.
Step 4: Fill it with water.
Step 5: Turn it on to the coldest setting. Mine takes about 36 hours to get to temp. You can speed the process up by adding ice, but I never have.
Step 6: Enjoy your new Ice Bath. I sit in mine daily for roughly 10 minutes at a time hours after training.
Step 7: Check temp daily and turn on as needed to keep it cold. Usually run mine a few hours every other day.

Other Important Notes/TIps: For me I had seems running the perimeters of all the walls and the floor and around the top. Also, in this video I hadn't sealed the top seam where the plastic meets the metal yet, but I have since. I highly recommend that as well.

The silicone I used is listed below and you get a good shot of it in the video too, I bought it at Lowes, but you can find everything on Amazon as well. The aquarium pump did not come with a hose, so I bought that from Lowes as well.

To keep it clean, I always shower before using and use a clean bathing suit/shorts. I am the only one that uses mine so on the 1st of every month I drain it and clean it. I do not use any chemicals in the water, I know others do but it is just me that uses it and I am not a dirt ball. As long as you are clean and the clothes are clean you get in with, you shouldn't have an issue cleaning it monthly.

If you have any questions please drop them in the comments section below.

Products Used:
Chest Freezer - Frigidaire 7.1-cu ft Chest Freezer (I am 5'9" and 185 lbs)
Caulk - GE All Purpose 100% Waterproof Silicone*
Aquarium Pump - VIVOSUN 800GPH Submersible Pump 3000L/H, 24W
Tubing - EZ-FLO Clear Vinyl Tubing 1/2 inch (not sure how many feet I got)
Digital Thermometer - Etekcity Lasergrip Infrared Thermometer 774 Neoprene
Toe Covers - Cramer Cryo-Caps (not shown)
*if you don't have a caulk gun you'll need one as well.

WARNING: ALWAYS UNPLUG THE CHEST FREEZER BEFORE GETTING IN IT! And never go in without someone around for safety.

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GPS Human Performance is an online Strength & Conditioning company providing, coaching, education and programming to Armed Services Members, Beginner to Advanced Olympic Weightlifters (Home of USA-Weightlifting’s Grounds & Pounds Weightlifting Club) and Fitness Enthusiasts. We are led by former THOR3 Strength & Conditioning Coach Geoffrey Steinbacher who has over 11+ years of experience in the field of Tactical Strength & Conditioning, Human Performance, Sports Performance and Athletic Training/Sports Medicine.

[loganewing]

Im 5'11, looks like there was plenty of space and im only 2inches taller. Think it would be big enough?

[RickyTikkiTavi]

"But he's got a dog that barks all the time so fuck him" LOLOL love it

[seansteele]

Do you have a video with the chest freezer full of water and using it? I wonder how it would do on my porch in the Florida heat if one I got it cold enough how long would I have to run it for. I am thinking I could set a timer to turn it on at like 4 am and get in it after my run around 8 am.

[jodull]

Got the freezer all set up. Why is the outside of my chest hot?

[PoolSchooler]

So I have a 5 cf Insigna chest freezer I'm 6'0" and weigh 165. Do you think I can make this work? I don't have the money to invest in a bigger one?

[ajithkumarpg]

First of all thank you so much sir for clearing everybody's doubt....
1.Can I use salt water to take cold plunge and if doing so will there be any problem sir?
2.What is the apt temperature for cold plunge to get those benefits quoted by Mr.Wimhof?

[biglakepigs]

it seems like when you fill the whole thing with water it’s a lot of weight are you sure it can hold it ?

[GuillermoCruz-qhqb]

How do you drain it if you closed the drain hole?

[massey]

good Morning All, I'm very keen to make one but of course also very sceptical is there anything to worry about shall i just follow the steps you have provided

[zacwein]

I love this video, informative and hilarious 🙏

[unclesam]

You're the only one I've seen so far that uses such a setup indoors (as opposed to a garage or balcony). I would love to do that too, but I am worried that, getting in and out of the freezer always causes a lot of water to splash around and this depending on one's flooring would cause problems. What is your experience with this?

[freebird]

Thanks for the simpl/helpful video. Good stuff. *LIKE*

[taimurshah]

I live in NYC and I have to find a configuration that works indoors, do you ever take this outside, like to fill it or drain it? Or does the pump take care of everything? Could a configuration be set up where closest sink is, say, 10-15 feet away? Do pumps exist that can deal with pressure over that distance? Thanks for the video!

[kerem]

do you have any vids of you using this plunger? I'm wondering if it's too small for my needs

[Eddy_LV]

Great video!!

Question, if the chest is unplugged is there still a concern for getting an electrical shock from the water??

[holisticpersonalcoach]

Hey mate, great video!
Do you know the size of the freezer by liters? Just trying to workout what size would be the minimum I need, cheers

[Anooows]

Thank you for sharing, i just bought a chest freezer, Haier brand, i just fill the chest freezer, but i didn’t get cold so freezer doesn’t cooling the water, , why is that? Is it because ididn’t fill the gaps?

[jeffcostomiris]

This is the simple video I was looking for. Highlight was “his dog barks all the time so f#*k em!” 😂

[alexisshammas]

I am 5′4 do i fit in in 200 liter on chest freezer i want to buy but i do not have big space is ok to buy ?

[gurugirl]

My freezer is very hot on the outside. It s not hat normal for the first time?