The Spa at Ardencote Transforms Outdoor Pool into a Plunge Pool for Winter 2022

Warwickshire’s 5-Bubble Spa, The Spa at Ardencote will be encouraging its guests to
embrace the cold as, for the first time, its outdoor pool remains open, operating as a plunge
pool this winter. Staying open to meet with demand, the plunge pool will allow guests to
achieve complete and utter relaxation by adopting the Nordic style of hot and cold therapy.
The wellness practice of hot and cold therapy dates back to the ancient Romans and Greeks
and it still plays an important part in ancient Chinese medicine today. Hyperthermic
conditioning, which means exposing the body to extreme temperatures, such as a hot sauna
followed by a dip in a cold plunge pool, is scientifically proven to have several benefits to our
wellbeing. From reducing lactic acid build up in the muscles and hormone regulation to
increasing the body’s red blood cell count and improving cardiovascular mechanisms, it is no
wonder that it is a practice that elite athletes swear by!
Exposing the body to extreme temperatures on a regular basis, is linked and proven to result
in increased energy, better sleep, improved metabolism, concentration and even a stronger
immune system. However, this practice needs to be done mindfully in order to feel
comfortable and experience its optimum benefits.
Holly Glynn, Spa Manager at The Spa at Ardencote has provided these top tips and
guidance when it comes to enjoying the wellbeing benefits of hot and cold therapy safely:

• Stay hydrated. To feel comfortable and relaxed while in the sauna, you want to
  avoid any symptoms that may be related to dehydration such as dizziness and
  headaches. Try and drink at least 2 cups of water before entering the sauna.
• We would always recommend that guests spend at least 10 minutes in the sauna to
  ensure that the body temperature has increased enough before they enter the plunge
  pool.
• If it is your first time, instead of going straight into the plunge pool, you may want to
  consider spending a few seconds underneath a cold shower. Alternatively, you can splash your limbs with the cold water before taking the plunge! Doing this gradually will ensure that your body doesn’t go in to too much shock with the temperature change.
• Elite athletes stay in a plunge pool for up to 10 minutes, but we always encourage our guests to listen to their bodies and stay within their limits. For some this could be a matter of seconds and for others this could be a minute or two. The body will begin to send signals to tell you that it is time to raise your core temperature again.