I’ll preface this review by saying, I love Ice Baths but I also hate Ice Baths. The sensations I feel just thinking about the cold are enough to make me second guess it every time. But that’s why I do it. I do it to overcome fear. I do it to overcome my mind. I do it to be the master of my body and mind, in my own way. There’s an ice bath craze right now across America and across the world. I love it and am absolutely here for it.

Walking in to Remedy Place, you can't really help but be in awe of the natural beauty so thoughtfully curated in the space. Clean lines, well organized, dark undertones with light, modern accents. It’s design is straight out of an architects dream. Friendly staff, a few people quietly working on laptops at a communal table, obviously regulars.

We checked in and were led down the stairs to the ice bath area. We were given robes to change in to, offered bathing suits if we didn’t bring our own and then guided into the room. There are a handful of tubs with an elongated electric fireplace serving as its backdrop. The air is warm, maybe 75 degrees and there is light music playing.

We learn that we are actually going to start the session with 10 minutes of breathwork, perfect for priming our mind for what we are about to endure. The woman that has been guiding us so far, tells us what to expect from the prerecorded breathwork session, draws the curtain and pushes play. We are guided by a soft voice and trance music to breath. I always love when I can work in a breathwork to any wellness activity. It’s my favorite thing to do to calm my mind and focus. It’s a quick one but it hits the spot.My arms are tingling along with parts of my feet. My mind is clear.

The employee comes back into the room and begins to explain how the ice bath will go. There are neoprene booties for us to wear, a saving grace for me as my feet are always the ones to be screaming the loudest for me to get out of an ice tub. She tells us that we can stay in for up to 6 minutes and I ask what a good time to shoot for is. Quickly and quite matter of fact, she tells me, “You can do 6 minutes, no problem.” I gulp silently, my longest time in this cold is 4 minutes. She asks us for two songs that we’d like to play. I suggest a four minute song called “River” that I absolutely love to ice bath to and then “Satellite” by Harry Styles to finish off strong.

We sit poised at the back of our tub to hop in. She counts down from 3 and we slide in as the music starts to play. 39 degree water hugs us tight. It can take your breath away. It never gets easier to hit that water. But what does become easier and shorter is the amount of time it takes for you to convince your body and mind that you are okay. To take control of your flight or fight response. To overpower the screaming urge to hop right out of that water and grab the closest towel to warm up. I find it exhilarating. One breath at a time for you to choose what to do.

Before we know it, Harry Styles is on. 4 minutes are down. At this point, our bodies are numb. The cold doesn’t affect you the way it does in the first minute or two. Your breathing is under control, you’re focused. It’s incredible to take a look at the scene from a birds eye view. No matter what someone might be going through, this is an equalizer. A truly natural reset button for the body and mind.

I had closed my eyes halfway through and as I opened them I looked down at the other tubs to see my wife and a close friend that had joined both crushing their ice baths as well. I was the only one with my arms out of the water, the two of them fully submerged up above the shoulders. It was time to double down for the last minute, in go the arms. Another moment for me to observe my natural fight or flight. Another opportunity for me to control how I react.

Before long, we are being counted down to the 6 minutes mark. As it comes to an end and we step out of the baths, there’s an immense sense of personal accomplishment. Our bodies numbly tingle as they begin to warm back up naturally. 30 minutes after walking in, a new mindset has been formed. A truly transformational experience I will certainly be back for.