Celebrities Who Love Ice Baths: Harry Styles, Lady Gaga, LeBron James and More
The cold plunge has gone from athlete recovery tool to mainstream wellness obsession, and the celebrity endorsements keep coming. Harry Styles takes outdoor swims for mental clarity. Lady Gaga uses ice baths to manage chronic pain. LeBron James, David Beckham, Hugh Jackman, Chris Hemsworth, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kelly Clarkson and Oprah Winfrey have all embraced the practice. But while social media is full of stars submerging themselves in icy water, doctors are urging caution about the bigger health claims tied to the trend.
Here’s what to know about cold plunging — what it is, who’s doing it, what the science says and how to start safely.
What Is a Cold Plunge?
A cold plunge involves submerging the body in cold water, often neck-deep, for short periods of time. People do it in plunge pools, natural bodies of water or spa and hotel wellness circuits. The practice is now common in gyms, wellness resorts and hotels across the United States, with some people preferring structured spa environments and others opting for lakes, oceans or other outdoor settings.
Many followers of the trend reference techniques from Wim Hof, known as “The Ice Man,” whose method combines breath work with cold exposure. Supporters often point to benefits like reduced stress, better sleep, improved recovery and stronger immunity, with many of those claims tied to cardiovascular health and nervous system regulation.
Dr. Marcus Coplin, naturopathic medical doctor and medical director for The Springs Resort, told Vogue, “Cold water plunging is like an exercise system for the circulatory, hormonal, nervous, and immune system all at once.” He added, “Recently, I’ve seen a major uptick in the amount of people who want to take a cold water plunge as part of their self-directed health and well-being practice.”
Celebrities Who Cold Plunge Regularly
The celebrity list reads like a who’s who of athletes, actors and pop stars. Each has a slightly different reason for embracing the cold.
Harry Styles uses ice baths for post-show recovery and frequently swims outdoors, including dips at Dublin’s Vico Baths. In a 2022 interview with Better Homes & Gardens, the singer said he swam outdoors daily. “I feel like people who have discovered cold water swimming are just so happy for you that you’ve also found it,” he said. “That’s the thing with a swim — it’s the one thing you never regret.”
LeBron James uses ice baths for recovery, inflammation and peak performance. The 39-year-old NBA star opened up about his game-day routine in Netflix’s docuseries “Starting 5,” saying he wakes at 6:30 a.m. and starts with a cold plunge before warming up on the court.
Lady Gaga uses ice baths to help manage chronic pain from fibromyalgia. In a 2019 Instagram post, she described her post-show routine: “Ice bath for 5–10 [minutes], hot bath for 20,” followed by a compression suit packed with ice packs for another 20 minutes.
Hugh Jackman often posts videos of polar plunges. In 2017, he also tried cryotherapy, a recovery method that uses chambers chilled as low as minus 218 degrees Fahrenheit.
Kelly Clarkson told People in 2024 that she got a cold plunge “because everybody wore me down.”
David Beckham shared his ice bath routine in an Instagram reel in 2024, citing reduced inflammation and faster muscle repair.
Gwyneth Paltrow showed off her spa room — complete with a cold plunge, hot tub and sauna — in a video tour, calling the plunge “excellent in circulation.”
Chris Hemsworth has endured freezing Arctic swims for his “Limitless” series, calling cold immersion “one of the hardest things” he’s ever done.
What Doctors Say About Cold Plunge Benefits and Risks
Medical experts say the evidence behind some of the trend’s biggest claims remains limited. Dr. Prashant Rao, a sports cardiologist at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, told Harvard Health Publishing that cold-water therapy may not be the best solution for most people.
“I’m pretty cautious about recommending cold-water therapy, especially because the reasons for doing it can be much better served with other interventions, such as exercise,” he said.
Dr. Rao also warned that cold plunging is not advisable for people with cardiovascular disease, especially those with heart rhythm abnormalities, because sudden cold exposure can place serious stress on the body.
While some athletes use cold-water therapy after intense workouts to reduce soreness, Dr. Rao noted that research does not clearly show performance benefits. “In fact, the little evidence we have suggests that post-exercise cold therapy may have detrimental effects on gains in muscle power and strength,” he said.
How to Start a Cold Plunge Routine Safely
If the celebrity endorsements have you curious, experts recommend easing into the practice rather than diving headfirst into freezing water. People with heart conditions or other medical concerns should talk to a doctor before starting.
A few practical tips:
- Start slowly. Begin with shorter durations and gradually increase your time in the water.
- Breathe deeply. Focus on slow, steady breaths to help your body adapt to the cold.
- Stay consistent. Regular practice is key to noticing benefits.
- Combine recovery methods. Pair cold plunges with stretching, massage or other techniques rather than relying on the cold alone.
The cold plunge may not be a cure-all, but for many of its famous fans, it’s become a fixture of daily life — somewhere between a workout, a meditation and a wake-up call.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
