Once you’re a cold shower pro, you can ramp it up by taking lengthy ice baths and eventually work your way up to running barefoot above the Arctic Circle like Wim (if that sounds even remotely appealing to you). And skip cold therapy entirely if you’re pregnant. But make sure to ease into it so you don’t shock your system. Put your limbs in one at a time to allow your body to adjust.Ĭold showers don’t sound so bad for Southern Californians, but what about winters in the Northeast? Well, Wim seems to think the colder, the better.
#HOW TO START WIM HOF METHOD FULL#
You can start by adding 15 seconds of cold water at the end of your normal shower…and then slowly work your way up to taking a full cold shower. Wim recommends you begin by gradually working up to taking a cold shower. There’s a way to ease your body into this practice. The cold therapy portion of the Wim Hof Method is just like it sounds, but don’t be afraid. Inhale fully and hold your breath for about 10 seconds.Hold the last breath for as long as you can (usually 1-3 minutes).Wim advises doing this breathing exercise every morning. People often report struggling to do it while lying down. It’s best to practice this breathwork while you’re sitting up with your feet firmly planted on the ground. Be sure to listen to your body and stop if you feel too uncomfortable. Some people report feeling lightheaded when first doing this breathing exercise. This is probably obvious, but don’t do this exercise while you’re driving, swimming, or doing anything else that could put you in danger. If you have asthma or another breathing condition, this might not be the technique for you. This is a great place for beginners to start because anyone can set aside 10-20 minutes a day to practice breathing. While most people get fixated on the cold tolerance portion of the Wim Hof Method, there are actually three equally important areas the method focuses on: breathing, cold therapy, and meditation. The three components of the Wim Hof Method But you’re still not sure if freezing your booty off in the snow is worth it.ĭoes the Wim Hof Method actually deliver the results it claims to? Let’s dive a little deeper (beneath the ice?) to find out. Maybe you’ve even tried parts of it yourself. If you’re involved in a trendy fitness community, you’ve probably heard all about the Wim Hof Method. Why am I talking about Wim? Well, he has a renowned technique called the Wim Hof Method that promises numerous health benefits, including: I mean, this guy is basically superhuman. He has run a half marathon above the Arctic Circle barefoot and shirtless, swam underneath ice for 188 feet, and completed a full marathon in the Namib Desert without consuming any liquids. Or maybe we were just a special kind of crazy. Wim Hof (AKA The Iceman) makes me proud to be Dutch…and maybe this heritage is what drove my cousins and me to roll around in the snow in our swimsuits when we were younger.