ALTRINCHAM · WA14 5HH
Ice Bath in Altrincham
RE:UP Altrincham has two cold plunge baths maintained at 4–7°C at 20 Huxley Street, Broadheath. Included in a 90-minute recovery session from £20. Open seven days a week.
£20
Sessions from
4–7°C
Water temperature
2
Cold plunge baths
90 min
Session length
THE QUICK ANSWER
RE:UP is a sports recovery centre in Altrincham with two cold plunge ice baths maintained at 4–7°C. Based at 20 Huxley Street, Broadheath, recovery sessions including the cold plunge cost from £20 and last 90 minutes. Open seven days a week, 7am to 9pm. The facility serves clients from Hale, Bowdon, Sale, Timperley and across South Manchester. No membership required — book online or pay per session. Free parking on site.
THE FACILITY
Two Cold Plunge Ice Baths in Altrincham
Having two baths means there is no queue during busy sessions. Both are maintained at 4–7°C using a chiller system. Temperature is checked daily.
The baths are cleaned and filtered continuously. Swimwear is required.
Temperature maintained at 4–7°C
Consistent cold throughout the session. The chiller holds the temperature regardless of how many people have used the bath before you.
Two baths running simultaneously
No waiting. If one is occupied, the second is available. Both are at the same temperature.
Filtered and sanitised continuously
The water circulates through a filtration and UV sanitation system throughout the day.
WHAT MAKES IT A REAL ICE BATH
A full cold plunge — not a cold fountain, not a cryo chamber
"Cold recovery" gets used to describe three quite different things, and they don't all do the same job. At RE:UP it's a proper ice bath — you're in cold water up to the shoulders, which gives the deepest cold exposure and has the most evidence behind it. Here's how the three compare, so there are no surprises when you book.
AT RE:UP
Full-submersion ice bath
Two cold plunge baths maintained at 4–7°C, deep enough to submerge the whole body to the shoulders. Full immersion is what drives the vasoconstriction and norepinephrine response that the research on cold water immersion is based on.
ELSEWHERE
Cold fountain / drench shower
Some wellness spas offer an ice fountain or cold drench shower instead of a plunge tub. These cool the skin and feel bracing, but they do not submerge the body, so the physiological cold load is much lower than a full ice bath.
ELSEWHERE
Whole-body cryotherapy
Cryotherapy chambers surround you with cold dry air at around −110 to −140°C for two to three minutes. It is a different thing to sitting in cold water: drier, shorter, and it works mostly on the skin. RE:UP uses water, not an air chamber.
All three have their place. But if it's a genuine cold plunge you're after — getting in, full body, and pairing it with a sauna for contrast therapy — that's exactly what we do at RE:UP in Altrincham. Ice bath vs cryotherapy →
THE PHYSIOLOGY
Cold water immersion: what happens to the body
This is what the body does in the first few minutes of cold water immersion — no claims about long-term outcomes, just the immediate physiological response.
Full guide: ice bath benefits and the evidence behind them →
Vasoconstriction
Blood vessels near the skin narrow rapidly. Blood is redirected to the core to protect vital organs.
Heart rate spike
Heart rate increases sharply on entry, then drops below resting level after about 60–90 seconds as the body adjusts.
Norepinephrine release
The body releases norepinephrine (adrenaline) in response to cold. Most people feel alert and focused immediately after.
Vasodilation on exit
When you get out, blood vessels reopen. This rapid change in blood flow is what contrast therapy (alternating hot and cold) is built around.
TERMINOLOGY
Cold plunge vs ice bath: what's the difference?
The terms are used interchangeably. Both refer to immersing the body in cold water — typically below 15°C for therapeutic benefit and more commonly below 10°C in a dedicated recovery facility. There is no formal distinction.
In practice, "ice bath" often refers to a tub filled with water and ice cubes — common in professional sport for post-match recovery. "Cold plunge" usually refers to a purpose-built, temperature-controlled unit like the ones at RE:UP. The plunge units are more consistent (the temperature does not drift as the ice melts), cleaner, and easier to use.
At RE:UP, both terms describe the same thing: two purpose-built cold plunge baths, maintained at 4–7°C, available as part of a 90-minute recovery session.
HOW IT WORKS
Contrast therapy — sauna and ice bath together
Most people use the ice bath and sauna together by alternating between heat and cold in rounds. A typical routine: 10–15 minutes in the sauna, then 2–3 minutes in the cold plunge, then back to the sauna. Most people do 3–4 rounds in a 90-minute session.
You do not have to follow a set routine. You can spend all your time in the cold plunge if that is what you came for. Staff are on hand if you want guidance.
If you have not used a cold plunge before, a short first dip is normal — 60 seconds is enough to start. The body adapts quickly with regular use.
WHO COMES HERE
Who uses the ice bath at RE:UP
Athletes in heavy training
Using the cold plunge 2–3 times per week during hard training blocks. The aim is faster recovery between sessions, not less soreness on the day.
Post-race or post-match
Commonly used within 24 hours of a race, match or competition. Many people notice reduced DOMS the following morning.
People new to cold exposure
No cold water experience needed. Your first dip might be 60 seconds. That is enough to start. Most people get comfortable within 3–4 sessions.
Mental reset
Some people use it solely for the mental effect — the sharp focus and calm that follow a cold plunge. Nothing athletic, just a reliable mood tool.
Opening Soon
Recovery Sessions & Memberships — Opening Soon
Our sauna and ice bath recovery suite is launching soon at 20 Huxley Street, Altrincham. Join the waitlist and we'll let you know the moment we open — register your interest for launch dates, founding-member offers and first access.
Join the WaitlistQUESTIONS
Ice bath Altrincham — common questions
SERVING SOUTH MANCHESTER
Ice bath near Hale, Sale, Timperley and beyond
If you are based in Hale, Bowdon, Sale, Brooklands, Timperley, Stretford, Gatley, Cheadle or Wythenshawe, RE:UP Altrincham is your nearest cold plunge facility. Access via the A56 through Broadheath. Free parking on site.
APPROXIMATE TRAVEL TIMES FROM RE:UP
Hale
5 min · 1.5 miles
Sale
10 min · 3.5 miles
Timperley
8 min · 2.5 miles
Bowdon
6 min · 2 miles
Stretford
12 min · 4 miles
Gatley
12 min · 4 miles
Cheadle
15 min · 5 miles
Wythenshawe
15 min · 6 miles
GETTING HERE
- By car: Free parking on site. Access via the A56 through Broadheath, turn onto Huxley Street.
- By tram: Altrincham Metrolink station, approximately 10-minute walk or a short taxi.
- By train: Altrincham station (same interchange as the tram), approximately 10-minute walk.
- By bus: Multiple routes along the A56 serve the Broadheath area.
FIND US
5.0 stars on Google
44 reviews
20 Huxley Street, Broadheath, Altrincham, WA14 5HH
Monday–Sunday, 7am–9pm