Why ice baths are the hottest trend in weight loss right now

Ice baths aren't just for elite athletes anymore. They are fast becoming a must-have part of every serious gym routine, especially for people looking to lose weight, increase energy and bounce back faster after exercise.

"Cold exposure is one of the most underrated tools in fitness," Total Fitness Biggera Waters, General Club Manager, Erich Lima said.

"Our world class ice bath is incredibly popular because people are realising it doesn't just reduce soreness, it helps shift stubborn fat, spike your metabolism and support overall wellbeing." 

Opening in the last few weeks, Total Fitness Biggera Waters has become one of the Gold Coast's hottest gym destinations, offering people a premium gym experience with a broad range of classes and facilities included for affordable and flexible pricing.  It's member's club lounge, hot yoga, reformer Pilates and ice baths are proving very popular.

"Ice baths are very misunderstood. Many people think they are just for elite athletes, but the reality is they are ideal for anyone wanting to lose weight and accelerate fitness. They really are the ultimate secret weapon when it comes to weight loss and wellness," Lima added. 

Lima outlines five reasons why having an ice bath should be part of everyone's wellness journey.

1. It activates your brown fat and boosts metabolism

"Cold exposure forces your body to work harder to stay warm, triggering thermogenesis. This burns calories and activates brown adipose tissue, known as good fat which increases metabolic rate and fat burning even after you've stepped out of the bath," Lima said.

2. It speeds up post-workout recovery 

"Ice baths reduce inflammation, soothe muscle soreness and accelerate tissue repair. For people training intensely, this means shorter recovery times and better performance in every session," Lima said. 

3. It supports weight loss through hormonal regulation

"Regular cold immersion can help balance hormones like leptin and adiponectin which play key roles in appetite regulation, fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity, critical for sustained weight loss," Lima said. 

4. It improves sleep and lowers cortisol

"Ice baths stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering stress hormones like cortisol while improving sleep quality. Better sleep means better fat-burning, improved muscle growth and reduced cravings," Lima said.

5. It builds mental toughness and discipline 

"The cold isn't just physical, it trains your mind. Stepping into the ice builds resilience, mental clarity and emotional regulation, all of which support long-term fitness consistency and lifestyle change," Lima said.

"We see people using the ice bath for fat loss, muscle recovery, injury prevention and even stress management. It's an all-in-one solution and it's helping our members achieve results they never thought possible.

"My strong advice to people is when you are embarking on a wellness journey, look for a fitness centre that provides a broad range of options and facilities. We included ice baths at Total Fitness in Biggera Waters because the scientific and lifestyle benefits of ice baths are so overwhelmingly positive that we wanted to ensure our members could use them as part of our included services."

About Total Fitness

Total Fitness is redefining what it means to be a health and wellness destination in Australia. As a platinum super-club, Total Fitness offers far more than just a gym, it's a world-class health and lifestyle experience, purpose-built to inspire every member to move, recover, grow and thrive.

Each Total Fitness club is home to a vast array of premium facilities housed in a luxurious, welcoming environment. Members enjoy access to the world's best equipment in a professional-grade gym, a dedicated athletic arena for functional and free-form training, a fully equipped strength and conditioning studio, state-of-the-art Reformer Pilates and Hot Yoga studios and a complete recovery centre with hot and cold magnesium pools, large steam room, multiple infrared saunas, high-tech massage chairs and heavenly hydro massage beds.

The Total Fitness experience also includes full 3D body scans for tracking results, a luxurious members lounge with barista-grade coffee and an uplifting community supported by the industry's friendliest team of coaches and staff.

Whether your goal is fitness, relaxation, or total transformation, Total Fitness is more than just a gym, it's your new lifestyle destination.

Totalfitnesshealthclubs.com.au