As of: February 15, 2024, 3:15 p.m
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What's up with the ice bathing trend?
Our editor Christian Schäfer (l.) undertakes the self-experiment - he is supported by Robert Wetterstetter from Steinhöring © MBS
Ice bathing is trendy, but why?
A report from our editor about 2 minutes in the Maximiliansweiher in Steinhöring.
Which rules are important...
Steinhöring – Here I am standing in the rain on Sunday morning and cursing myself.
The outside temperature is four degrees, the wind is blowing from the side, it feels significantly colder.
And I think to myself, “What were you thinking?”
Trend Eisbaden - Our editor dares to try it himself in the Maximiliansweiher in Steinhöring
I'm standing at the Maximiliansweiher in Steinhöring and have an appointment to go ice bathing.
Apart from me – what a surprise – there is no one there.
After all, not many people come up with the idea of going swimming in these temperatures.
Although: ice bathing is trendy.
More and more chill enthusiasts are jumping into the cold water in winter.
“Try to continue breathing evenly and don’t panic.” Robert Wetterstetter (l.) explains to Hallo editor how he should behave © MBS
While I'm still uttering a curse, Robert Wetterstetter arrives on his bike in a good mood - wearing neon-colored swimming trunks and a short blue T-shirt.
Me, more of a polar type, in a winter coat, hat and sweater, he as if he had just dropped by from the Australian summer.
The 34-year-old from Steinhöring has been going ice bathing regularly for four years, some weeks even two or three times.
“I used to have pretty bad hay fever and read that ice bathing could help – so I just gave it a try,” he says.
“And I realized: it’s just really fun.” Well, I can understand the hay fever thing, but I have serious doubts about the fun thing.
While the rain is getting heavier, Robert explains to me on the footbridge of the Maximilianweiher what I should pay attention to.
Although I don't really care much, I'm too excited.
“Go into the water definitely, not too slowly,” he says.
And: “Accept it!
Don’t panic, just try to keep breathing evenly.”
The first steps?
They just hurt
In the water - the temperature of the Maximiliansweiher this morning is seven degrees © MBS
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When I take off my clothes (I leave my hat on because of my sparse hairstyle) the whole thing seems even more bizarre.
Everything around us is gray, the horrible, cold weather is a stark contrast to my usual bathing days at the lake.
It's just cold.
Robert leads the way and walks purposefully across the entrance to the lake.
I take another deep breath.
And run after it.
Scientists believe that regular ice bathing can strengthen the immune system and release valuable substances such as adrenaline, endorphins and the body's own anti-inflammatory cortisone, as Dr.
Ursula Marschall, senior physician at BARMER, writes.
I can at least confirm that about the endorphins, but more on that later.
When I take my first steps into the water - the temperature is seven degrees - my feet feel like they're going to explode.
And it doesn't get any better.
The deeper I go into the water, the more it no longer feels liquid, but rather jelly-like, as if a viscous mass was exerting enormous pressure on my body.
It just hurts.
I notice how my breathing is becoming noticeably faster.
I no longer have the capacity to swear.
As the water reaches my chest, I feel like I can't breathe at all.
A brief panic arises within me.
Robert watches me closely and takes a step towards me.
But: suddenly everything is fine.
I am in!
“I overcame myself, I actually did it”
Robert Wetterstetter dives underwater and swims a length.
He has been going ice bathing regularly in winter for about four years © MBS
The most important rule when ice bathing is to never go into the water alone.
It is an enormous strain on the body.
Just in case, help is essential.
“You should definitely practice ice bathing,” Robert tells me as we stand there in the rain in the ice-cold water.
“Cold showers in the summer, start slowly in the fall.”
After about a minute in the water, an amazing effect occurs: I actually feel a little warm.
And while Robert briefly goes underwater and swims a length, I no longer curse myself so much for this idea.
I overcame myself, I actually did it.
“Just remember that you’ll feel good afterwards.”
“It’s a bit like playing sports,” Robert explained to me before the icy fun.
“It takes some effort, but while you’re at it, just remember that you’ll feel good afterward.”
In the endorphin rush: Editor Christian Schäfer (l.) thanks Robert Wetterstetter for the “awesome” experience © MBS
When we climb out of the Maximiliansweiher again after just under two minutes, the endorphins hit.
I grin, I'm enthusiastic.
As I dry myself off and jump back into my warm clothes, several waves of incredibly pleasant warmth flow through me - a feeling that will last the whole afternoon.
“You’ll see that when you take an ice bath you can release all your stress into the cold water,” said Robert before bathing – he’s right.
Important rules for ice bathing
Slowly get used to the cold
People with health problems should not practice winter bathing.
This is especially true for people with circulatory problems.
If in doubt, speaking to your doctor is essential.
Never go into the water alone
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