This article is my introduction to Wim Hof and his cold training techniques for others and to record my own observations as I learn it more in depth.
Last Updated: 20190322
First an Introduction to Wim Hof and his methods is required.
Fantastic stuff, but the part that got me was the note at the end that anyone can learn the method and gain several health improvements from it. However like anything that can shock the body it does come with some warnings. From the man himself:
If that was enough to capture your interest he has a free Mini-Course on his website to get started: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/free-mini-class
My discovery and hestitant implementation
I first learned of Wim Hof in mid 2017 from Dave Asprey’s Head Strong book, where it was described as one of the best methods for improving overall mitochondrial health through the use of the breathing techniques combined with breath hold exercises to strengthen most mitochondria and kill off weaker ones improving the total output.
This was the more difficult exercise for me to regularly implement as while it requires a slightly less time commitment that a normal workout, I wasn’t making time for any. Most of my successful health work that year involved changes that didn’t take any extra time by replacing other activities, such as fasting replacing eating. So the cold shower aspect intrigued me but it took another video to convince me to really give a try as I really hated cold on my limbs:
Much of my research at the time was focused on improving my mental discipline towards the goal of increasing my capacity for change. This made the argument that the act of choosing the discomfort of a cold shower strengthened willpower with just the simple act of choosing to shift the knob from warm to cold. Other proponents of cold showers include Motivational speaker Tony Robbins and Bio-hacker Tim Ferriss.
A Cold Goal
As fate would have it, while exploring the prospect of cold showers I happen upon a radio commercial for the 2018 Maryland Polar Bear Plunge, something I used to think only crazy people did until my research had begun to show me the how and why of the benefits. And so that sealed it. I would sign up to do the crazy thing as another reinforcement. I picked up a book that featured Wim Hof, What Doesn’t Kill Us, by Scott Carney to read more about the benefits.
So began a month of cold showers followed by a month of easing off (Wim Hoffers are warned not to keep up the cold exposure while sick, and it was a long month of fighting off tag-teaming sick family) and two weeks of cold shower exposure before the plunge.
The result? Vastly improved cold resistance despite that my hands and feet still suffering tremendous pain and numbing in the cold water. But with the showers? A fantastic feeling everytime, once the cold shock wore off.
After that I continued taking cold showers every time for almost the rest of 2018, though I will admit that as soon as it warmed up, the coldest my shower would get was 75 degrees. It dropped off as another several rounds of fighting off winter colds were weathered (Having a toddler virtually guarantees it, though I think fared better than others exposed to the same.) and the plunge approaches again.
Plunge 2019
This year in prep for the plunge I actually reviewed the newly updated material on Wim Hof’s website (The aforementioned Mini-Class) and learned some new methods for implementing cold shower training (Warm first, then cold, body part by body part, to avoid shocking the core and give the limbs time to seal in heat.) I am still fighting a mild chest cold with a week to go so we shall see what happens. Wish me luck.
Update 20190126 – Plunge & training success. Despite a 20 degree colder temperature (34 Degrees fahrenheit this year) than my previous attempt I still succeeded in full dunk with far less pain in my extremities and without the need to run out of the water before my ankles stopped working. Can’t wait until the next one!
Wim Hof Training 2019
Update 20190310 – As I find myself doing terribly at prioritizing to get through the online Wim Hof Fundamentals course (Over more pressing Work Certifications) an opportunity presented itself. A family friend informed me that a former co-worker of hers had become certified as a Wim Hof Method Instructor and was holding a class near me. You can read about it here. I’m enrolled and the course is currently sold out, so I’ll relay my experience after I complete the training.
Update 20190324
Great Class with Bob Soulliere of Breathe Your Power. I learned a great deal, enough that will probably require a follow-up article, for the purposes of these article I am please to report that with his guidance I complete my first 3 minute Ice Bath. The fact that I completed it at all given my discomfort with cold was great, but with Bob’s Guidance it was truly a meditative experience. Thanks Bob!