The rise of plunge pools: the hot and cold water option sweeping the scene

Plunge pools, once associated solely with bracing cold dips, have evolved into versatile sanctuaries of serenity and can be heated or cooled to personal preferences using the latest in plunge pool technology.

For both athletes and those who are health conscious, the new technology means relaxing your muscles in hot water or improving your health through cold water exposure is now easily accessible at home.

This unique development in aquatic leisure is spearheaded by a local company that has redefined the plunge pool experience in New Zealand, Stoked Stainless.

The Stoked Plunge Pool, a plunge-pool-sized transportable above-ground pool, is drawing attention across Australia and New Zealand. Far from being just another pool, it represents a harmonious blend of spa-like indulgence and invigorating coolness, encapsulated within a framework of environmental mindfulness.

Sized up to three metres by two metres, the Plunge Pool marries stainless steel craftsmanship with a heat pump, ensuring efficiency and versatility. 

Stoked Stainless General Manager Mike Daish says unlike conventional pools, the Plunge Pool is easily transportable onto site, making it a highly attractive proposition for those who don’t want to wait for consents and construction.

“We had an architect in Queenstown who was looking at a swimming pool and realised by the time they dig the hole, put the pool in and get it tiled, they could put a plunge pool in and be in business within 24 hours,” Daish says. 

Ease of installation is only one of the benefits of specifying a plunge pool for designers and landscape architects. Plunge pools don’t require geotech reports or building consents - you can literally have it hiabed into place, have the heat pump system hooked up and you're underway.

“There are so many possibilities to incorporate the Studio pool into your outdoor space; we've actually made some that we've wrapped in Corten steel for Australia to comply with the fire regulations over there,” shares Daish.

The Stoked Plunge Pool features a stunning modern design and unlike a traditional pool, comes with an insulated cover to help retain heat. The heat pump system allows the pool to be heated up to 41 degrees Celsius and cooled to five degrees, making it an incredibly adaptable piece of equipment.

“We're seeing a huge surge in popularity with them due to the uptake of the Wim Hof method, where people create mild stress on their body through cold exposure. The heat pump system works well because they’re roomier than a typical spa, yet they are less energy-hungry than drop-in swimming pools,” says Daish.

Energy conservation and environmental sustainability are critical to Stoked Stainless’ ethos, which is evidenced in the recent Climate Care Certification it received from the pool and spa association, SPASA.

“To-date, we’re the only spa company in Australia and New Zealand to achieve the certification, and it demonstrates our commitment to using sustainable materials, such as cedar and stainless steel, which have an incredibly long shelf life.”

Beyond certifications, the commitment to sustainability is woven into the fabric of this plunge pool revolution. Daish highlights the deliberate choice of materials, emphasising not only their durability but also their contribution to a more sustainable life cycle. The cedar, derived from regenerating forests, aligns with the ethos of choosing materials that withstand the test of time. The handmade construction, a rarity in the era of mass production, signals an earnest endeavour to tread lightly on the environment.

Daish says as the benefits of plunge pools become more widely known, we’re likely to see a further increase in their popularity.

“As the weather warms up and we spend more evenings outdoors, we’re likely to see the trend for plunge pools heat up for those wanting to enjoy the benefits of a plunge pool at home; they’re not only beautifully made and in contemporary designs, you can have one delivered and hooked up in time for summer.”

Explore pools and spas by Stoked Stainless