Balancing life, training, and recovery: At-home cold tub review
Bobby Petras doesn’t slow down. As a father of four, a business owner, and an athlete still chasing big goals, his days are packed.
With so much on his plate, finding balance between work, training, and family is essential. For Petras, that balance comes down to one thing: recovery.
“I can outwork everyone because I recover better,” Petras shares. “When I was an athlete 20 years ago, recovery wasn’t a priority. But now, at 43, it’s everything.”
An at-home cold plunge allows him to incorporate cold water therapy into his routine without adding extra time or hassle. Whether it’s a quick session in the Chilly GOAT Cold Tub before work or after a tough workout, having a cold tub at home makes it easy for Petras to prioritize recovery and come back strong day after day.
Finding the right cold tub
An at-home cold plunge can make it more convenient to create a consistent ice bath routine. But Petras wanted more than just convenience; he was looking for the best cold therapy experience on the market.
“I’ve been in almost every cold plunge I feel like has been made,” Petras says. Yet, none of the products he tried met his specific needs for reliability, effectiveness, and comfort.
“The first time I got into the Chilly GOAT was actually at the warehouse, and I was so impressed with how big it was. I’m a little over 6-foot-2, and this is the first one I could get in and actually fully submerge and feel comfortable.”
As a taller athlete, full submersion without feeling cramped was a top priority for Petras. The Chilly GOAT delivered with its spacious design, offering the comfort he wanted in a cold plunge.
But it wasn’t just the size that sold him. “As soon as I saw the way it was built on the outside, I knew I had to have one for my house,” he says.
Crafted by Master Spas, a leading hot tub and swim spa manufacturer, the Chilly GOAT Cold Tub combines innovation with design expertise. Developed in collaboration with legendary swimmer Michael Phelps, the tub’s design takes inspiration from luxury spas rather than traditional trough-style cold plunges.
A daily cold plunge protocol with big benefits
Petras uses his Chilly GOAT cold tub seven to 10 times a week, sometimes twice a day. For him, the ideal temperature is around 45 degrees.
“It’s enough to shock my system but not too much where I feel like I’m hyperventilating,” he explains. “That’s how I start every single morning, whether it’s summer or winter. It really gets me going. If I don’t cold plunge, like if we’re traveling, I feel worse. So having the Chilly GOAT at home and being able to get in it every morning is a game changer for me.”
The immediate benefits are undeniable. “I love the cold plunge because it gives me an adrenaline rush. When I get out, it just makes me feel so good. And if my body is sore, it takes that away.”
Recovery made easy
Bobby Petras knows what it means to push his body to the limit. As a student-athlete at Tiffin University, he was a standout in multiple sports. He set school records in the indoor and outdoor high jump — holding the outdoor record until 2007. He was also and was named the Independent Football Alliance Defensive Player of the Year in 2002.
But years of high-level competition take a toll, and Petras still feels the impact of those intense athletic days.
“I’ve got a sore Achilles from playing college basketball so sometimes I’ll just sit on the edge and soak my ankles. For me, or for the college athletes who come over, using the Chilly GOAT is what you do when you want to ice your ankles.”
Beyond targeted relief for muscle soreness, Petras integrates the Chilly GOAT into a larger recovery strategy.
“This helps get me going in the morning. And after I train in the evening, I’ll get back in the Chilly GOAT and then use the hot tub to kind of get my blood flowing. I love to do contrast therapy, alternating between a hot tub and the Chilly GOAT.”
While Petras' routine is dialed in, he’s found a way to make his cold plunge sessions even more effective.
“As soon as you get in the Chilly GOAT, you have to dip your head,” he says. “For me, I actually do it at the end. When my three minutes are up, that’s when I completely submerge my whole body, including my head, and then pop up. It makes it a lot easier for me, and I highly recommend it.”
Motivation to keep going
Bobby’s commitment to cold plunging is fueled by how good it makes him feel.
“My motivation to use the Chilly GOAT is the feeling I get after it. I crave that feeling. Plus, the results I’m seeing with weight loss make me want to keep doing it. It just makes you feel so good that you want to continue doing it. And you know it’s so good for you, too.”
That post-plunge high is something Petras loves sharing with others. Whether it’s friends, family, or fellow athletes, he’s quick to introduce them to the Chilly GOAT experience. But he’s also mindful of their comfort.
“I’d tell anyone that’s hesitant to try cold therapy to give it a go. It will get you out of your comfort zone, and then you’ll love it. When people come over, I don’t try to put them in for two or three minutes. I’ll say do 30 seconds in and 30 seconds out, then 45 seconds, and eventually you’re up to a minute or two. You really don’t even notice it, but gosh, you feel so much better.”
Built to handle Midwest winters
That commitment to cold plunging meant Petras needed a cold tub he could rely on year-round, even during Indiana’s harsh winters. Before investing in the Chilly GOAT, he struggled to find a product that could withstand freezing temperatures.
“I’m not kidding you,” he recalls. “I went through four different chillers on my other cold tubs, constantly sending them back, constantly freezing them. But with the Chilly GOAT, we had it through the winter. We’re walking out here in our bare feet in the snow to get into it, and it never had a problem.”
For Petras, the Chilly GOAT isn’t just another cold tub. It’s a reliable, well-designed, and effective solution that has transformed his recovery and daily routine.
“The Chilly GOAT has been huge for my recovery,” he says. “From the morning on, it helps get me going and keeps me feeling my best. I couldn’t imagine my life without it.”
Choosing the best path to wellness
Ready to upgrade your wellness routine with cold tubs and saunas? Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT Cold Tubs by Master Spas makes it easy to enjoy the benefits of cold water therapy. Pair it with a Sweaty GOAT Sauna to create the ultimate recovery experience at home.
