It’s Bring a Buddy Week (July 6–12) here at Misogi and we are offering a two for the price of one special! We know you’re in the trenches trying to convince your favorite people that three minutes of shivering is actually the highlight of the week.
To help you out, we’ve put together a field guide on how to handle the most common “plunge-phobia” objections. With a mix of science, humor, and a little bit of that communal Misogi magic, we hope to help your friend push past the fear and take their first plunge!
“I Hate Being Cold”
The Objection: “I hate being cold. I literally wear a parka when it’s 70 degrees out. Why would I pay to be miserable?”
The Buddy Reply: “That’s why you need it!”
When you hit the water, your brain’s “threat detection” system (the amygdala) goes into overdrive. It screams at you to get out. But by staying in (even for just 60 seconds), you’re telling your brain, “I’m the boss here”. Training your prefrontal cortex to stay calm under pressure. The more you practice, the more resilient you become.
I Doubt There’s Availability
No Appointment, No Problem! You don’t have to commit to a specific time; we’ve got Community Hours for a reason. Drop in whenever the mood (or the courage) strikes.
- Monday – Friday: 4 PM – 8 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 5PM
If your friend is the type who likes to have a plan, however, we do offer reservable spots from 7 AM to 4 PM, Tuesday through Friday, and Saturday mornings.
“I’m Just a Sauna Person”
The Objection: “I’ll go for the sauna, but I’m staying far away from the tubs. I just want to sweat and relax.”
The Buddy Reply: “The sauna is the appetizer. The plunge is the main course.”
Using the sauna without the cold plunge is like buying a Ferrari and letting it sit in the garage. The magic happens in the contrast. When you go from 190°F to 45°F, your blood vessels perform a massive “pump” action. It flushes out metabolic waste and floods your system with fresh, oxygenated blood.
If they like the relaxation of the sauna, they will love the stillness that happens after the cold plunge.
“It’s Too Hardcore”
The Objection: “That looks like something professional athletes do. I’m just a weekend warrior. It’s too much for me.”
The Buddy Reply: “We have a ‘Frosty’ tub for a reason.”
A lot of people think cold plunging means jumping into a frozen lake or a tub filled with ice cubes. At Misogi, we do things differently. We walk first-timers through the protocols. We don’t just point at a tub and say, “Good luck.” Rather, we offer two levels of plunge, “Frosty” at 52°F and “Ice Spice” at 45°F. We remind them to focus on long, slow exhales and let them know that they don’t have to be an Olympian to benefit from a reset; they just have to be willing to try something new.
Show me the Data
If your friend is more of the science type, here’s the kicker: cold immersion triggers a dopamine release that can stay elevated for hours.
Unlike the quick spike and crash you get from caffeine or doom scrolling, cold exposure brings a long-lasting dopamine rise. Up to 250% above baseline! It’s why people walk out of the plunge feeling focused, motivated, and “weirdly happy” for the rest of the day. We have tons of blogs on this site with all the peer review you need to back it up.
“I’ll Get Sick”
The Objection: “Won’t I catch a cold if I jump into freezing water?”
The Buddy Reply: “Actually, we’re building an armor of immunity.”
It’s a common myth, but research suggests that controlled heat and cold stress actually stimulates the immune system. By exposing the body to short bursts of hormesis or good stress, we’re teaching it to be more resilient. We also keep things clean and hygienic, so the only thing they’ll be catching is a better mood.
How to Be a Pro-Buddy
If you’ve got them through the door during Bring a Buddy Week, here’s how to make sure they actually get in the water:
- Go First: Lead by example. Let them watch you go first. Show them it isn’t as hard as they think it is.
- The 30-Second Rule: Tell them they only have to stay in for 30 seconds. Once the initial “cold shock” passes, they’ll realize it’s manageable and stay for the full 2 to 3 minutes.
- Focus on the Breath: Be their coach. Remind them: “Big breath in, loooong breath out.” If they can control their breath, they can control the plunge.
- The Post-Plunge Hang: Don’t rush them out. Head over to our recovery lounge, grab a hot drink, and talk about how you both felt. The social bonding that happens after a shared “hard thing” is one of the best parts of the Misogi experience.
See You This Week!
Bring a Buddy Week is our favorite time of the month because we get to see the community grow. There’s something special about watching a friend go from “absolutely never” to “when are we coming back?” in the span of thirty minutes.
So, send that text. Use those defenses. Mention dopamine. And tell them we’ll be here to show them the ropes.
We can’t wait to meet your buddies. Let’s get uncomfortable together!