David Beckham's cold plunge embodies a wellness design trend with important health benefits

The design works in tandem with the method to prioritize wellness – and (unsurprisingly) the trend shows no signs of wavering

david beckham in the pool
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Everyone has heard about the benefits of cold plunging, but how can the design of the space impact these benefits? 

A recent video of David Beckham's Self-Care Routine brings the importance of wellness-space design into question, proving that cold plunges, too, can be design-led spaces.

The soccer player shared videos from his Cotswolds country abode, featuring a soak in his outdoor, natural wood cold plunge with what appears to be a wood-paneled sauna in the background. Notably, the pool prioritizes a beautiful, simple, and nature-focused design alongside wellness-promoting practice.

Installing a cold plunge as part of your backyard idea can have numerous health benefits. For instance, Farida Irani, Holistic Health Practitioner and founder of Subtle Energies, states: 'Cold plunging can be seen as a rejuvenating practice that aligns with the principles of balancing doshas and promoting overall well-being.' 

'The cold plunge helps in pacifying excess heat in the body, promoting circulation, and improving lymphatic drainage. This, in turn, can contribute to reduced inflammation and stress.'

Farida Irani on a white background
Farida Irani

Farida Irani founded Subtle Energies as a clinic in 1993. She is a qualified Ayurveda Practitioner, a clinical Aromatherapist and teacher qualified in Aromatic Medicine, Bowen Therapy Instructor, a Remedial Therapist and a Reflexologist.

However, as David Beckham's plunge demonstrates, design is equally important in the efficacy of these small backyard pools. 'Cold plunge or cold therapy in general have been used for hundreds of years with great benefit, but the design of the space plays a significant role in the overall appeal,' states Steve Welch, co-founder of Restore Hyper Wellness.

stephen welch from restore hyper wellness on a blue background
Steve Welch

Steve is a huge believer in cold therapy has a route to create total balance, energy, and proactive healing in the body. He is the co-founder and CEO of Restore Hyper Wellness, a cryotherapy studio with over 225 locations across America.

Farida adds: 'The design of a plunge pool is crucial not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its impact on overall wellness. The choice of materials, colors, and overall ambiance can influence the mental and emotional state of individuals engaging in cold plunging.'

David's artfully designed cold plunge is much more than a one-off: it signifies the rise of wellness as a design trend. 'As people increasingly prioritize holistic wellness, the trend of installing cold plunges at home has gained momentum,' says Farida.


Whether it's an entire cold plunge or just a relaxing corner of your bathroom, incorporating wellness into design is an absolute must. Yet again, David Beckham is providing peak inspiration.

Sophie Edwards
News Editor

Sophie is a London-based News Editor at Homes & Gardens, where she works on the Celebrity Style team. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly excited when researching trends or interior history. Sophie is an avid pop culture fan. As an H&G editor, she has interviewed the likes of Martha Stewart, Hilary Duff, and the casts of Queer Eye and Selling Sunset. Before joining Future Publishing, Sophie worked as the Head of Content and Communications at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens and furniture brand. She has also written features on exciting developments in the design world for Westport Magazine. Sophie has an MSc from the Oxford University Department of Anthropology and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.