The Ice Bath Club at Duxton review: The coolest new kid lands in Singapore’s buzziest enclave

Have you visited The Ice Bath Club’s latest outlet at Duxton? I did, and here’s the tea on the brand’s newest space.

The Ice Bath Club recently launched its third outlet in the vibey Duxton Hill neighbourhood! After conquering River Valley and Joo Chiat, the brand has expanded to a new central location, further underscoring its mission to make daily recovery more accessible to everyone.

As a new convert to the cold plunge movement, I have made it my mission to explore all the ice baths in Singapore. Call it professional curiosity or masochism… either way, someone has to do the research. Will it be a cool affair, or will I end up icing this club out?

The Ice Bath Club at Duxton review: Details at a glance

Best for: Those who can’t bear the thought of cold plunging alone
Insider tip: Drop by in the afternoon if you want to reach the flow state of contrast therapy
How much: Session pass from $39; memberships from $63; pass packs from $241
Opening hours: Daily, 7am to 10pm
Address: The Ice Bath Club, 68 Duxton Road, Singapore 089527

A cool-toned welcome

It’s easy to spot The Ice Bath Club at Duxton – its instantly recognisable cool-toned blue is a sight for sore eyes, silently beckoning visitors to pause and come closer. Unlike other wellness centres in Singapore, the brand’s colour scheme (with wood accents) is a breath of fresh air, perhaps a conscious decision to make the club stand out from the crowd.

The cafe is part of your recovery experience, where you’re invited to refuel on coffee and smoothies, snack on acai bowls, and slowly recalibrate your senses. It’s not just an aesthetic add-on: the idea is to let your nervous system settle before you rejoin the real world.

The entrance opens up to a colourful mural on the brick wall. Oh, and bonus points for the natural light streaming in and illuminating the space. There are limited seats, so I recommend not sticking around too long.

Similar to Shelter by ReFormd, wet attire is also available for loan, so there’s no need to lug swimwear around whenever you feel the urge for a cold plunge. Convenience wins again!

Sweat first, think later

The grey and blue colours continue into the main area, making the whole space very light-hearted. It felt like someone enveloped me in a warm hug and said, “You’re in good hands here,” and I wholly believed them.

I wasn’t expecting anyone to be at The Ice Bath Club as it was 10am on a weekday when I visited. So imagine my surprise when I stepped in and spotted a handful of people utilising the facilities. I suddenly felt awkward, but that feeling dissipated as soon as I locked into the experience.

As per my previous contrast therapy adventures, I began at the social sauna, crafted with aromatic woods and rock beds that hold the temperature at 90ºC. The space was designed for releasing stress and letting conversations flow; trust me, there was plenty of hot piping tea being spilt in there!

After sweating out my tensions and things I wished I could say, I moved on to the hot magnesium salt bath, a favourite for easing muscle tension and promoting relaxation. I loved the (fake) burning wood on the wall – it felt like I was in a rustic lodge instead of a shophouse in Tanjong Pagar.

Neighbourhoods

Duxton Hill restaurant guide

It’s time for the ice baths

A new thing The Ice Bath Club has introduced at its Duxton outlet is the cold bucket shower. It’s a gentler way to introduce your body to the cold without going straight into survival mode. The chill water can help regulate your body before you get into the pools, which are kept between 3ºC and 10ºC.

I did a few rounds in the ice baths, stayed for up to five minutes (significantly longer than I’ve managed at other recovery clubs), and even held proper conversations with the outlet manager while submerged!

Seeing that the cold never no longer bothered me, I tried my luck with the colder pool, clocking in at almost two minutes before I tapped out. Was I shaking like a leaf afterwards? Definitely, but overall, it was a character-building exercise for me. Am I a certified cold plunge girlie now? Time will tell…

Cold plunging, but make it communal

One thing I observed was that there weren’t just solo flyers here – they came in groups of two or three, all in high spirits and plenty of chatter. I wasn’t used to it (my previous experiences were in relative tranquillity), but it was an interesting change, one that amplified The Ice Bath Club’s “social” aspect.

Besides groups, I also noticed more ladies in the mix. This is interesting ‘cos there’s a claim circulating online that women shouldn’t do cold plunges. Asian women, particularly, have been advised to avoid cold exposure as it disrupts the body’s yin-yang balance. But Danish metabolic scientist Dr Susanna Soberg has debunked all of that, stating “there’s no scientific evidence to support that.”

“In fact, cold exposure – when done correctly – can support hormonal health, build resilience, and reduce stress across your entire cycle,” she highlighted in an Instagram post responding to myths about the topic. (As with any wellness practice, it’s best to consult a medical professional before trying it.)

Personally, it’s refreshing to see more women confidently occupying these spaces and reclaiming recovery as something we deserve, not something we should shy away from. If anything, it makes the whole experience feel less intimidating – and far more empowering.

After the sweat and ice

I sat at the in-house cafe after my two-hour adventure to catch my breath and take stock. Did I expect to push myself very far? Definitely not, but I was proud of what I had accomplished.

What I loved about The Ice Bath Club is the colour scheme – superficial, I know, but it really sets the tone for a pleasant affair. They go against the grain of what you’d envision a wellness centre should look like. However, I wasn’t keen on the cushions at the resting area. You don’t know what has been absorbed in there!

First-timers seeking a quieter cold plunging experience may find the social buzz a little overwhelming. That said, the easily accessible location and wallet-friendly session pass are the biggest selling points, if you ask me.

Now there’s no excuse for me to continue this wellness lifestyle. If this is what daily recovery looks like, consider me officially locked into my cold plunge era.

Frequently Asked Questions