08/05/2025
I was approached recently to photograph some Gloucester Rugby players being put to the test with cold water endurance in a challenge from shower brand Mira Showers.
The fun brief was to capture ‘Freeze Frames’ of the players’ reactions to highlight the benefits of cold water therapy. I was commissioned by Bottle PR so huge thanks for the brilliant brief.
Winger Christian Wade says:
“I like to have a shower before bed and do a 30-second count under the coldest temperature before I shut it off. I love the refreshing feeling, and I find I get better sleep as someone who gets too hot at night. It helps me regulate my body temperature so I’m in a good space to sleep. A lot of people shy away from cold water, but once you get into the routine, you’ll see the benefits and realise that the colder temperature isn’t as bad as you thought it was going to be. Work on getting your breathing under control when you’re in there and you’ll soon start to enjoy the experience.”
Enjoying cold water immersion is a ritual for Jamal Ford-Robinson each morning, as he loves the ‘shock’ feeling it gives to the body. The Gloucester Rugby Prop says “You feel amazing after cold water exposure, particularly after waking up feeling groggy with low energy. It gives a great kickstart to the body for the day ahead. Consistency is key to building the habit, even if you’re initially under cold water for 10 seconds. When I first started doing cold water immersion, I recited the poem ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling to ensure I did it for a good length of time. Putting on a three-minute song is also a good way to ease yourself into the feeling.”
Centre Max Llewellyn adds,
“You definitely feel more refreshed and better than when you went in. You might not enjoy every second of it, but the feeling afterwards is worth it.”
Dr James Hudson, former professional rugby player and Recovery Sports Scientist at Gloucester Rugby, partnering with Mira Showers, says “Wellness isn’t just about feeling better physically, it’s also about feeling better mentally for a more holistic approach. Cold water exposure has well-known positive effects on post-workout recovery, but it also has the potential to improve mental clarity, elevate mood, reduce fatigue and boost overall energy levels. A cold shower, even for a short time, can help you reset, refocus, and recover – either from a tough workout or a tough day at work – and you can tailor the experience depending on your preferences. Whether you practise cold water immersion in the morning for an invigorating start to the day or if you do it before bed to get better sleep, cold showers are a simple boost to your routine.”
Shower expert Kerry Hale from Mira Showers added: “Bringing cold water therapy into the home takes all the hassle of open water swimming out of the trend. We can all relate to the feeling of cold water hitting our skin, and it turns out some of the country’s biggest rugby stars can vouch for that too – but the results seemingly do Brits wonders according to our research.”
The shoot was to coincide with new research from Mira Showers that reveals a third (34%) of Brits are taking a cold shower at least once a week. Cold water therapy is commonly used in many sports as a recovery modality, as it is said to aid muscle and injury recovery by constricting blood vessels; subsequently reducing inflammation and swelling. The survey of 2,000 Brits, commissioned by Mira Showers, also revealed that one in six (15%) already take cold showers to boost both their mood and energy levels. When it comes to exercise enthusiasts, nearly one in five (18%) turn to the trend for sports recovery, more than walking (16%) and electrolytes (14%). Around one in 10 (8%) even said cold showers help to boost their confidence. Of those who take cold showers, a quarter (24%) report better sleep quality, while three in 10 (30%) see improved mood or reduced stress, and nearly another quarter (23%) experience better skin or hair condition.
The survey comes after Mira Showers’ latest bathroom offering in the form of Mira Activate with ColdBoost – the UK’s first guided cold shower experience, bringing cold water therapy to the home. With four settings altering the duration of a boost, users can feel the water temperature slowly decrease alongside breathing prompts on the display for an immersive cold-water experience.
