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What does it feel like to be submerged in freezing cold water? A legendary IFBB pro bodybuilding champion recently took the plunge (no pun intended) and decided to get cold water therapy. The champion in question is 60-year-old Rich Gaspari, whose determination and resolve inspired comments of encouragement from his friends and fans.

 A recent Instagram video shows the grueling minutes during which Gaspari was in the freezing water. But like a true champion, he stays put and pulls through to the end.

Rich Gaspari experiences shivers

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Gaspari captioned the Instagram video by writing, “Just did my first Cold Plunge at @thrivespineandsportsrehab in Belmar NJ. When you first get your body totally in the water you feel like you can’t breathe and your skin burns with pins and needles.”

The video shows the whole ordeal and Gaspari even talks to his fans while being at his wit’s end. He says, “Okay guys how does this feel? At first, you can’t breathe. Your body like feels like it’s cramping up. You wanna just get out.”

In the video, a woman’s voice says “Good job!”, which encourages Gaspari and he exclaims, “I’m gonna get five minutes.” Flex Wheeler came into the comments of the video and cheered him even further by saying that he had done this therapy before and it did wonders for him.

Gaspari is not alone in trying out the cold plunge. A lot of famous personalities are making the plunge a part of their daily routine.

Gaspari’s determination to endure five minutes under freezing water is worth applauding. It is the same determination that helped him respond to those who thought he did not have the genetics to win bodybuilding competitions.

Read More: “He Didn’t Look Human”: 26 Years After Last Competition, Bodybuilding Veteran’s Physique Is Still Hailed by Mr. Olympia Judge

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Gaspari slams haters

A previously resurfaced picture of the 60-year-old icon from his prime days showed his incredible conditioning and muscles. The caption of the post had a distinct story to tell as well.

The IFBB proclaimed that his conditioning was exceptional at that time and said, “What brought me to the forefront in bodybuilding was I set a standard in bodybuilding no one before ever did in conditioning.” He overcame criticisms regarding his genetics. ‘The Dragon Slayer’ said, “I was told I didn’t have the genetic to beat others but with my persistence, dedication, and hard work I was able to defeat the best bodybuilders in the industry to be called The Dragon Slayer.”

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Just like in his bodybuilding career, Gaspari strived to go beyond the bare minimum in his cold-water therapy as well. What do you think of his resolve? Tell us in the comments.

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