“A Non-Negotiable for Us”:Derek Hough and Wife Hayley Erbert Reveal They Do an Ice Bath After Every Dance Show-HO

Erbert returned to the stage in Hough’s Symphony of Dance show on April 14 after undergoing brain surgery in December 2023

Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough. PHOTO: HAYLEY ERBERT/INSTAGRAM

It gets chilly between Derek Hough and his wife Hayley Erbert after they perform onstage — literally!

It seems like Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough have found a unique way to wind down after their performances on the Symphony of Dance tour—by taking therapeutic ice baths. They shared a glimpse of this post-show routine in a reel on Instagram, showing that they sometimes opt to take the plunge together. It’s a refreshing way to relax and recover after giving their all on stage.

“After every single show, Derek and I hop into the ice bath to expedite our recovery process,” Erbert, 29, wrote in the caption of the video. “Icing after extreme physical activity is a non-negotiable for us.”

They introduced the dancers who are on tour with them in the fun video, which included a challenge to see who could last the longest in the 40-degree bath.

“Someone get Beyoncé on, I’m not kidding,” said a dancer named Holden, who lasted three minutes and two seconds in the water.

“Derek’s making me do this, guys!” said a dancer named Selena before screaming in the freezing water.

“Don’t tell me to slow breathe,” she warned someone off-camera. She stayed submerged for just over one minute.

Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough in an ice bath outside.HAYLEY ERBERT/INSTAGRAM

Hough, 38, and Erbert also shared footage of themselves taking an ice bath together outside in Florida on their Instagram Stories on Sunday.

“Having a plunge buddy always makes it easier. Plus this view of downtown Orlando doesn’t hurt either,” they captioned the video clip, in which Erbert gave her husband a sweet kiss on the shoulder.

Ice baths are a growing trend with celebrities right now. Rita Ora and Taika Waititi recently took the plunge with Dutch wellness guru Wim Hof while in Ibiza.

Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough.THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY VIA GETTY

According to Healthline, potential benefits of ice baths include easing sore muscles, reducing fatigue and improving sleep, reducing inflammation and “train[ing] your vagus nerve” to help quell anxiety.

Hayley Erbert’s return to Derek Hough’s Symphony of Dance tour on April 14 marked a significant milestone in her recovery journey. Diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel in December 2023, she underwent a craniectomy followed by cranioplasty surgery to replace the portion of her skull that was removed during the initial procedure. A touching moment captured on TikTok showed Erbert getting emotional as she received a standing ovation during her first show back after facing her health crisis. It’s heartwarming to see her back on stage and receiving such strong support from her audience.

Hayley Erbert Opens Up About Returning to Tour with Husband Derek Hough After ‘Traumatic’ Health Crisis

It’s heartening to hear that Hayley Erbert is recovering well and ready to return to the stage with Derek Hough. After her emergency craniectomy just four months ago, she’s all clear and eager to put on a great and emotional show alongside her husband on the Symphony of Dance tour, starting again in Melbourne, Florida, on April 14.

Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert inside a dance studio. DEREK HOUGH/ INSTAGRAM
In December 2023, the So You Think You Can Dance alum was rushed to the hospital following a tour performance in Washington, D.C., where she was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel.

Weeks after undergoing a craniectomy, she underwent cranioplasty surgery to “replace a large portion of her skull” that was removed during the procedure. As her recovery process began, Hough, 38, postponed the tour to be by her side.

When he announced new tour dates in February, it was unclear if Herbert would be joining him for the performances.

Hayley Erbert shared with [publication] that her recent experiences have made the prospect of returning to the tour even more meaningful for her. It’s clear that she’s embracing this opportunity with gratitude and enthusiasm after what she’s been through in recent months.

“Dance has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember and so I’m just really excited to get out there and do what I love and also to see the people that have supported me throughout this entire healing journey,” Erbert says.

Hough says that while the speed of Erbert’s recovery has made them “excited” and “grateful,” they are being mindful about not rushing anything.

Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough at the Mercedes-Benz Academy Awards viewing party in March 2022. TIMOTHY NORRIS/FILMMAGIC

“We’ve had extensive conversations and tests and results from different doctors,” Hough says. “Every kind of doctor that you can think about from our original surgeon who did the surgeries to new people in our lives and they are very supportive.”

The Dancing with the Stars judge adds that Erbert has an “amazing team” surrounding her that is making sure she is “good and healthy.”

“She’s all clear and we’re all just amazed by her and can’t wait to go out there and put on a great show and an emotional show,” Hough adds.

Symphony of Dance updated tour poster. DEREKHOUGH.COM