Ice Baths

[lawrencerayner]

I have just started using ice baths after my training sessions and after games and have found them really beneficial. I was just wondering what other people thought of icebaths and what they also used. At our club we have just purchased a regulated inflatable ice bath from whitegold fitness. If you are interested i suggest you check them out.

[Ryansg155]

I have just started using ice baths after my training sessions and after games and have found them really beneficial. I was just wondering what other people thought of icebaths and what they also used. At our club we have just purchased a regulated inflatable ice bath from whitegold fitness. If you are interested i suggest you check them out.

Personally I love ice baths, playing at a high level sport where I train everyday on artificial turf (so hard on the legs), my legs get pretty beat up to the point where I developed shin splints. I used the ice baths and also standing in my pool in September/October and being in Canada it can get pretty cold haha. I used them combined with other techniques and I no longer have any leg pains.

[Macca400]

I'm a big fan of ice baths just out of one about 15mins ago. Not always the most pleasant experience but after track session it makes my legs feel brand new. Some times a bit of pain when you don't have proper facilities for them. But parents baths does nicely.


Do you guys find your ankles suffer the most with the pain from the cold?

[MuscleTechIan]

I always found that my legs took an extraordinary amount of time to recover and once I started with ice baths the recovery time was cut in half. Like Macca said, not the most fun technique for recovering but definitely works.

[FutureHulk1]

I love Ice baths too. There is something about getting in to one after a game that makes you feel badass, or a pro.

[konyy]

Quick question, when do you guys take them? EG: once a week.... and
How for how long 10-15 minutes?!

[MuscleTechIan]

Personally I really only utilize them after leg day because I find it takes me a long time to recover after my leg training.

I find 10 minutes is enough but sometimes it depends on how much you can take.

[RedneckFootball]

Ice baths are great for recovery, i only do 7 minutes at a time though, saw on nike training on youtube that should be youir maximum time, but if you do need more time in there get out after seven minutes wait and warm up, then hop right back in for another 7 minutes

[thermobear]

I'm surprised to learn ice baths help recovery..is this scientifically proven?
The first thought that comes to mind is that i"l get my muscles sore from an ice bath after game/workout.

Should try that one.

[SDOptimist]

I'm surprised to learn ice baths help recovery..is this scientifically proven?
The first thought that comes to mind is that i"l get my muscles sore from an ice bath after game/workout.

Should try that one.

Ice baths are extremely beneficial to recovery and prevention. It is a proven fact and is used by every single professional and collegiate sport team used in this world.

It's not like its method that some ppl believe in and others don't. It is a 100% proven fact that it works. not everyone NEEDS it but even if you dont need it, a lot use it as just prevention and quicker recovery.

what makes you think that an ice bath will make you sore and make things worse after a workout? lol.

[thermobear]

Ice baths are extremely beneficial to recovery and prevention. It is a proven fact and is used by every single professional and collegiate sport team used in this world.

It's not like its method that some ppl believe in and others don't. It is a 100% proven fact that it works. not everyone NEEDS it but even if you dont need it, a lot use it as just prevention and quicker recovery.

what makes you think that an ice bath will make you sore and make things worse after a workout? lol.

Cool thanks!

Ha ha I guess it was my parents and grandparents always telling me to keep warm after games and take a warm shower that didn't go well with going into an ice bath..

[SDOptimist]

Cool thanks!

Ha ha I guess it was my parents and grandparents always telling me to keep warm after games and take a warm shower that didn't go well with going into an ice bath..

Hate to break it to you and no disrespect to your parents, but they have absolutely no idea what they are talking about with that. Heat is actually bad after a game. It is good before the game. Where ice may be a bad idea before a game, it is extremely beneficial after games, practices and workouts.

also, idk how old you are, but just because someone tells you something, even if they are your parents, don't be so naive and believe that right away. Listen to their advice, but also do your own learning and research.

[Shinobi67]

Cool thanks!

Ha ha I guess it was my parents and grandparents always telling me to keep warm after games and take a warm shower that didn't go well with going into an ice bath..

Heat is good for chronic injuries and to assist in warming up muscles on injuries where utilizing exercise as the warm up is more difficult. However, for acute injuries or post workout/training/game, it is like SDOptimist said, ice after will help incredibly. Ice baths work to reduce inflammation via vasoconstriction; narrowing of blood vessels. Feel free to google ice baths, contrast baths, and cryotherapy.

Interesting side bit, in Europe there are some places that offer a room that is chilled, where the individual stands or sits in it for 5-10 minutes. Some report this to be more effective physiologically, though i am unsure if these claims can be validated as i haven't read any studies on them. If anyone has one feel free to shoot it to me

[vb66]

Another big fan of ice baths here. I usually only use them after games, but that's more of an accessibility thing. I go 8-12 minutes, depending on the temperature.

[chipotleater]

Do you guys take a warm shower after the ice baths?

[The Running Man]

A lot of the more recent research surrounding ice baths suggests that they actually retard the recovery process, and should probably used selectively. I used to do ice bath every day, but have since since shifted to using them under select circumstances:

-Treating acute inflammation from an injury
-CNS recovery between rounds at a competition

You would probably get a better recovery result with contrast baths. A common protocol is 3 minutes hot, 1 minute cold. You can also do this in the shower.

[grace_ou]

I've read the research for and against.. I don't put much stock in the recent research on ice baths for a variety of reasons not really worth getting into right now.

I base my decisions on using ice baths off experiences. I've been using them for years and I strongly feel they help with recovery after races and intense (endurance) cardio. As well as certain injuries. Sometimes on sprinting days.

I have never felt they were useful after heavy lifting days or on normal cardio days.

[natedabomb09]

The feeling of an ice bath after a two a day football practice in August...

[HamburgerTrain]

The feeling of an ice bath after a two a day football practice in August...

This times a million. When I played in college that training staff had 10 whirlpools set up with ice and water after every practice. It was awesome.


Anyway, yes. Ice baths are fantastic. I would strongly suggest everyone who does them to look into SOAK recovery crystals as well. They are gaining popularity in crossfit but is a seriously awesome product.