Cold water therapy...You aware?

[GONZO613]

So recently I have been researching cold water therapy and the benefits associated with it. Cold water therapy and fat freezing seem to be a great addition to any workout/ nutrition plan. Was wondering if anyone has had experience with a fat freezing program and what their thoughts were on it. For anyone not sure of what I am talking about the 2 links below will better explain than I can.

http://www.menprovement.com/benefits-of-cold-showers/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/scie...cientists.html

[dmacdonal9]

It seems to me that the problem is the required dose. In order to experience any meaningful effect, it looks like you have to spend a long damn time freezing your balls off. A cold shower now and then is not enough. You have to get cold enough, for long enough, to both grow extra brown fat AND maximally stimulate it constantly over time.

The discomfort associated with that is probably much greater than the discomfort associated with reducing caloric intake by the same amount.

9 pounds of fat a year is 86 calories a day.

[GONZO613]

It seems to me that the problem is the required dose. In order to experience any meaningful effect, it looks like you have to spend a long damn time freezing your balls off. A cold shower now and then is not enough. You have to get cold enough, for long enough, to both grow extra brown fat AND maximally stimulate it constantly over time.

The discomfort associated with that is probably much greater than the discomfort associated with reducing caloric intake by the same amount.

9 pounds of fat a year is 86 calories a day.

Yes, I can see your point. Now, you can also look at it as a physical and mental conditioning exercise by starting with a 5 minute cold shower and progressing over time to reap the benefits. Now other than the other benefits associated with it, it is one thing that only targets FAT and does not cause muscle to deteriorate. As the brown fat is killing the white fat cells.

[dmacdonal9]

Yeah, I've thought about doing it, but more so for recovery, not the fat loss effects. There's pretty good evidence for enhanced recovery effects.

[Znik]

Yes, I can see your point. Now, you can also look at it as a physical and mental conditioning exercise by starting with a 5 minute cold shower and progressing over time to reap the benefits. Now other than the other benefits associated with it, it is one thing that only targets FAT and does not cause muscle to deteriorate. As the brown fat is killing the white fat cells.

Are you 100% certain about that ? While it may not cause muscle atrophy, it certainly can attenuate muscular and vascular adaptions to resistance training/exercise.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26174323
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed...ise+physiology
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2963327/

Risk vs reward seems a bit iffy.

[GONZO613]

Yeah, I've thought about doing it, but more so for recovery, not the fat loss effects. There's pretty good evidence for enhanced recovery effects.

Actually its funny you bring that up. After posting this I went and did my workout and then had my 1st cold shower. I was extremely sore today. My back shoulders and calves were killing me since I woke up. After my workout my muscles felt about 10% better but, after the cold shower my sore muscles feel closer to about 95% better. I did not realize that the cold would have that much of an effect on muscle soreness.

Are you 100% certain about that ? While it may not cause muscle atrophy, it certainly can attenuate muscular and vascular adaptions to resistance training/exercise.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26174323
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed...ise+physiology
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2963327/

Risk vs reward seems a bit iffy.

Hmm just gave me some food for thought right there. I will continue to research and take note of my bodies reaction to the cold therapy. Thanks for the links.

[Serpentarius]

If you have to do outrageous, and uncomfortable things like cold showers your diet and your effort in the gym SUCKS. Start with 5 min cold showers, and what work you way up to 45 min showers? Seriously what a waste of life. What are you supposed to do in a shower for over 5 mins anyhow? It doesnt take longer than 5 to clean yourself.

What happened to eating less calories and exercise instead of turning to crazy methods?

[fade2green514]

86 calories a day could be attributed to shivering just saying.

-move more
-eat less

is an easier solution

[EjnarKolinkar]

RE fat loss: Waste of life

I think you can burn more calories with a glow in the dark hula hoop.

[GONZO613]

If you have to do outrageous, and uncomfortable things like cold showers your diet and your effort in the gym SUCKS. Start with 5 min cold showers, and what work you way up to 45 min showers? Seriously what a waste of life. What are you supposed to do in a shower for over 5 mins anyhow? It doesnt take longer than 5 to clean yourself.

What happened to eating less calories and exercise instead of turning to crazy methods?

Maybe you didn't read or you couldn't process it due to your super cool pony tail being too tight but I did say "Cold water therapy and fat freezing seem to be a great addition to any workout/ nutrition plan." I'm interested in the science behind the theory not looking for an easy way out as I have a crazy workout regime along with a strict diet plan already.

86 calories a day could be attributed to shivering just saying.

-move more
-eat less

What? Also, read above.

is an easier solution

RE fat loss: Waste of life

I think you can burn more calories with a glow in the dark hula hoop.

LMAO nice