Revealing the Truth About Ice Baths and the Benefits They Offer
Ice Baths and the Benefits They Offer
We’ve seen or heard of athletes regularly dipping themselves into a freezing ice bath after a hard workout. However, what do we really know about the benefits these ice-cold baths have to offer? Take a look at some common benefits ice baths can have to see if you should try out an ice bath as part of your half marathon recovery!
What’s The Fuss Over Ice Baths?
Just like you’d ice a twisted ankle or strained muscle, cold temperatures have been proven to speed up the healing process within our bodies while also relieving pain. Ice baths benefit and relieve aching, sore, and inflamed muscles. They also limit the inflammation response that would usually occur which helps aid in a quicker recovery.
Ice baths are also thought to help with circulation. When you’re in an ice bath, your body naturally exerts more effort in maintaining its internal temperatures to continue functioning properly. Once you’re out of the ice and your body is no longer in contact with the cold temperature, blood flow increases allowing the body to maintain its recycling process. Increasing blood flow will help you sleep and make you feel better, physically, and emotionally.
The Top 10 Benefits of Taking an Ice Bath
Ice baths are believed to improve the recovery from strength, power, and flexibility workouts, as well as recovery from muscle damage and swelling.
It is said that decreasing the local temperature after exercise helps limit inflammatory response, decreasing the amount of inflammation, therefore helping you recover faster.
The effects of submerging your body in ice also have a positive impact on the central nervous system. It increases the production of endorphins that affect a person’s overall mood.
This release of endorphins can also help you achieve a better night’s rest so you’re ready to go for the next training session!
The Right Way to Take an Ice Bath
Ice baths are useful for quick recovery between training sessions. In order to see results from an ice bath, it must be done right. Here are a few tips:
- If your goal is to combat soreness or prevent your muscles from further damage, the sooner you get into an ice bath after a tough workout, the better.
- While you’re at it, add in some post-workout recovery foods/drinks to really speed up your recovery time!
- How cold is too cold? The temperature of the bath should actually be between 50 and 59º F.
- An ice bath should last between 10 and 15 minutes at most.
- Lastly, you’ll want to make sure you submerge your entire body in the water to get the effect you’re looking for.
Why Should You Give It a Try?!
Ice baths are good for athletes because they help your body stay prepared for the next workout. From speeding up recovery time to alleviating pain that could prevent you from your training, ice baths have some real benefits.
