We have all seen those documentaries, series, or videos about sports and athletes and seen them step into those baths filled with frosty looking water and a bunch of ice cubes, right? It’s become such a popular regimen of the workouts of many athletes all over the world, but do you know why? Sure it cools their bodies after doing all that intense training but the benefits of jumping into an ice bath are pretty astonishing.
Now people know that ice baths have many great benefits for their bodies, they also want to start going along with that trend which is totally valid. However, it is important to keep in mind that everybody’s body is different and what works well for one person might not work at all for another. So doing your research is essential before trying out something that has a very real impact on your body. In this blog, we will help you find out whether or not you should start taking ice baths as well as what benefits they bring if you do decide to do it.
What exactly is an ice bath?
If you think there is more to what an ice bath is, you would be wrong. It is exactly as the name suggests; It is a very cold, icy bath. Ice baths are a form of cold therapy for your body, and just like regular therapy, they can be quite uncomfortable but equally beneficial. Ice baths also aren’t necessarily for your entire body, you can also just submerge parts of your body that require it, such as your legs after leg day.
It doesn’t have to be too fancy, you can fill your own bath halfway with cold water and then fill the rest with a lot of ice cubes. However, if you want to get a tub dedicated to ice baths you can! At icetubs.com you can order your very own ice tub and get the full experience.
Is taking an ice bath safe for you?
Generally, taking an ice bath isn’t dangerous for those with no medical matters that they need to take into account. If you have a medical condition, always make sure to talk to your personal medical professional if it is safe for you to take ice baths.
If you have any of these conditions, you definitely should get feedback from your doctor before jumping into a freezing cold bath as it can have a dangerous effect on you:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Poor blood circulation
- Peripheral neuropathy
Also, keep in mind that an ice bath is not a cure for dealing with serious injuries. They are more beneficial for our classic muscle aches and pains and for preventing serious injuries. So please don’t jump into an ice bath thinking it will fix your broken arm or torn ligament.
Cool benefits of ice baths
If you are in the clear to take ice baths after your workouts, then here are some benefits you will be getting.
- You can say goodbye to super sore muscles. We all know the feeling of our muscles figuratively (but it feels literal) screaming at us with every step or every little movement we make after a good workout. If you jump into an ice bath as soon as you finish exercising or training, those sore muscles will feel like more of a moan than a scream.
- Ice baths also are great at speeding muscle recovery up by a noticeable amount. This is a very good benefit if you work out regularly because the quicker your muscles recover, the better prepared your body is for the next workout. If your body is recovering quicker before your next workout, then your risk of injury is significantly lowered.
- If you experience swelling due to inflammation, an ice bath would be perfect. Think of an ice bath like an ice pack but for your entire body. If your body is experiencing swelling and inflammation, then you can get some very nice relief from an ice bath.