If ice baths kill inflammation, why don’t ALL pro athletes ice bathe after after training? The short answer: inflammation after exercise actually helps your body heal and can even help build muscle. Inflammation can become a problem, but in most situations, it’s adaptive and appropriate.

#icebath #coldexposure

since cold water immersion like ice baths are so effective for reducing inflammation in your joints and your muscles why don’t professional athletes jump into icy tubs right after a big practice or a big game why is it that professional sports has largely abandoned the practice of ice bathing for Recovery altogether this might surprise you but post trainining post exercise inflammation is actually a healing adaptation you need inflammation to grow muscle you need inflammation to heal your connective tissues if you get a nice bath you’ll reduce circulation reduce pain and reduce inflammation yes yes but in many cases you’ll actually slow healing and you might even kill your gain don’t get me wrong I love ice bathing I love cold water immersion and there are amazing benefits but right after exercise that’s usually not it

29 Comments

  1. If ice baths kill inflammation, why don’t ALL pro athletes ice bathe after training? The short answer: inflammation after exercise actually helps your body heal and can even help build muscle. Inflammation can become a problem, but in most situations, it’s adaptive and appropriate.

    #icebath #coldexposure

  2. Interesting. My habit is ending the shower with 1-2 mins of cold water, I always do it BEFORE workout, as it does energize me. The first few seconds after changing to cold aren't great, but right after that, it really starts being enjoyable, as I literally feel an instant positive effect. And when only I start feeling cold, I finish. Would recommend trying this to everyone.

  3. Simplest way to think of it is like this: when you get injured you put ice on it to reduce the inflammation. Same thing with your muscles. The ice bath reduces the inflamed muscle pump you got from the gym

  4. If your ankle swells after training, ice it. If not, don't. The ice is for excessive inflammation. And it's used more locally with ice packs. Try and be more thorough with your info. Ice has a purpose. Now you just confused a lot of people or gave them the wrong idea.

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