Forum home› Road cycling forum› Training, fitness and health

Ice Baths

drewfromriscadrewfromrisca Posts: 1,165
edited October 2007 in Training, fitness and health
I've just started using them after long rides, runs and weights session and I've found them pretty good for recovery, has anyone else used them and can they recommend a duration of time I should be in there for?
There is never redemption, any fool can regret yesterday...

Be Pure! Be Vigilant! Behave!

Posts

  • Mog UkMog Uk Posts: 964
    5-10mins is all you need, ....or until your bo11ocks shrivel up.......

    I could never handle them myself so I now opt for blasting my aching muscles with a cold shower head instead, I know that a lot of pro athletes swear by them...
    Manchester Wheelers' Club
  • drewfromriscadrewfromrisca Posts: 1,165
    Cheers, its a bit of a mental thing getting in I think but when your in it doesn't get too bad. I think its that initial gettin in bit. If I'm in a rush then I'll give the shower head technique a go.
    There is never redemption, any fool can regret yesterday...

    Be Pure! Be Vigilant! Behave!
  • steve23steve23 Posts: 2,202
    ive used ice baths, there good IMO, just hurt like hell for the first 5 or 10 secs!!!

    i use an old wheelie bin!!! works a treat!!! well, its the re-cycling one we dont use!
    _______________________________________________________________________________________
    If You Can't Cut It With The Big Dogs, Then Don't Pi$$ Up The Tall Trees!
  • DaveyLDaveyL Posts: 5,167
    Where do you guys keep all the ice!!!???
    Le Blaireau (1)
  • drewfromriscadrewfromrisca Posts: 1,165
    I buy the ice cube bags from aldi 99p a pack. just fill bath up to cover my legs with cold water then put cubes in. I dont rip bags open as I try to re-use the bags again by just putting back into the freezer but if they split then dispose. About 10 - 15 sheets of the bags do the trick. I also throw in some ice packs (first aid types) and when short of some bags I even use my missus eye and feet packs (just dont tell her!!!)
    There is never redemption, any fool can regret yesterday...

    Be Pure! Be Vigilant! Behave!
  • SteveR_100MilersSteveR_100Milers Posts: 5,987
    do they make you any faster?
    http://www.pontypoolrcc.co.uk/
    www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=44397853765
  • Mark AlexanderMark Alexander Posts: 2,277
    you lot are crazy :D
    http://twitter.com/mgalex
    www.ogmorevalleywheelers.co.uk

    10TT 24:36 25TT: 57:59 50TT: 2:08:11, 100TT: 4:30:05 12hr 204.... unfinished business
  • Courage MonsieurCourage Monsieur Posts: 534
    15 ice bags? That's dedication!

    I tried this in my mid teens, just with v cold tap water. Nothing to do with cycling, I just heard it was v good for you.

    Shivered for hours. It was awful.

    If I were to do it again I'd try using picnic ice packs rather than cubes.

    Paul
  • Alex_Simmons/RSTAlex_Simmons/RST Posts: 4,161
    There is no hard scientific evidence to support the use of this method, nor is there any to suggest it is not beneficial. I consulted one sports scientist and in turn a well respected exercise physiologist. Neither were aware of evidence to support its use. The following article gives a pretty good summary and provides an explanation of the purported benefits:

    http://www.squashsite.co.uk/k/kaleidoscope5.htm

    Other references include:
    One item promoting their use:
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/s ... 097114.stm

    This one questions their worth and suggests there has been little research to back up the claims it aids recovery:
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6287210.stm

    This one from British Journal of Sports Medicine Jan 07 from research here in Australia suggests that ice water immersion is ineffectual:
    http://bjsm.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/41/6/392

    This one I can't tell the results from the extract:
    http://bjsm.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/41/5/339

    I know that after rides on hot days I use cold water shower to help lower core body temperature.

    I think in summary, if you use them and find they help, then there is no reason not to continue with them.

    Cheers
    Alex
    RST Sport : Coaching - Training Plans - Powermeters -- My blog -- AeroCoach Australia
  • ajohn9ajohn9 Posts: 260
    i had one the other day, it was quite good!
    but i think ive got tendonitis in my knee now :(
  • Hotblack DesiatoHotblack Desiato Posts: 136
    Ice baths??

    Catch yerselves on and have a beer after your ride beerchug.gif

    .
    My Bikes:

    Road
    Dirt
    Fast
  • scherritscherrit Posts: 360
    I've tried this after lifting and sprint sessions.... in other words those sessions more likely to cause more (temporary) damage to the fibres. I believe that it may help me. I also suspect that if it does help, that it is more likely to help after lifting, sprints/starts and in contact/collision sports.

    Alex, good to see you post here....... I've seen top notch advice from you on fgf. Good advice and no "attitude"... very much appreciated!!!
    Cheers,
    S.
    If you're as fat as me, all bikes are bendy.
  • JohnpsandersonJohnpsanderson Posts: 380
    When I first started running I found an ice bath (well - actually just a bath of VERY cold water) stopped the aching/heavy legged feeling the next day. Maybe it's just psychological? Either way it helped and I wish I still lived somewhere with a bath so I could keep it up!
    Put me back on my bike...

    t' blog: http://meandthemountain.wordpress.com/
  • Mike Willcox1Mike Willcox1 Posts: 311
    Yet another magic bullet. What a load of old tosh. Some people will rub garlic on their gonads if they read somewhere it will do them good.(euphemism for going faster). :D
  • JohnpsandersonJohnpsanderson Posts: 380
    Some people will rub garlic on their gonads if they read somewhere it will do them good.

    Can I get some garlic over here please!
    Put me back on my bike...

    t' blog: http://meandthemountain.wordpress.com/
  • terongiterongi Posts: 318
    Mike Willcox1 wrote:
    Yet another magic bullet. What a load of old tosh. Some people will rub garlic on their gonads if they read somewhere it will do them good.(euphemism for going faster). :D

    Surely frozen garlic would make you go even faster?
  • Captain FagorCaptain Fagor Posts: 739
    I haven't done cold baths since the winter of 2005, but I do remember being certain that they helped your legs recuperate.

    Your weiner, on the other hand, could do without being plunged into a cold bath after being out on a 4hr bike ride in 5 degrees celcius!

    I'll get my coat.....
  • Felix-da-house-mouseFelix-da-house-mouse Posts: 801
    i'm gonna just give an ice cold bath with no ice tonight a go, just run the cold water tap for a while b4 hand.
    felix's bike

    pedal like you stole something!!!
  • hammeritehammerite Posts: 3,408
    I do these after long runs (but not rides). I find it does help with recovery, especially if you have any niggles where you would normally apply ice.

    I don't actually use ice, just cold water. I find the worst thing is that it starts to feel like I'm getting cramp in my feet! So sometimes I start with it cold but slowly run warm water in over my feet!
Sign In or Register to comment.