Cold bath after riding

RichardFcp

Apart from helping to quell impure thoughts about Victora Pendleton 8) is there any merit in terms of reducing muscle soreness for the hobby rider to take a cold bath after a ride? I know professional sportsmen use ice baths after training so any benefits for the amateur?

Kléber

There's actually little evidence of benefits but try it and if it works for you, why not?

stephec

It seems to work for me. I was told to sit in a cold bath for five minutes and then have a lukewarm shower.

The water coming through the pipes seems to be extra cold at this time of year though. :shock: :shock: :shock:

popette

I couldn't think of anything worse. When my toes are getting cold, all I want is a nice long soak in a steaming HOT bath.

FitzyNC

whatever works for you. i tried it for a time but just lost interest i am not a pro-rider, much prefer hot showers to cold baths

J2R2

After a really hard turbo interval session I find that showering my legs with cold water is helpful - they don't feel as stiff the next morning. I don't think I could face sitting in a cold bath though!

Alex_Simmons/RST

There was a thread on this a little while back:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... =ice+baths

xover_runner

Fitz - brilliant quote from your ex '. My wife says very similar things but adds in selfish and nerdy for added venom

fidbod

I couldn't tell you if there is a genuine physiological effect or if it is purely a psychological thing but I allways finish my turbo sessions with an ice bath.

It seems to make the next day much less painful which is always good.

henderson_mk

skip the ice bath and get hold of some compression tights
keeps legs warm while moving the blood to remove toxins (apparently)... and it seems to work for me.

phelim

cold baths are good in the summer after racing, but i would not have one at this time of year. far too cold

Mike Willcox

phelim wrote:

cold baths are good in the summer after racing, but i would not have one at this time of year. far too cold

There are two things to bear in mind here.

1) After training your immunity systems are lowered and you are more susceptible to infection.

2) The best way to deal with a cold is to get warm and maybe take some paracetemol
E.g. A hot bath, warm drink and warm clothes.

Notwithstanding the above a cold bath after training isn't the most attractive of options anyway; so for a practice of dubious benefit my advice would be to forget it.

normanp

What a horrible idea. Sounds like a penance for past sins.

AndrewBye

A 5-10 minute cold bath has certainly helped me recover in the past after hard efforts over the past few years- but I wouldnt consider it in the winter months as im normally far too cold already.

Only ever put my legs under the water and not my chest (as dont want to get ill) plus its only my legs that are sore and possibly inflammed after hard cycling.

Similar effect to putting an ice pack on, alters blood flow + numbs some of the pain.

Alex_Simmons/RST

I use a cold shower after blazing hot Aussie summer days, especially to cool the head.