Is it really worth the pain?

Headhuunter

So it seems that Andy Murray has been indulging in ice baths to aid recovery from his matches. I've heard a lot about these as being fantastic at ridding your muscles of toxins after long rides or runs and really helping muscles repair themselves.

Has anyone ever tried an ice bath?

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/health/ar ... article.do

softlad

maybe if you are a pro sportsman and your income depends on it. But for regular amateurs or hobby cyclists (ie most people on here, I guess) I think it would be a bit excessive.....

Headhuunter

Really? If you look on running websites like Runners World, people are always talking about icing their legs after long runs and taking ice baths, it seems that cyclists are behind the curve on this!

softlad

Headhuunter wrote:

Really? If you look on running websites like Runners World, people are always talking about icing their legs after long runs and taking ice baths, it seems that cyclists are behind the curve on this!

sure, if you're keenly competitive then do it...I still think its a bit excessive for your average hobby rider though....but its a free country.....

bobtbuilder

I have cold water baths after cycling, but haven't progressed to ice yet.

Headhuunter

softlad wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

Really? If you look on running websites like Runners World, people are always talking about icing their legs after long runs and taking ice baths, it seems that cyclists are behind the curve on this!

sure, if you're keenly competitive then do it...I still think its a bit excessive for your average hobby rider though....but its a free country.....

I wasn't thinking so much in terms of competitivity but reducing chance of injury and generally helping your body recover after a long ride. I do a lot of stretching and weights work at the gym to build core strength and was just wondering if anyone here had experienced an ice bath and whether it really made them feel good

bobtbuilder

I find it helps me recover. Maybe a 40-50% improvement.

nasahapley

I almost always try to find a stream to sit/stand in for a bit at the end of hard fell-runs, and it does seem to make a considerable difference to recovery. I wouldn't say it was uncomfortable either - in fact it feels incredibly refreshing! I don't often bother after cycling though, as that would usually just mean sitting in a bath which isn't quite the same; don't see why it shouldn't work though.

Slow1972

Cold shower on the legs seems to help me with recovery too, only started trying it recently. I alternate between cold and warm

FSR_XC

I start with a cold shower after a long / hard ride.

Really helps recovery - legs don't ache the following day.

Stewie Griffin

Cant beat a cold beer :P I have stood up in the shower with not quite cold but still flipping chilly water on my legs but only after long rides and only after my beer 8)

prawny

There was article in Shortlist the other week and cav was saying they sit in a bath of ice for 10 mins after racing and training. How much ice would you need though?
I tried cold water it seemed to do the trick, I might have a cold bath tonight actually legs are a bit sore today.

Frank the tank

I find sitting in a bath of Ice cold water makes your todger shrink.

teagar

Frank the tank wrote:

I find sitting in a bath of Ice cold water makes your todger shrink.

I think I have enough down there for that not to be a real concern...


It certainly stops the legs stinging as much the next day when you first start turning the pedals.

prawny

teagar wrote:

Frank the tank wrote:

I find sitting in a bath of Ice cold water makes your todger shrink.

I think I have enough down there for that not to be a real concern...


It certainly stops the legs stinging as much the next day when you first start turning the pedals.

I'm the other end of the spectrum, a 20% discount doesn't really amount to much 8)

keef66

Frank the tank wrote:

I find sitting in a bath of Ice cold water makes your todger shrink.

How exactly does you sitting in a bath of cold water make my todger shrink?

And regardless of the mechanism, my wife says can you please stop doing it.

Ieuanllan

keef66 wrote:

Frank the tank wrote:

I find sitting in a bath of Ice cold water makes your todger shrink.

How exactly does you sitting in a bath of cold water make my todger shrink?

And regardless of the mechanism, my wife says can you please stop doing it.

I regularly sit in a cold bath after running / cycling / triathlon and I think it helps recovery for me.
It definitely makes me feel like I'm winning in my constant battle to HTFU.