Cold Showers, Ice Baths?

Discussion in 'Boxing Training' started by Goose, Jun 28, 2009.


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  1. Goose

    Goose Russian oligarch Full Member

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    In an old Soviet song they say "if you want to be healthy, pour cold water over your body and you won't have to see another doctor again" In other words, hardening your body through taking of cold showers, ice baths, or rubbing snow over your body in the winter will help toughness because your muscles contract alot and the body needs to work extra hard just to keep itself warm.

    Ive been taking cold showers after workouts pretty much daily now for the last month, and maybe its because of the placebo effect, but I feel better, more energized, and when I am at the gym I don't get tired as much.

    Anybody here uses cold showers?

    I tried to find some scientific research to back this up what they are saying in the Soviet song, but couldn't find anything useful except for this article. http://www.sqjh.me.uk/squaddiejh/cold.htm


    There is also a video on youtube of Jason Estrada sitting in a garbage can filled with ice water, he says that it helps muscles to heal.
     
    Goose, Jun 28, 2009
    Goose, Jun 28, 2009
    #1
  2. scurlaruntings

    scurlaruntings ESB 2002 Club Full Member

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    There just a placebo. Theres never been any concrete proof as to its effectiveness. Brock Lesnar used to do this alot but he's a dumb meathead. Myself personally i think its utterly pointless.
     
    scurlaruntings, Jun 28, 2009
    scurlaruntings, Jun 28, 2009
    #2
  3. FromWithin

    FromWithin Living for the city Full Member

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    I think it's true I need to research on that. I know a weight lifter that went to the olympics who does that after her trainings.
     
    FromWithin, Jun 28, 2009
    FromWithin, Jun 28, 2009
    #3
  4. FromWithin

    FromWithin Living for the city Full Member

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    FromWithin, Jun 28, 2009
    FromWithin, Jun 28, 2009
    #4
  5. paloalto00

    paloalto00 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    It doesn't make you perform better, all it does it soothes the muscles. It would be better to jump into cold water, then hot water afterwards. It has the same affect as icy hot, but much more relaxing.
     
    paloalto00, Jun 28, 2009
    paloalto00, Jun 28, 2009
    #5
  6. Ajfourty7

    Ajfourty7 Member Full Member

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    I thought the idea of ice baths were that they broke down the lactic acid and therefore increases recovery.
     
    Ajfourty7, Jun 29, 2009
    Ajfourty7, Jun 29, 2009
    #6
  7. Mazallan

    Mazallan ESB yes man Full Member

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    Ice baths are great.
     
    Mazallan, Jun 29, 2009
    Mazallan, Jun 29, 2009
    #7
  8. T.C.W

    T.C.W Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    never had one
     
    T.C.W, Jun 29, 2009
    T.C.W, Jun 29, 2009
    #8
  9. Rakim

    Rakim Captain ****wit Full Member

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    I've had a proper ice bath once on holiday, it was ****ing horrific.

    I used to have a bath with just cold tap water every time I got home from boxing in the summer, not for any health benefits, just because I was ridiculously hot, I needed to lay down, and warm water was the last thing I wanted to lay in.
     
    Rakim, Jun 29, 2009
    Rakim, Jun 29, 2009
    #9
  10. RDJ

    RDJ Boxing Junkie banned

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    You were hung like a seahorse and that was before the shrinkage. Must have been traumatizing.
     
    RDJ, Jun 29, 2009
    RDJ, Jun 29, 2009
    #10
  11. Rakim

    Rakim Captain ****wit Full Member

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    By the time I got out I was actually the owner of a fairly cavernous vagina.
     
    Rakim, Jun 29, 2009
    Rakim, Jun 29, 2009
    #11
  12. RDJ

    RDJ Boxing Junkie banned

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    :lol:
     
    RDJ, Jun 29, 2009
    RDJ, Jun 29, 2009
    #12
  13. mattking3

    mattking3 Guest

    Their great for recovery, but im not too sure about them making you tougher haha. Jumping into an ice bath or plunge pool after training can allow you to train the next day with little if any soreness.
     
    mattking3, Jun 29, 2009
    mattking3, Jun 29, 2009
    #13
  14. micro

    micro Mean left hook Full Member

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    ****s the point

    they don't do anything
     
    micro, Jun 30, 2009
    micro, Jun 30, 2009
    #14
  15. spittle8

    spittle8 Dropping Fisticuffs Full Member

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    I just took one (after gym) and I feel amazing. At first I was screaming and hopping in pain but after the first minute I felt energetic and alive, rather than tired and beaten down as usual. I feel revived.

    Good ****, I'm gonna make this a habit. Cold showers/baths work by causing the skin and muscles to contract, squeezing the gross blood out of your tissue, which is laced with bad **** from the workout. With the dirty plasma gone you'll heal faster and feel better. Other than that, it wakes you up...

    You want to alternate between cold and hot showers. Squeeze the bad blood out, but later make sure you warm up so circulation gets going. Heat encourages blood flow, which you want to heal your broken body.
     
    spittle8, Jul 1, 2009
    spittle8, Jul 1, 2009
    #15
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