Ice Baths

[Slaav]

Who the hell invented these?

I managed my first 45 miles yesterday and wanted to ride again today so tried one - very little ice but freezing cold.

Lasted around 3 mins before the pain was unbearable! Actually started to feel like burning.

So, question is: Do they work? How long should one stay in for? Or not worth the grief?

And the reason I ask is for my 215 mile weekend coming up in 3 weeks - GULP!


Edited to add the last line...

 

[e-rider]

well, if you stay in too long you might get hypothermia and end up dead!

 

[Rebel Ian]

I watched the documentary that Eddie Izzard made when he ran those back to back marathons. He was sat in a bath full of cold water and ice for 15 minutes!!

I'm going to try a cold water bath for as long as possible at the end of each day on our LEJoG ride although I HATE cold baths/showers.

 

[numbnuts]

Actually started to feel like burning

frostbite

 

[Bluebell72]

You could try one of these?

http://www.polymedic.com.au/sit---soak--sitz-bath-.html

On ski trips, I've been in some saunas and wellness rooms which feature a kind of tank that you have to climb down a ladder to get into, they are deep enough as to be neck height, and filled with icy water and chunks, not cubes of ice. Strangely, there's never many people in them.

Its a kind of a dunk, scream breathlessly then wade around experience.
Then there's the one that is powered icy jets of water...

It sounds horrific, but I love it.

In this case, I think maximum benefit to the muscles is gained when alternating between hot and cold temperatures - first slowly increasing, then decreasing.

 

[fimm]

I've done this a couple of times - no ice, just cold water out the tap. I find that getting in while the bath is filling so that more and more of you slowly goes under the water helps with the adaptation process. Still not pleasant though! I think you should stay in about 10 minutes.

 

[Fiona N]

...I find that getting in while the bath is filling so that more and more of you slowly goes under the water helps with the adaptation process. Still not pleasant though! I think you should stay in about 10 minutes.

I think this is the way to go - sit in a near empty bath and let it fill up around you. I do usually tip a bag of ice cubes in as well once the water is to the preferred level (waist height - it's my legs I'm trying to recover so I'm not bothered about above the waist being immersed) but frankly by that time, I'm so numb that I can't feel the difference. I sit for 10 minutes once filled.

Not pleasant as fimm says but you feel great afterwards - absolutely spring-fresh legs promise

 

[Garz]

So, question is: Do they work? How long should one stay in for? Or not worth the grief?

Apparently.
No longer than 10-15 mins I guess.
I read a study not long back that basically said they are equally as good as a shower or massage.

I think they are reasonable if your doing an ultra endurance event and for elite athletes but for the average joe doing comparatively reasonable challenges then I think they would be a waste of time unless your back to back riding.

 

[Yellow Fang]

I've tried cold water baths. I find them quite unpleasant. I usually find it difficult not to wee, which I'm not sure is a lack of bladder control or a subconscious desire to warm my legs. I can't say I noticed a much improvement in recovery times.

 

[oldgreyandslow]

[sup]Doesn't it shrink your bits and make them seriously uncomfortable? [/sup]

 

[jay clock]

I listened to a lenghty podcast on the subject from a top US specialist on triathlons. Right at the end, almost in a throwaway line, she said the water did not have to be 0 degrees, around 12 (celcius!) was fine.

I have an old bin in the garden and fill it with fresh tap water. Stand in it for a few mins after running and it is bearable and seems to help. The sitting in the bath version is ok if I start with sitting in the empty bath, and if the general ambient temperature is warm (eg summer). The frozen bollox is a prob though.....

 

[Rebel Ian]

I've just tried it, the cold water in the bath thing, after a 53 mile ride before breakfast! I'll find out in the morning whether it's made a difference.

I hate cold water but I didn't find it too bad. I took the tip of sitting in the bath then turning the tap on so I wasn't plunging into cold water plus it actually wasn't that cold but that's probably because I'd been out and was soaked having been caught in several rain showers.

I sat in for about 10 minutes and it wasn't unpleasant at all but it certainly wasn't freezing. Will let you know how I feel tomorrow!

 

[Rebel Ian]

It's difficult to know how I would have felt without the cold bath and the recovery drink but this morning my legs are fine. No hint of stiffness at all.

 

[Slaav]

It's difficult to know how I would have felt without the cold bath and the recovery drink but this morning my legs are fine. No hint of stiffness at all.

Thanks Rebel Ian.

So it appears that it probably does make a difference but certainly wont harm?

3 days back to back so need every help I can get.... Definitely going to go with attempting these (as well as other measures)

Thanks to all