Posted by Rachel Schwartz on 12/11/2019 to
Now Ya Cookin'
Ice baths, or cryotherapy, has become an increasingly popular trend over the last two years. Most often associated with professional athletes and celebrities, the practice is more or less exactly what the name suggests--taking a bath with a lot of ice. While the freezing temperature does not call to mind relaxation, it does have a number of health benefits.
Submerging your body in a bathtub filled with ice and cold water can reduce inflammation and improve recovery time after a workout--similar to how athletes will tape ice packs to their shoulders or knees after practice or an injury. Reducing inflammation to the muscles also helps reduce muscle soreness the day after a hard workout. The cold temperature triggers your metabolism to increase and burn body fat in order to warm up your body. The freezing temperature can also improve your hair and skin as the cold water closes hair follicles making them less likely to fall out when washing and closes pores in your skin, making it appear smoother and less likely to clog (i.e. develop acne or spots).
There are several manufacturers that produce residential ice machines--Scotsman, U-Line, Marvel, and Hoshizaki to name a few. These ice makers come in a variety of heights, sizes, colors, and ice styles so you can choose the best option to suit your needs. If your bathroom is big enough to add an undercounter unit, this would ensure the least amount of travel necessary when scooping out ice to put in the bathtub. Otherwise, consider an area of the house that is either not far from the bathroom or that would get a lot of multi-use traffic--ice baths and ice for a mini bar for example.
While there are definite benefits to ice baths, there are also a few risks. Be sure to speak with your doctor if you have high blood pressure or a history of cardiovascular disease before prescribing yourself an ice bath after your next workout. Hypothermia can also be a real concern, which is why the recommended temperature for ice baths is between 45 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit and the time submerged in the bath should not exceed 10-15 minutes.
Will ice baths and ice machines be on your next wish list?
