I don't sit in an ice bath but I use cold water on my legs in the shower after a run - i find it helps - legs are not as stiff the next day as when I don't blast them with cold water. I find about 5-10 mins is enough - reducing the temp until it's really cold.
I usually sit in the bath with enough cold water to just cover my legs. It's awful for the first ten seconds or so, but then it feels OK. Since I've been doing it, I've noticed a real reduction in the fatigue I feel after running (especially on long runs or speedwork sessions.
yep, been using icy cold water showers for years and years, long before (Paula made it popular) in fact in winter if there's snow, hubby and I rub our legs down with handfuls of it. Really helps to dispel any stiffness or soreness after a hard training run.
if you are going to run distance its a must i fill the bath up with cold water and then put two bags of ice in after every long run what we do to keep injury free
I went to the gym and did weights then the next day went for a run. Part way round I had a job to move my legs. I was told about the ice bath - I didn't use ice, just had a cold bath and it really really helped. I wish I had known about it earlier. I was told to put a towel over my legs whilst in the bath also which makes it a little bit warmer.
Comments
cheers people - might give this a try tonight after me run
how does it work if you have a slight muscle strain - does it help with that aswell?
buck
It does help after a long run as UIW mentioned. It does work.
NGM, you might not have got far but you wont have been sore neither!
my girlfriend has had a few stone cold baths and she says it helped.
i'm too much of a wimp to try it myself though!
if you are going to run distance its a must i fill the bath up with cold water and then put two bags of ice in after every long run what we do to keep injury free
made me feel like crap for the rest of the evening... BUT i felt great this morning, no stiff legs or aches or pains...
buck.
it wasnt my legs i was bothered about being cold - it was the old wedding tackle that was the worst effected by the tempurature...