Ice Bath Before or After Workout: What’s Best for You?

Originally published on The Cold Plunge Store on November 14th, 2024.
Is taking an ice bath before a workout actually helpful? Can it really improve endurance, or does it come with more risks than rewards? And how exactly does cold water affect the body before intense exercise?
To answer these questions, we must examine the science behind “pre-cooling” and how it can boost performance and create unique challenges. Here’s what you need to know.
Benefits of Pre-Workout Ice Baths
- Pre-cooling, or cooling down your body before a workout, is especially valuable for training in hot conditions. Taking an ice bath before your workout can reduce strain on your body by lowering your core temperature before exertion.
This gives you a buffer against the heat so that you can maintain your performance longer during intense summer runs or HIIT sessions. A 2012 study published in BMC Medicine found cold-water immersion to be the most effective pre-cooling method, particularly in managing body temperature during exercise in warm climates.Tapping into your body’s natural stress response prior to exercise can make you feel more hyped up and ready to tackle your workout. When you ice bath, your body triggers its fight-or-flight response – the instinctive system that sharpens your senses and prepares you for… Continue Reading on The Cold Plunge Store
Medical Disclaimer
The information contained in this post is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions or before embarking on any new health or wellness routine, including saunas and cold plunging. Neither the author(s) nor the publisher of this content take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any cold plunging routine or other health or wellness program.