When you think of ways to recover after a workout, what comes to mind?
– A nice hot shower? (maybe in the winter!)
– A protein shake?
– Relax on the couch?
– A massage? (now we’re talking)
A cold plunge doesn’t immediately come to mind does it? (yeah, neither!)But many top athletes use this trick to help reduce muscle soreness.
How it works: After a workout, your body will need to ‘repair’ itself in order to prepare for your next session.It does this with the help of your blood vessels. They bring oxygen to the muscle tissue, while removing the waste products of exercise.One waste product in particular is Lactic Acid. A cold plunge bath will immediately reduce the swelling while flushing the lactic acid out of your body.The cold will cause your blood vessels to tighten which will help drain the lactic acid out of your tired muscles. When you get out, your muscle tissue will warm back up, causing a return of oxygenated blood which will help your muscles recover.
So, after your workout, plunge yourself into Aspire Health & Sports cold plunge pool in our Aquatics Centre and get those tired muscles soaking!