Post Work Out: Hot or Cold?

[Big Smoothy]

Serious question (although it may sound trivial).

Right after working out, which is better? (if it matters).

1. Heating up in a Jacuzzi and Sauna

or

2. Cooling down with cold showers.


Does it make any difference after a bulk-up, low rep. high-max workout?

 

[supertech]

Personaly I like taking a hot shower after my workouts,it seems to relax my sore muscles up.

 

[atherjen]

Id stick with a hot shower, not too hot though. a cold shower would be too shocking to your warm muscles all at once.
I wouldnt do it that way anyways. and with the sauna your going to get dehydrated, whereas you need all the fluids after training.

and Welcome to IM Mr.S

 

[Arnold]

Defintely Heating up in a Jacuzzi and Sauna, a cold shower would constrict blood vessels/flow, not what you want post work-out.

The only time anything cold is good on the body is for an injury.

 

[enkai]

Cold shower for about 1 to 2 mins, and then a hot shower for about 1 to 2 mins, when doing the cold shower, the blood will go away from the muscles to keep your core heated, when you adjust to the hot shower, that blood will come back to the muscles and replenish them with new nutrients. It is proven that Heating up in a Jacuzzi and Sauna doesn't increase perofmance. If you're intertested in restoration, this is a pretty good book

"Sports Restoration and Massage" - Mel Siff

the facts stated above were jacked from that book, here is the link http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=137&pid=78

 

[CowPimp]

Originally posted by enkai
Cold shower for about 1 to 2 mins, and then a hot shower for about 1 to 2 mins, when doing the cold shower, the blood will go away from the muscles to keep your core heated, when you adjust to the hot shower, that blood will come back to the muscles and replenish them with new nutrients. It is proven that Heating up in a Jacuzzi and Sauna doesn't increase perofmance. If you're intertested in restoration, this is a pretty good book

"Sports Restoration and Massage" - Mel Siff

the facts stated above were jacked from that book, here is the link http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=137&pid=78

I did something similar to that when I went to Bally's with a friend one time. First, we got in the hot tub. Then we hopped in the lap pool for a few. After that we got back into the hot tub. A little different, but a similar principle nonetheless. I can't comment on any gains, but it definitely felt good.

 

[enkai]

Originally posted by CowPimp
I did something similar to that when I went to Bally's with a friend one time. First, we got in the hot tub. Then we hopped in the lap pool for a few. After that we got back into the hot tub. A little different, but a similar principle nonetheless. I can't comment on any gains, but it definitely felt good.

I believe that it will actually take a few months to notice the over all differnece in recovery, I wouldn't worry about doing it if you're not a professional athelete and need every bit to stay on the edge. They use to do this in russia frequently to their athletes.

 

[CowPimp]

Originally posted by enkai
I believe that it will actually take a few months to notice the over all differnece in recovery, I wouldn't worry about doing it if you're not a professional athelete and need every bit to stay on the edge. They use to do this in russia frequently to their athletes.

I'm certainly not worried about it either way. I was just adding in my very limited experience to the topic at hand. I thought it might be worth something. Every little contribution helps. Also, I think that getting in a hot tub feels wonderful after an intense workout. I figured I would take advantage of the tub while it was available.

 

[enkai]

Originally posted by CowPimp
I'm certainly not worried about it either way. I was just adding in my very limited experience to the topic at hand. I thought it might be worth something. Every little contribution helps. Also, I think that getting in a hot tub feels wonderful after an intense workout. I figured I would take advantage of the tub while it was available.

Certantly wont hurt IMO, but in the book I linked above, I believe it stated something along the lines that a hot shower post workout is not that productive because ahh i can't remember whats it called, but its that bad stuff that your body produces after a workout it all kinda gets mushed up into the muscles, I don't have the book anymore so I can't directly quote it, overall tho my fav. recovery method is adding a 20 to 70lb backpack and walking for about 30 mins, that helps me recover greatly.

 

[M.J.H.]

Hot, definitely, no questions asked. You want bloodflow after you workout so youre muscles can start to recover. Not cold, cold will restrict bloodflow and just really go against what youre want to happen.

 

[Aramo]

HUMMM not a bad idea... iam gone start going to the Jacuzzi and Sauna after workouts, IF i have time

 

[S.O.S]

Originally posted by Prince
Defintely Heating up in a Jacuzzi and Sauna, a cold shower would constrict blood vessels/flow, not what you want post work-out.

The only time anything cold is good on the body is for an injury.

I thought you were, in a way, injuring the muscles to make them grow. You put a strain on them with wieght and they can be sore the next day.

I also heard that taking a cool shower after helps with the recovery time of the muscles.