Nicole Hollar explains how ice baths reduce inflammation and flush waste after workouts through vasoconstriction. Start with water around 50°F for a few minutes, then gradually lower the temperature as your body adapts.
Ice baths are great because they help to constrict the blood vessels. They flush waste from the body. They reduce inflammation. And these are all of the things that are happening after we've worked out. So an ice bath could be really beneficial for you as well. But I will caution you, if you're new to it, let's not dive into a 40-degree tank. You're going to want to start somewhere in that mid-50s and only go for a few minutes. And then graduate over time. And I can tell you for myself, I might have one at home, but if I've been on vacation for a couple of weeks, I want to start at that mid-50 range again, just to get my body readjusted, and then I can happily go down.
