Cold water therapy, also known as immersion therapy…AKA ice baths and cold showers, can help you perform at your best on the bike! 🥶
The trend is currently a hugely popular method used by many athletes, including cyclists, to improve recovery and performance…
…But it isn’t just for the pros! Check out our list of benefits of cold water therapy for cyclists, below! 👇🏼
Improved Recovery Time 🦵🏼
Ice baths can help speed up recovery time by reducing muscle inflammation and promoting the removal of waste products, such as lactic acid, from the muscles.
If you’re riding consecutive days or on a rigorous training plan, give it a go to see how your legs feel – especially after a hard session!
Increased Circulation 🩸
Cold water therapy can also help increase circulation by constricting blood vessels and then dilating them. This can help bring fresh blood and oxygen to the muscles, which can help improve overall performance and is especially important if you are spending hours and hours in the same position, or experiencing numbness in any areas of your body.
Enhanced Immune Function 🙅🏻♂️ 🦠
Immersion therapy can also help boost the immune system by preparing the body to deal with cold conditions. This is a hugely valuable benefit and something cyclists often struggle with due to spending hours outside and being in calorie deficits.
Reduced Injury Risk 🤕
Ice baths or cold showers can also help reduce the risk of injury by increasing muscle flexibility and reducing muscle stiffness. Again, the increased blood flow to fatigued muscles can help prevent strains and pulls! If you’re prone to niggles, ice baths could be a great solution.
Increased Endurance and Performance 💪🏼
Doping? No. Science? Yes. By improving the body’s ability to use oxygen when required, cold water therapy can also help increase endurance and performance, and it’ll only cost you a few ice cubes!
Improved Focus and Clarity 💆🏾♀️
A cold shower in the morning can help improve mental focus and clarity by increasing the natural production of dopamine throughout the day. This in turn helps reduce the risk of mental fatigue, makes you less prone to stress and improves your mood – all resulting in better performance on the bike.
Overall, cold water therapy is a powerful tool for cyclists looking to improve – not only recovery but performance, too. It’s a great way to help you get over one of the above issues or just act as another 1%er on your quest to become a better cyclist!
Happy training,
Luke
VB
