The last decade has seen a significant spike in the number of professional athletes who admit to practicing ice bath therapy. From Cristiano Ronaldo to LeBron James, Usain Bolt, and Andy Murray, there’s a growing list of athletes who swear by ice bath benefits.
But taking an ice bath isn’t only therapeutically beneficial. You can unlock several other perks, depending on the type of equipment used. This post explores why many athletes are switching to inflatable ice bath tubs.
1. Stimulates Blood Circulation
When you first step into an inflatable ice bath tub, your arteries and veins temporarily shrink. However, that brief vasoconstriction is immediately followed by vasodilation as your body acclimatizes to the water temperature.
By dilating your blood vessels, ice tubs stimulate blood flow throughout your body. Improved circulation accelerates muscle healing while improving overall wellness.
2. Alleviates Muscle Soreness
Muscle soreness is a major side effect of strenuous workouts. While the condition typically resolves within 24 – 48 hours, it can set you back big time while it lasts.
Studies have shown that cold water therapy can alleviate muscle pain nearly as effectively as conventional analgesics but with almost no side effects. The practice creates a surge of blood to your aching muscles, helping to numb the pain.
3. Soothes Inflammation
Exercise-induced inflammation mostly results from the accumulation of fluids in muscle tissues, leading to a condition called edema. Inflatable ice bath tubs can soothe edema by increasing blood circulation to the swollen tissues.
As more blood flows in, the fluid is pushed out of the blood vessels into the general circulatory system.
4. Helps Flush Out Metabolic Wastes
Intensive sports and workouts don’t just cause micro-tears in your muscles. It can also lead to a build-up of certain metabolic waste products, such as lactic acid.
High lactic acid levels in the bloodstream can slow down recovery. Besides, the compound may impact your immune system. Eliminating it is paramount.
By pushing body fluids out of your muscles and back into the circulatory system, ice bath therapy helps clear lactic acid from your system.
5. Increases Fat Browning
Fat browning is the conversion of unhealthy white fat cells to the healthier brown fat cells. Brown fats help convert calories into useful energy, making them essential for weight management.
Exposure to the chilly conditions in ice bath tubs can stimulate metabolism. This consequently activates fat browning, helping athletes stay in shape.
6. Reduces Core Body Temperature
Inflatable ice bath tubs are a valuable investment for athletes who follow rigorous workout routines. Taking an ice bath treatment lowers core body temperature, enabling you to cool after periods of intense exercise.
Ice bath therapies offer near-instant effects. You can restore your core body temperature within seconds of immersion, making them incredibly time-saving.
7. Boosts Mental Resilience
Every moment spent in an inflatable bathtub strengthens your mental resilience. Ice bath tubs acclimate your body to uncomfortable situations, empowering you to navigate life’s stressful moments.
Besides, you could consider regular ice bath tubs when preparing for extreme sporting tournaments like ice skating and snowboarding.
8. Strengths Overall Immunity
An inflatable ice bath tub not only enhances performance for active athletes. Even if you’re retired, you can still rely on this equipment to strengthen your overall immunity.
Studies have shown that cold exposure supports the immune system by up-regulating the body’s antioxidant defenses, including the white blood cells.
Non-therapeutic Benefits of Inflatable Ice Bath Tubs
a) High Portability
Unlike framed ice bath tubs, inflatable tubs pack down to small packages. That makes them super easy to handle, store, and transport.
Due to their portability, you can bring inflatable bathtubs to your training ground to keep up with your therapy sessions.
b) Remarkable Durability
Inflatable ice bath tubs are surprisingly durable despite their elastic designs. A proper set-up can last for years, providing continuous ice therapy.
c) Ideal for Diverse Settings
Some athletes prefer to cold-plunge outdoors as they relish the beauty of their lush gardens. However, others would rather undergo the therapy while catching up on the news indoors.
Despite your preference, it’s exciting to know that inflatable ice bath tubs provide the best of both worlds. This equipment features weather-proof construction for indoor and outdoor applications.
You can also pick a color that complements your interior décor or outdoor ambiance.
d) Easy Set-up
Setting up an inflatable ice bath tub is super easy.
i) Choose a Suitable Spot
Whether indoors or outdoors, ensure the location is flat and free from sharp objects. It’s also important to consider accessibility to essential utilities like hose taps.
ii) Install the Tub
Unfold your inflatable ice bath tub and use the included accessories to mount it on the selected surface. A critical step here includes screwing the bathtub’s drainage valve onto the water outlet on its other side. Remember to turn off the tub’s plugs and water drainage while connecting these components.
iii) Inflate the Tub
Inflatable ice bath tubs come with dedicated hand pumps for inflating the set-up. Insert the pump’s nozzle into a valve and pump air to the recommended pressure range. Don’t overinflate the tub. When done, replace the valve cap and set the pump aside.
iv) Complete the Installation
Connect the remaining accessories to your inflated bathtub. Some set-ups include support poles that you insert around the base to improve the tub’s stability.
v) Fill the Tub
Connect a hose to a tap and fill your inflatable ice bath tub with cold water. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines for the recommended filling capacity.
vi) Check the Temperature
Measure the water’s temperature to ensure it’s as per your preference.
vii) Take the Plunge
Once the water gets to your desired temperature, step into the inflatable ice bath tub and submerge up to your neck.
As a beginner, time each treatment to 30 seconds to 1 minute. You can build momentum gradually and eventually hit 5 to 10 minutes, the average session duration for seasoned plungers.
Wrap Up
Inflatable ice bath tubs provide a truckload of physical and mental health benefits for athletes. A single treatment can soothe muscle aching and improve joint flexibility, speeding up post-workout recovery.
Taking an ice plunge may stimulate blood circulation, too. It helps get oxygen and essential nutrients to various body parts, facilitating the repair of exercise-induced micro-tears.
Inflatable ice bath tubs are also incredibly portable and easy to install compared to their framed counterparts. These set-ups enable athletes to stay in shape at home and on the go, adding to their overall popularity.