The use of saunas and ice baths for athletes as part of their training regime is becoming increasingly popular and for good reason. Below we list sauna and ice bath benefits for athletes and our tips on how best to use both to maximise these benefits.
Found—Space is the leader in hormetic technology in Australia. We’re super passionate about helping our clients elevate their physiology through hormetic tech such as infrared saunas and ice baths. If you’re an athlete and are seeking effective ways to enhance your training, performance & recovery here are the benefits of ice baths & saunas for athletes and why you should incorporate them into your program:
Discover The Sauna And Ice Bath Benefits For Athletes
Using saunas for athletes as well as ice baths for athletes can be effective not only for recovery but also to enhance performance. And, when you combine sauna sessions with ice baths this can boost the benefits of each.
Benefits of Saunas for Athletes include:
- Reduced inflammation and swelling
- Quicker recovery and reduced muscle soreness
- Help to prevent injuries
- May improve circulation and metabolism
Ice bath benefits for athletes include:
- Improved endurance and cardiovascular health
- Quicker recovery time and reduced muscle soreness
- Enhanced mental toughness and stress relief
- Enhanced mental clarity, focus and mood
- Possible immune system benefits
The Best Way To Use Saunas And Ice Baths For Athletes
To maximise the benefits of ice baths for athletes and saunas for athletes, we recommend combining both. This is because the body responds differently to each of the temperatures, thereby activating different bodily responses which can broaden the health benefits.
The method of alternating between temperature extremes has been shown to enhance benefits – for both your body and your mind. Going from hot to cold and vice versa can trigger lymphatic circulation, elevate your heart rate, boost muscle recovery, improve blood flow as well as release endorphins. Studies have also shown that alternating between temperatures can be effective in aiding weight loss (with proper diet and exercise).
and has an effective analgetic effect.
In terms of how you use saunas and ice baths for athletes, there is no set recommendation. Given the uniqueness of each individual, their exercise programs vary and injuries & health conditions can also play a factor. However, the common use of saunas and ice baths is to spend a short time in the ice bath (aim for 2-5 minutes) building up over time and then 12-15 minutes in the sauna – then alternate between both.
We recommend monitoring your progress to determine how long you do each session, how often you alternate between the two, what time of day you do it and whether you do pre or post-training. As always, before using ice baths for athletes or saunas for athletes, we recommend speaking to your health professionals, especially if you have any existing health conditions, injuries or concerns.
Enquire About Our Range Of Saunas And Ice Baths Today
So you can start enjoying the sauna and ice bath benefits for athletes, get in touch with us today to find out more and to discuss the best ice bath and sauna regime for you & your goals.
