28/10/2025
Ice baths, hot baths or warm showers… which is the best post workout and why?!
A new study shows that a post-workout bath boosted strength gains by nearly 10% - double the benefit seen with a hot shower and the opposite to cold plunges which can stunt growth.
Here’s why:
♨️ Heat immersion after resistance training improves circulation, oxygen delivery, and mitochondrial efficiency.
🧬 It also activates heat shock proteins that protect and repair muscle tissue - amplifying recovery and growth.
In contrast, cold plunges can blunt muscle hypertrophy, reducing anabolic signaling and satellite cell activation.
So if your goal is strength and size, skip the ice bath and sink into the heat instead 💪🏼
However, if you are opting for fast recovery, ice bath can be a useful tool and can reduce inflammation, just expect a limit on gains!
⚽️ This is usually why football clubs don’t opt for ice baths in preseason but they do in season where the game turnaround is quick!