Sauna and ice bath are becoming popular recovery tools for athletes and fitness enthusiast. Both provide tremendous benefits to our health and wellness when used properly. In this article, we will compare sauna and icebath in details and determine which may suit you better for recovery based on your needs.
Sauna: A Hot Recovery Tool
- Improved blood circulation. The heat from the sauna causes our blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow throughout the body. This helps to reduce inflammation in muscles and joints, accelerating recovery.
- Detoxification. Sweating in a sauna helps to remove toxins from our body. Sauna can help detoxify chemicals like BPA, heavy metals, and other toxicants that accumulated in our body.
- Improved cardiovascular health. Regular use of sauna is associated with lower risks of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. The heat stress in sauna also provides cardiac benefits like improved endothelial function.
- Better sleep and mood. Sauna helps to relax our body and mind. Many people report sleeping better and feeling less stressed after using a sauna. Sauna may increase the levels of beta-endorphins which makes us feel good.
- Potential weight loss. Sauna can help burn calories and aid weight loss to some extent. However, sauna alone does not replace the need for diet and exercise. Weight loss is often temporary as most lost during sauna is water weight.
Ice Bath: A Cold Recovery Tool
- Reduced muscle soreness. The cold temperature from an ice bath causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing circulation to your muscles. This helps to prevent excess inflammation and reduce Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) from intense exercise.
- Decreased nerve activity. The cold reduces the activity of pain-sensing nerves, which numbs your body and provides relief from muscle pain or injury. However, this effect is temporary and short-lived.
- Tighter skin. Cold temperatures stimulate collagen production and tighten up skin fibers. Regular ice baths may help improve skin tone and reduce the appearance of cellulite.
- Improved lymphatic flow. Cold exposure helps to stimulate lymphatic flow, encouraging the efficient drainage of waste and excess fluid from tissues. This helps to reduce swelling in joints and muscles.
Hot or Cold First?
The common approach is starting with heat (sauna) before ending with cold (ice bath). This contrast between hot and cold is a technique known as contrast therapy that helps improve circulation and boost recovery.
Heat before cold causes blood vessels to dilate then constrict, pumping blood in and out of surrounding tissues. This contrast in circulation is thought to improve waste removal and speed up muscle recovery. Studies show contrast water therapy (alternating hot and cold) to be superior to either hot or cold alone for pain reduction and range of motion.
However, some argue that cold exposure may blunt the benefits of heat if done first. For metabolism and fat-burning purposes, heat (sauna) followed by natural reheating is optimal. The body adapts naturally which maximises benefits.
In summary, both sauna and ice bath provide tremendous benefits to recovery when used properly. For most, using sauna followed by ice bath is a great approach to maximize the benefits of contrast therapy. However, you should consult your doctor before starting any contrast therapy routine. Listen to your body and do what feels right for your needs.
