I have access to a hot tub and am curious whether, when and to what extent you recommend using one during training.

- Anonymous, CA

We enjoy the hot tub as much as anyone, but it’s pretty much the opposite of what your body needs after a hard session. Muscles and connective tissue will respond much better to the therapeutic effects of an ice water bath (or standing in the ocean or an unheated pool) after a long and/or hard workout – heat increases inflammation.

Now, if you are popping in the tub maybe at the end of the day to relax before going to sleep (assuming you’re not sore, dehydrated and beat up from a workout…which again will lead to increased inflammation) that is a good use of the hot tub if it works for you.

In some injury recovery situations after the acute phase is over (during which ice, compression, elevation and rest are all indicated but heat is not), there can be some benefit to alternating heat and ice, but again that’s in a specific situation, not just when you’re sore and tired after a workout. workout.

Roch and Huddle