I know the football players do this during training camp, but has anyone tried it for cycling? I'm talking about the big barrell full of ice and water and soaking the legs in it. According to the players, it really brings the legs back for the next day....

Any thoughts?

The Flash

Some cross country ladies doing cycling with my collegiate team would do it.

I don't think I could handle.

Football and running are so much more impact-heavy than cycling, that I don't think I would need it. It's mentioned as an option in a couple of training books if you're really sore.

Except the friggin' cold. That would hurt.

I used to do the ice bath routine when I played collegiate soccer; for me it was really to help with joint pain and not muscle pain. It really helped with not being stiff in the joints the day after, but muscles were still sore. As stated above, cycling isn't really a joint impact sport, so I don't think it would be too beneficial.
For me, stretching and a good massage seems to work the best for sore muscles. Hot tub works pretty well too – if you are sure to hydrate like crazy; most people dehydrate and that will just make the soreness worse.

I haven't tried actual ice but I do use just cold water which is around 50F in our house. If my legs feel like concrete, more so from long rides vs. intense, then 15 min makes them feel like new. Walking up & down some stairs afterwards to notice the difference. Far less fatigue in the legs if you ride the next day. Be careful not to spend too long as it will definately bring your core body temp down.

After really hard training sessions or races I'll take the plunge as it reduces the muscle soreness.

Here is an article I posted about it:
Ice Bathes (http://eddieodea.com/?p=53)

Mountain streams seem to work well too. Lowering the core temperature after rides here in GA makes a big difference on the speed of recovery.

Eddie O

It works.

I take an ice bath - as in all in!

The boys hate it, :eek: but the legs and lower back love it.

I know the football players do this during training camp, but has anyone tried it for cycling? I'm talking about the big barrell full of ice and water and soaking the legs in it. According to the players, it really brings the legs back for the next day....

A few years ago, there was a picture in (VeloNews?) of George Hincapie in a bathtub with floating ice cubes. Whether this is a really good plan or not, I don't know, but people do it.

I don't use ice baths, but I like Steve Martins Beauty Cream. Its awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzmsvv4C6NQ

They seem to help me after hard rides when my legs are sore. I usually wear a thick sweater and fill the tub up with water first and get in then pour in the ice. Here's a few more thoughts on the benifits of taking ice bathes:

http://www.juniper-solutions.com/dara/?p=59
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/health_and_fitness/4286038.stm

Used ice baths every Sat and Sun when I was Ironman training, as I was doing a long bike/run brick session on Sat (think 6-7 hour ride followed by a 10-15 mile hard run, ouch!) and a long (2-4 hour) run on Sun. As others have stated, though, I have never felt the need to after just a bike ride (even after stupid hard rides such as Death Ride), I don't seem to get the muscle injury like I do from running, your experience may differ.

Also, I know this is going to sound goofy, when my legs are feeling heavy after a workout, I'll lie down with my back on the floor and my feet and legs up on a wall... will do this for 5 minutes, then walk around for 5 minutes, repeat like 3 or 4 times, and I swear that gravity helps drain blood, and possibly metabolic waste, from my legs. Hey, maybe it's placebo, whatever, I fell better and think it aids recovery!

S

I'll lie down with my back on the floor and my feet and legs up on a wall... will do this for 5 minutes, then walk around for 5 minutes, repeat like 3 or 4 times, and I swear that gravity helps drain blood, and possibly metabolic waste, from my legs. Hey, maybe it's placebo, whatever, I fell better and think it aids recovery!S
I've heard that before - I need to try it. Thanks

Also, I know this is going to sound goofy, when my legs are feeling heavy after a workout, I'll lie down with my back on the floor and my feet and legs up on a wall... will do this for 5 minutes, then walk around for 5 minutes, repeat like 3 or 4 times, and I swear that gravity helps drain blood, and possibly metabolic waste, from my legs. Hey, maybe it's placebo, whatever, I fell better and think it aids recovery!

This technique has been recommended by coaches for many years, and it really does work. You can do even better by self-massaging while your legs are up there, but it feels so good just to do nothing :)

Horse trainers will put their horses in a cold water bath after a race or training. The whole point is to lessen swelling. When you damage the muscles through hard activity, you may not notice the swelling but that's exactly what the muscles are doing. Cold water, like ice packs for localized swelling (or a steak on a black eye), will help bring the swelling down faster. Same deal with raising your legs above your heart. Remember RICE? Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.