Elite-level fitness devotees often dive into ice baths —also dubbed “cold plunges” — after punishing their bodies on courts or fields. It’s a jarring ritual meant to fend off spasms and post-workout discomfort.
Recently, though, this frigid ritual has grown trendy in fitness influencer circles — complete with curated selfies to broadcast their allegiance to a hyper-disciplined lifestyle. The #ColdPlunge trend has become synonymous with muscle-chasing gym bros hawking neon-colored whey powder, "nuclear" bulking regimens, and extra-tight athletic gear.
Yet, new findings — featured in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise — have turned a sharp spotlight on this practice, suggesting it might backfire for those pursuing muscle growth.
“It appears this isn’t the wisest strategy,” remarked Milan Betz, principal researcher at Maastricht University, in conversation with the Washington Post.
You might wonder — why was voluntarily stepping into near-arctic tubs a thing to begin with? Advocates claim icy immersion quells inflammation and washes out metabolic leftovers like lactate, thereby taming soreness. These perks may benefit endurance-focused athletes — like marathoners or swimmers — more than powerlifters or bodybuilders.
