Alternating ice baths with hot saunas is a widely recognised method of body recovery and health enhancement. This alternating hot and cold therapy accelerates blood circulation, enhances muscle recovery, and helps detoxify the body.
When you are exposed to high temperatures in a sauna, the body flushes out toxins through sweating and blood flow is accelerated. When you then enter an ice bath, your blood vessels rapidly constrict and your body feels a sharp stimulus through the intense temperature difference, which boosts circulation and metabolism. The alternation of hot and cold not only helps the body to recover quickly, but also significantly boosts the immune system and enhances endurance.
The recommended practice when using this therapy is:
Stay in the sauna for 10-15 minutes until your body is fully sweaty.
Quickly enter the ice bath and hold it for 2-5 minutes to feel the shock of the cold on your body.
Repeat this process 2-3 times, but adjust the time according to your personal tolerance level.
The benefits of alternating hot and cold include improving muscle soreness, boosting cardiorespiratory fitness, and boosting metabolism. Especially for recovery after intense training, this therapy can greatly reduce recovery time.