Mar 14, 2025

Understanding ice baths: Benefits, dangers and best practices

Siddhartha Jana

Ice baths promote muscle recovery

Following vigorous exercise, they help improve strength, power, and flexibility by reducing muscular soreness, inflammation, and oedema.

Source: Canva

Not recommended for everyday use

By lowering essential inflammatory signals, frequent ice baths may impede the development of muscle and strength.

Source: Canva

May promote overall health

Although further research is required, several studies indicate that ice baths can strengthen the immune system, improve sleep, and lower stress.

Source: Canva

There are some risks

If not done safely, cold shock, hyperventilation, elevated blood pressure, and, in rare instances, cardiac arrhythmia, can happen.

Source: Canva

Prevent hypothermia

Spending more than half an hour in an ice bath can cause the body's temperature to drop dangerously, which raises the risk of hypothermia.

Source: Canva

Ideal temperature range

Studies indicate that 10 to 15°C is the most effective range; lower temperatures are not required.

Source: Canva

Time matters

For novices in particular, the ideal time is 10 to 20 minutes, which can be divided into shorter sessions if necessary.

Source: Canva

The secret is gradual entry

Entering gradually reduces the risk of cold shock because the first 30 seconds are when your body's stress response peaks.

Source: Canva

Make strategic use of ice baths

If muscle strength and growth are the aim, take ice baths sparingly, even though they are good for rehabilitation.

Source: Canva

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