Few things have taken the health world by storm like the popularity of ice baths and cold plunges. Like many generally positive health activities, the list of benefits is long. So, why are people doing it?
Anti-inflammatory properties? Check!
Cold shock proteins? Check!
Hormone response? Check!
Increased metabolism? Check!
Dopamine release and regulation? Check!
Increased energy and alertness? Check!
The least talked about attribute of ice baths could be the most important.
One perspective of why ice baths are valuable is simple: it’s stressfully cold. Without moving your body, lifting a weight, running up a hill, etc, you’ll find yourself in intensity. The ice is stressful. And, when you’re in it, you are nowhere else but here and now.
We use the ice for all of the reasons listed above and it’s an environment to train and learn how to use the breath to regulate your nervous system. The idea of breathing through your nose in a slow, minimal effective dose manner is great in theory. But, if you can do it in a 40-degree ice bath, you’ve truly learned it.
8/2/24 WOD
DEUCE Athletics GPP
Complete 4 rounds of the following:
8 RDLs
Complete 3 rounds for quality of:
10 DB Roller Lateral Lunges (ea)
12-15 Roller Hamstring Curls
:30 L-Sit Hold
AMRAP 8
8 DB Push Presses (40/20)
10 Front Squats
20 Double Unders
DEUCE Garage GPP
5-5-5-5
Paused High Bar Back Squat
Complete 3 rounds for quality of:
12 Banded KB Swings
6 Paused Strict Hanging Leg Raises
Then, EMOM 8:
Odd: 3 Chest-to-Bar Pullups
Even: 30 Lateral Plyo Skier Hops