That is, until a few hours later when those uncomfortable muscle aches start setting in. This discomfort can linger for days – making easy, everyday tasks a challenge. In search of relief, some recreational gym-goers are adopting the kind of recovery techniques once reserved for elite athletes.
Social media and professional sport have helped popularize everything from ice baths and compression garments to massage and recovery supplements. While many of these products promise faster recovery, reduced soreness and improved performance, the science is often more nuanced. Few recovery strategies have received as much attention as ice baths.
This involves immersing oneself in water that is below 15°C to boost recovery. But the evidence for this benefit is mixed. Ice baths help ease inflammation, which research suggests can reduce muscle soreness and help athletes recover muscle function more effectively in a 24-hour period.
While inflammation causes soreness, it also triggers adaptations that build muscle. Dampening this response with ice baths may limit some of the long-term benefits of training – particularly if they’re used regularly. When it comes to ice baths, side-stepping short-term pain may sacrifice long-term gains.
It’s best to only use them when rapid recovery is vital. Compression garments are commonly worn after exercise to speed recovery. The idea is that the external pressure they apply supports circulation, enhances blood flow to the muscles, and reduces swelling.
But while compression garments might make you think they’re helping as they reduce soreness, evidence showing they actually improve muscle recovery is generally less convincing. A study from 2022 put them to the test. One group was given compression garments; the other group was given a placebo tablet that they were told was equally as effective as compression.
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