Right lads, let’s get straight to the point: ice baths are a terrible idea. There, I said it. They’re the equivalent of voluntarily jumping into the North Sea in January because some bloke on Instagram told you it would make you feel ‘alive.’ Spoiler alert: it makes you feel like you're dying.
Now, before you ice bath fanatics start frothing at the mouth, I gave it a fair shot. I sat in a big bucket of ice-cold water like a numpty, shivering so violently my teeth nearly shattered. And for what? Allegedly, reduced inflammation and mental clarity. But I was too busy gasping for air and wondering why my ancestors hadn’t evolved to avoid this kind of nonsense.
Then I tried a hot tub. And let me tell you, it was a game-changer. Let’s talk science first—because yes, there’s actual science to back up why a hot tub is just as good (if not better) than an ice bath for recovery, health, and general life enjoyment.
The Science Bit (But In Bloke Terms)
We all know ice baths get hyped up for their ability to reduce muscle soreness and inflammation. And fair enough, they do—by constricting your blood vessels, numbing pain, and making you feel like a hero for surviving it. But the problem is, true recovery comes from increased blood flow. Your muscles need good circulation to actually heal and grow stronger, and this is where hot tubs leave ice baths in the dust.
A study from Coventry University found that spending 30 minutes in a Lay-Z-Spa hot tub increases blood flow to the legs by 345%—that’s the same as a 30-minute jog. But instead of sweating like a lunatic in the rain, you’re sitting in gloriously warm bubbles with a cold beer in hand. I know which one I’d rather choose.
Hot tubs don’t just get the blood flowing; they also help reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and chill out stress hormones. Basically, they do everything an ice bath does, but without making you question your life choices.
The Experience: Ice Bath vs Hot Tub
Ice Bath: 0/10- Would Not Recommend
I won’t sugar-coat it. The first 30 seconds felt like a thousand needles stabbing my skin. The next 30 seconds, I couldn’t feel anything at all because my limbs had gone numb. My breath was short, my chest was tight, and my brain was screaming, “Get out, you idiot!” I lasted a grand total of two minutes before I bailed, wrapped myself in a towel, and re-evaluated my priorities.
Hot Tub: The Thinking Man’s Recovery Choice
Contrast this with my time in a Lay-Z-Spa hot tub. The water was a blissful 39°C, the jets were doing their thing, and I wasn’t in fight-or-flight mode. I could actually “relax”—which, funnily enough, is also good for recovery, stress levels, and muscle repair. Olympic swimmer Matt Richards MBE even says hot tubs are fantastic for muscle recovery. And I’m willing to trust an Olympic gold medallist over some influencer with a GoPro and a block of ice.
The Verdict
If you enjoy suffering, by all means, keep chucking yourself into a barrel of ice like an overenthusiastic Viking. But if you’re after actual health benefits without feeling like your soul is trying to escape your body, get yourself in a hot tub.
It’s better for your blood flow, your heart, your stress levels, and most importantly, your happiness. I mean, look at James Haskell—he’s one of the busiest blokes out there, and even he reckons a soak in a hot tub is key to maintaining some sanity.
And for those of you worried about the hassle—relax. A Lay-Z-Spa doesn’t need some fancy service team coming round every year. You chuck in a few chemicals, swap the filters now and then, and Bob’s your uncle. Plus, with their new foam-sided models being 60% more energy-efficient, you won’t have to remortgage your house just to keep it running.
So, next time someone tells you to jump in an ice bath, do yourself a favour—tell them you’ll be in the hot tub instead. With a pint. And a smug grin.
P.S. If you *really* need to feel like a warrior, just stick your feet in a bucket of ice while you’re in the hot tub. Best of both worlds, mate.
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Independent research conducted by Coventry University’s Research Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences found that using a Lay‑Z‑Spa for 30 minutes helps to:
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Reduce anxiety (15 minutes 1-2 x a week)
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Reduce stress hormones (15 minutes 1-2 x a week)
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Reduce blood pressure
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Elevate heart rate- equivalent to that when brisk walking (frequently for 30 minutes)
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Increase blood flow
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Aid in muscle recovery (20 minutes)
“A pre-workout soak, even just for 10 minutes, can have positive advantages as it prepares your body for physical exertion, particularly on colder days,” say experts.
“After a workout is where the best recovery benefits can be achieved and this should ideally be within 12h-48h. The important thing is to wait for your muscles to cool and your heart rate to come down.”
