2012 is certainly the year for sport. So far we have been
treated to the Euros, Wimbledon and with the
Olympics just around the corner; it’s hard to get away from images of athletes
in peak physical condition to make us feel bad about our ever growing bellies.
We’re sure that at some point over the last couple of months
you have gained some inspiration and attempted a jog to the corner shop, drank
a protein shake or kicked a football so badly it would make your Nan blush.
Either way, the journey to your summer six pack may have
been haltered by laying dormant over the winter months, having a crack at some
exercise, realising you’re way out of your depth and ultimately picking up an
injury.
It’s sure to say one thing we can all do the same as
athletes is relax; and with so many scientific ways to get us back to our peak
performance, it would be rude not to give them a go.
Ice bath
Firsts the worst, seconds the best and thirds a whirlpool
bath and then another really nice one. Yes, the ice bath is the least appealing
form of recovery, so we thought we’d get it over and done with.
Ice baths take around 15 minutes and are between 12 and 15
degrees Celsius. Once you have filled your bath with 2-3 bags of shop bought
ice and ran the cold tap until full, the initial 2 minutes of submersion is the
most horrifying.
After a couple of minutes of moaning, thinking of England
and outright screaming you are finally on the road to recovery as the ice cold
water tightens your blood vessels and reduces swelling.
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| Wimbledon star Andy Murray enjoying his ice bath |
Stay submerged for around 15 minutes and on escape you will
soon feel a difference in your muscles and also feel as if you have been hit by
a tranquiliser dart, as
the bath will help you fall asleep with in the following hour.
Epsom salt
Far less traumatic and a great alternative to the ice bath,
adding Epsom salts to a bath provides our body with much needed Magnesium.
Here’s for the ‘sciencey’ bit. Magnesium is the forth most
important positive ion in the body (hang in there) and we need it to help pas
toxic material and increase muscle tone.
By adding Epsom salts to your bath after a work out, you
will charge your body with a boost of Magnesium, which will aid recovery,
prevent arthritis, decrease the chance of heart disease and doesn’t require 3
bags of ice you will be pleased to hear.
Whirlpool bath
Moving on to more luxurious recovery aids, whirlpool baths
are becoming increasingly more
popular and affordable.
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| Jacuzzi Hexis Whirlpool Bath available at Bathroom City |
No longer seen as a major extravagance and more a legitimate
option for any home, the soothing baths give you a high quality hydro massage
on tap (sorry).
If you are continuously spooning footballs, slipping on
banana skins or are a genuine athlete, then the amount of money spent on ice, massages
and Epsom salts per year could render this purchase a worthy investment and an
enjoyable one at that.
Whirlpool hydro massage eases your muscles and increases you
circulation, allowing cells to receive more oxygen (more science, sorry) and
feels lovely (important bit).
Jacuzzi
The market for Jacuzzis has began to span further than
millionaires, dodgy night club owners and people from the 70’s.
Finally the Jacuzzi is being deemed a sensible purchase for
family homes and why not? They’re relaxing, fun and great for the muscles of
our inner athlete.
Perfect for concentrating on certain muscles, the Jacuzzis
warm, vigorous bubbling can help people with arthritis, get the blood flowing
(helping circulation) and help muscles slowly rebuild after injury, giving them
a just enough movement to begin strengthening.
Why not come to our showroom and try out our huge range of
whirlpool baths and Jacuzzis to see whether these products suit your lifestyle?
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| Jacuzzi's aren't just for holidays and health spas |
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