Hot Tubs and Building muscle

[StrongInHim]

Hey Everyone! I'm a brand new member, and I'm hoping you can help me. My boyfriend and I are Powerlifters. He not only lieks the strength aspect, he also loves looking good! He has a hot tub at his house that he would love to use after the gym to relax, however, he is concerned that relaxing the muscles too much after a hard workout will counter act the pump and lead to less muscle growth.

My nursing background says that's false, but he would feel better hearing it from more than just me. Anybody got any info for me, It's greatly appreciated!!

 

[pong21]

I always take a long hot shower after I lift. Results are still coming, so I dont think it will hinder any gains...

I feel that the heat helps with the next day soreness. But that is just me. Could be different for everyone I guess.

 

[SgtSlaughter]

Let's just say... I wish I had a hot tub and a lady for after workouts

 

[pong21]

Let's just say... I wish I had a hot tub and a lady for after workouts

thanks for the k message, I'll be sure to hit you back when I restock tomorrow.

 

[Megalomaniac]

My gym has a couple of hot tubs and steam rooms. I always hit them up real quick after a workout. I'm getting old these days so things like this seam like a must to me.

 

[TheOak84]

i use hot and cold showers as active recovery, its nice...

 

[swaptrex]

i hit up the hot tub after every workout, its def a must for me.

 

[carlsuen]

yeah.. it relaxes the muscles.. but don't go swiiming in there for more than 30 mins..

 

[Devastation]

i personally wouldn't use a hot tub immediately after an intense workout. maybe an hour or two prior or 3 or 4 hours after a hard workout

 

[silver_shadow]

pump means ZILCH.... may as well get rid of it and relax your muscles at the same time in a HOT tub.

 

[nelmsjer]

Devastation has it right, on both accounts. The hot tub before the workout can help you warm up and get the appropriate bloodflow moving, while also enhancing the viscosity of the synovial fluid in your joints.

Immediately after a workout, you want as little swelling as possible. One of the most effective restorative methods is the cryocup. With it, you literally rub ice on the muscles that you worked that day. This reduces the immediate swelling and further cellular destruction that tends to slow the recovery process after a workout.

A hot tub after a workout will further increase that swelling and inflammation...not a good idea.

 

[b fold the truth]

I don't think that he is going to hinder himself much or his gains much. I'd wait a little bit. Heck...finish training, go home, eat a lot and drink a lot of water, get the hot tub ready...shower...and hop in!!!!

 

[StrongInHim]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their input! It's greatly appreciated! It usually would take him between a half hour and an hour to get home once he leaves the gym, so it wouldn't be an immediate thing for those concerned about that. Thanks again everybody!

 

[e6er]

Just look out for signs of dehydration, take plenty of fluids if you plan on going into a hot tub after your workout.

 

[sidney61199]

I have no clue to what is correct but I do have a question/statment. If pro athletes take ice baths (cold tub) to decrease the inflamation and speed the healing process of the muscles you just tore up (literaly) than I don't think you would want to get in a hot tub the day you work out or atleast not for many hours afterward.

 

[nelmsjer]

I have no clue to what is correct but I do have a question/statment. If pro athletes take ice baths (cold tub) to decrease the inflamation and speed the healing process of the muscles you just tore up (literaly) than I don't think you would want to get in a hot tub the day you work out or atleast not for many hours afterward.

Correct.