Sauna increases serum growth hormone 142%

[Simon klimesh]

I love sauna and I prefer heat in general for recovery. Heat seems to keep my muscles loose. If my musles are tight I can't whip the weights around like I need to be able to. I'm so sore from last night's competition. I'm gonna go lay in the hot bath, I'm sure the heat will help me. I know Alex Moss said he used to do hot baths before footbal and ice baths after. I tried the whole cold temperature treatments and to be honest they just made me more stiff and tight. You have to find what works for you, but I did read/hear heat is good for hormones, and I have experienced positive results. Heat seems to relax me mentally as well which is required for me to do well in life.

[Alex Moss (Chomper)]

Yes, heat treatment is good; however, cold treatment is key within a certain time frame after an event, competition, or even training for any sport. look at it this way; when u sprain an ankle or have some sort of injury, u wouldnt want to use heat treatment right after the injury occurs. heat increases the blood flow to the area applied and that's that last thing u want is more blood flow to an injured area, result increased swelling. this is similar with muscles, ice is great post exercise to reduced blood flow to the muscles that have been broken down. this helps with recovery bc blood rushes back into the muscle once it starts warming up again, shocking the muscle saturating it with nutrients. heat is a great treatment prior to training and several hours after exercise. Good point though simon that heat doesnt only help relax and recover muscles but also the mind which a great bonus. Ice treatment isnt always/required to do, but when the right combo between heat and ice treatment is performed, you will start feeling better and noticing your recovery will become better over time. I noticed a HUGE difference when i did this when i played football, if it wasnt for heat and ice, my body would have hated me more than it did....haha.

[Simon klimesh]

I think you are right Moss. Like most things in life I want it to be one or the other. In this case I just like and prefer heat, but of course a combo of the two is most likely best! I know Rozmenoski does ice baths and he's doing 120 snatch and 153 clean and jerk now...so maybe I should give it a try? BTW ROzo's weight is getting up there so we will see what the cutting does to his results. Last I heard he was up around 81kgs. Beyond 81kgs you are closer to the 85kg class than you are the 77kg class, so common sense would tell you to stay below 81kgs if you want to continue to lift in the 77s. In other words 81kgs is the max for a 77kg lifter to weigh in training.

[Jared Enderton]

Yep, both are best. good points boss, this is why I love this forum. Discussing all the aspects of weightlifting that are far beyond the platform...