There any many more aspects apart from just training when it comes to muscle hypertrophy. While most individuals who are into bodybuilding manage to train hard and maintain a good diet at most times, one pillar of growth that most of us often lack is proper rest and recovery. 

Hollywood entity who is deep into fitness, Chris Hemsworth has a fair amount of knowledge and experience when it comes to transforming his physique. Transforming his physique in a short span of time for movie roles has taught Hemsworth enough about the importance of paying attention to proper rest. In his recent Instagram post, Hemsworth shared a picture with one of his buddies and revealed the effectiveness of combining a sauna with an ice bath. 

The power of contrast therapy, endorsed by Chris Hemsworth

Taking a sauna as well as an ice bath helps a lot with muscle recovery. However, combining the two almost instantly helps speed up the process and reduces the inflammation caused due to putting stress on the muscles while training. Previously hyped up by entities like Joe Rogan and Mark Wahlberg, ‘Contrast therapy’ is essential in the lives of professional bodybuilders and actors like Hemsworth who are supposed to transform their bodies within a short span of time. Proper recovery is often affected while being in a calorie deficit, ‘contrast therapy’ can prove to be helpful in such cases. 

Talking about the same, Hemsworth wrote in the post, “No better way to finish a workout. Combining a sauna with an ice bath is an effective way to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, speed up muscle recovery and elevate your mood. The heat from the sauna causes blood vessels to dilate, which improves blood flow and reduces inflammation.”

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Apart from reducing inflammation and improving blood circulation, combining a sauna with an ice bath can also ensure a reduced risk of injury as it boosts muscle recovery. A better recovery means that the athlete can train that muscle group again, which can indirectly lead to more gains as well. 

Talking along the same lines, Hemsworth wrote, “The cold from the ice bath causes blood vessels to constrict, which improves circulation and reduces muscle soreness. This contrast between hot and cold temperatures helps to improve overall recovery and reduce the risk of injury.” What are your views on Hemsworth’s take regarding ‘Contrast therapy?’ Let us know in the comments.

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