The Ice Bath: Cold, Unforgiving Recovery

SI Staff | Apr 23, 2014

The Ice Bath: Cold, Unforgiving Recovery /

The Ice Bath: Cold, Unforgiving Recovery

Ron "Louisiana Lightning" Guidry, who played all 14-years of his career for the New York Yankees, rests his pitching arm in a tub of ice cubes after a game against the Boston Red Sox in September 1978.

Tulane tight end Justin Kessler (L) takes his time getting into his ice bath after practice in New Orleans. The team has 14 tubs with four 40-pound bags of ice going into each tub, and more added as the players rotate into the bath for about five minutes.

San Francisco 49ers guard Adam Snyder (L) and linebacker Blake Costanzo (R) take an ice bath after their practice in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers were preparing for their NFC Championship game against the New York Giants in late January 2012.

Julianna Pena, the first woman to win The Ultimate Fighter, takes a dip in an ice bath during the filming of season eighteen of the show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

An athlete cools down in tubs full of ice during the 2007 AT&T US Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Mike Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis.

Former Washington Redskins wide receiver Darius Hanks (L) talks with former defensive lineman Chris Baker (R) as they cool off following the first day of training camp in July 2012.

Former quarterback Jeff Garcia and running back Garrison Hearst, then of the San Francisco 49ers, sit in tubs of ice during 49ers training camp in July 2003.

Lee Childs, who was once hailed as "the future of British tennis," eases into an ice bath as his coach looks on, watching Childs suffer.

Sarah "Cheesecake" Moras enjoys an ice bath as she prepares for The Ultimate Fighter in Las Vegas.

A participant emerges out of an ice/mud bath during the 2012 Tough Mudder competition at Glenworth Valley in Sydney, Australia.

Former defensive tackle Isa'ako "Isaac" Sopoaga endures an ice bath after practice at the San Francisco 49ers' training camp in July 2008.

Matt Thompson, who holds the record for most games played in the A-League, and Josip Tadić, formerly of the Melbourne Heart look on as they stand in an ice bath during a training session at La Trobe University Sports Fields in 2013.

Tyrone Edgar (R) looks on as his teammate Marlon Devonish (L) dips into an ice bath during a training session at the Aviva GB & NI Team Preparation Camp.

Jaide Stepter, Alexander Monsivaiz and Bryce McAndrew hang out together in a few ice baths on the first day of the 2013 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium.

English rugby players Lawrence Dallaglio (R) and Matt Dawson (L) take a dip in a ice cold bath which is part of a recovery session held at Harbord Diggers Pool in Manly, Australia.

Wyoming wide receiver Sam Stratton (C) jokes with teammates as they take an ice bath at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyoming.

Champion hurdler Dai Greene (L) and Jack Green take an ice bath after their training session in Monte Gordo, Portugal.

Former Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss lets out a sigh as he dips in the freezing ice bath following their first workout of training camp in July 2010.

Henry Speight (C) cools off in an ice bath during the Super Rugby trial match between the Brumbies and the ACT XV at Viking Park in Canberra, Australia.

Washington Redskins fullback Darrel Young sighs as he sits in an ice bath after a day of training camp in July 2012.

Australian Olympic Beach Volleyball players Natalie Cook (L) and Tamsin Barnett (R) endure a plunge in the ice bath at the Fitness First Recovery Centre at the Western Academy of Beijing.

Greivis Vasquez, who currently plays for the Toronto Raptors, eases his legs into the ice tub during the New Orleans Hornets' training camp in October 2012.

Washington Redskins offensive tackle Tyler Polumbus doesn't look to be enjoying an ice bath during training camp in July 2012.

18721999.jpg.jpg — The Washington Times/Landov

Former Washington Redskins wide receiver Sam Kirkland (R) grimaces as training camp intern Zach Parker (L) dumps more ice into his bath following an afternoon practice.

U.S. Olympic tri-athlete Sarah Groff, also the winner of the 2007 ITU Aquathlon World Championships, and her boyfriend Ben True (L) sit in an ice bath at their home in Hartford, Vermont after a day of training.

Coach Malcolm Arnold shares a joke and more ice with hurdlers Dai Greene and Jack Green as they suffer in frigid ice baths following a training session.

Former San Diego Chargers offensive tackle Wesley Britt hangs out reading the newspaper in giant ice-filled tub during training camp in July 2005.

Newcastle United players, who attended a training session at the Little Benton Training Ground in July 2011, enjoy a group recovery session in an inflatable pool filled with ice.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and midfielder Matt McKay sit in an ice bath during an Australian Socceroos recovery session at the Marriott Hotel in January 2011.

First class cricketer Manny Aulakh sits in an ice bath up to his shoulders during the ICC World Cricket League Division One match between Canada and Kenya.

Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss relaxes in an ice bath after practice, seemingly enjoying the frigid temperatures.

Former Australian rugby league footballer Steve Price takes an ice bath during a recovery session after the second week of the NRL finals between the Bulldogs and the Melbourne Storm at the Canterbury Pool.

Washington Redskins offensive tackle Jon Jansen (L) and center Casey Rabach (R) soak in an ice bath following practice in July 2007.

Players from the England Rugby Junior National Academy sit in the cold ice pool during a hydrotherapy session.

English cricketer Geraint Jones stands in an ice bath after training during a practice session at the IPCL ground on in Baroda, India.

English defender John Terry sits in an ice bath to assist in recovery while at the squad’s Lisbon training camp facility.

From left to right, Australian rugby footballers Willie Tonga, Roy Asotasi, Matt Utai and Luke Patten of the Bulldogs share a laugh while enjoying an ice bath together.

Brazilian soccer star Ronaldinho, who won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2004 and 2005, is shown in an ice bath at his hotel in Buenos Aires in June 2005.

Former New York Giants offensive tackle David Diehl doesn't look like he can handle this ice bath after a practice at Giants Stadium in June 2005.

Published Apr 23, 2014

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