Does Cold Water Hurt Your Gains?


Cold plunges have gone from “old-school recovery tool” to full-blown biohacker religion.

Some people swear by them.
Some people swear they’re killing your gains.

And almost nobody is asking the only question that matters:

What does the physiology actually say?

In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Cass Fuchs from Maastricht University to break down the real science behind cold water immersion and what it does to:

  • Muscle protein synthesis
  • Recovery and performance
  • Long-term hypertrophy
  • And when cold exposure may quietly work against your training goals

We also went down a rabbit hole that almost no one talks about: how different carbohydrates affect glycogen resynthesis and liver function, and why that might matter more than your post-workout recovery ritual.

Does Cold Water Hurt Your Gains? << details here

Episode Chapters:

  • 02:15 Starting the Discussion with Dr. Fuchs
  • 03:05 Research on Cold Water Immersion
  • 04:39 Mechanisms and Effects of Cooling on Muscle Recovery
  • 12:08 Long-Term Effects of Cold Water Immersion
  • 24:01 Comparing Cooling and Heating Protocols
  • 32:35 Placebo Effects and Practical Applications
  • 37:57 Debunking Cold Water Immersion for Fat Loss
  • 41:01 Exploring the Effects of Cold Water Immersion on Endurance
  • 41:50 The Role of Temperature in Muscle Physiology
  • 42:40 Practical Applications of Cold Water Immersion
  • 44:43 The Myth of Cooling Devices for Performance Enhancement
  • 48:37 Pre-Exercise Cold Water Immersion: Benefits and Drawbacks
  • 50:58 Glycogen Resynthesis and Carbohydrate Types
  • 01:02:50 Recent Research on Breakfast and Liver Glycogen
  • 01:06:13 Upcoming Studies and Bodybuilder Research
  • 01:09:10 Cold Water Immersion Tips for Gym Goers
  • 01:10:40 Conclusion and Contact Information

Check out the YouTube link below if you prefer to watch the podcast.

Does Cold Water Hurt Your Gains? << YouTube

Much love,
Dr Mike
PS - If you like the podcast, could you do me a huge favor and subscribe to our YouTube channel? That would be a massive help.
We are working to get over 1,000 subscribers. It will take you 5 seconds, go HERE. Thank you!

_____________________

Mike T Nelson CISSN, CSCS, MSME, PhD
Associate Professor, Carrick Institute
Owner, Extreme Human Performance, LLC
Editorial Board Member, STRONG Fitness Mag

Mike T Nelson is a PhD and not a physician or registered dietitian. The contents of this email should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem - nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician. Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.

..

Dr Mike T Nelson

Creator of the Flex Diet Cert & Phys Flex Cert, CSCS, CISSN, Assoc Professor, kiteboarder, lifter of odd objects, metal music lover. >>>>Sign up to my daily FREE Fitness Insider newsletter below

Read more from Dr Mike T Nelson

It's Sunday, and I'm still feeling shattered from the events in Minnesota recently. I alternate between periods of profound sadness, anger, helplessness, and then back to hope, and then the cycle starts all over again. Thank you for all the kind notes everyone has sent in this difficult time. Thank you to all who purchased the Microlectures this past week. I've decided to personally match the amount raised and donate it to those affected in MN, providing them with food, water, diapers, and...

Hey friends, Muscle growth is one of those topics where the signal-to-noise ratio is absolutely brutal. Everyone has a hot take.Everyone has a “new” method. And somehow we keep circling back to the same questions about volume, frequency, recovery, and why people stall out or burn themselves into the ground. In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sat down with my buddy Ben Mayfield-Smith from Matter Athletica to unpack what actually drives hypertrophy in the real world — not just on...

I ran across and older email today with something my buddy Dan Garner said and it has been rattling around my skull like a loose kettlebell in the trunk, and once that happens I either write… or annoy my wife explaining physiology metaphors over dinner. So here we go. You ever notice how the more experienced you get, the harder decisions actually become? Not easier. Harder. Early on, everything feels simple:“Train harder.”“Eat cleaner.”“Sleep more.”“Just be consistent, bro.” Then you learn...