Do ice baths help you recover? See what they do for soreness and muscle gain

Cold-water baths can ease soreness for a few days, but the research hints that using them after every lifting session may blunt the muscle and strength you are working to build.

Pick your goal, slide the number of baths per week and see how the trade-off shifts. Learn what to do instead, and when an ice bath is worth keeping for the occasional day you need to feel fresh.