After doing a long run in cold weather, the thought of soaking my tired and achy muscles in a hot bath is so tempting. But it's actually not helpful for your post-run recovery. When runners say they're going to take a post-run hot bath or sit in a Jacuzzi, I always feel bad saying, "Don't do it!" Find out why sitting in an ice bath is better than soaking in a hot tub.
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Is there any proof that cold baths are helpful? Is it possible that short term recovery by reversing inflammation is done at the cost of thwarting needed long term repair which is the reason the areas are inflamed in the first place? I think inflammation is not as evil as people think but rather a normal and helpful response to injury. Taking ibuprofen eliminates inflammation too and can get people up and running sooner but that too I think is a good idea only in the short term. Hot tubs lead to increases blood flow and relaxation of muscles and in the absence of convincing, preferably long term, proof I would be careful about making rec’s either way.