Bath or nah?

I’ve been taking baths for a couple weeks now. They were lost for me sometime ago (mainly due to how small the average tub is). Men love shelling out comments that feminize the tub or excuse it as soaking in your own filth. Lighting a tabacco sandalwood candle and having it late morning seems to man it up enough for me. I mainly take them for mental recovery and pre-carpe diem. Evening baths can be great for that glass of wine and some girl gossip on the cordless; however, I’d rather be calm and limber before my daily schedule takes heed. 

I have my reasons.

Here are some:

Covering yourself in hot water — “systemic” heating — can do something for muscles that no hot pack can ever do. As good as a nice hot pack can feel, the effect is a minor, local, neurological effect — warm skin relaxes the muscles underneath it. That’s a nice effect, but it’s limited. A hot bath also has this effect, but it goes much deeper: it can actually increase the temperature of the muscle itself via deep heating.

Make your mobility work easier. Think of this like limbering up before you limber up. You could soak in the tub for a little bit before doing your evening mobilizations; you’ll be a lot more supple, and you’ll probably clear the way for the real target areas to present themselves. Better yet, throw a couple lacrosse balls in the tub for some hydro-rolling.

Super hot baths get your nervous system revved up. It can be a little too much in the evening and prevent you from sleeping. Make sure you regulate a temperature best for the desired effect: relaxation not illusion of relaxation. It’s one thing to adjust to the temperature, but you shouldn’t have to adjust to burning. This can be liquid psychotherapy, and relaxation is key to well balanced psych. 

Clarity. Thinking requires a lot of energy. Thinking can make you look old. That 15-20 minutes is all me. I can allow my thoughts to wander with no intention.

Other kickers:

Your skin will thank you.
You’ll finally have some time alone.
It’s cheap.

Bath or nah?

Chesty

Tuesday Lesson Plan

W/U:

Coach’s Choice

Str:

A1. Sub Maximal Altitude Drops* – 1/2 Squat, 4 reps, 2 sets

A2. Sub Maximal Altitude Drops* – Lunge, 4 reps, 2 sets

*Start on tippie toes and drop as fast as possible, stopping as quickly as possible at the desired hight. Shake legs out between each rep. Take a little time between each set.

Maximal speed and stopping on a dime are what we are after here.

B. Warm Up with some split squats, then do Jumping Split Squats 3/3 reps, 3 sets.

Use some light dumbbells if your landing mechanics are sound.

C. Speed Squats – 5 Squats @ 50% of 1 RM as fast as possible. Take approx 2-2.5min rest between sets for 25 minutes.

Each rack will use a stopwatch or iphone to time each set.

An athlete’s first set should take less than 7 sec.

If the first set does take longer than 7 sec, reduce the amount of weight on the bar.

Your goal should be to get between 6 and 10 sets in before hitting critical drop off (where 5 reps ends up taking 1+ second longer than the first set).

If you reach critical drop off before the time expires, move on and work on a weakness.