Epsom Salts?

[ithryn]

I couldn't figure out logically if this should go in the training or equipment subforum. I figure it's an item, so, equipment.

Are Epsom salt baths worth anything for soreness / DOMS?

[mgil]

So the question is:

Does it make you feel better afterwards?

[ithryn]

I plan to test this myself but need to have a suitably brutal workout first. I'll keep everyone posted after the next deadlift day I guess, lol.

[mbasic]

I did this. A LOT!
The more I read about it, the less I' convinced.
There was a limited study on how much magnesium uptake there is . . . and it was very little...
and this (the only study out there) study was funded/put on by the industry who sells this stuff.

Maybe the hot bath it was worked: circulation, stress, "feelz" good wise.

I have also done the contrast bath thing.
I would by two 25# bags of crushed ice, throw those in the kid's bathtub, fill with cold water.
Then I would run a super hot Epsom salt bath in the master bath tub.
Sit in one for 3-4 minutes, then go to the other for 3-4 minutes.
Repeat about 4-5 times.

Hard to tell if helped (recovery, DOMS, etc).
Haven't done that one for over a year.

[cwd]

I tried it a bit, still have most of a 20-lb sack of magnesium salt.

There *is* uptake, I could taste it in my throat after soaking a little while. But it made no obvious difference to my recovery, and it's time-consuming.

Maybe it really helps people whose diet is low in magnesium, but is irrelevant for people who have plenty already. That would match a lot of other supplements -- magic cure for a few, harmless waste of money for everyone else.

[Idlehands]

Done a float tank a few times. That shit is very relaxing. Feel a bit looser afterwards. Kinda neat to really be able to just stretch out and be comfy with arms over head and float in 800lbs of salt.

Skeptical it helps with DOMs. What mechanism would it even use?