The other day I had a friend ask me if I’ve ever written a blog pertaining to cold showers. Now having written over 400 blogs to date, I had to stop and think for a few moments if I have ever covered this somewhat controversial topic. After scrolling through my memory bank (which I must admit is limited and relatively empty on it’s best of days) I responded that I most likely have not. My friend’s response was simple yet direct – “Can you write a blog about cold showers?”. Not being one to disappoint or argue with a friend (especially one that excels at being a pain in my ass at times) I decided to save the extra headache and grief and just write the damn blog.
So off to the Internet I went……..
Google Experts
I rarely write blogs about topics that baffle me and that I know nothing about. Hence why I’ve never written a single blog about women. However in this case I figured in order for me to make an educated opinion on this particular topic, I was going to have to do some serious research.
Side note – If you’re like me and use Google to do the bulk of your research and want to fact check my thoughts on cold showers, I strongly advise you type in “cold showers” and not just “showers” in general. Let’s just say I learned more about golden showers and dirty showers (and not the type of dirt you might be thinking) then I wished to learn after digesting my morning oatmeal.
After sorting through some disturbing images and clicking through some uncanny Reddit content, I finally found what I was looking for:
“The Benefits of Cold Showers”
According to Google, cold showers can “help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, improve circulation, lower stress levels, and reduce muscle soreness and fatigue.”
After seeing this, I thought to myself “Wow, I’m totally switching to cold showers!”.
But then in the follow up paragraph I read “Hot showers meanwhile can improve cardiovascular health, soothe stiff joints, and improve quality of sleep.”
Not being the type of person that would ever question what he reads online (enter eye roll here) I was now left conflicted with my thoughts. So I figured I would dive deeper (no pun intended) into my cold shower research and click on a few articles pertaining to this hot/cold topic (last one I promise) that just 24 hours earlier, like a Tinder Date, I had cared so little about.
Click……
“Cold showers can help you lose weight by burning your brown fat!”
WTF? 
I have been working in the Fitness Industry for over 20 years now. And never have I heard or read about any correlation between cold water and brown fat. If you’ve read my blogs in the past or have worked with me online then you know I’ve covered brown fat extensively over the years, however for those of you who don’t know:
Simply put, brown fat is hidden deep in our torsos and necks. The main role of brown fat is to heat our bodies when we are cold. To produce heat, brown fat burns calories. The exact amount will obviously vary from person to person. However I can tell you that being cold for a few minutes in a shower is not going to burn off those beers you had at the bar the other night or that late night pizza you consumed afterwards.
Logging Off
After a discouraging 60 minutes spent online “learning” about cold showers, golden showers, and dirty showers, I was left more perplexed, disturbed, and somewhat intrigued, then before I began my initial search.
Nevertheless, I was determined to find an answer. But after the Internet provided me with so much conflicting and provocative information, I figured the only true way to form an educated opinion on the benefits of cold showers, would be to just go have a few myself.
So off to my shower stall I went….
My Cold Shower Experience
I have a small confession to make – I’m somewhat of a clean freak. I shower 3 times each day (sometimes 4 times a day in the Summer). I began my cold shower experiment this past Saturday. As I write today’s blog I’ve officially had 13 cold showers that all lasted between 3-5 minutes (depending on what was being washed during each cleaning session). And although I’m definitely not an expert in this field (although I bet I now know more about golden showers and dirty showers then most of you) I have formed a few thoughts on my time spent in cold water.
1) Cold Showers = Shrinkage – Why do you think I blurred out my junk in this week’s photo?
2) Cold Showers = More Energy – I have noticed a definite increase of energy over the past few days.
3) Cold Showers = Better Skin – I have noticed a much more clearer complexion in my skin over the past few days and it’s even beginning to look more hydrated.
4) Cold Showers = Better Sleep – I usually have a shower before I go to bed at night and since switching to cold showers, I’ve been passing out within 10 minutes upon my head hitting my pillow.
5) Cold Showers = Fucking COLD! – Anyone who says cold showers feel nice is a liar. Cold showers DO NOT feel nice. Cold showers are NOT fun. Cold showers ARE COLD. Period!
Am I switching to Cold Showers For Good?
Fuck No! I love my hot showers too much. However I have decided that of the 3 showers that I have each day, 1 will be dedicated to being a cold one. And considering the fact that I have been sleeping better at night before my last shower of the day, that’s going to be the one I choose.
So are cold showers for you? Well instead of googling the shit out it or even listening to my incoherent piss and dribble on the topic, there’s only one true way to find out….
Go Have a God Damn Cold Shower!
Yours in Good Health,
Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance