Mark Wahlberg's day famously starts some time between 2:30 and 3am, going to bed super-early in order to then be able to jump out of bed and hit the gym for his early morning workout with his 4am club. 'I'm not an evening person,' he explained earlier this year. 'I used to be, but for me there's nothing but trouble after those hours, so I like to get up and get it done.'

As anyone who has perused his daily routine—which went viral when he first shared it on social media—will know, the actor follows his morning training with a cryotherapy session to aid his recovery.

He does this every day. Without fail. Even on holidays, apparently. In a recent Instagram post, Wahlberg celebrated Thanksgiving with an ice-cold plunge, stepping outside in just his swimwear and a beanie, showing off his lean, muscular physique while uncovering his outdoor tub before stepping into the freezing water and submerging himself without even flinching.

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'I absolutely love the cold plunge,' Wahlberg told Men's Health. 'I usually go three and a half to five minutes... I'll do it after the workout, I feel great... Whether it be a cold plunge or cryotherapy, I think it's an absolute must.'

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Ice baths have become a hugely popular post-workout recovery method, by constricting and then dilating the blood vessels, purging metabolic waste and flooding the blood cells with oxygen. It has also been found to ease muscle soreness and inflammation following strenuous exercise.

However, you should consult with a doctor before trying this yourself, as it can be potentially dangerous for people with certain underlying health conditions. There is also research which suggests that extreme cold exposure after training can actually slow down the healing process, and even cause further muscle damage. One advised post-workout alternative is active recovery, through light activity such as walking or yoga.

From: Men's Health US
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Philip Ellis

Philip Ellis is News Editor at Men's Health, covering fitness, pop culture, sex and relationships, and LGBTQ+ issues. His work has appeared in GQ, Teen Vogue, Man Repeller and MTV, and he is the author of Love & Other Scams.