Is it alright to have a cold shower after medium intensity exercise?

I heard somewhere that a hot shower after exercise loosens up muscles and allows for faster repair......but its summer and i've been having cold or rather icecold showers to keep myself cool even after exercise. Is it ok?

one thing that might help is, while you're in the shower, alternate for a few minutes each on the extremes. go hot for a few minutes, then cold for a few. this will allow the hot water to loosen your muscles up but then cold water will help circulate blood. especially when alternated with hot. more circulation helps, of course, carry more nutrient rich fresh blood to the muscles. it will reduce your after-workout soreness and also allow your muscles to grow more.

Why don't you take magnesium pills(with tons of water), they prevent cramping. As for the cold shower, there are a lot of benefits from it. I usually take one to get my blood circulation working great, I also love swimming in the ocean during winter, so I might be weird. But it is healthy, taking them has somehow made my immune system a lot stronger than taking hot ones. I googled the benefits and here are some that came up:

* Brings blood to the capillaries, therefore increasing circulation throughout the body.

* Cleans the circulatory system.

* Reduces blood pressure on internal organs.

* Provides flushing for the organs and provides a new supply of blood.

* Strengthens the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.

* Contracts the muscles to eliminate toxins and poisonous wastes.

Cold water is likely to make your muscles cramp. Think about it...at the gym after your workout you get in the steam room or the sauna (both hot). If you want to cool off in the shower, let the water be warm when you first step in, and then adjust the temp gradually colder.