warm-up lotions?

Never use um. For the longest time the first 5 miles of the run was always painful, now it isn't a problem. Unknown what the problem was.

I was using some of this stuff during the winter when I was having some calf tightness while running in the cold. Not sure that it really helped. I am sure that my wife HATED the smell.

This is my personal opinion and I do not mean to offend anyone that use creams of this type.

I believe lotions of this kind are simply ineffective and have no physiological benefits.  However they may have positive physiological benefits that could be worthwhile to some fraction of users.

Essentially, the lotion is creating a very mild chemical burn which provides the sensation of heat.  Very very little heat or coolness, if any, is actually generated by the cream.  They also contain strong odorous perfumes and other products designed to stimulate the olfactory senses.  Often times, products of this nature are marketed as being penetrating, analgesic, medicated, healing, repairing and revitalizing.  As far as I am concerned, that is all bunk.

However, if it makes you feel better then it's certainly a good thing.  Nothing wrong with feeling like your feeling better. 

Mark
Combat Medic US Army
1/94 FA West Germany 1980












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The only part of that statement I'd disagree with is analgesic.  These creams aren't intended to cure an injury/boo-boo.  They're intended to make you feel less pain, which is the very definition of analgesic.  I think you're right though that they don't actually cause any real heating or cooling of the local tissue.  But OP said he's just trying to get through the first 15 minutes or so of training until he can actually get warmed up.  If a product provides an analgesic effect for that period of time in a safe and approved manner (even if it is a mild chemical burn like you say), then I think that would be a good decision. 

I also think BenGay and IcyHot are two of the worst smelling creams you can get.  Super Blue Stuff isn't that strong, but it smells delicious and makes me want to eat it!

I use Biofreeze which kind of numbs the sore or injured area.

I've used the Tiger Balm before, and my son said "Mommy, please never put that stuff on inside the house again"