Wim Hof ​​method, A New Type Of Training

If you are interested in learning the techniques of the Wim Hof ​​method, make sure you know everything about its creator, its principles, benefits and contraindications. Read on and find out more about it!

The Wim Hof ​​(or WHM) method was first introduced by the Dutch athlete of the same name. Its methodology seeks to make people happier, stronger and healthier, through a reconnection with their being, those around them and nature.

Hof is convinced that this reconnection can stimulate deep processes that allow him to develop control over the body to reach its full potential and achieve incredible feats. Find out who Wim Hof ​​is, if there is scientific support for his method, what benefits it brings and its possible side effects.

Who is Wim Hof?

Wim Hof ​​is a Dutch extreme athlete who earned the nickname “the iceman” for having performed extraordinary feats such as climbing the highest mountains in the world in shorts, running a half marathon over the Arctic Circle barefoot and diving into a container with ice cubes. ice for more than 112 minutes.

Similarly, he is an adventurer with more than 20 Guinness records who considered sharing what he had learned. This is how the Wim Hof ​​method was born, based on three fundamental pillars (breathing, cold therapy and commitment), and which seeks that other people can control their bodies to achieve exceptional feats.

What is the Wim Hof ​​method?

As we have already discussed, Wim Hof’s natural method is based on three basic pillars that seek to improve people’s physical and mental health, so that they can reach their full potential. On their website, they are presented simultaneously with the benefits that this type of training can bring.

1. Cold therapy. When done correctly, cold therapy appears to have many benefits, including stimulating fat burning, decreasing inflammation, and improving sleep patterns.
2. Breathing. According to Hof, mastering breathing techniques can improve energy levels, strengthen the immune system, reduce stress levels, and more.
3. Commitment. The compromise supports the previous pillars. It deepens responsibility and increases willpower to face new challenges.

However, the different techniques of the method can be learned through a mobile application, online classes or a certified instructor.

The science behind the Wim Hof ​​method

To give the method credibility, Wim Hof ​​and some of his students have undergone scientific tests that seek to unravel the potential health benefits it can have. In general, scientists have focused on understanding how breathing techniques relate to brain activity, inflammation, and pain.

A 2014 study required participants to do breathing techniques (consciously hyperventilate and hold their breath), meditate, and immerse themselves in ice-cold water. The results showed that the nervous system and the immune system could be affected by the anti-inflammatory effect of the techniques performed.

For this reason, scientists consider that the method could be very useful in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Similarly, it was found that those who learned the Hof method were less prone to flu symptoms and had higher levels of adrenaline.

Also, a report done in the same year focused on determining how effective the Wim Hof ​​method was in reducing acute mountain sickness (AMS). The study, with 26 hikers who used breathing techniques to ascend Mount Kilimanjaro, found the method to be helpful in preventing AMS and reversing its symptoms.

Finally, a study in the scientific journal NeuroImage with Wim Hof showed that his tolerance to cold is due to an artificial stress response in his body. Scientists suggest that the brain allowed Hof to overcome exposure to cold, indicating that other people can also learn to control their nervous systems to achieve similar changes.

Benefits of the Wim Hof ​​method

The constant practice of the Wim Hof ​​method is attributed a number of benefits for physical and mental health. However, it should be noted that they have not yet been corroborated by the investigation. In any case, they are compiled on the official Wim Hof ​​Method site. They cover the following:

• Helps to stimulate the immune system. 
• Serves as a natural anti-inflammatory.
• Helps increase energy level.
• Improves athletic performance.
• It favors the relief of some symptoms of fibromyalgia.
• Helps mitigate stress.
• Improves mental health.
• Increase willpower.
• It alleviates some symptoms of depression.
• Increase concentration.

Does the practice of this method have any risk?

Despite the scientific evidence supporting the method, there are potential risks for people with certain conditions. In that sense, it is not recommended to be exposed to cold in the following cases:

• Pregnancy.
• After eating abundantly.
• If you haven’t eaten yet.
• After ingesting alcoholic beverages.
• If there is a history of respiratory diseases, strokes, or blood pressure problems.

In the same way, it is not advisable to do cold therapy if there is not some type of supervision by a professional. Even in the face of any previous illness, the ideal thing to do is consult your doctor first.

If you don’t fit any of the aforementioned profiles, you should still be cautious. When performing this method, fainting is frequent and you can suffer injuries from falls.

What is there to keep in mind about the method?

The Wim Hof ​​method is a new training proposal that is based on three essential pillars. Although the evidence on its benefits is still limited, it is believed that it contributes to improving physical and mental health.

In any case, it should be practiced in a safe and comfortable environment, under the guidance of a professional. Do not ignore that it can cause feelings of euphoria and high energy that cause tingling or dizziness. Keep that in mind!