Do people with superpowers exist?
They may not show up on the news and save people from burning buildings, but rest assured, humans capable of performing extraordinary feats do indeed walk among us.
One of these people is the man known as Wim Hof, a world record holder who continually defies science and the beliefs we have about the human body.
We’ve spent hours delving into Wim Hof’s diet and workout routine to find out how he can pull off such amazing stunts. Read on to learn more.
Short Bio
Wim Hof, born in 1959 in the Netherlands, is a renowned Dutch athlete known as 'The Iceman' for his ability to endure extreme cold.
A Guinness World Record holder, Hof's achievements include enduring an ice bath for nearly two hours, swimming under ice in Latvia, and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in shorts.
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Expanding his mastery to heat, Hof ran a marathon in the Namib desert without water.
He documents his journey in his book 'Becoming the Iceman' and shares his techniques on his YouTube channel, offering insights and private coaching.
In my experience as a personal trainer, clients inspired by Hof's methods have seen significant improvements in their endurance and mental resilience.
Wim Hof Workout Routine
Despite being over 60 years of age, Wim Hof is as healthy as ever.
Hof accredits most of his incredible feats to his way of life and daily fitness routine, consisting of stretching, power breathing, cold shower, and meditation.
For those new to this routine, it's important to start gradually, paying attention to the body's responses and ensuring safety, especially when incorporating elements like cold exposure.
Other workout routines:
- Jon Jones Workout Routine
- Rich Piana Workout Routine
- Tim McGraw Workout Routine
- Floyd Mayweather Workout Routine
1. Stretching and Fitness
In my role as a fitness trainer, I've incorporated yoga moves similar to Hof's routine, including forward and back bends, a child's pose, planks, and bicycle crunches.
I've seen clients gain remarkable flexibility and core strength from these exercises, much like Hof himself.
Hof also greatly encourages stretching, as it strengthens the connection between mind and body.
2. Power Breathing
Hof’s ability to withstand freezing temperatures mainly stems from his breathing exercise routine, which allows him to raise his natural body temperature.
Power breathing incorporates the capacity to hold your breath for prolonged periods of time, cycled with periods of deep and exaggerated inhales.
Hof has this practice nailed down to a science, with further details discussed in later sections.
3. Cold Shower
Studies have shown that taking a cold shower or ice bath has several benefits.
These include physical and psychological advantages, such as boosting the immune system, increasing blood circulation, and reducing acne, as reported on WimHofMethod.com [1].
I've recommended cold showers to some of my clients and most have reported feeling invigorated and more alert.
Hof claims that psychological barriers are the biggest hindrance when it comes to tolerating cold water.
As a result, taking cold showers on a daily basis helps to fortify one’s mental strength and increase the individual’s body temperature, perseverance, willpower, and tenacity.
4. Meditation
The mind and body are one. This statement is especially true when it comes to skinny dipping in subzero temperatures.
Hof routinely engages in his meditation techniques through his breath routine, which is another factor responsible for his incredible feats.
In my practice, I've seen how meditation, similar to Hof's approach, can empower individuals to manage their body's response to extreme conditions like cold water.
Clients often report a newfound ability to stay calm and focused under stress, mirroring Hof's use of meditation.
What is the Wim Hof Method?
The Wim Hof Method (WHM) is a breathing technique that is based on Tibetan Tum-mo meditation and was personally developed by Wim Hof.
He has used it numerous times to extend his physical limits significantly, especially during his attempts at breaking records.
The three pillars that make up the WHM include Breathing, Cold Therapy, and Commitment. By combining these three components, an individual can control their autonomic nervous system and deactivate the flight-or-fight response.
To get started with the WHM, choose a safe environment, making sure it does not require your focus or attention to any particularly important task (ex. driving).
Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Sit or lie down in a comfortable position and relax the body.
- Use your nose to take deep inhales, and exhale through the mouth. Repeat this 30 times without any breaks in between.
- After the 30th exhale, hold your breath for one minute. Become aware of the present moment, focusing on your heartbeat and allowing the relaxation to spread throughout your physical body.
- Take a deep breath in and hold for fifteen seconds.
- Repeat Step #2.
- Hold your breath now for one minute and thirty seconds. Focus your attention on the present moment.
- Take a deep breath in and hold for fifteen seconds.
- Repeat Step #2.
- Repeat Step #6.
- Take one last deep breath in, hold for fifteen seconds.
- Congratulations, you are now done!
This method, while unique, shares several similarities with traditional meditation and yoga practices, such as the focus on breath control and mindfulness, yet it distinguishes itself through its specific emphasis on cold exposure and endurance.
WHM Benefits
The WHM is a great addition to your workout routine by speeding up workout recovery, muscle tissue repair, and reducing muscle soreness.
It has also been shown to reduce inflammation which stems from a poor diet or intake of bad food.
Practitioners of the WHM have also reported benefits such as reduced depression, improved mental health, reduced anxiety and improved emotional well-being cultivating a strong mindset, better sleep, and reduced stress.
“Practicing breathing techniques learned during this training program results in release of epinephrine, induction of early anti-inflammatory IL-10 production, and consequently attenuation of the proinflammatory innate immune response during experimental human endotoxemia”
- Matthjis Kox, Anesthesiology Researcher
Additionally, since the WHM is usually accompanied by cold therapy such as cold showers and ice baths, many individuals that practice the WHM have also reported a better resistance to cold temperatures.
Wim Hof Diet Plan
As a vegetarian, Wim Hof’s diet plan is primarily plant-based with low calories.
Hof avoids processed foods, sugar and takes care to avoid GMOs and artificial products in his diet.
His meal plan is made up of high amounts of carbohydrates, low proteins, and a medium amount of fats.
This diet includes food such as fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and pasta.
For beverages, Hof drinks coffee, green tea, beer, vegetable soup, and large amounts of water.
Hof is also an advocate of intermittent fasting and consumes only one meal a day as part of his diet after 6 pm.
FAQs
Can You Lose Weight With the Wim Hof Method?
The WHM can boost metabolism, increase brown fat tissues (responsible for withstanding the cold), and shed excessive weight.
Is the Wim Hof Method Dangerous?
Due to the large amounts of oxygen taken into the body, the WHM induces a trance-like state that can be described as “being high off life.”
As a result, the WHM can potentially make the individual go to sleep, making it dangerous if done in situations that require focus and attention.
Other side effects include lightheadedness, nausea, tingling sensations, and ear ringing or humming.
What Is Wim Hof Famous For?
Hof is famous for withstanding cold temperatures and defying physical body limitations.
On top of holding 20 world records, he has voluntarily partaken in many experiments that prove the validity of his methods, backed up by research and science.
He has also gone to teach the WHM to many other students, proving that anyone is capable of performing what he’s accomplished.
References:
- https://www.wimhofmethod.com/benefits-of-cold-showers
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