Out of the box, they were super easy to set up: you simply plug them into a console, which is handily pre-charged, zip your legs into them, select a programme on the console and you’re off! There’s six programmes to choose from – warm up, recovery, flow, squeeze, release and wave – which are all set to run for 30 minutes but you can adjust the timer as you please and they will run for up to 99 minutes. There are two types of compression athletes use: compression and intermittent pneumatic compression. As mentioned, compression boosts use intermittent pneumatic compression, meaning they mechanically inflate and deflate segments of a sleeve at different times. Compression boots actually go all the way up to the top of your thighs, so your entire leg reaps the benefits. There is no limit to exactly how long you should use compression boots. We at Recoverfit recommend that you should use the boots for between 15-30 minutes per session to get the best results. Time wise, sessions are limited to 20, 25 or 30 minutes. We would have liked some slightly lengthier options, as it means you need to start the process again if you’re wanting to use the boots for more than half an hour. They're also relatively noisy – not to the extent that you can't watch television or read a book, but it is slightly distracting.

Entering my 30s has been a wake-up call for my relationship with my body. Part of me assumed all of the jokes about knee pain and creaking joints were nothing more than exaggeration — surely those things wouldn’t start until I was older (because really, is 30 old?) — but as soon as I crossed the threshold into my 30s it’s like the universe gave my body a green light to start deteriorating. Time wise, choose between 10-, 20-, 30-, 40- or 60-minute sessions. I liked the shorter sessions for when I was pushed for time, while the 60-minute session is ideal for settling in for an evening in front of the box. I used the MyoAir two to three times a week for a month and found it lasted around 180 minutes – so one charge should give you at least a week’s worth of recovery. I've definitely noticed a difference in the lightness of my legs after using the boots – particularly on days with higher mileage or increased intensity. While they don’t completely cure DOMS, getting your blood circulating definitely helps to reduce some of that heaviness. Arabi Y, et al. (2019). Adjunctive intermittent pneumatic compression for venous thromboprophylaxis. Long periods of sitting or standing: If you sit or stand for long periods of time, you may experience swelling and discomfort in your legs and feet. Normatec compression boots can help reduce these symptoms by improving circulation and reducing fluid buildup. There are many people who wear compression garments to support their legs during athletic activity,” Armstrong says.

The NormaTec PULSE 2.0 Recovery Compression Systems

Quality Build: The NormaTec 3 is well-built and feels durable. It gives me confidence that it will last for a long time, even with regular use.

For starters, the boots enhance blood flow and circulation. According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology in 2018 , intermittent compression applied during recovery from exercise resulted in increased limb blood flow. This can potentially contribute to changes in exercise performance and recovery, according to the authors. (Keep in mind, this study only involved 12 healthy participants.) When that metabolic waste from a workout is sitting there in your cells taking up space, that’s space that your blood could be bringing new nutrients to in the muscle,” says Leninger. The more nutrients your muscles are getting, the faster they can repair and rebuild.

Benefits of compression therapy

My first session with the Normatec Go happened in the middle of the day. I hadn’t done much activity, so I wasn’t really using it as a warm-up or recovery tool — it was just a new toy to play around with — which meant I couldn’t really appreciate the benefits of the device. After taking a long walk the next day, however, I grabbed the Normatec Go and wrapped them around my lower legs…and promptly fell in love. The pressure starts slowly, and it feels like someone is squeezing and releasing your calves while gradually working from the bottom up. There are three separate zones of compression, but the device comfortably transitions between zones and eventually compresses your entire lower leg — all three zones at once — before releasing and continuing the process. Using bluetooth connectivity, these boots allow you to also control your workout from your phone. On the move or at home, these boots offer great flexibility, particularly when life gets busy. These days, there’s a whole range of tools and products that runners can use to recover between training sessions, from massage guns to ice baths, and magnesium supplements to recovery shakes.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) develops when a blood clot forms in one of the veins, often in a leg. It’s considered a serious condition, as a clot can travel to the lungs and become life threatening. Compression boots have a number of physiological advantages that promote muscle repair and reduce inflammation directly including; improved blood circulation and enhanced lymphatic drainage. In addition, compression boots have psychological benefits such as an increased feeling of relaxation and the reduced sensation of muscle soreness.

We investigated whether a single 60 min bout of whole-leg, lower pressure external pneumatic compression (EPC) altered select vascular, metabolic, antioxidant and inflammation-related mRNAs. [...] An acute bout of EPC transiently upregulates PGC-1α mRNA, while also upregulating eNOS protein and NOx concentrations in vastus lateralis biopsy samples" " As an avid soccer player, I've tried various recovery methods, but the Hyperice NormaTec 3 system has truly taken my post-soccer recovery to the next level. Here's why I find it simply amazing: NormaTec is the leader in rapid recovery - our systems give a competitive edge to the world’s elite athletes, coaches, and trainers. Our goal is to establish recovery as an integral part of every athlete’s training, and we feel NormaTec systems are the best way to accomplish that. The NormaTec PULSE Recovery Systems are dynamic compression devices designed for recovery and rehab. All of our systems use NormaTec's patented PULSE technology to help athletes recover faster between trainings and after performance. Portable Design: It's compact and portable, which makes it easy to take to soccer matches and practices. It's a fantastic addition to my sports gear.