pneumatic recovery boots.... From Space!

Dino Sarti

 I just wanted to check in and see how the NormaTec recovery boot crowd is doing?  Late last year there was a thread about these little gems and ordering them. I am wondering who pulled the trigger and how it worked out.  Any buyer remorse or could you now not live without them?

Inquiring minds want to know... 

 

John Withrow

I bought one... Verdict is still out for me because I've only really used them a handful of times. They certainly feel like they should be doing something, but I simply don't have enough data points to know for sure. I certainly don't have buyers remorse, but also can't say that I can't live without them yet. I assume I'll know more after a couple of races or when I'm deep in IM training.

Dino Sarti

I am curious about these. I have been since all the discussion last year.

I think the struggle for me would be finding the time to use them. It would be hard to look the wife and kids in the eye after a 2-3 hour workout and tell them I need I little "me time" on the couch to use my space boots... Lol

John Withrow

Here's how/when I used them yesterday. I had gotten up early to do my workout and Jess was going to get up with the kids. I had a particularly hard bike followed by a run and I was still a bit sore from Thursday's workout. So when I was finished and had a quick stretch and Jess went into the pain cave to do her workout. I drank my recovery shake as I cooked an omelet. As soon as it was ready, I grabbed my laptop and hopped onto my recliner and put my feet up. I put on the boots for 30 minutes of "Recovery Flush" on the highest setting of "10". I then proceeded to eat my breakfast, watched Sponge Bob Squarepants with my kids as I got through all of my emails and then surfed EN for 15-20 mins and I was done. I then got in more recovery by wrestling with my boys (4.5 and 6.5yrs old) for a half hour or so (yes, I won...).

Dino Sarti

I thought I would bump this thread and see if anyone had any insights now that run volume is coming up.....

Coach Rich

Dino,

Barry Plaga has a pair and swears by them. 

Dino Sarti

It's strange. At the end of last year, there were a lot of people picking up discounted sets and sets with an "EN patch". But, now it seems there is no one with anything to say? My "need" for these has waned, but my interests is there. I though there would be thoughts to share on the subject.....

John Withrow

Hey Dino- I didn't want to be the only one responding with no new info. I have only used them a couple of times since my last post. I'm sure I will be using them more once I'm out of the OS. As of now, none of the workouts seem long enough to justify using them. It's an expensive but well made and easy to use product. Feels like a luxury to use them, but not so much of a luxury that I feel I should wear them when I don't really 'need' them... Do you get a massage 3x a week? Would be nice to though, right... In the meat of IM training you certainly need a massage more... I think the same will be true for these. I wish I had something better to say. I still don't regret buying them, but I might not be a good comparison because it's rare that I regret buying any toy. I like toys! I justifyied these by saying it's for my health and well being... Can't put a price on that, right...

John Withrow

btw, on Level 10 setting, the Normatek boots provide so much pressure that it kind of hurts (but it is a good hurt). Here's a cheap alternative if you're shorter than I am... I have a friend who has these and he says they'd likely fit somebody 5'-5"-5'-9". They are medical grade, but likely provide less pressure than the Normateks do. But might be a nice "give it a try" alternative that is sufficiently cheap. $225 BIN price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BIO-COMPRESSION-SEQUENTIAL-COMPRESSION-CIRCULATOR-COMPLETE-SYSTEM-USED-TWICE-/160990643738?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item257bca461a

Dino Sarti

Thanks, JW. I really appreciate the feedback. I am curious and will check in again later in the season. based on the current sound of silence, my buying reflex has not been triggered yet....

I bought a used steel road bike last week instead. I will probably use it less then a set of recovery boots, but I sure like looking at.

Scott Alexander

Juan bought a pair while at the Rally, he'll have to report back on his experience on the Normatecs too! After taking them all the way back to Sao Paulo!

mgraffeo

Sat in a pair after an indoor computrainer TT on Saturday. Man, those things are awesome. They've also recently released an accessory that looks like hockey pants, gets higher up on your legs as well as glutes. If I had the cash lying around, I'd have bought one on site.

Chris Love

Can't say whether or not they work but the people I observed trying them out at the Tri-Mania Expo on Saturday had the contented look that I imagine comes with licking a morphine lollipop. One guy actually had drool running out the side of his mouth.

tgarson

Likewise, I can't offer a full review, but after spending some quality time in them at the EN camp I was a fan.

I honestly have no idea if they objectively speed recovery, but they sure do feel good, and if you are socially awkward like I am they are nice substitute for all of that pesky 'personal contact' involved with massages.

They are priced a bit out of my ballpark, but if I had the dough I'd consider picking up a pair.

Dino Sarti

I was fortunate enough to demo a set of NormaTec boots on the comfort of my own couch tonight after IM Cal. It didn't suck. We will see how I feel tomorrow and how quick I feel fresh after a few more tries.... My Nig Bike Week climbing camp starts on Thursday!

bkcomiskey

I got mine in Sept and don't use as much in the OS since the volume is lower. Like John, I need to work hard/long enough to earn some time in them.