normatec - fact or fiction?

jimmy augustine

ok folks. I know that normatec is a sponsor so I am curious to find out if there are any regular users out there? Anyone tried them and didn't like them?

Anyone feel like they do or don't make a difference?

 

More importantly, if I were to wear them at night while watching tv with the mrs, would the noise bother her?

Michael Crosby

Jimmy, when you bought that Compex unit from me, I put that money towards my normatecs. Independent scientific tests are inconclusive that they do anything, however, I find that they are amazing for me. I used them during my build for IMCHOO and I rarely had significant soreness or DOMS after long sessions, bricks, or multiple hard days back to back. I've even used them before warming up for races or big workouts. Whether it's legit or strictly placebo, if I had to spend my money all over again to buy them, I would. And, yes, you can lounge in them next to your wife while she watches tv without it driving her crazy. Just a slight hum, then the occasional pressure release as the cycle starts over.

Al Truscott

Not a user, but in the last year, I've seen these in use by two ENers, Bob Nelson and Juan Vergara, who both had PRs after using them during a full training cycle. Last August, I put Bob through a grueling week in Colorado; he says the only way he survived was getting into the "boots" after every ride. He went on to PR @ Tahoe 70.3 Juan of course had a PR last year @ Florida, and did very well in Kona last month. He got his @ the infamous EN Spring Camp in Tucson, 2013.

jimmy augustine

Thx guys.
Mike which model do you have?

Brad Marcus

@Jimmy - My wife bought them for me last season. Although I can't quantify my results, I really like them a lot. I have not been using them in the out season yet, but found them very helpful throughout the IM build last year, especially between big riding days or after long grueling runs. I probably didn't use them as often as I should, and I plan to do so going forward. As far as noise bothering your wife, they are not very loud at all, and she's probably more likely to have a good laugh at you watching you use them....as my kids do! My wife used them as much as I did in her training - she likes them too!

John Withrow

I have them and used them almost every single night during my huge build in 2014 into IMMT (before they were an EN sponsor). I really like them and think they help (no idea if that is stating fact or illusion, but don't care). I used them next to my wife will sitting on my recliner watching TV and eating dinner. It annoyed her a little bit, but not so much that I stopped. The annoyance was more because if either of us or our kids needed something it was her that had to get up and get it because I was locked into my boots... I used them last yr after any really long rides or my long run days.

Regarding which one, they just came out with a "NEW" unit which has a much smaller compressor. All you would need is the Pulse system. I have the "Pro" model (of the previous vintage) and the only mode I have ever used them on is the "Recovery Flush" mode. You should bully me into selling you my unit so I can go buy the new one. I have to think the newer one would be easier to travel with due to its size/weight.

Michael Crosby

I have the older MVP model.  It doesn't  have a bunch of different modes like the PRO model does, but as Withrow mentions above, he only uses the recovery flush, which is essentially what the MVP model does.  Plus the cost difference was pretty significant between the two.  The new models look really nice because they're so small, and the pricing hasn't gone up on them.  I would try to find an old model MVP at a discount, or buy the new model at $1595 plus our EN discount.  If you don't use that Compex unit, sell it for a few hundred, because you WILL use the Normatecs daily, especially when you are in a build phase.

jimmy augustine

thx guys. mike - that is exactly what im going to do. I find that I don't use the compex much. But if I ebay it, it looks like an mvp on ebay could be had under $1k.

Ed Eovino

@Withrow... "It annoyed her a little bit, but not so much that I stopped."... If that isn't the hallmark of a successful marriage... I don't know what is! Having been married for 25 years... and walking that fine line for all of them... respect!

Douglas Sutherland

Normotech = foam roll = massage

jimmy augustine

doug - does that mean that you tried them and found them to be about as effective as foam rolling?

Douglas Sutherland

I have used the boots a few times. I do like them because they require essentially no work on your part. However, as a cheapskate, I cannot justify the cost considering I have a foam roller. Yes, it is more painful, yes, I can (embarassingly) break a sweat using the foam roller, but in short, it is the same - massaging the muscles, however that works, it just does. I also do not pony up for massage, again cost. My guess is people you have boot "recover" more often and more completely because you can just sit there to get the benefit. I do not find there to be a difference completeness of recovery between the 3 though, assuming you foam roll extensively and properly.

DS

jimmy augustine

Ok. I was able to demo the mvp yesterday. Interesting. Different than anything else I've tried. Seemed like something that I would use in addition to foam roll and trigger point tools rather than in place of. And the mrs will most likely use them more than I get to.
Sold an old wheel set and an old powertap hub. Listed the compex.
It looks like normatec was once a $4k investment but now seems to have settled out at $1600 new. Less $100 from our sponsorship deal.
I think that I will let December come and go and see what eBay looks like in January and pick one up used if I can or the newer one which seems nice from a size perspective but really wouldn't effect my life much.