PSA: Air Relax, an affordable NormaTec alternative

Gabe Peterson

I thought I'd share a product recommendation for ENers looking to maximize their recovery without having to crack open the piggy bank.  A few weeks ago I came across the below article from pro triathlete Thomas Gerlach comparing Air Relax vs NormaTec compression boots.  He concluded that both are very good products, but it's hard to pass up Air Relax at $380 vs NormaTec at $1595.  Yes, the Air Relax is less than 25% the cost of NormaTec!

I was intrigued but couldn't find many other reviews on Air Relax.  Last week a topic appeared on the Salt Lake Tri Club FB page on Air Relax.  Several athletes I know highly recommended them.  At that price, I figured I didn't have much to lose.  I could return them or sell them to someone in SLTC if I didn't like them.  So I pulled the trigger.  

The FB thread included a trick to get 10% off.  Put the product in your shopping cart and get far enough into the process that you enter your email, and then leave it.  Within a day you'll be emailed a coupon code for 10%.  That brought the cost to $340 + $20 shipping.

I got the Air Relax boots a couple days later.  I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the product.  It is a serious medical grade product that looks very durable.  I have always been skeptical of recovery boots but so many athletes I trust have raved about them.  I was frankly amazed how good my legs felt after 30 minutes in the boots (watching a show with a glass of wine -- my kind of recovery!).  I've been using them all week, and I can't remember the last time my legs felt this fresh.  I've never used NormaTec boots, so I can't compare them.  But it's hard for me to believe they are more than $1000 better.

This product is a bargain, and I think it is worth considering for athletes looking to accelerate recovery.

Air Relax vs NormaTec

http://www.thomasgerlach.com/2016/08/normatec-vs-air-relax-recovery-boots.html

Jeff Kane

@Gabe, right you are. After researching between Air Relax and Normatec, I went with the Air Relax and love them!! I've had them since Oct 2016 and wonder why I didn't make a move on them sooner. I highly recommend them. So much so, that they offered a Shiatsu Back Massager for free with a positive review on Amazon. 2 for 1....#winning

Scott Moir

I have a pair of very, very lightly used Air Relax boots that I'm willing to part with. I might have used them a half dozen times. Hit me up on email - kscottmo@cox.net

Al Truscott

So I did a quick perusal of AirRelax's site, and Gerlach's post. (I noticed Jeff's endorsement on their review page!) Here are the differences I noticed, apart from price, which is obvious, and durability/quality, which we won't know about for years:

• Normatec's control box is smaller, and can go on battery alone (Gerlach says 45 minutes vs. Normatec;s stated 180'). Since I travel a lot, for training and racing, I value portability.
• Air Relax goes to 230 mm HG, in 4 steps; Normatec goes to 100 mm HG in 7 steps. Anything over about 70 (for me) would start to cut off circulation. I have Normatecs, so have learned that 4 is best. For the AR, would only 4 steps getting from 0 to 230 give enough "fine-tuning"?
• Normatec has five compression zones/segments, AR four.
• NT allows mid session change of compression, both time and amount, in each separate segment. So you can give extra emphasis, say, to your calf relative to your mid-thigh.
• I wish I had more info on AR's control options; with NT, you can adjust the time + or - by five minutes, with the push of a button, likewise change among the 7 compression settings. But most important, how much control does AR allow over which zones (segments) are compressed and in what order.

This is a significant price differential, and we owe it to our team (which has a sponsorship deal with NT) to get good, complete info out there about what you can and can't do with each system.

Gabe/Jeff, maybe you could talk a bit about how the controller for AR works, or maybe post a link to the operating manual, so someone like me could understand what "Auto" and "Mode" do in the ARs

Jeff Kane

@Al, here is the owners manual link. I'm sure based on what I have seen you'll give a way better run down on specs then I ever could!

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1527/1371/files/AIR_RELAX_MANUAL_121316.pdf?7764882596624214684

I would say the NT has the ability for more fine tuning then the Air Relax. I have tried the NT's in the past, but the $$$ was the main difference. In the end it's all about where we invest the money.

I agree in the fact too that full and open disclosure is of the utmost importance for the team!

Gabe Peterson

@Al, that's a pretty good summary of the differences.  It looks like NormTecs have more fine tuning options.  The battery powered option is nice, too.

The Air Relax has three different modes.  They each run for 15 minutes, and then the unit turns off.  The adjustable time on the NormaTec is a nice feature.  Sometimes I'm just about to fall asleep, and then the unit shuts off at 15 minutes.

• Mode A goes starts at the top compression zone (the feet) and then works its way up your leg one zone at a time.  There are four compression zones.  I usually start with this mode.
• Mode B starts at the top compression zone and works its way up with each zone staying compressed.  Then it goes back up the same way.  I usually do this after A.
• Mode C compresses all zones on a cycle.  I have only used this a couple times, usually after A + B.

?You can also manually control which zones compress.

It has four levels of pressure settings with 1 = 0-60mmHG, 2 = 60-120mmHG, 3 = 120-180mmHG, and 4 = 180-230mmHG.  I usually do level 2.  I tried level 3 and it was uncomfortable. 

It would be cool to see EN work its magic and get a team discount for Air Relax!

moetai@gmail.com

AR boots compress from top to bottom? Not the other way around? Seems weird...aren't they supposed to bring the "toxins" back from the extremities?

Mark Maurer

@ David, according to the manual, the feet are the top.

moetai@gmail.com

That makes more sense..thanx

Mike Roberts

I seemingly lived in an injured friend's Normatec's last year and loved them. When it was time to say goodbye, got a pair of AR's for less than $400. Love them too and they have no shortcomings for how I use them. Level 3 is too much for me. I'm sure 4 would produce tears. There may be $50 worth of functionality differences, but there ain't 1k worth.

Gabe Peterson

My bad, I wrote the description of the modes from memory.  I edited the post to hopefully make it clearer.

moetai@gmail.com

Howard Matthews

Team: Many thanks for this info; this is exactly the type of dialogue (meaningful, trusted, and thorough) that makes EN invaluable!

@Mike: Thanks a bunch for the comparison; I definitely can put that $1k savings towards my new bike upgrade.

Howard Matthews

@Jeff/Gabe:  Gracias for recommendation...my pair of ARs arrived today, and I'm looking forward to the assist with recovery between my Saturday and Sunday workouts.  Will definitely report back my initial thoughts...likely while I'm sitting in them on Sunday afternoon.

@Gabe: the tip on getting the code for 10% was spot on.  In fact, didn't even take a day or two...got it in less than 2hrs (although most of it went to the extra shipping cost for HI).  

Ann Sloan

@Gabe Peterson : Thanks for the tips.  Couldn't justify the Normatecs...got the ARs and hubby (non-triathlete) used them. Happy wife..happy life.

Gary Lewis

I have a set of the AR that I bought to try, and my wife loves them more than me.  She gets a lot of swelling in her legs and this seems to help.  

I have found that the foot end size is small for me.  I like them on setting 2 or sometimes 3, but they crush the sides of my feet.  I have to wear flip-flops in them which seems to keep the side pressure from becoming too much.  I have never tried the NT, so I have no comparison.  I just couldn't see spending the money on them.

Gabe Peterson

Gary Lewis said:

I have a set of the AR that I bought to try, and my wife loves them more than me.  She gets a lot of swelling in her legs and this seems to help.  

I have found that the foot end size is small for me.  I like them on setting 2 or sometimes 3, but they crush the sides of my feet.  I have to wear flip-flops in them which seems to keep the side pressure from becoming too much.  I have never tried the NT, so I have no comparison.  I just couldn't see spending the money on them.

I found I have to make sure my toes are sticking out of the boot, or my feet feel too much pressure like you mentioned.

Tommy Bonds

My AR's showed up Fri. I am not training heavy now due to surgery but I like the way they feel & looking forward to trying them when training ramps back up. 

Danielle Santucci

@Mike Roberts I'm a sucker for anything you recommend (pls don't recommend a Ventum .l)...got myself a pair of AR's and love them!  I've been in both the Normatechs and now AR's and can not tell the difference.  Thanks for all the info in this thread, very informative as always.  

Ian Kurth

I have had these for several years - old skool podium legs - the old company before they were rebranded.  Same exact system and color scheme.  Picked them up new for about $300.  They totally do the trick.  They have been good for me, and the $1000 Normatec price difference that I saved is nice.   I have since invested that cash in pork belly options which have now tripled in value, while my legs are 10 years younger.  YMMV.

Derrek Sanks

I was just about to buy the ARs and this thread validates my decision.  I read the high cost of NTs is due to their advertising and endorsement costs.  If I didn't do my research, I'd think NT was the only option and is used by all the pro athletes.  

Peter Greagg

I bought ARs last week and love them.
I was wondering though, how do peeps use them (and the other brands)?
I use mode A, then mode B (for a total time of 30 mins) after each run/bike wko. And then repeat again just before bed.

Jeff Kane

AR boots and the Super Bowl = #wining!!

Howard Matthews

@Peter Greagg: I try to use mine just as you do except I'm often only able to get it in just before bed. Additionally I also crank up the pressure to level 3 on the second interval. 

no doubt one of the best gear purchases I have made.!

@Jeff Kane: you are spot on...great combination! 

Danielle Santucci

I had mine on for a good hour on Sunday post 2 days of big bike and run volume.  Love these things!!!

Peter Greagg

thanks

Leslie Knight

Already told hubs I want this for my birthday in two months. 

Dave Tallo

Hate to ask this ... but is there evidence that these (be they normatech or amazonboot) "work?"  I accept that they feel great, but I'm just not there yet ... especially as the same testimonials can apply to pressure from siting in a bath ... or a massage ... or compression garb ...

Al Truscott

Dave Tallo said:

Hate to ask this ... but is there evidence that these (be they normatech or amazonboot) "work?"  I accept that they feel great, but I'm just not there yet ... especially as the same testimonials can apply to pressure from siting in a bath ... or a massage ... or compression garb ...

I've been using mine nearly daily now for two months, after every hard bike, run or ski session. What I notice: no muscle soreness during this time, and ability to handle daily activity with less need for days off than before. EG, I'm about three weeks into daily 20,000 vertical foot skiing (not on groomed or easy slopes; I do bumps, trees and powder), and while I am as tired as usual (like the middle of a 12-week IM build), I do not have the muscle aches, pains, and soreness which I would usually be getting. n=1, YMMV, etc.

Gabe Peterson

+1 to what @Al Truscott said.  I was traveling this week for work and didn't have access to my compression boots.  My recovery was noticeably reduced.  I was skeptical before like all good scientists but now am a believer.

Here is a research paper done using NormaTec boots that concludes that "Compression Device Reduces Blood Lactate Concentrations More Effectively Than Passive Recovery," although they notice no significant difference from active recovery.  It would be interesting the see the results of active recovery plus compression.

https://www.scitechnol.com/intermittent-pneumatic-compression-device-reduces-blood-lactate-concentrations-effectively-passive-recovery-after-wingate-testing-CtOX.pdf

Dave Tallo

Came across the same once my curiousity was piqued.   The wiki Below also gives a good synthesis of current research, although it's not a literature review by any stretch.

http://wiki.ubc.ca/Course:KIN500#Normatec_Pneumatic_Compression_Device