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 ...
Yeah, I'm a skeptic as well although the testimonials are compelling. One thing is for sure though, now that NormaTec has a competitor you can guarantee that their price will have to come down. Sort of like what happened to powermeters.
Ok...I pulled the trigger, used his coupon, and mine should be here in a few days. It's my birthday present, which isn't for a month. Think the hubs will let me have them early??
Wow, I would have never guessed this would be the most active thread I've ever started. There is some really good info ^^^.
I got my first chance to use the Air Relax compression boots after a race from the Buffalo Run 50-miler and my n=1 conclusion is that they definitely speed recovery from a race. I was destroyed after the race -- the sorest I've been since Ironman Arizona in 2014. I had to pull myself up stairs using the rail, howling in misery. I did several cycles with the Air Relax boots the night of the race. I was sore but much better the next day after a couple of sessions. I could ascend stairs without creating a scene. Two days out I was walking normally. Now six days later with a session every day I feel pretty much recovered.
Got my new Air Relax based on this whole discussion. Just finished my first cycle after my first outdoor bike ride of the season. Can't wait to see if they work!
AirRelax - I wanted to get some feedback to this awesome thread.... I was finally prompted to purchase the AirRelax after reading this and ST threads... Heather and I have been using it for 3 months now... Yes we both really like it and use it almost every night..... However I still have my doubts as to recovery and performance enhancement....Its just too hard to measure and believe it is subjective... For the $330 (was thru amazon with credit card delio special) I think I paid its well worth the enjoyment...
Normatec- After using the AirRelax for a couple months I was able to get a good comparison with Al's Normatec boots last week (previously I had only tried them at an IM race).... Bottomline I LIKE the Normatec boots better... Here is what I liked about them over the AirRelax... The legs were longer, foot portion larger, so the felt more encompassing (keep in mind I am 5'6" so this is even more important to taller peeps) there were more pressure settings and smaller pressure changes from one to the other, time was adjustable, also works off a battery if necessary.... Are they worth 3 times the AirRelax? NO I dont think so ... But IMO hands down they are a better product.
I've been using my Air Relax for about 2-3 months now. I have nothing to compare it to, but I love it. I have no idea if it's doing anything or not, but it sure feels good and makes me feel like I'm recovering. At this price point, it was worth the experiment.
x2 what Leslie said. I've had mine for about 3 months and use it about once every couple weeks or the day after really hard efforts. I don't use it as a tool to recover after every workout. I see it the same as wearing compression calf sleeves or compression tights for recovery...hard to measure its effectiveness but feels good. Also, I'm thinking its effectiveness is similar to or better than elevating your legs up a wall for 15-20 mins. I agree at 1/5 the cost of Normatec, I'm good with the fewer features.
For Air Relax owners I noticed the FAQ on their site mentions that: "It is recommended to use not more than 3 times a day for 15-30 minutes. Do not exceed the recommended time! There is no side effects, unless you use it more that it's recommended." The Normatec FAQ mentions: "Post-workout recovery sessions are generally 20 to 60 minutes long with a moderate to high intensity level (it is safe to pump as long as you want)"
Do any of you use it longer than the the recommended time? From the posts its seems they are pretty similar. I think it's odd that Normatec says its safe for long as you want and Air Relax limits it and said there are side effects.
I use mine several times per week for 15-45 minutes. I only use once per day bc I only have time in the evenings. Medically speaking, there's no reason why you can't use it a lot. In the hospital, they are used 24/7 on immobile pts. But the pressure ant as high.
Air Relax is having a Black Friday promotion of $50 off using the code ARS2018 good through Sunday. I went ahead and picked up the new shorts (glutes and hips are my classic problem areas) and travel bag (been using the box the boots came with) for $300 to my front door.
If you're on the fence, this makes an already impressive deal even better at $360 to your to your front door for the recovery boots. I used these all through 2017 through the insanity below in my signature and felt like they accelerated recovery. They reduced soreness for sure.
@ Roderick: I have many times gone through a few cycles of B & C Then do spot work. I go full strength but in C or on point squeezing I can only go a few min then move to a new spot as it doesn't fully deflate.
I definitely feel they help with recovery. Legs feel much less tightness and "pressurized" after big run/bike WKOs. Doesn't fully replace foam rolling and stretching BUT as a Nof1 I feel much more able to get around and WKO day 2-3 after. I have used Normatec a few times and do notice both kinda hurt my feet -but Air Relax comes with a foot "massage" base that slips in and may prevent the effect. I made sure to measure my inseam before ordering = important. Both have a midline zipper so I will rotate to adjust the "gap' toward midline to get good pressure on mid Quads better. Don't think the Normatec worth the difference in $.
Got the compression shorts today and tried them out. My first impression is that they are a good complement to the compression boots. They really hit the quads, glutes, hips, and lower back. For less than $300 of the NormaTec product you can have a more comprehensive solution with the boots and shorts.
Comments
Also, when I was a teenager I broke my tailbone and I think I have lingering effects from that.
What happened to me after 4 week using Air Relax.
I’m recovering faster, my leg lighter and I run faster (I’m on week 4 GF).
Typically, I use it 1hr before sleep. I start mode A level 2, then mode B level 2, some time I repeat it.
When I have time before run, mode A level 1.
I order it after I read this review-
http://www.thomasgerlach.com/2016/08/normatec-vs-air-relax-recovery-boots.html
He put 5% coupon, it covers the shipping.
I got my first chance to use the Air Relax compression boots after a race from the Buffalo Run 50-miler and my n=1 conclusion is that they definitely speed recovery from a race. I was destroyed after the race -- the sorest I've been since Ironman Arizona in 2014. I had to pull myself up stairs using the rail, howling in misery. I did several cycles with the Air Relax boots the night of the race. I was sore but much better the next day after a couple of sessions. I could ascend stairs without creating a scene. Two days out I was walking normally. Now six days later with a session every day I feel pretty much recovered.
Normatec- After using the AirRelax for a couple months I was able to get a good comparison with Al's Normatec boots last week (previously I had only tried them at an IM race).... Bottomline I LIKE the Normatec boots better... Here is what I liked about them over the AirRelax... The legs were longer, foot portion larger, so the felt more encompassing (keep in mind I am 5'6" so this is even more important to taller peeps) there were more pressure settings and smaller pressure changes from one to the other, time was adjustable, also works off a battery if necessary.... Are they worth 3 times the AirRelax? NO I dont think so ... But IMO hands down they are a better product.
Do any of you use it longer than the the recommended time? From the posts its seems they are pretty similar. I think it's odd that Normatec says its safe for long as you want and Air Relax limits it and said there are side effects.
If you're on the fence, this makes an already impressive deal even better at $360 to your to your front door for the recovery boots. I used these all through 2017 through the insanity below in my signature and felt like they accelerated recovery. They reduced soreness for sure.
I definitely feel they help with recovery. Legs feel much less tightness and "pressurized" after big run/bike WKOs. Doesn't fully replace foam rolling and stretching BUT as a Nof1 I feel much more able to get around and WKO day 2-3 after.
I have used Normatec a few times and do notice both kinda hurt my feet -but Air Relax comes with a foot "massage" base that slips in and may prevent the effect. I made sure to measure my inseam before ordering = important.
Both have a midline zipper so I will rotate to adjust the "gap' toward midline to get good pressure on mid Quads better.
Don't think the Normatec worth the difference in $.
Plus you get to look totally awesome!