Athletes will try anything to get an edge on the competition.
And
in a flash. Their interest in any recovery device can spark a trend for
the masses. Because we all know that if we used the same recovery
devices. Then we would all be superstars in our own minds. Luckily for
us. These recovery devices get more and more accessible every day. Check
out 5 of the more interesting options creeping up from behind the
scenes.
1 - Cryotherapy or Cryogenic Chamber Therapy
- Found at selected spas, gyms and health centers across the USA. Check
your area for a trial session that typically costs between $50-100.
Frigid air blast your whole body during treatment inside a liquid
nitrogen gas chamber. Inside the chamber the air temperature plunges to
between -180°F to -250°F. This results in a drop of a person's skin
surface temperature to 30-50°F. Your treatment last for roughly 2-3
minutes. And this helps the body promote healing and release endorphins
after exercise.
The Dallas Mavericks believed it gave them a key
edge during their 2011 championship run. And many athletes swear that
the endorphins it promotes after a tough workout help them bounce back
the next day. If you got the time, money and a location near you. Then
Google will provide you with some options.
2 - Sequential air compression devices
- Both legs rest inside giant boots. Divided into multiple chambers
from the foot to the upper thigh. A generator pump fills chambers with
air applying intermittent pressure to different sections of the leg.
With the goal of applying pressure to the foot area. And gradually
moving pressure up the leg towards the heart to help cycle blood and
promote recovery. You can get your fix with NormaTec Recovery Systems or
Recovery Pump Boots for approximately $500.
Used by basketball
athletes like: Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O'Neal, Ray Allen, Blake Griffin
and Steve Nash. And used by football athletes like: Larry Legend aka
Fitzgerald, Vernon Davis and Patrick Willis.
Now available, a
version for your arms, shoulders and chest. So if you weightlifters,
pitchers or swimmers got $350 to spare. Then you got yourself a new
recovery tool.
3 - Altitude chambers - Ideal for
endurance athletes. And used to help increase your red blood cell count
which boost your blood's oxygen carrying capacity. An altitude chamber
replicates living in high altitude elevations. Higher elevations cause
you to breathe less oxygen compared to sea level. And your body responds
to the shortage of oxygen available in high altitude environments. By
enhancing its ability to carry oxygen throughout your body. In the end,
your body benefits with a slight endurance boost when you train at lower
elevations.
Live high, train low. Hypoxico and AltiPower, two of
the established brands for altitude chambers. Their units work by adding
more nitrogen to the air. Which results in a lower percentage of oxygen
consumed per breath. Their units get pricey to buy, but you can rent
one for roughly $175 per week. Unfortunately, the rental comes with a
four week minimum. And up to 8 payments can go towards the overall cost
of purchase.
You want to use their units when you sleep, and also
for any daily leisure activities. They also make a portable mask unit
that you can use with stationary bikes, treadmills and other stationary
activities.
If you plan on using an altitude training system. Then
you may also want to purchase a pulse oximeter for safety reasons. This
will allow you to monitor and measure your blood oxygen saturation
percentage (SaO2%) and heart rate. If you purchase a pulse oximeter from
Amazon Marketplace, make sure you get an adult sized one. Or it might
not fit upon arrival.
And do beware of the elevation training
masks available on Amazon Marketplace and other places. Armed with a
misleading name. These mask only restrict the amount of air you inhale.
So you breathe less air, but you still end up breathing in your normal
amount of oxygen per breath. Therefore, they will not help increase your
red blood cell count or lower your blood oxygen saturation percentage
(SaO2%) when using them.
What do these elevation training masks do?
These
elevation training mask help you to train and strengthen your diaphragm
muscles. By forcing you to draw deeper breaths. When you constantly
take in deeper breaths during your workouts. You train yourself on how
to take in a larger volume of air with greater ease. You can get your
own elevation training mask for roughly $80.
Filed in the I need
one of those category. Tennis star, Novak Djokovic, uses a CVAC Pod. An
egg-shaped, bobsled-sized pressurized chamber. Djokovic goes on to state
to The Wall Street Journal, "I think it really helps - not with muscle
but more with recovery after an exhausting set." With the CVAC Pod, you
can adjust the pressure, temperature and air density inside the pod. I
guess it's safe to say that if we used one of these, then we would all
be superstars.
4 - Electric muscle stimulators (EMS)
- With the skepticism of those six pack ab belts still fresh in our
minds. It's finally time to move on and stop associating those self
proclaimed no exercise required ab belts with other EMS devices.
EMS
devices can help you recover from your workouts or from injury.
Luckily, active recovery from your workout only requires a low-voltage
EMS device. You will find that using EMS in a pulsing mode for 10-20
minutes after your workout. Will stimulate circulation when used at a
very low intensity. Thus cheaper devices meet the electric currency
requirements of active recovery. And you can find lots of options that
fall into the $90-$215 price range when searching for EMS or TENS
devices on-line.
However, if you want a quality device that can do
it all. You'll need an EMS device with enough juice to maximize fast
twitch muscle fiber recruitment, increase muscle strength, increase
muscle mass, aid recovery and prevent muscle atrophy. Then you will need
to pony up the cash for a high grade EMS unit. Which will fall in the
$500-$900 range. Compex and Globus, two of the top end brands in the EMS
market.
If you plan to own a top end EMS device. Then you will
want to work the EMS device into your routine after your workouts or on
off days as a strength training supplement. Just make sure to crank the
unit up to high voltage after your initial warm up to receive the full
benefits of the EMS device.
5 - Compression garments
- A bit of a cop out, but surprisingly scientifically sound for
recovery. What started as Allen Iverson's shooting sleeve morphed into
1,195 product results on Amazon Marketplace. Typically worn during
workouts because they feel good and after workouts to enhance recovery.
If you want to wear them during your athletic activities, then look for a
compression level between 15-20 mmHG.
Graduated compression
garments provide maximum pressure at the wrist or ankle area. The
pressure lessens as you move up the arm or leg. With the goal of pushing
the blood furthest from the heart towards it. Wear your graduated and
medical grade compression garments for 2-3 hours after your training
session to help recover.
And this doesn't even cover other
athletic recovery tools. Such as palm cooling devices to recover on your
rest intervals, and allow for increased arm muscle activity and
strength. Cooling vest to recover against the heat, and enhance your
overall endurance in hot environments. Zero gravity treadmills to help
with injury recovery; check Google for options in your area. And lastly,
hyperoxic recovery during workouts, on rest intervals or post-workout
via the use of an oxygen mask or oxygen cans to supply yourself with a
dosage of pure oxygen.
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