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A New Wave of Compression Technologyĭynamic air compression (also known as pneumatic compression) was developed to achieve the same outcome, but with advanced technology and precision. When this process is optimized, the body can speed up muscle recovery, relieve pain and inflammation, and improve athletic performance. It’s been used as a medical treatment for decades and can relieve conditions like muscle fatigue, circulatory issues, and lymphedema (a chronic swelling in the limbs).Ĭompression therapy increases blood flow to specific parts of the body, accelerating its natural mechanisms for delivering oxygen, nutrients, and hormones throughout the body while simultaneously removing metabolic waste. You’ve probably heard of compression therapy, most likely in sock form.
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You may have seen these space-age accessories cropping up on the social feeds of Peloton gurus, pro athletes, and olympians, but what’s really going on inside those boots? Compression Therapy 101 These are the holy grail of compression boots.Dynamic air compression is a high-tech therapy that’s having a major moment. They’re also made with ZoneBoost, which puts extra time and pressure on specific areas. There are seven intensity levels to toggle between throughout a single session or over the week. With that name recognition comes a host of details to match. If you’ve seen these kinds of boots on Instagram or marketed in a wellness center, there’s a good chance they’re Normatecs. Normatec‘s recovery boots really set the scene for the world of compression. Get the scoop on top shoe and sneaker shopping guides with Footwear News’ Weekly Style newsletter. Here are seven of the best compression boots out there right now. That could signal an underlying condition or injury. “Imagine that around your whole arm or whole leg.” If you feel any sharp pains, he says, take it off and head to your doctor. “I would equate the sensation to wearing a blood pressure cuff, where you feel it tightening,” says Scantlebury. If it was super intense, opt for a few more.ĭepending on the recovery boot, that intensity varies, but it should never feel painful. If it was quick, use the recovery boots for one round. He suggests scaling your wear time to the intensity of your workout.
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The compression boots Scantlebury uses in his clinic are set up for 15 minute intervals, and he’ll tend to recommend them for two or three rounds, or 30 to 45- minute sessions. It’s not something you can do too much of.”Īlthough the system is pretty foolproof, there are some ways to customize it, including the length of time you wear the boots for and the level of compression you choose. “If I’m training for a marathon, for example, I would use them after every run. “You can use compression boots five times a week depending on your level of activity,” says Scantlebury. With them, there’s really no way to risk injury, the way that foam rolling over bone or overstretching can.
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How to use recovery bootsĬompression boots are such a great tool because they are very user-friendly, he says.
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However, some styles do come with arm sleeve add-ons to help with any soreness there as well. Think of them as an addition to your-post exercise stretch and cooldown routines.Ĭompression boots are built for your legs, since that’s where a majority of swelling tends to occur in the body post-exercise. Compression boots are best used as a recovery tool immediately following exercise, such as a leg strengthening workout or a run, says Scantlebury. The benefit of using recovery boots is quicker recovery and less soreness, including delayed onset muscle soreness (also called DOMS, it’s the kind where three days after a run you find yourself sorer than two days after). What are the benefits of using the best compression boots? It helps reduce the amount of lactic acid present and flush that out.” “The main goals are to improve circulation and blood flow into legs or upper extremities by bringing oxygen-rich blood into the area. “The air is compressed in a systematic way,” says Kellen Scantlebury, a doctor of physical therapy, certified strength and conditioning coach, and the owner of Fit Club NY in NYC. Namely, they’re compressing around major muscle groups, helping circulate blood flow.
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There’s a lot happening in those little sleeping bags for legs that you can’t see. Maybe you’ve wondered what they are doing, and if they’re really doing anything. Maybe you’ve seen them on the health and wellness Instagrams. They look a bit like wrapping your legs into two mini sleeping bags. Recovery compression boots are not exactly subtle things. However, Footwear News may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors.
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