I Used These Portable Air Compression Sleeves for Calf Massages Almost Every Night While Marathon Training
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Whether you’re a serious athlete or getting your daily steps in, it’s important to prioritize muscle recovery. That way, your body will be refreshed and ready for your next activity. When regular stretching and foam rolling just aren’t enough, air compression massage may help.
I discovered this for myself while training for a marathon earlier this year. A first-timer, my primary goal was simply to make it to race day without injuring myself. That meant stepping up my warm-up and cool-down routines. Along with resistance band exercises and stretch sessions before and after my runs, I also implemented air compression calf massages with the Hyperice Normatec Go. Looking back, I can’t imagine marathon training without the portable sleeves.
For the unfamiliar, compression boots were initially used as a form of physical therapy to treat lymphedema (lymph fluid retention) and venous insufficiency (dysfunctional leg veins) and aid in post-surgery recovery, Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., board-certified podiatrist in Austin, Texas previously told Prevention. Now, fitness pros and casual athletes alike are using all kinds of compression boots for recovery after tough workouts. And Hyperice’s Normatec Go sleeves are a lightweight, portable version that cost less than many traditional compression boots.
Normatec Go
hyperice.com
$399.00
The benefits of Normatec Go
You may have seen the snowsuit-looking devices in physical therapy offices or on social media. Many compression boots cover the feet and go up the calves, stopping just before the knee. However, the Normatec Go sleeves simply wrap around the calves, leaving the feet free, and they don’t require any hoses or control units.
This allows them to remain lightweight and less cumbersome, making the gadgets ideal for travel and casual use at home. Weighing just 1.2 pounds and measuring 25 by 12 by 1 inches, they’re even TSA-approved. I put them to the test by packing them on a trip from New York to Seattle and had no issues flying with the gadgets tucked away in my carry-on (they’ll even fit in the best weekender bags).
Like other compression boots, they help ease swelling, soreness, and fatigue, primarily following a workout, by using air compression to massage the body. When you’re wearing the sleeves, it feels similar to the tightness you experience while getting your blood pressure checked at the doctor—only instead of constricting your upper arm, they squeeze and release your calves in three distinct zones to increase circulation.
You can choose from seven levels of compression with one being the most gentle and seven being the most intense. The first few times I used the sleeves, I kept the level at around a five, but once I kicked my running mileage up to double digits and got used to the feeling of the sleeves, I exclusively used level seven at 15- to 30-minute intervals.
Upon unpacking the sleeves, you’ll have to charge them up using the included two USB-C chargers and dual-port wall charger. Then, you can operate them using a button-controlled unit on each of the sleeves or with an app on your phone that connects to the devices via Bluetooth. They’re automatically synced up, so the left and right sleeves will operate in tandem.
While running, they deliver powerful compression for a serious massage that offers near immediate relief from ultra-tight calf muscles. They make a sound when turned on, but it’s a relatively quiet hum that isn’t too distracting.
The disadvantages of Normatec Go
I’m no doubt a fan of Hyperice’s Normatec Go calf compression sleeves, but they’re not perfect. While they’re more affordable than many traditional compression boots and are FSA/HSA eligible, they still cost $399. That’s quite the splurge, especially for people who aren’t serious athletes who need to invest in the latest tech to stay on top of their game. (For something less intense and more affordable, check out the best compression socks.)
The sleeves are advertised to hold a charge for up to three hours, but I found they usually required a recharge more often than that. It may have been because I often used the highest intensity level, but you should be prepared to charge them after every few uses. Luckily, it’s easy to do with the included hardwire (as long as you remember to plug them in!).
Lastly, the sleeves wrap around your calves, securing in place with hook and loop fasteners that are almost too secure. It takes more arm strength than expected to release the grasp they have around your legs after each session. But the secure fit does make it easy to keep them in place and even makes it possible to get up and walk around if needed while wearing the sleeves.
How I tested
I wore the Hyperice Normatec Go air compression sleeves on my calves nearly every night for 12 weeks while I trained for my first marathon. Putting them was like a little treat for myself that quickly became part of my usual routine. Because they aren’t too loud while operating, I often turned them on while zoning out in front of the TV at the end of the day.
Now that I’m no longer in training mode, I still use the sleeves but with less frequency and on lower intensity settings. They’re nice to have anytime you want a little recovery treat or a self-care moment.
One last thing
The compression sleeves have dozens of five-star reviews from other people who use them for post-workout recovery and even in-flight circulation. “I swell during flying,” wrote one reviewer. “These bad boys are the cure.”
Another said, “I run or ride the bike most days, and my calves were incredibly fatigued and weren’t recovering. This has changed that...my legs feel much fresher, and my recovery time is way down.”
All things considered, if you’re looking for a way to step-up your recovery at home or on the go, these are a great option. They’re especially handy for those logging intense workouts, but just about anyone can enjoy the at-home massage experience. You can buy the Hyperice Normatec Go portable air compression sleeves from Hyperice and Amazon for $399.
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