Electro-stimulation

[mdhubert]

Here in Europe we see the development of some electro-stimulation devices that help to reinforce muscles, decrease pain, prevent injuries and help for recuperation.
Here is a site showing the best brand, seems to be distributed in the US as well : http://www.compextech.com/compexusa/
Anyone tested it ? Is it helpful ? I'd like to use it to limit pressure on knees when I work out my quads and other thigh muscles.

[chess9]

Here in Europe we see the development of some electro-stimulation devices that help to reinforce muscles, decrease pain, prevent injuries and help for recuperation.
Here is a site showing the best brand, seems to be distributed in the US as well : http://www.compextech.com/compexusa/
Anyone tested it ? Is it helpful ? I'd like to use it to limit pressure on knees when I work out my quads and other thigh muscles.

Yes, I have one. I have the Euro model too. I got it from a French pro triathlete who had been given it and then stopped racing to teach. I've used it quite a few times for recovery, which I think is its best function. During my Ironman training I'd often run long on Saturday, then ride long on Sunday. So, after my long run I would use it on my quads, hammies, and calves. I was ready to go the next day every time. A lot of triathletes use it after the Ironman and I've seen stories where guys had the machine on their legs while they were driving home from the race! Anyway, it does work. Tons of cyclists use them to great effect.

I've never used it on my back or forearm though. Don't know whether those uses would be as effective. I don't use it on my legs after tennis matches because my legs always recover from the little bit of running I do in my matches. I guess once you've run 50 miles, a few miles of tennis is nothing to the old gams. :)

I'm going to sell mine and I have it with me here in England, so message me if you are interested.

-Robert

[mdhubert]

Yes, I have one. I have the Euro model too. I got it from a French pro triathlete who had been given it and then stopped racing to teach. I've used it quite a few times for recovery, which I think is its best function. During my Ironman training I'd often run long on Saturday, then ride long on Sunday. So, after my long run I would use it on my quads, hammies, and calves. I was ready to go the next day every time. A lot of triathletes use it after the Ironman and I've seen stories where guys had the machine on their legs while they were driving home from the race! Anyway, it does work. Tons of cyclists use them to great effect.

I've never used it on my back or forearm though. Don't know whether those uses would be as effective. I don't use it on my legs after tennis matches because my legs always recover from the little bit of running I do in my matches. I guess once you've run 50 miles, a few miles of tennis is nothing to the old gams. :)

I'm going to sell mine and I have it with me here in England, so message me if you are interested.

-Robert
Thanks, actually I bought the most recent one that should be delivered to me this week...
Do you think apart from recuperation it can be good in muscle strengthening, completing other physical activities ? I'd like to use it to prevent some knee injuries (I have fragile knees) and improve a bit my footwork by getting stronger legs, do you think it can help ?
Congrats for doing triathlons and tennis, you must be a machine, especially stamina-wise !
Marius, any idea on this topic ?

[chess9]

There is a yahoo newsgroup at compex_endurance@yahoogroups.com and if you check the archives you will find a lot of information about building muscle, when to use it, how to use it, which programs to use and when, etc. There are also a few files on the site you will find helpful.

I don't know about using it for knees because the tendons and ligaments there have very low blood flow. I tried it on my pulled medial collateral ligament and it did nothing to improve it. Rest, then active rest has worked.

I would think building (i.e., lifting weights) the quads, hamstrings, vastus medialus, gastroc/soleus/achilles complex would be a great help in preventing injuries. Tennis is quite problematic because of the sudden twisting and turning. I blew out my soleus last year playing tennis and twisted my left ankle badly. In 25 years of triathlons I've had fewer injuries than I've had in 6 months of tennis!

I think you will find it very helpful after very hard matches. About 45 minutes on that thing and your quads will be feeling great. Don't expect to get hugely strong quads while watching Wimbledon though. :)

I'm surprised Tennis Warehouse doesn't sell them. I guess these are used mostly by cyclists and triathletes though. Tennis players could use them, no doubt.

Great post. I was shocked to see it!

-Robert

[mdhubert]

I'm surprised Tennis Warehouse doesn't sell them. I guess these are used mostly by cyclists and triathletes though. Tennis players could use them, no doubt.

Great post. I was shocked to see it!

-Robert
Thanks for this information. Why do you sell yours ? Did you stop tri ?

[chess9]

Thanks for this information. Why do you sell yours ? Did you stop tri ?

I stopped playing tennis 40 years ago, but my neighbor (cute girl) edged me out of retirement last fall. Once I started back I was like a drug addict. :) I swore I'd never pick up another racquet after college tennis. But, now I'm playing again and having a lot of fun. I'm giving tennis a shot for a while. I'm only doing one race-maybe-Half-Ironman UK in September this year. Normally I do 10-12 races a year so this will give my body time to rest from all that running. At least I'm fit unlike most guys my age.

I'm selling my Compex because it's just sitting here and I will have to schlep it back to the US when I go in August. That's no fun in airports these days. It's a great piece of training equipment though. Well made too. You should like yours.

-Robert