PRESSOTHERAPY: Before or After Training?

The benefits of compression therapy for athletes are undeniable. Every day, more athletes, both professional and amateur, have a device at home or have access to one at their training club.

Compression therapy is a growing health and wellness trend with no sign of becoming a passing fad. And we are talking about a therapy that works, useful and effective for athletes.

If compression therapy is not very familiar to you but you have considered implementing it in your sports routine, you will surely want to know when it is most advisable, before or after your physical preparation. Keep reading because we briefly tell you everything you need to know before making compression therapy your inseparable training companion.

Positive effects of sports compression therapy

Reactivation of the lymphatic system
Enhancement of blood circulation
Channeling of metabolic waste (lactic acid and other metabolites)
Oxygenation of tissues and therefore faster healing of injuries and soreness
In general, faster muscle recovery
Immune system strengthened by better lymph circulation
Relaxing massage with physiotherapeutic effects

Should I use compression therapy before or after training?

The answer is that you can use it both before and after your workout, although its main sports function is recovery. Therefore, using it after training or a competition is the most logical. At that moment, your metabolism is in the optimal conditions to receive the lymphatic massage performed by the machine. Also remember that waiting between an hour and a half and two hours before using the compression therapy equipment is advisable and common.

Obviously, it is after a hard workout or competition, when the body is tired and the muscles are affected by the great physical effort. At that time, the body will also have returned to its normal state, feeling more relaxed and having already slowed down the calorie-burning process to a minimum. It is very common to keep sweating for a good while after finishing your training session.

This happens because your metabolism is still activated at 100%. That’s why many trainers recommend not eating anything for at least an hour and a half afterward. However, you should drink a good amount of water before, during, and after exercise.

How long should a Compression Therapy session last?

Some people set the machine for a 30-minute session, but you can extend your session up to 40-45 minutes without any problem. You can entertain yourself by reading a good book or enjoying a good TV series. It’s easy. The machine does all the work, and you simply relax while your body recovers with the pleasant massage. Below is an example of what a training routine implementing the sports recovery treatment might look like.

Training routine and Compression Therapy treatment

Usually, your sports routine including Compression Therapy treatment could be this:

Drink at least one liter of water before training. You need it to hydrate, burn fat, and reactivate your Lymphatic System.
Stretching and basic warm-up exercises
Training session (with the duration you consider necessary) Drink water moderately to keep rehydrating.
Stretching after exercise to loosen your muscles
1:30 / 2 hours of rest (while drinking water to keep channeling the burned fats through urine. Your metabolism keeps working even after you stop exercising. The water also continues to flow through your Lymphatic System)
Compression Therapy session lasting between 30 and 45 minutes
Drink at least another half liter of water to continue enhancing drainage
15-20 minutes of movement after the Compression Therapy session. This can be brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or dancing. Something aerobic that keeps your whole body moving. It doesn’t have to be as intense as your workout. Moderate intensity is enough to keep the Lymphatic System fully active.

Any contraindications to combining Compression Therapy and sports?

The same advice we give to everyone in general, we give to any athlete. If you think that at the moment of using the equipment any health condition could be a problem, do not hesitate to consult a doctor.

Usually, if you do not suffer from a serious illness such as cancer or heart disease, you should be able to use Compression Therapy, just as you can subject your body to training of a certain intensity. Many people with cancer practice sports during and after their oncological treatments, but Compression Therapy could interfere with the movement of cellular tissues affected by the disease and therefore would not be advisable.

We understand that sports, even at moderate intensity, can be practiced by people with certain illnesses, but Compression Therapy is not always recommended. Also, do not overlook open wounds or those in the healing process, whether internal or external.

SIZEN Sports Compression Therapy and nothing can stop you!

The concept of SIZEN Sports Compression Therapy has always been clear: To adapt as much as possible to the athlete’s lifestyle to facilitate physical recovery whether at home, in the gym, or on the training track.

Many athletes carry their own recovery equipment when competing, and there are also sports clubs acquiring Compression Therapy equipment to have it available during competitions and training sessions. It is now very common to see athletes of all levels using especially Compression Therapy boots and happily sharing their results on social media. That is why the machine and indeed any of the Compression Therapy garments are easy to transport.

With a lightweight design, you can take your Compression Therapy equipment with you and use it anywhere. SIZEN makes your training routine pleasant and simple. You just have to focus on your challenge and let sports Compression Therapy help you reach the goal faster! You know: SIZEN sports Compression Therapy and nothing can stop you!