COMPEX muscle stimulators

Hi there.....

just wanted to get your thoughts on the COMPEX muscle stimulators. You read all the nice brochures and stuff BUT are these devices really helping the Amateur/Semi Pro and Pro cyclist??
Does anybody has some experience with the COMPEX (or similar) device??

cheers
Toaster

Hi there

Do they have a website addy?

cheers

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Steve
CyclingForums.com

http://www.compex.ch

Save your money for something else. I can't find any evidence that they work for athletes who aren't injured.

Ric

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http://www.cyclecoach.com

I have a different make which I use on my stomach. I have no doubt that it has toned my abs up a bit. Can't see how it would help cycling performance much though.

I have one of these,

The active recovery section on it is great for messages!! While using it while your legs raised up on the wall will completly drain the Latic out of your legs!

But i have never really used it for muscel strength and wouldnt! So if you are thinking of buying one, dont get the top of the range with all of the features that you would not use. Have a look in the sport section and make sure it has the active recovery!

I promise i'm not trying to upset you... :-)

However, lactate completely disperses in about 60-minutes if you do *nothing*. Probably goes a little quicker if you pedal around easy after a race or hard session.

Ric

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Ric
So why do the pros all have a post race massage? I'm assuming that Zakeen is getting some of the benefits of such a massage, which I assumed assisted lactic removal as well as other things.

The whole thing about lactic acid seems to be so contentious at the moment but I'm sure that if a massage or a muscle stimulator after exercise feels good, then it probably is doing some good.

We know lots about lactate, so not sure of the issues there. Lactic acid is simply a product of metabolism and is completly cleared (at least to normal levels) from the muscles within 60 mins as Ric points out. To add to that it has a half life of around 15 mins.

Massage seems to have a number of benefits; many debated in science (some papers report increased blood flow to the skin not muscles!). I'm not sure how close the muscle stimulator is to a tour rider massage; but as you say there seems to be some benefit.

maybe the benefits are psychological or traditional?
Ric

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I agree with the psychological, what do you mean by traditional?

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That it's always been a tradition that riders have a massage after a stage or race, as originally i *guess* that people thought massage would clear lactate.

ric

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Oh I see. I'm sure I have read that some massage does improve recovery, but only to the order of an active recovery ride.

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Its Close! if not better! But the best thing about the compex is, that you can control the intensity very easly, as to what you want and it slow increase, ever so slowly!

I always bring it along in a stage race, that way I can finish a race, to the hotel shower and have a compex massage striaght away, there is a que for a real one!

However the only problem with a compex is that it only works on one muscel group at a time! Which takes a while! I use to go for big rides and then use the compex and then just fall asleep!!!! in total relaxation(is that a word??)

i recently purchased a Compex specifically for the active recovery program and the endurance program. some people say that muscle stimulation has nothing to do with cycling. does that mean recovery has nothin to do with cycling? clearly it is critical. now granted there is not very much evidence to prove that muscle stimulation builds fitness. in fact i believe this device is worthless unless it is used properly. just like sports drinks, sleep, L4 intervals, and superior coaching, the compex is just a tool to assist us in becoming better cyclists. however, what about those times when we get a chest cold or the flu and cant ride? adding session of compex training is (IMHU) an excellent suppliment. now my personal "revew"

i have use the recovery program on several occasions and have found very favorable results (for me). i use the active recovery program about one hour before bed. then after the compex session, i give a self message using Quoleum postsports oil. i have repeated this process after hard training and felt great the next day. before i got the compex i would often "test" my legs by squating for a few seconds such that my quads were parallel to the floor. i still do this. and since using the compex, the level of fatigue (as perceived) has been virtually nonexistent. it was as if i had a rest day!

this will not make anyone a better cyclist per se. however, it is a tool, not an easy way out of traiing. i recommend this tool to anyone. and if you dont like it or believe it wont work, then return it!