Hyperice Normatec 3 Compression Boots are now a big part of the recovery options at MP Massage Therapy in Morzine, and if you’re looking for an easy way to give tired legs some extra TLC after skiing, biking or hiking, compression boots in Morzine could be just what you’re looking for.
You’ll probably know the feeling.. You’ve smashed a huge ride. You’ve skied from first lift until your legs couldn’t go anymore. You’ve been out cycling all day. Or maybe you’ve just spent the day on your feet exploring the mountains.
You get back to your accommodation, finally sit down and think… my legs are absolutely done. Heavy legs. Tight calves. Aching quads. Maybe even a little bit of swelling. And whilst we all love the feeling of having absolutely smashed a day in the mountains, what happens afterwards is just as important.
Recovery!
This is where compression boots come in. A year ago I added Hyperice Normatec 3 compression boots to my recovery offering here in Morzine, and I think they’ve been such great addition to a good recovery routine. Not because they’re some sort of magical miracle machine, but because sometimes your legs just need a little bit of extra help!
So, What Are Compression Boots?
If you’ve never seen them before, compression boots are basically big inflatable boots that you put over your legs. Once they’re switched on, they inflate and deflate in sections, creating a gentle squeezing sensation that moves up your legs. The idea is to use this intermittent compression to support circulation and fluid movement through the legs. They essentially mimic the muscles natural pump, encouraging faster recovery.
And the best part? You literally just sit there! No stretching. No foam rolling. No trying to balance on one leg whilst attempting to stretch your hip flexor! You put the boots on, get comfortable and let them do the work.
Why Are Compression Boots Good For Recovery?
I always like to be realistic about recovery tools. Compression boots aren’t going to magically undo three days of absolutely hammering your legs! And they aren’t a replacement for sleep, good nutrition, massage, hydration or taking a proper rest day. But they can be a really useful addition to all of those things. Research into compression therapy is still developing, but there is evidence that intermittent pneumatic compression can help with things such as perceived muscle soreness and feelings of fatigue after exercise.
For anyone living or holidaying in the mountains, that’s pretty useful!
1. They Can Help When Your Legs Feel Heavy
This is probably the most obvious one. After a big day skiing, biking, hiking or running, your legs can feel like they weigh about 100kg. Compression boots can provide that lovely squeezing sensation around your legs and support circulation and fluid movement. For me, this is one of the biggest reasons to use them. Sometimes you don’t necessarily need anything complicated, you just want your legs to feel a little bit lighter.
2. They Are Great After Skiing
If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you have spent a full day skiing at some point, you’ll know that your legs are doing a LOT more work than you probably realise. That’s where recovery boots in Morzine can be really handy. Instead of finishing your day with legs that feel completely destroyed and hoping they magically feel better by morning, you can give them a little bit of recovery time that evening.
Put the boots on. Get your feet up. Have a drink. Relax, and let your legs recover whilst you do absolutely nothing. Sounds pretty good to me!
3. They’re Brilliant After Mountain or Road Biking
Summer in Morzine is no easier on your legs.
If anything, some of the rides around here are HUGE. Long climbs, steep descents, technical trails and hours in the saddle can leave your legs feeling pretty battered. If you’re on a biking holiday, chances are you’re going to want to get back out there tomorrow.
This is where I really like the idea of adding compression boots into your sports recovery routine. They’re not about trying to make you recover instantly. They’re about giving your body a little extra support between those big days.
When you’re on holiday, you don’t want to spend half the week recovering from yesterday! You want to get back out there and enjoy the mountains.
4. They’re Not Just For Professional Athletes
I think there’s sometimes a misconception that recovery boots are only for elite athletes.
They’re not.
Yes, professional athletes use them. But you don’t need to be training for an Ironman, racing World Cups or preparing for the Tour de France to care about recovery! If you’ve spent six hours hiking, you’re tired. If you’ve cycled up a mountain, your legs have worked hard. If you’ve skied all day, you’ve used muscles that probably haven’t done that much work since last winter!
Recovery is for everyone. You don’t have to be an athlete to look after your body.
5. They Work Really Well Alongside Massage
And obviously, I’m still a MASSIVE fan of massage! Compression boots and massage aren’t competing with each other, they do different things.
With a sports massage, I can actually work into specific muscles and areas of tension, look at how you’re moving and tailor the treatment to what your body needs. Compression boots are much more of a passive recovery tool, so actually, I really like combining the two. You can have your massage, where we work on those tight and tired areas, and then spend some time in the compression boots afterwards.
Massage + compression boots = pretty happy legs!
When Should You Use Compression Boots?
There isn’t one magical time when you HAVE to use them. Personally, I think they’re particularly useful after a big day of activity, when your legs feel tired, heavy or generally like they could do with a bit of TLC. A session of around 20-30 minutes is a nice place to start.
And please don’t think that the higher the pressure, the better! It should feel comfortable. We’re trying to help your recovery, not see how much pressure your legs can tolerate! Learn more about how to use them here!
My Favourite Recovery Routine
If you’ve had a BIG day in the mountains, this would be my ideal routine:
1. Finish your activity: Skiing, biking, running, hiking… whatever you’ve been up to
2. Rehydrate: Get some water in and make sure you’ve eaten properly.
3. Massage: If your muscles are feeling particularly tight or you’ve got specific areas that need some attention, this is where massage can be really useful.
4. Compression boots: Pop the boots on for 20-30 minutes and let them do their thing.
5. Eat, relax and SLEEP! Because honestly, no fancy recovery gadget is going to beat a good night’s sleep.
The basics still matter.
Compression Boot Rental in Morzine
If you’re visiting Morzine and fancy giving them a go, I offer Hyperice Normatec 3 compression boot rental in Morzine. You can use them after a massage, have a recovery session on their own, or rent them to use at your chalet or holiday accommodation. They’re available for short sessions, overnight rental and longer rentals, so you can choose what works best for your trip.
They’re especially popular for those big ski weeks, mountain bike holidays and training blocks where you know your legs are going to be working hard day after day. And if you’re staying somewhere with a group of friends or family, you can even take turns using them.
Everyone wants a go with the fancy recovery boots once they see someone else wearing them – Evidence
Ready To Give Your Legs Some Love?
Whether you’re a serious athlete, a weekend warrior, a keen skier, a mountain biker or simply someone who likes getting out and enjoying the mountains, recovery matters. You don’t have to wait until you’re injured or completely broken before you start looking after your body. A little bit of recovery along the way can make a BIG difference to how you feel. So next time you’ve had a huge day in the mountains and your legs are feeling like jelly…
Get the boots on.
Put your feet up. Relax. And let the boots do the work. Your legs have earned it! Click HERE to ask any questions & find out more.