Compex

Compex Meets judoka Aleksandar Kukolj (@aleksandar.kukolj), he fought twice at the Olympic Games representing Serbia, he was the European champion and the world runner-up. He is member of the Serbian national judo team, he won 3 Grand Slam winners and 2 Grand Prix winners, first at the Mediterranean Games-. Aleksander was ranked as number on at the world rankings for year and a half.

Compex: Hi there, Aleksandar! Great to meet you - please could you start by telling our readers a bit about yourself?

Aleksandar: Hello Compex! My name is Aleksandar Kukolj. I live in Serbia, I am a professional judoka.

Compex: Fascinating. Could you tell our readers how you did got into Judo?

Aleksandar: I have been training judo since I was 7 years old. My parents are coming from the countryside, and they had moved to the city at some point, so raising children in a big town was quite a challenge for them. 

Thinking logically, they wanted my younger sister and I to direct our children's energy in the right direction, so sport was the way they had chosen for us. Since they have never played sports themselves, it was less important to them which sport I would choose, and then a judo club opened in the street where I lived. This is how it all started. Someone would say, it was meant to be.

Compex: How does Compex help you to find a competitive edge as a Judoka?

Aleksandar: Sport is a game of efficiency. A huge number of athletes from all over the world are ready to dedicate and are dedicating every hour of their day to becoming better in their sport, this is no longer in question. Now the advantage is given to the one who manages to get the most out of his time dedicated to sports in the most efficient way.

Compex SP 8.0 helps me right there, it serves as one of the main tools for me to reap the benefits for myself even when I'm resting. I prepare my body for new efforts in a more efficient way, I progress even when I am not in training, and the fact that it has a positive effect on my psyche, should also not be ignored.

Compex: Which program/s do you like to use most on your SP 8.0, Aleksandar?

Aleksandar: The programs I use most often are programs from the Recovery and Pain management groups. In case of injuries, I also use Strength programs for those muscles, which due to the injury I can't activate by exercising.

Compex Molecule and Compex Ion are my absolute favourites and I will hardly start any training without ten minutes of using them. I also use Compex Ayre compression boots.

Compex Meets MMA and BJJ fighter Ioannis Palaiologos (@palaiologos_ioannis), known to his many fans as The Greek Emperor! He has signed a contract with the Bellator league and he is now of the top European MMA fighters.

Compex: Hi there, Ioannis! Great to meet you - please could you start by telling our readers a bit about yourself?

Ioannis: Hello Compex! My name is Ioannis Palaiologos. I live in Greece, I am an MMA professional athlete and a proud member of the Compex Greece Team.

Compex: Fascinating. Could you tell our readers how you did got into MMA and BJJ?

Ioannis: I have been fighting as a pro since a decade now. I've fought lots of fights in both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA sports, representing Greece around the globe including: USA, Russia, UK, Poland, Germany, Italy and Sweden.

After almost 30 pro fights in both USA and Europe and having collected a Greek MMA championship belt, I signed last year with Bellator which is one of the two best leagues of the world.

I own a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt and a gold medal at the European No-Gi championship in Italy last season. I have also been nominated multiple times as a BJJ and No-Gi Champion in Greece, along with other European open championships. 

Compex: How does Compex help you to find a competitive edge as a fighter?

Ioannis: Compex plays a really important role in my everyday routine. Especially in a combat sport like MMA, a lot of recovery between sessions is definitely needed. My Compex Muscle Stimulator helps me to avoid injuries and deeply recover after explosive trainings.

So, everyday finds me in a great condition and I am able to put all my effort in every day’s training. Especially during competition days of championships, when multiple fights take place on a single day, Compex is my best partner in warming up and instant rehabilitation.

For all the above reasons, I am so happy to be part of the Compex Team!

Compex: Which program/s do you like to use most on your SP 8.0, Ioannis?

Ioannis: In terms of training, my favorite programs are Endurance and Strength programs in dynamic trainings. I always use Warm Up or Overcompensation programs before trainings. Capillarisation is also helping my legs to function better.

For recovery I use Competition/Training Recovery , Muscle Pain and Reduce Muscle Soreness mainly. The end of the day finds me always with some Reviving Massage on my legs and my back.

Compex: Fantastic, and do you use other Compex products?

Ioannis: Yes, of course! I use Fixx 2.0 massage gun. It boosts my pain relief and relaxes my muscles after training. I also use it sometimes for warming up my shoulders.

Whether you are a professional athlete or simply a “fitness enthusiast”, Compex offers a large range of products that can help you through all stages of training. CrossFit is a very demanding sport, where each detail can have a direct impact on your performance. From warmup to recovery, Compex helps hundreds of Crossfiters daily to add weight to their bars, or shave seconds off their times.

STEP ONE - PREPARE FOR PERFORMANCE

We have all been in that situation at least once. It's training time, yesterday’s session has done some damage on your muscles, but it is time to do it again today. Before you start warming up for the session, instead work on your mobility and roll those sore muscles.

Using Compex Ion™, our vibrating massage roller, you can massage large muscle groups and work on those sore muscles. Quads, calves, lower back - put the roller on the ground, use your bodyweight to apply pressure on the desired zone, and slowly roll back and forth for 45-90 seconds. Choose the intensity that suits you the best choosing from Ion’s 4 speeds.
For smaller zones, you can use our vibrating massage ball, Compex Molecule™. The same way you used the roller, put the ball on the ground or against a wall, and use your bodyweight to apply pressure on the desired zone. You can also use your hand if needed. Slowly roll back and forth for 45-90 seconds. Choose the intensity that suits you the best choosing from Molecule’s 4 speeds.

If your training session is targeting a specific muscle group, you can also add one of the 3 Compex massage guns from the Fixx range to your warmup  to activate the desired muscle group.
For example, let's say your training session involves a lot of squats (high reps, heavy…), you can use the Fixx to stimulate blood flow and activate your quads, hamstrings and glutes. Slowly go back and forth on each muscle for 45-60 seconds, applying the appropriate pressure. Choose the speed that feels the best and get ready for a great training session.

COMPEX TIP

• We all know how uncomfortable massaging a sore muscle feels, no matter the tool that you use. However, even if the feeling is not great at first, push through! Your muscles will thank you afterwards.
• Feeling tight in the hips when you squat? Loosen up the spot by working around the hips with your Fixx, massaging between the top of the quad and the hip bone (avoid the bone of course).

STEP TWO – SUPPORT THROUGH TRAINING

If you thought we were going to leave you alone after the warmup, you thought wrong. Compex is here to also support you during your training session, thanks to a wide range of bracing products, created to help you with your movements while protecting your joints.
Our bracing range will help you perform better. For example, the 5mm Knee is a compression knee sleeve designed to protect your knee through any kind of flexion (squats, lunges, Olympic Lifting…), while still being breathable and comfortable to wear. The same applies for the Trizone Arm, designed for demanding movements on your elbows. It has 3 compression points and a design that maintains comfort through performance.
And we offer even more products for ankles, wrists, calves… all your needs!

If you have a recurring discomfort in certain types of movements, or simply are looking at a workout with lots of reps that will especially affect one muscle group, you could also try to our Compex Tape. This waterproof kinesiology elastic band is perfect to relief pain and support your muscles.

COMPEX TIP

Take a look at our specific playlist on our YouTube channel about how to use Compex Tape on each muscle group.

STEP THREE - RECOVER AND GO HARDER

We have been saying it forever: recovery is as important as training (if not more)! Once your training is done, it is time to pull out the big guns to get your recovery. The better you recover between trainings, the harder you can go in the next one.

Thanks to our wide range of Compex Muscle Stimulators, you can recover faster by combining post-training programs (during the 3-hour post-training window), programs to reduce muscle soreness (24h post-training), and massage programs (anytime). Place your electrodes on dry skin as indicated on your Compex Coach App. Then select your program, and let Compex take care of your muscles for 20 to 25 minutes.

Thanks to the TENS programs on your device, you can also reduce joints pain caused by your training.

COMPEX TIP

If you want to strengthen your muscles or cover one muscular weakness that you may have, why not start a 6 to 8 weeks Compex Training Cycle?

• Your lower back always gives up first? 6 weeks of Compex and planks.
• You want to squat heavier? What about a strength cycle on your quads.
• You want to get bigger? Try a Hypertrophy cycle and get fast results.

Use these cycles as “extra credits” in the gym. Do them before or after your main class/WOD, with or without equipment, and watch yourself progress over the weeks. Compex will recruit 100% of muscle fibers and take your workouts to the next level.

WARNING

Obviously, it works… but it is not magic! We cannot promise you any results if your lifestyle is not optimal (diet, sleep, hydration, stress…). Compex is not a magical solution, but simply a tool that works if you put in the work. Be consistent in your trainings, and you will see the results.
#HardWorkPaysOff

To get back to recovery post-training, you can also include in the rotation the Compex Ayre™ compression boots. Increase blood flow with this technique, and evacuate toxins. The best feeling you can have after a tough leg-day session.

Lastly, we know Crossfitters are used to a daily dose of little aches here and there. That is why we also have a full range of Hot and Cold Compression Therapy to help with your painful joints. We offer 4 compression straps, with a gel pack that can be either hot or cold which will help with the pain. Your joints are not having an easy times through those tough workouts, help them recover better, and therefore last longer.

Compex helps Crossfitters daily with their performances, thanks to a wide range of solutions. We hope to have brought you a clear and detailed look on what Compex can do to help you perform better. Get ready to dominate your next workout!

Compex Meets ultra runner Jovica Spajić (@jovicaspajic), captain of the Serbian National ultramarathon team in road ultramarathon and one of the best Trail-mountain ultra-runners in this part of the world.

Compex: Hi there, Jovica! Great to meet you - please could you start by telling our readers a bit about yourself?

Jovica: I am from Serbia, currently located in Belgrade. I was born in Priboj in Serbia in 1987. and grew up with my grandparents in Serbia’s wild mountains. We were tucked in an old wooden house far away in a small mountain village in Serbia. My grandfather encouraged me never to give up, never to break down, always push myself to the limits in everything I do. It has always stuck with me.

Compex: Fascinating. What sport do you do and how did you get into it?

Jovica: My whole life has been about training. I developed a deep love for ultra-running because when you run in the mountains it gives you a clear mind. You have a true relationship with nature, a real sense of freedom. As a member of the special forces, during different field trainings and tasks, I faced extreme physical and psychological difficulties. This constantly questioned and pushed the limits of my abilities, motivation and strength of spirit. Similarly, participating in some of the world’s hardest ultramarathons, I have passed through the most extreme areas on the planet, through dark rainforests, been scorched by the sun and whipped by the wind. 

Very recently, I won one of the most challenging and demanding endurance events on planet - the legendary Iditarod trail invitational race in Alaska, and now with additional motivation I am continuing with new goals.

Ultra-running and especially this type of extreme Ultra-trail distance running is fairly synonymous to regular life. It is filled with ups and downs, but you must always find motivation and inspiration to move forward and be determined and dedicated until the finish line. My credo is always: “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” 

Compex: How does Compex help you to find a competitive edge?

Jovica: For me personally, the Compex SP 8.0 muscle stimulator is amazingly useful recovery tool and my go-to companion on daily basis. I use it most after a hard training sessions, intense workouts, or long training days in mountains and deep backcountry. I am 100% noticing that my legs feeling looser and fresher the next day.

Compex: Which program/s do you like to use most on your SP 8.0, Jovica?

 Jovica: My favorite programs are Training Recovery and Reduce Muscle Soreness. After 2 months of using Compex SP 8.0 muscle stimulator, I can definitely tell that programs are effective at reducing soreness and promoting muscle recovery.

 The other major advantage of  Compex is its "easy to use" characteristic. I can fit in recovery sessions during my breaks from obligations at work in Special Unit.

Compex: Fantastic, and do you use other Compex products?

Jovica: Very recently, I took receipt of a new product, the Compex Ayre Wireless Compression Boots. My initial thoughts are positive and I am looking forward to use it during coming days. I think it can really boost my preparations for next big goals, races and epic projects.

The Compex team are extremely happy to announce another new athlete! 6x World Champion cyclist, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot is joining the #CompexAthletes roster.

We sat down with Pauline to discuss her life, career and new affiliation with #TeamCompex.

Compex: Can you introduce yourself?

Pauline: Hello, my name is Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, I am 29 years old, and I am a professional cyclist. Born in February 1992 in Reims, France, I most recently won the European and World Cross-Country Championships in 2020.

Compex: How did you get started in your sport?

Pauline: Cycling is like a tradition in my family, as my parents were cyclists themselves. My dad owned a bike shop in Reims, where we used to live. However my mother never really wanted me to bike because she thought it was not a feminine sport. At the age of 5, she made me start ice-skating, but I didn't enjoy it much at all. So I decided to bike, and loved it right away. From a very young age, I think we can say I was a bit of a fighter. I was like my mother in that I would never give up! I was creating cyclo-cross parkours in the backyard with pallets. You could  definitely say I was a bit of a tomboy at the time, but I loved training so much.

Compex: Which Compex products do you use the most?

Pauline: My SP8.0 is the one I use the most because it's the most efficient for my recovery. I was also able to test the Ayre compression boots, and I really liked them. I don't think it will take long before they become my favorite!

Compex: How does Compex help you find a competitive edge as an athlete?

Pauline: We often hear that recovery is as important as training, if not more, and I believe it is really something you need to seriously consider as a professional athlete. When you have Compex as a partner, it is so much easier to do so. Now, no more excuses to optimize performance on the recovery side as well.

Compex: Tell us a phrase that you live by?

Pau: "You can find positive everywhere". I know it may sound simple or cliché, but try your best to do it when the times are hard. It's a real challenge, and it can change everything.

Instagram: @paulineferrandprevot
Facebook: Pauline Ferrand Prévot

Jeremy Leroux is a French triathlete and influencer. He has been in the sport since 2016, originally coming from the running world. Once a friend lent him a bike for a little while, he fell in love and thought "why not give this thing a go?". Today he is looking at Ironman distances and hopes to be on the starting mat as soon as possible.

Today with Jeremy, we break down how to get ready for your first triathlon. Getting started, investing in the right equipment, training splits and race day prep… we will cover it all and hopefully you’ll learn some helpful tips.

1 – BREAKING DOWN TRAINING AND NUTRITION

Compex: How many times do you train per week during race prep, and how do you split it between the three disciplines?

Jeremy: 15 to 20 hours, I try to bike 3 to 4 times per week, and about the same for running and swimming.

Compex: For someone who is looking to get started in triathlon, would you advise hiring a coach? Joining a group? Or simply figure it out on your own?

Jeremy: I think it depends on people. If it is your first one and the goal is just to have fun, asking advice around you can be enough. Read, document yourself and look at what others maybe doing. However, if your goal is to get better in the sport, joining a team is great because you have a coach and teammates. Your trainings are well put-together, and your teammates push you to perform every day. This is the optimal choice for long term.

Compex: When you start training for your first triathlon, should you focus on one discipline more than the two others? Or should you equally share time between the three?

Jeremy: I think that you should always train all three of them equally, unless you feel very weak in one of the three disciplines. It is always better to train your weaknesses more than your strengths. However, there is no shortcut. Training, regularity and patience will be your keys to success.

Compex: Often people get overly excited when starting a new sport, which is understandable. How important would you say it is to not over-train and add rest days to your week of training?

Jeremy: Your body needs to recover. Having a coach is better because he or she will plan your recovery times. If you don’t have one, listen carefully to your body and what messages it is sending you. I know you’ll want to do more and more, but this is the best way to put too much stress on your body and run out of gas, or worst, get injured.

Compex: Should you train transitions between disciplines?

Jeremy: Of course, there are specific sessions where your focus is on the transition, going from the swim to the bike, or from the bike to the run. I would say at least once a week, on shorter distances, but with a race day intensity!

Compex: In a sport where you need plenty of calories for those long efforts, how important would you say your nutrition is?

Jeremy: Of course, it is very important to stay on track with your nutrition. You need to fuel your body correctly in order to perform well during your training sessions. Make sure you have some cheat days occasionally though; it is good for the body and for the mind (laugh).

2 – INVESTING IN THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT

Compex: Where would you say we should start looking when getting ready for our first triathlon, and how much are we looking at in terms of investment?

Jeremy: Since it’s the first and you don’t know if you’ll keep doing it after your race is over, maybe do not invest in the most expensive stuff. Get a good road bike that you are comfortable with (this is where you’ll spend the most time probably). Then look for a good swimsuit for open water, and maybe a couple of accessories for pool sessions in order to work on technique. Lastly, find a good pair of shoes for your running, and your set! As you get better, it will get more expensive for sure, but to start, you don’t need all the bells and whistles.

3 – STEPS TO YOUR FIRST TRIATHLON

Compex: In your preparation, do you think there is any interest in partaking in shorter distances to test yourself, like a local 10km, a swim-run etc?

Jeremy: If you’ve done your training right, I don’t think that is necessary unless you are training for an Ironman, in which case it might be useful to train or shorter distances like a half marathon. In the case of a first race, I would say maybe do your own mini triathlon to train transitions and race day paces. You’ll be fine!

4 – GETTING SET ON RACE DAY

Compex: Morning comes, and the stress is there. Any tips you could give us to embrace the race day jitters?

Jeremy: That is completely normal! Even if you are just doing it for fun, you’ll feel the stress for sure. Embrace it. You’ve done the training, you’ve put in the work, so stay focused and have some positive thoughts. Breathing can really help with stress as well, so make sure you are calm and relaxed. Something that might help take some stress off your shoulders is making a race day checklist. I always do that, so I don’t panic if I forget to bring something with me to the race.

Compex: What is your go-to race day breakfast?

Jeremy: I highly recommend not changing your breakfast habits. Changes are the best way to stress out more. Stay in your routine. For me it’s oats and nuts with Greek yogurt, some fruit and dried fruit, and coffee of course. For an Ironman, I like adding some rice for digestion purposes throughout the race.

Compex: Since we are talking about very long efforts, how do you manage eating throughout the race?

Jeremy: I usually know at which point in the race I’m taking my little gels or bars. I also make sure I drink about every 10 minutes on the bike. It is very important to have a plan, so you don’t run out of energy at some point, and so you don’t eat too much at once.

Compex: Do you warm up for the swim part the morning of the race?

Jeremy: For sure, I always warm up for the swim if possible. If not, I’ll use resistance bands to wake up the muscles, massage stiff areas with my Fixx 1.0 and maybe even use the warmup program of my Compex to make sure I am ready to go.

Compex: What is the most important thing to focus on before your race?

Jeremy: There is not one particular thing. Stay focused and don’t forget to enjoy the experience. You’ll probably remember your first triathlon forever, so soak it in while you can!

And there you have it! Tips, tricks and motivation for your first triathlon. Let us know if you’ve used any or if you found any of them particularly useful. Compex is looking forward to hearing about your first triathlon story!

Maelys (24) is a French osteopath, influencer, & fitness advisor, who always loved to learn about nutrition. She has studied it so much that she wrote some eBooks with healthy diet option, to keep having pleasure eating whilst still matching your fitness goals. Her latest one called “Life Is Sweet” has some great recepies if you are a sweet-tooth person who wants to stay in shape but still enjoy desert.

Today we will go down the list of 9 famous stereotypes about nutrition with Maelys. Let’s eat some knowledge together!

Stereotype #1: Avoiding carbs to lose weight.

Maelys: “This one is very easy to understand, because it is all about balance. If you eat more calories than you burn, you’ll likely gain weight. However, if you burn more calories than you eat, you’ll most likely lose weight. You’ll maintain if you burn as much as you consume.

Now, you can eat 2.000 calories of burgers, if it is your maintenance intake, you will not gain or lose weight (we do not advise that obviously). Your carbs are on the nutrients chart and, such as protein, fats and others, they are not responsible for gaining or losing weight. Calories are.”

Stereotype #2: Training on an empty stomach is better for weight loss.

Maelys: “It is not optimal. Going for a training session on an empty stomach will have your body use muscle resources, which is more likely to degrade muscles. This is often counter-productive for the body. I suggest eating a little bit of carbs and a little bit of protein about an hour before training. Give your body a little bit of fuel, you’ll need it.”

Stereotype #3: Fresh-fruit juice equals eating a fresh fruit.

Maelys: “This is not true for two reasons. Drinking juice means that the fibers inside the fruit have been broken. You’ll end up having less nutrients and losing lots of the benefits of fibers.
Another simple thing to consider is the quantity of fruit that you need to make a juice. You’ll probably need 5 oranges to make a glass of orange juice, and that means a skewed energy balance in the end.”

Stereotype #4: Whey protein powder is considered Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs).

Maelys: “This one is very simple. Protein powder is not a drug simply because they are found everywhere (chicken, eggs etc.). They are only a time-saver when it comes to consuming protein after training for example, instead of bringing your chicken breast when you are not that hungry post-workout.
However, they should never replace all your meals! You should get the majority of your protein from whole food and leave the powders post-training.”

Stereotype #5: Vegan protein is better nutrition than regular protein.

Maelys: “There is a big misconception about vegan things being always absolutely better for the body since they are technically better for the environment. There are lots of anti-nutrients in vegan protein, which prevent the body from assimilating all the nutrients in food.
I am not saying that being vegan is bad and you shouldn’t, but that just doesn’t make vegan protein better than regular protein. Keep an eye on your macro-nutrients if you are vegan, in order to avoid deficiencies.

Stereotype #6: Eggs are bad nutrition for cholesterol levels.

Maelys: “You have organs in your body that are made to work. If you bring too much cholesterol into your body, it will lower cholesterol synthesis. On the other hand, if you do not bring enough to your body, it will produce more itself. The body levels your cholesterol very well, and it does not matter if you eat 1, 2, 3 or 6 eggs per day.
However, if you already have a cholesterol problem, this is where you should be careful with your diet. Otherwise, you are all good.”

Stereotype #7: Do not eat after 6pm if you are trying to lose weight.

Maelys: “About 90% of people workout after work, so usually around 5 to 8pm. In order to recover well, you need food and sleep. If you train late but then you do not eat because you heard it is bad after 6pm, you are not optimizing recovery. And if you do not train late, it is still a question of energy balance. Eating the number of calories that your body need in order to match your goals is really what matters when talking about losing weight.
If you train late and do not feel like eating a full solid meal afterwards, you can substitute that with a rich protein drink like a smoothie. However, I really do not recommend going to bed with an empty stomach especially after training. You won’t sleep well, and your body will have a rough time recovering.”

Stereotype #8: White meat is healthier nutrition than red meat.

Maelys: “Technically, yes. White meat is very healthy, but red meat has such great features for the body. I would advise eating roughly 750g of red meat per week top. There are great things from red meat that your body needs, but it is not the best source and that is why you shouldn’t eat more than about 750g per week.”

Stereotype #9: Energy drinks are great for performance.

Maelys: “I really don’t recommend energy drinks for performance. I don’t think they are optimal. Sure, they have caffeine and energy components, and sure you might feel pumped before training. However, you are mostly paying the brand (usually expensive) for something that is not necessary.
If you really need a pre-workout boost, I recommend making your own at home. Coffee is great, adding a little bit of salt in your water also for a great pump, but let’s be honest… your motivation is the best pre-workout there is, and should fuel you better than any energy drink on the market.

Matt Jaggard, Head of Strength and Conditioning with the Delgado and Lee Pro Tennis Academy explains how Compex devices can be used to prevent ankle injuries and how to optimise recovery and rehabilitation if an ankle injury occurs.

Instagram: @mjtennisperformance

LinkedIn: Matt Jaggard

E-book: International Travel and Tournament Preparation for Tennis

If you are an athlete of any kind then it is likely that you have experienced a very painful ankle sprain or strain. This is a highly common injury within court sport athletes. Compex can aid you by helping to prevent this type of injury from occurring and also whilst recovering if an injury has been experienced.

So how can the use of a Compex muscle stimulation device help?

First of all we need to take a look into the anatomy. This will give you a clear understanding of how the body works, what you need to target and why.

Anatomy

The peroneus muscles also called fibularis muscles or peroneals or peronæus, are a group of muscles in the leg. While the muscle group exists in many variations, it is normally composed of three muscles: peroneus longus, brevis and tertius.

These muscles help control key actions around the foot. They will need to be strong and robust allowing you to resist and control the very actions they allow you to perform. Something that the use of a Compex device can enhance whilst training. The reason that the use of Compex is highly effective with this set of muscles is that they are very difficult to activate.

So where are these muscles located and what do they do?

Ankle Strengthening and Injury Prevention

These muscles can be trained either statically or through a range of traditional ankle mobility, stability and strengthening exercises. This can be done by placing Compex electrode pads on the peroneus muscles and selecting frequencies between 45-70Hz. This will help to increase muscle volume similar to that experienced whilst training for hypertrophy by promoting optimised tissue formation.

Once a period of adaptation for increasing muscle volume has been completed, traditionally 6-10 weeks. It would be recommended that you move into a strength phase for a similar length of time. This requires your muscles to be exposed to frequencies between 75-100Hz.

Completing these two phases routinely will continually allow for the peroneus muscles to increase in volume and strength, making you more stable and helping you to prevent ankle sprains and strains.

Acute Injury Management and Rehabilitation

If you have experienced an ankle injury, the peroneus muscles along with tendons and ligaments around the foot and ankle would have been stretched, strained and damaged.

The use of a Compex device can not only aid with strengthen the muscles as highlighted above. They can also aid the recovery process.

During the initial phase of recovery, dealing with inflammation, Compex can help to reduce muscle soreness (1Hz). Additionally, muscle pain can reduce (5Hz) and capillarisation increased (8Hz). These varying levels of increased blood flow will help improve the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the damaged region. During this phase it is recommended to place the electrode pads around the site of the injury (ankle and foot) rather than the peroneus muscles unless major trauma has also occurred in this area.

During the second phase of recovery with Compex, the profilation phase, frequencies between 10-35Hz can help minimise stiffness. Muscular atrophy can also be minimised whilst helping to manage lingering discomfort and swelling.

Once the symptoms have subsided, just like with any traditional rehabilitation, it is time to start remodelling the muscular tissue within the area which has been effected. Firstly by increasing muscular volume (45-70Hz). Then by increasing strength (75-100Hz) which are both mentioned in more detail above in ‘Strengthening and Injury Prevention’.

Ariane Brodier | Compex Fit 5.0

Ariane Brodier is a French actress and author, very active on her social media. She has two beautiful toddlers (3 and 1) and loves talking about her mum life. More than 600k people follow her daily routine on Instagram.
She has always been active her entire life. Before her first pregnancy, she was into martial arts and fitness, working out about 2 to 3 hours every other day, with some running in between. Ariane is what you can call an active mum!

1 – ADAPTATIONS DURING PREGNANCY

Even if you are a fitness freak and you love to train every day, pregnancy will slow you down. That is completely normal, and you should not stress about it. But how do you adapt your workouts to still get a good session in?

ARIANE – First of all you should know that some sports should be avoided during pregnancy. Anything with an impact can have negative effects on your child, such as running or jumping. However, if you love cardio, you can still get your heart rate up without jumping, with an elliptical machine for example. We hear too often that you should not train during pregnancy and this is not true! Staying active will do wonders to your body when you are pregnant. Obviously, you are not pushing your limits at this stage of your life and you should not strive for performance.
If you want to stay active during pregnancy, make sure that you are doing it the right way. Stay close to your doctor during this period of your life, they will give you the best advice to continue your fitness journey while pregnant.

Were you able to stay motivated the whole time, even with all the changes that your body went through?

ARIANE – You know, when sport is something that you enjoy, I don’t think it is that hard to stay active. You should see training as a fun moment for you. However, if you do not feel like training at the gym or doing your regular workouts, how about trying new sports? For me, it was the opportunity to get into swimming for example. It was a new workout and made me feel very good. That is why I encourage you to use this period of your life to try new things that you might love in the long run.

Your body changes during pregnancy, and you cannot do anything about it. Was there a turning point where you realized “I have to accept that my body changes”?

ARIANE – It is a little scary at first as this is something you are not really in control of. But being pregnant is such a magical experience that you quickly accept how your body changes. Enjoying this experience of becoming a mother is so much more important than losing your abs for a couple of years. No matter what, your body will be different after you have your child, the sooner you accept that, the better you will go through the changes.

As a fitness enthusiast you probably had some sort of understanding of how nutrition works and made sure that what you ate was on par with your goals and your fitness routine. How did that change during your pregnancy, and how did you make sure you did not gain too much weight?

ARIANE – You know, working out is never the hard part in a fitness routine, nutrition is! 70% of your progress is made through nutrition. The one thing you should absolutely be careful with is refined sugar. Whether you are pregnant or not it is not good for you, but in a case of a pregnancy, you should especially avoid it. Other than that, do not stress about it to much. Make sure that what you eat is the best quality possible, have some healthy fats along the way for the growth of the baby, and always remember that the health of your child will partially reflect how you ate during your pregnancy.

2 – GETTING BACK AT IT AFTER THE BIRTH

First thing first, when were you able to exercise again after giving birth?

ARIANE – Before you go back to your running and your jumping and the rest of your workouts, it is detrimental that you go through perineum rehabilitation. This can last 1 to 2 months depending on how your pregnancy went. During that time, I went back to my best friend the elliptical.
I also made good use of my Compex after I went through perineum rehab. It is a fantastic accelerator and it helps you tone your abs faster. It works your muscles deeper than with a simple abs workout, it is convenient, and you see results quickly after giving birth.

Ariane Brodier | Compex Fit 5.0

Every mum in the world knows that having a child is a full-time job. How do you deal with things like lack of sleep, being interrupted in your workout etc.?

ARIANE – My favorite thing now is the well known “Morning Routine”. I like to work out first thing in the morning, before breakfast, it works well for me. This is because I used to be very tired throughout the day and even if my kids were asleep. I had some time for me, I could not find the motivation to train. Getting up early and committing to working out was my only way to make it work. It was like “ok, now it is 5:30am and you are awake. Let’s make the most of the next hour, because you know you will not do it later in the day”.
I would also like to point out that you can use this opportunity to try out new sports again. Do not stress about a routine, as having children and a routine are usually things that do not go together (laughs). Be ready to adapt and things will go well.

Were you able to quickly go back to your eating habits or did you face any challenges?

ARIANE – Breastfeeding will not let you go back to normal: it makes you SO hungry! Your body needs fat to produce milk, and you will want to eat a lot, all the time. But the way the body works this out is incredible. Keep eating healthy, stay away from refined sugar and everything will be alright.
It depends on people, but having someone to guide you through this period of your life can be beneficial. We often think we are doing things right, but having an external person overlooking can help you with the choices you make daily.

Let’s end on a positive note here and talk about how you perceive your body after giving birth. Your body has changed and even if there are things you can do, you said that it is necessary to accept that you will not go back to 100% what you looked like before. And that is fine! Are there any tips you can give to young mothers to help go through that process of “accepting who you are now”?

ARIANE – When you become a mother, your focus shifts from “yourself” to “your kids”. You lose some of that “care” that you only had for your own body before. It can be harder for some mothers as the changes we go through can be very different from one woman to another. But becoming a mum is a whole new status and that is the most important thing to remember.
I love the “I am who I am movement” these days. It's a movement that highlights the fact that no matter what you look like, how much you weigh. As long as you are doing everything to becoming the best version of yourself, you are on the right track and you should be proud of yourself! Find things to challenge you daily and always enjoy the process. The smile of your children will always be more valuable than the best set of abs.

Alexandre Vallot | Compex Fit 5.0

Alexandre Vallot (28) is a French coach in Paris. He has been coaching for 6 years now. From pro athletes to regular folks trying to simply stay in shape, he likes to train anyone with a purpose and a desire to progress in their fitness journey. He does not only want his clients to be motivated while he coaches them, but he wants them to create a mindset that they will carry forever.
Today we go down the list of 5 important factors to consider when you want to get back in a training routine after a long break: your nutrition,  your training plan, your routine, your relationships, and the goals that you have.

1 – Back to eating healthy

Weight is not the number one indicator of your fitness level and you should not stress about it too much unless you compete in a sport with weight classes. However, weight can be a way to measure your eating habits, which can tell if you have been eating less or more. Therefore, keeping an eye on your weight can be beneficial. Being inactive for a long time can lead to some unwanted weight gains.
What is your tip for people going back into training regarding their eating habits?

ALEX – First of all, it really depends who you are talking to. If we are talking about an experienced person, it is “easier” to have a strict approach. Usually the person knows what it takes, and you can be stricter for the first couple of weeks in order to really get back to the shape you want.
However, if you are talking about an unexperienced fitness enthusiast, you cannot cut back too fast. You need to take steps, otherwise it will not last. I like to not use the word “diet” as it sounds scary to most people, and just talk about making small adjustments day after day. First cut the extra drinks, then dial back on the snacks, add some veggies etc. But if you cut too much too fast, you risk ending up in this “new year resolutions” type of vibe, where goals vanish after a month.

2 – Finally training again

No matter the reason, not being able to train for awhile is going to have effects on your body and your mind. Some people will feel (too) excited about going back to the gym and may risk injuries. Some people may have lost the motivation and will find it hard to go back. For all those cases, how do you get back into training mode?

ALEX – You should not imagine going back to the gym as the perfect scenario where you are motivated, you are stress-free, you perform the same… Things have changed ! However, one thing that has not changed is how beneficial “moving” is for your body. Whether it is 10, 30 or 50 minutes, moving at least twice a week will do wonders. Your motivation will come back slowly but surely and seeing your body change and adapt is the best boost you can hope for.
However, do not try to do too much or too complicated too soon. Same as the nutrition part, take steps towards coming back to your routine. Those steps can include a training partner or a coach! This is the best way to stay motivated as you are now accountable to someone else. If you are a Compex user, use the Compex app to plan your training sessions, share your results with your friends and see your progress.

3 – Going back to a routine?

Lots of people have a fitness routine. You train around the same time of the day, you eat at the same hours, you sleep about the same amount every night etc. When that has been broken for a while, people may be lost when it is training-time again! How do you help people get back to their routine?

ALEX – You need to realize that in this situation, time is your best friend. Getting back slowly but surely is the best recipe to a successful come-back. You should also be open to changes in your fitness routine, and not desperately want it to be the same as before. Adding new movements and training methods can do wonders to your body. So why not start by trying something new? Bodyweight workouts, yoga, Compex-Training… You used to be a gym-rat that loves pumping weights? Try new sports and workout methods, your body will love it.

Alexandre Vallot | Compex FIXX 1.0

4 – The influence of your close friends

The fourth point may be left aside by a lot of people but is more important than we think. The influence that our friends and family have on our choices in life is huge. You cannot stop talking to people just because they do not motivate you, so how do you deal with your closest relationships when it comes to your motivation to be healthy?

ALEX – Like you said, you cannot stop talking to people just because they do not agree with you, otherwise you will not keep many friends! There are two different types of people in my opinion. First is the closest friends, then you have the people around you that are the closest to your training habits. Your friends might be party-people and maybe you get invited to diners often. However, the most important is: where do you train? Do you have a coach? Are these friends also training buddies? Having friends to party-with is not an issue, as long as you have a fitness circle to stay right on track with your goals. Once again, it is all about balance

5 – Defining your goals

Setting goals can be challenging. The way you write down a goal can instantly tell whether you will be successful or not. We hear often people say, “I want to be stronger” or, “I want to lose fat”. These statements are never to be fulfilled. The reason is: they cannot be measured. 1kg of fat lost will not make you happy. However, you still “lost weight” and according to your goal, you are successful. But we all know this is not how you will be happy. How do you help people set goals the best way possible?

ALEX – For me, the first step is defining who do you want to become. Do you want to be a professional athlete, do you want to be a fit mum, do you want to look good at the beach… These are all different approaches. When you have defined that, you can create a ten-step plan towards your goal. These steps must be small challenges, attainable, measurable, and realistic. For example, your first step could be “Eat three whole fruits per day this week”, or “Exercise 20 minutes, three times this week”. These steps are measurable and realistic, they will open the path to success in your fitness journey. I know it sounds all Instagram-ish but setting goals measurable and realistic goals is the number one key to success.