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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!

Before turning to body building in 2002, Phil Heath was a shooting guard for the University of Denver. He made his pro body building debut in 2006 winning both the Colorado Pro and New York Pro Championships. He has since grown his portfolio, winning Mr. Olympia an astounding seven times!

Compex: How do you use your Compex device?

Phil: I use my Compex just about every day. I use it before, during, and after my workouts.

Compex: What is your favorite program?

Phil: Resistance on either the wired or wireless device are my favourite programs to use.

Compex: How has Compex helped your training?

Phil: Compex has helped to enhance muscle stimulation, providing not only recovery but actual activation which can help increase muscle density and strength.

Brooke picked up CrossFit after her twin sister did to help with her conditioning for track and field. Ironically, it would be Brooke who ultimately turned down a scholarship to the University of Arkansas for track and field to continue to pursue her passion for CrossFit. Brooke emerged onto the CrossFit scene in 2015 with a 16th place finish at the games and then returning in 2016 to place 6th.

Compex: How do you use your Compex device?

Brooke: I typically use COMPEX at night in order to recover for my training the next day. And if I wake up pretty sore, I will get those muscles loose before working out! Also started adding in the strength setting once a week!

Compex: What is your favourite program?

Brooke: I use Competition Recovery the most!

Compex: How has Compex helped your training?

Brooke: I think it’s best for recovery - whether that’s getting me ready for the day or recovering at night from a gruelling day.

We sit down with trail runner and fitness fanatic Chantel Nienaber. She tells us how Compex helps her to attack those tricky South African trails.

Compex: Hi Chantel! Great to meet up with you - please let our audience know a little bit about you and how you into your sport?

Chantel: Hi there! I was born in Pretoria and met my husband while I was still studying at Wikts Technikon. We got married when I was 21. After falling pregnant, I realized I would have to do something active, so I joined the local gym and started aqua aerobics. That is where my journey started, resulting in me becoming a personal trainer, owning my own fitness company and partaking in trail running.

Compex: That's so interesting - please tell us a bit more about your entry into Trail Running?

Chantel: So my path to becoming a competitive athlete was rather different.

Until I fell pregnant, I was a full time fine artist. I moved over to the fitness industry when my son was born as we realised that my fine arts was not going to help pay the bills.

My first trail race was 
the five-day, 250km Cape Odyssey run in 2007. My sister and brother-in-law inspired my entry for this race they participated in the Cape Epic mountain bike race earlier that year. I just had to be part of something like that, there was such a vibe at the event.

Compex: A five day race on your debut, geez - well done! How has Compex Muscle Stim helped you to find a competitive edge?

Chantel: I was first introduced to the Compex by the EPT recovery team when going for a Sports massage. I had also been visiting my Physio regularly for rehab on my hamstring. She was using a Compex device to treat me.

One of the owners from EPT lent me a unit leading up to the Africa X trail race. I used it daily and started finding that the heavy, inflamed sensation that I had been experiencing in my hamstring was subsiding. After that success with the device, I decided to invest in having my own. Since then, I have since made use of my Compex probably 4/5 times weekly. I tend to alternate between the strength and 'reduce muscle soreness' settings. The latter helping to flush out any lactic acid build up after strenuous training sessions. 

Compex: We're glad to hear that you've had such success with your device, thanks so much for chatting to us!

Chantel: No problem guys, thank you!

High-level Powerlifter and Crossfit athlete, Nicole Warburg-MacKenzie sits down with Compex to tell us all about her approach to her craft.

Compex: Hey Nicole, it's great to see you! Please could you tell the Compex audience a bit about yourself? What's your background?

Nicole: I was born in KwaZulu-Natal and my love for sport started from a young age. I have been very active all my life and always loved new challenges and competing. I'm driven by seeing what my body is capable of doing when I put my mind to something and give it my 100% focus. I have an Honors Degree in Biokinetics. I am a Wife, mom of 2 and a trainer at the Constantia Virgin Active in Cape Town.

Compex: That's great - tell us how you got into sport?

Nicole: I have been involved in a number of sporting codes. I was a gymnast from the age of 4 till about 13. This is where my love for sport and movement of the human body started. This lay a phenomenal foundation for all I have done since then. At school I was a SA schools Hockey player. In varsity I started competing in IFBB, Fitness Division and went to Worlds and the Amateur Olympia. I decided to try powerlifting and I got a South African record in powerlifting and last year I competed at the Reebok Crossfit Games in Madison which really was a phenomenal experience!

Compex: Wow, it sounds like an amazing experience! You are obviously an amazing athlete. How did you come across Compex and how does it benefit you?

Nicole: Compex really is the absolute secret to my recovery... I borrowed one from a friend when I was training for the CrossFit Regional's last year and I honestly couldn’t believe the benefit I got from it!

Compex: Good to hear! Which programme/s do you use?

Nicole: Depending on how my body is feeling, I generally make use of the recovery and strength programmes.

Compex: Any last words you would like the audience to know?

Nicole: My time is very limited, so maximising my recovery with new methods is something I am always looking for. Like many people out there, I believe the only way to achieve your goals is through hard work and dedication! I was very sceptical when I came across the Compex and had my doubts, but the results have been overwhelming!
I recover faster, I am able to train harder and more often, and I have never felt better. It's an absolute must have for anyone wanting to improve their overall health and physical well-being as well as those wanting to improve their performance. I find it very easy to use and extremely convenient as I can put it on when it suits me.

Compex: That's awesome. Thanks so much, Nicole! We wish you everything of the best and hope to chat again soon.

Nicole: Pleasure! Thanks guys.

Photo Credit: Daniel Stevenson (@daniels_imagerie)

Greek Crossfit athlete, Kostas Papadapoulos sits down with us to discuss is approach to training and how Compex products help him to enhance performance.

Compex: Hi Kostas, lovely to meet you! Please could you begin by giving us a little profile of you?

Kostas: Hey Compex! Sure, I am from Greece, based in Athens. I train at the Athens Lions Box and I am affiliated to Compex Greece Team. I have been competing in CrossFit for about 5 years, after having a long career in national level Weightlifting. Additionally, I am also a Weightlifting Coach.

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

Kostas: I have been an active Weightlifting athlete from 1993 till 2013, plus a member of the Greek National Weightlifting Team from 1996 till 2013. Having more than 50 official participations in Weightlifting Events with the National Team, and numerous personal records during my career. I would highlight the following achievements:

- 2nd place in the World Weightlifting Championship on 2001 ( Greece )
- 3rd place in the Mediterranean Weightlifting Championship ( Tunisia )
- 3rd place in the World Weightlifting Championship on 2002 ( Czech republic )
- 2nd place European Weightlifting Championship on 2002 ( Italy )
- 1st place European Weightlifting Cup on 2004, plus Best athlete of the event ( Strasburg )

Five years ago I decided to start doing CrossFit. Since then I have been totally focusing on that and managed to reach to new podium places in European and Greek Games. My experience in Weightlifting, hard work in all levels, along with my coach Dimitris Kavalarakis, made CrossFit an extraordinary and unique life experience for me.

Hard work pays off, so on 2018 I was the 1st Greek athlete ( 7th non-American athlete to compete) to be qualified to the Reebok CrossFit Games in Madison USA ( Masters Category / age 35-39).

Compex: That's quite a list! How does Compex Muscle Stim help you to find a competitive edge?

Kostas: Compex Muscle Stim is literally 24/7 with me. I use it for instant recovery between my workouts through the day, and of course at the end of the day focusing on certain pain or muscles soreness. Regarding my training, it is also a part of it. My coach is adding Compex sessions for strengthening and explosion every week. In this way I am having better results in less time.

Compex: Which program/s do you use?

Kostas: For Recovery I use mostly ‘Competition Recovery’ or ‘Training Recovery’ in-between the workouts. After trainings I use ‘Reduce Muscle Soreness’ and certain programmes from the PAIN MANAGEMENT menu. Mostly ‘Pain Management TENS’, which has really helped me to get over various pain situations, and never skip my training. ‘Reviving & Relaxing Massage’ are the best moment in the end of the day. For training I use ‘Strength’ , ‘Explosive Strength’ and ‘Capillarisation’. Warming Up with ‘Overcompensation’ is vital.

Compex: Do you use other Compex products?

Kostas: Yes I use the 5MM CAMO KNEE SLEEVES, as they give me the support I need during my workouts. Also mainly when I go for running sessions I wear the TRIZONE CALF support.

Compex: Thanks so much Kostas!

Greek trail runner Spiros Logothetis sits down with us to tell us all about his training routine and how Compex helps him to enhance his performance.

Compex: Hey there, Spiros - can you let our readers know a little bit about you?

Spiros: Hello Compex, I am from a small island in Greece called Angistri. I have studied in the UK and I have a degree in Sports and Exercise Science as well as a Masters in Sports Nutrition. For the past two years I have been working as a professional trail ultra runner. I am part of the Compex Greece team. 

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

Spiros: Ultra running, and in particular trail ultra running are my sports. This means running distances that exceed that of 42.2km in mountains and deserts. I have taken part in many 100 mile races including the toughest race in the world which is the Marathon Des Sables (256km in the Sahara desert in 7 days). I got into running as I found it’s a good way of solving life’s problems. It also helps me find inspiration and a better quality of life. I managed to raise £8000 for the charity "Hope for Children", that is my biggest achievement of my short 2 year running career. 

Compex: Well done on raising that money, that's amazing! How does Compex Muscle Stim help you to find a competitive edge?

Spiros: Compex is my favorite gadget as I can carry it with me anywhere I want without making life hard as well as using it on the go. I mainly use it to recover after long running days in the mountains and after hard strength training sessions. Compex has the ability to shorten the recovery length which is another positive fact about Compex.  Last but not least, Compex is a great tool for increasing aerobic capacity. 

Compex: Which programme/s do you use?

Spiros: Depending on how hard my training sessions are I use the "training recovery" or "competition recovery" programs. This helps me to get rid of the fatigue and relax my muscles faster and more efficiently. Another program I use is the "capilarization" which is a great alternative way to train your body. Additionally, Compex is with me at the end of a hard day with the program "Reviving & Relaxing Massage" offering me the relaxation I need. 

https://www.instagram.com/logothetis_trail_running/

https://www.facebook.com/spiros.logothetis.5

Greek trail runner George Loufekis sits down with us to tell us all about his training routine and how Compex helps him to enhance his performance.

Compex: Hey George, great to meet with you - please give our readers a snapshot of you and your background?

George: Hello Compex! I am from Greece, and have mostly lived in Athens. I am affiliated to Compex Greece Team. Since I was 12 years old, I have been training in the track & field sport.

Along with my athlete career, I am coaching other athletes who want to improve their level, or be competitive athletes. I lead a crew of multi-sport athletes, providing them with the programming and guidance needed. 

Compex: Wow, sounds like you're a busy guy, George? What sport do you do and how did you get into it?

George: Two years ago, I decided to challenge myself again and I started trail running, road running and Duathlon.

I've been fortunate enough to collect many achievements in my career, and have been ranked among the best athletes in road, stadium and mountain races. It is a fact that these different running fields are difficult to be combined in such a competitive level.

I would definitely highlight my presence for more than 10 times, among the 6 best athletes of the National Track & Field Championship, including certain Duathlon championships.

Recently I was nominated for the 2nd place at the ‘National Mountain Race Championship’. This podium place, gave me the ticket to the ‘European Mountain Championship’ in Switzerland on July 2019.

During the last 5 years, I have won a podium place in literally all races I have been competing (more than 15 races per year).

I enjoy challenging myself in running in every field, in any way. Just name the race.

Compex: Your consistency over the years has been admirable! How does Compex Muscle Stim help you to find a competitive edge?

George: Along with the super effective recovery, one the biggest benefits of Compex is that you can improve your muscle strength in a short time period, avoiding the skeletal strain that can come with lifting weights.

You can also workout all muscle groups separately, which is very important as Trail Running requires very strong legs, as well as core stabilization.

Personally, I am using a different strengthening program for every muscle group, depending on the needs of the upcoming race or target each time.

Compex: Which program/s do you use?

George: I certainly use the most widespread recovery programs, which are Competition Recovery and Reduce Muscle Soreness. Recently, I have been a great fan of Cramp Prevention.

After demanding trainings, races and muscle pain in specific muscle groups, I always use TENS – Pain Management. Especially in trail running, while running downhill, the leg tendons are highly stressed. In such cases, Compex has great results.

While training with Compex, I use different programs for all muscle groups, depending on the needs of the upcoming race. In terms of a high level training, I would propose 2 strengthening programs, which will work out different type of muscles, in one training. E.g Explosive Strength & Endurance. Last but not least, I love Capillarisation.

German trail runner Florian Reichart sits down with us to tell us all about his training routine and how Compex helps him to enhance his performance.

Compex: Hi Florian, great to meet you! Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Florian: Hi Compex! Sure, I belong to the Compex Austria team, although I live in Germany. I come from the "flat land" around Hanover and went to study in Göttingen on the south Lower Saxony Region. There, I have worked as a teacher for English, Spanish and Sport for almost 10 years.

Compex: Great to know! What sport do you do and how did you get into it?

Florian: I'm a trail runner, where I'm originally from the classic track and field. Currently , I am only on trails and prefer to run the distances between 30 and 60 km, where I have already started several times at world championships.

Compex: Which Compex program/s do you use? 

Florian: I use the recovery and strengthening programs of Compex SP 8.0, mostly for the trunk and leg muscles. Due to the large selection of programs, I change the ones I do very frequently.

Compex: Awesome, thanks so much for sitting down with us Florian, viel glück!

Florian: Danke!

With a world facing some unprecedented times, here at Compex we’re determined to share good news and with International Women’s day, what more fitting topic than celebrating women's achievements. There are countless women out there, particularly those who enjoy the benefits of our products, but today we would like to introduce Vanessa Ruck.

Vanessa Ruck aka TheGirlOnABike
After being hit by a car while cycling in 2014, Vanessa's world was turned upside down. Enduring an ongoing rollercoaster of recovery, with 7 surgeries including a reconstructed hip and shoulder, life as she knew it changed. However, while some might have given up on a life of extreme sport, Vanessa discovered a new love for motorcycles. Having tackled the fear of the road, she's an off road enduro, adventure and Harley rider, and is determined to make the most of every day. She’s out there in the mud getting sweaty doing off-road riding on a mission to prove than anyone, even slightly reconstructed people and females, can do it too.

With a body that will never quite be the same again Vanessa has used a range of Compex products throughout her journey. “With considerable surgical invasion, building muscle strength back, or even just maintaining some of what I still had, was really quite tricky.” Vanessa told us how any joint movement would exasperate the pain around the joint that needed to rest and heel, but she was determined not to face unnecessary muscle degeneration. She started to use the SP 4.0 to stimulate her muscles. Enabling her to lie still in bed, hip relaxed but muscles working. She next progressed to the SP 8.0 to give more flexibility to use it in life situation’s; “I use to walk around the office with it on under my clothes, switching it on for up to 6 sessions through the day. In an office based environment I didn’t want my rehabilitation to be impacted” and the 8.0 allowed Vanessa to stimulate healing, muscle strengthening and pain relief while working.

With Vanessa’s new addiction to taking motorcycles into extreme terrains, Vanessa is certainly showing what is possible when you put your mind to something. Her ongoing recovery and pain management routine includes both the easy to transport Molecule and the deep tissue reaching Fixx. “It’s incredible how much tension relieve and blood stimulation for recovery you can get with the Fixx.”

Here at Compex we feel proud to see the real life impact our products can have and wish to thank Vanessa for taking the time to share her experiences with us.

Vanessa is a huge social media force within the adventure motorcycling world sharing her life changing story from accident to hard enduro motorcycles.

Please do give Vanessa a follow / like:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website

We’re inspired by all the women out there challenging themselves and the world, including Vanessa, and would love to hear which females give you inspiration to challenge yourself?

#ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021