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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. 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!

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: The sport I am involved in is ultra running, and in particular trail ultra running which 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 as well as getting inspiration and getting a better quality of life. My biggest achievement of my short 2 year running career is that I managed to raise £8000 for the charity "Hope for Children". 

Compex: Wow that's amazing and well done on raising that money! 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 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

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.

Mat was a US Olympic weightlifting team hopeful until suffering a back injury. Despite doctors telling him he would never lift again, Mat was persistent in his recovery and returned to compete for Team USA.

After retiring from weightlifting Mat found CrossFit to start casually lifting again. CrossFit became much more to Mat as he earned back to back second place finishes in the 2014 and 2015 CrossFit Games. Mat claimed the ultimate title as Fittest Man on the Earth in 2016 and 2017.

Compex: Hey Mat, please tell us a bit about how do you use your Compex device?

Mat: I use the strength cycles on it quite a bit, especially on my quads. I have been using it on the muscles around my ankle pre and post workout. Using the warm up program helps loosen up the muscles while the recovery programs help me get through my long training days.

Compex: Sounds like you’re getting great use out of it! How has your Compex device helped your training?

Mat: It's supplemented and added to my training. Like I said I use it for recovery, activation and strength. So it has been very helpful all around.

Compex: Why do you love it?

Mat: I just really like how it is one tool for activation, recovery and strength. It's really easy to use and it works. It's a big part of my training.

Compex: What is your favourite program on the device?

Mat: I love any of the strength cycles. It's crazy to me how much I feel like I worked out after doing one. They are awesome to get some more work in.

Compex: Awesome, thanks for sitting down with us, Mat!

Sara is unique as she does not come from a strong athletic foundation like most of her fellow CrossFit competitors. She tried different sports while growing up, but will tell you she was a bit overweight and nothing seemed to stick.

In 2012, Sara took a boot camp class where she discovered her natural strengths. She then participated in a local CrossFit competition (without knowing what it was) and placed second. It was at that moment that she decided this was the sport for her.

Compex: How do you use your Compex device?

Sara: I use the device for warm up, recovery, and also when I travel to keep blood flowing after a long flight. I use it every two or three days, but if I am preparing for competition I use it at least once a day.

Compex: What is your favorite program?

Sara: Training Recovery.

Compex: How has Compex helped your training?

Sara: Compex has helped me so much with recovery. I also use it to turn on muscle groups before a workout.

Before turning to body building in 2002, Phil Heath was a shooting guard for the University of Denver. Phil Heath 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.