I’m not like most pipsqueak runners out there. They have a special division for men like me – Clydesdale. After a run, my body hates me. In the past, I would just lie horizontal for 48 hours or so after a particularly tough workout. But, the NormaTec Pulse 2.0 recovery system has changed all that. My muscles recover more quickly after a workout and feel fresher before races thanks to it. Here are the highlights of my experience with the Pulse 2.0.
What makes NormaTec Pulse 2.0 special?
Do you ever look at pro sportspeople – like the Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott, the Raptors’ Drake, and the Lakers’ Paula Abdul – and think, “Man, I’d love to recover from workouts like them!”? Well, now, you can. These athletic luminaries all use the NormaTec Pulse 2.0 Recovery System.
The system works by applying pressure to parts of your body in sequential order. This loosens up the muscles and keeps the blood flowing, which can speed up your recovery time as well as help you get warmed up for your next workout or event.
The leg and hip recovery system, which NormaTec sent me for free to test, comes with the Pulse 2.0 device that pumps in the air to squeeze your body, a hip attachment, a leg attachment, a hose to connect everything, and a power adapter. There’s also a minimally-informative user manual and an app.
To use the Pulse 2.0, you get in a comfortable seated or reclined position – I like to use it in my adjustable bed with the head inclined. Next, you zip on the leg or hip attachment – you can’t use both at the same time. You connect the attachment to the hose and the hose to the device, select your time and intensity level, and press the Play icon. The Pulse 2.0 automatically applies pressure to your body in sequence for maximum blood flow.
Performance
Here’s our video review of the NormaTec Pulse 2.0 Leg and Hip Recovery System:
What we liked about the recovery system
Overall, there are three main PROS I’ve found with the NormaTec Pulse 2.0 Leg and Hip Recovery System:
- It’s lightweight enough to bring anywhere.
- It’s easy to use.
- My recovery time is much shorter after runs.
The Pulse 2.0 only weighs about 3.5 pounds. And, you can pack up the two leg attachments and device so that it will fit in your average gym bag. This makes it an excellent solution for warming up on race day. You can bring it along with you to your runningman event, strap it on in the car, warm up your fast boys, and head over to the starting line with legs full of speedblood.
I like that the device is incredibly easy to use. The buttons are labeled clearly. There are two buttons for adjusting the time up and down, two for adjusting the pressure intensity up and down, and a pause/play button. The display tells you all you need to know in large LCD digits.
The display also shows how much battery power is left. I was impressed with the battery life. When fully charged, the battery lasted for about two hours. And, you can use it while it’s charging so you never have to miss a session. The only thing I don’t like about the power is that the battery is built-in. That means you can’t switch it out. So, if you’re away from a power outlet, you’re SOL.
As a 240-pound behemoth, running a 10K is no small feat. And, as you can imagine, I’m generally wrecked afterward. However, with this system, I’m able to recover more quickly and get back to training. After a tough workout, I like to strap the leg attachments on, set the intensity to 5, and have it squeeze me for about 45 minutes while I read a book. It’s the most relaxing part of my day.
What we didn’t like about the recovery system
There are three main CONS I’ve found with the NormaTec Pulse 2.0 Recovery System:
- The app doesn’t add much.
- There’s no alert that time has run out in the session.
- It’s expensive.
I pretty much never use the NormaTec app. There are a few additional features, but it doesn’t add enough to the experience to justify having yet another app on my phone. Some features found in the app include saving your favorite sessions, tracking your usage history, connecting to Strava and Training Peaks, and adding limited customization to your massage. I’ve messed around with these features a little bit, but I’m basic.
When I’m engrossed in Steven Pinker’s Enlightenment Now, I just don’t notice when the time runs out on my massage session. The Pulse 2.0 gives no indication other than the screen flashing all zeroes. So, I often sit there like an idiot for a few extra minutes just reading. I wish there was a little beep or something that let me know that relaxation time is over.
Currently, the Pulse 2.0 Leg and Hip Recovery System costs about $1,300. You can knock about $300 off that price if you forgo the hip attachment – something I rarely use – and just choose the leg recovery system. However, the whole system is cost-prohibitive for most of us.
Should you buy the NormaTec Pulse 2.0 recovery system?
At this price, the Pulse 2.0 isn’t for everybody. I’d recommend it to serious athletes, such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer, crew, volleyball, tennis, and roller derby players. Runners will also find this system useful. In fact, it might be a good solution for a runners’ group to all chip in for the unit in order to spread out the cost. I’d also recommend the Pulse 2.0 to rich people who don’t like being sore or who just like being squeezed. As it is, on my lowly product reviewer salary, I’d never be able to afford it. Still, it does an outstanding job doing what it’s designed to do for those who have the money.
Buy the NormaTec Pulse 2.0 Leg and Hip Recovery System on Amazon
