The following review was written by trail runner Sarah Barber and features the Air Relax Plus AR-3.0 leg recovery system. Product was provided for the test and review at no charge.
Many athletes — even casual trail runners — are constantly striving towards improvement. Motivated by finish lines at races, or Strava segments in their hometown, they’re all trying to eke out faster speeds, more miles, or more vert. But, there comes a point when one cannot simply train more or train harder. Either life gets in the way (family, career, yard work, friendships) or physiology is a limiter (age, injury, illness, or plain old fatigue) — and I’m there. I’m spending as much time and energy on my training as I reasonably can, and even if I had more time to run, it would likely be counter-productive. Instead of getting fitter or faster, I’d just get tired — or worse.
With the aforementioned in mind, it’s time to double-down on my recovery protocol, and using pneumatic compression gear seems like a no-brainer. Apart from the one-time financial investment, the only other cost is the sit-still time while the leg squeezers do their magic. And since compression boots are generally “set-it-and-forget-it” devices, the user’s hands are free to type on a laptop or crochet a sweater. Therefore, recovery time equals productive time!
Compression therapy benefits
The benefits of compression therapy are fantastic when it comes to things like clearing metabolic waste products, improving circulation of oxygenated blood, and reducing inflammation. So show me a ground-pounder who wouldn’t spring at the chance to test drive the Air Relax Plus AR-3.0 Leg Recovery System, and I’ll show you someone who is missing out. I certainly didn’t hesitate when offered the opportunity. I did, however, unintentionally delay my experience of recovery bliss by failing to read the instructions.
Instruction booklet comes in handy
When the surprisingly compact gadget arrived neatly folded into its carrying case, I tossed the paperwork aside and let my inner logic be my guide. Previous experience with such devices led me to assume that I needed to charge the system before I could put it into action. So I plugged the base unit into the wall and left it alone overnight. After a hard track session the next day, I unplugged the unit and eagerly zipped my legs into the full-length sheaths. Enveloped from the tips of my toes to the base of my pelvis, I pressed the button that said “on.” Nothing happened. I pressed it again. Then I pressed all the other buttons. Still nothing.
Deep sigh. I unzipped, returned to the wall socket, plugged the device in, and once again tried the “on” button. Voila! Noises and lights! This had to be a good sign. But why wasn’t it holding a charge? I zippered myself back into the Air Relax Plus legs…right after I grabbed the instruction booklet so I could read up on details while snuggled in this clever appliance.
Lightbulb moment: the Air Relax Plus AR-3.0 does not come with a rechargeable battery — that’s an optional purchase, without which electricity is required for operation. Good to know. And lesson learned. Fortunately, the Air Relax Plus is designed with a long power cord and very long, flexible air hoses such that the user needn’t sit hostage next to an electrical outlet.
Pressure levels and squeeze pattern
With four different levels of pressure, even someone who is sensitive or sore (or Goldilocks) will likely find an appropriate setting. I hold a flawed notion that something that’s good for me should hurt a little bit. Right or wrong, on the maximal pressure setting, I was glad to discover that the Air Relax Plus did hurt just a little bit. Although I quickly got used to the sensation, the max pressure was plenty—no need for more. I could feel each chamber (there are four) inflate with air, constricting my tissue, and then release, creating a warm whoosh as my blood once again flowed freely.
After playing around with the pressure settings, it was time to explore the pattern of the squeeze. The Air Relax Plus can be set for a graduated style of compression, starting with the feet and moving progressively up the leg. It can also do a sequential squeeze-and-release, again moving from the distal end of the lower extremity to the proximal. Finally, it can do a targeted approach, applying focused pressure to one or two regions of the leg and no others.
Session length
Much as I’d like to spend unlimited time in these things, the default setting is for just 15 minutes—enough to be effective without consuming the entire day. However, it’s easy to adjust the time upward to 30 minutes, or simply start the session again. And again. And again.
Comparison to rival products
In general, the Air Relax Plus AR-3.0 beats out similar products when it comes to travel because of its custom carrying case and its ability to easily flatten and fold. This is unlike rival models that are bulky and cumbersome to transport. That said, I didn’t particularly like the fact that I could feel each of the four air chambers operating independently. I’ve experienced other pneumatic compression boots that create a smoother sensation of inflation. In the end, though, the effect on the body is the same, and that’s what matters most.
The price point is competitive, retailing at under $600 in a market where sticker shock is common. This begs the question: why stop with just compression boots? Air Relax also makes pneumatic compression arm sleeves, shorts, leg extenders, and wireless earbuds. Yep. I said wireless earbuds.
Editor’s Note: Read more reviews and articles by Sarah Barber here.
