The SportLab’s newest offering a must-try for active people of all levels

When the term “Recovery Suite” popped up in a chat with Dr. Lowell Greib of The SportLab, I was intrigued.

Immediately my thoughts went to some sci fi tube that would magically fix all my ails and strengthen my muscles.

While that was a fun thing to fantasize about, the reality of the situation is that The SportLab RecoverySuite is just as cool in its function.

Not knowing what to expect, I strolled into the Recovery Suite (located at 94 Hanes Rd. in Huntsville, Ontario) and was greeted by a welcoming smile from Mary Bernais, one of the sports science practitioners at the Suite.

She mentioned reading my pre-appointment intake form information (you fill this online before visiting) and said, so you’re a soccer player. I made some silly joke about being in my 40s and not that good, and we laughed.

Then we got down to discussing what’s available at the RecoverySuite and why it’s important.

When doing a post-workout or training or even game recovery, most people will do a static stretch or sometimes a dynamic stretch session, replenish fluids, maybe drink a protein shake, and then just sit around on their couch or on a chair.

However, there are better ways to maximize the benefits of the workout, training or match session.

“The idea behind it is that it will help athletes better themselves so that the next time they’re working out, playing a game, participating in a competition,” says Bernais. “Basically, we’re trying to prime the muscles, the body and the mind, to get into a better space to perform better the next time.”

This was intriguing to me, so we discussed what types of post-exercise recovery are available. And I mentioned that I had felt a tear in my hip flexor months ago during a soccer match, and that it’s not fully healed, but I keep playing on it – using stretching techniques to help, but that there is still soreness.

That’s when she pulled out the gun . . . the massage gun, which she used on my legs and did some extra focus on my hip flexor. Because playing soccer, and even coaching soccer, requires a lot of lower body work, she focused there.

“The gun itself, the amplitude is about half an inch, to penetrate below the skin and target the muscle to release tension, help with range of motion, and loosen up any tight spots,” explains Bernais. “You can use a higher speed to activate the muscle, but with recovery you want a lower speed to relax the muscle.”

It definitely helped me feel much better and I can see why this would be part of a full training regimen to help maximize your performance.

In terms of timing the RecoverySuite sessions, Bernais says if you can start the recovery process and visit the Suite right after a training or workout session – or even a game – that’s the best option. However, if the timing is outside of their working hours (we’ll list them below), then it’s a matter of getting in as soon as possible.

Basically, book your appointments in advance when you know your schedule.

“The faster you start that recovery process, the more your body can relax and get out of the flight or fight response,” she says. “We’re trying to bring down that stress response and allow the body to repair itself. It also takes some mind relaxation as too much daily stress in your life can prevent a full recovery as the stress and tension doesn’t allow the body to recover.”

At the RecoverySuite, they work with three facets of recovery: the physical, the metabolic, and the neurologic.

Physical sessions will include the massage gun, air compression therapy (that was fun, keep reading), and PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) stretching – we didn’t try the stretching on this visit, but its goal is to target specific muscle groups for increased flexibility and strength.

We didn’t get into the metabolic (carbohydrates, fluids, refueling, etcetera) on this visit, however in conjunction with the air compression therapy, I did try one neurological machine call Smart Goggles.

Though air compression therapy sleeves can be put on various parts of your body, we focused on my legs this session. The sensation of squeezing and release was a bit weird at first. You ask yourself is this ever going to stop?

But it does and it continues to press and release, and it’s feels so good like a massage with oxygen.

Strangely enough, it brought back memories of letting my sister’s pet python wrapped itself around my arm – it was an eerily similar squeeze and release sensation – but with the knowledge the air compression will definitely stop squeezing.

At the same time as the air compression was taking place, I put on Smart Goggles, which have different settings for neurological stimulation or relaxation. I chose the relaxed setting, and the goggles massaged my temples, under my eyes, and centre forehead.

It was a wonderful feeling. In fact, the entire process from the meet and greet to the massage gun to the air compression therapy and Smart Goggles made me feel fantastic and ready to take on the world.

I’m just a recreational soccer player who is relatively active and I got a lot out of this visit. That being the case, it’s a service that can help more intensely active individuals take themselves to the next level.

P.S. I’ve already booked my next appointment, so stay tuned for when I try out more of the amazing gadgets and recovery techniques available at TheSportLab RecoverySuite . . . Or just book your own appointment and try it out yourself!

*** Just so we’re clear, this RecoverySuite review is not a paid advertisement . . .
I decided to do it because I find sports sciences to be quite interesting.***