Coach Andrea's Favorite Recovery Equipment

Yoga Mat

First things first, a yoga mat. If you’re going to invest in only one of these pieces of recovery equipment, it should be a yoga mat. A yoga mat costs anywhere from $10-$200, and usually the $10 mat will do the trick. The mat just needs to be thick enough for you to kneel, sit, and lay on without pain. I use a yoga mat every recovery session for the basis of all my recovery techniques. From stretching to using a Hypervolt (massage gun) I am on the mat.

Foam Roller

Another effective and affordable piece of recovery equipment is a foam roller. I use a foam roller to roll out calves, hamstrings, quads, IT bands, glutes, and my back almost every training session. I like a high density foam roller that is plain and simple. It doesn't need to heat up, come in some weird shape, or vibrate. You can find a good foam roller for about $30. This is another tool that can be found almost anywhere for not too much money and is a great addition to any recovery routine.

Lacrosse Ball

To add to the list of affordable, effective, easy to use, and very portable pieces of recovery equipment I would recommend a lacrosse ball. Anyone who has used a lacrosse ball to trigger point their feet, back, shoulders, biceps, glutes, triceps, and whatever else you need to trigger point knows how magical a lacrosse ball can be. I use a lacrosse ball all the time, especially on my feet after long hikes. Even if you're not an “elite athlete” and you want any trigger point relief I would recommend a lacrosse ball. These bad boys can be picked up off the ground at your local park or purchased for $3 from a second hand sporting goods store.

Hypervolt

Lastly, I am in love with my Hypervolt Plus by Hyperice. I put this last because I would say it is the least necessary piece of equipment and the most expensive, but it made it on my list because it is well worth the price tag. The Hypervolt Plus by Hyperice is a personal massage gun that comes with a few different attachments, has 3 different percussion speed settings, and can be hooked up to bluetooth on a device to guide the user through timed and instructed massage routines. The Hypervolt Plus costs about $400, but the company does make other models that are not as pricey. And yes, there are other companies that make massage guns but out of all the ones I have tried, Hyperice is by far the best. I would describe it similar to the difference between getting a massage from a friend versus a professional. The massage from a friend sure does feel good, but you're usually left wanting more. A massage from a professional has you begging for mercy about half way through, and by the end you're so glad you did it. So, if you have the money to spare I would highly recommend picking up a Hypervolt Plus by Hyperice, it will drastically change your recovery game.