Saucony AMP PRO2 Recovery Suit Review
November 26, 2010 by Allison Pattillo · 14 Comments
Post run, I usually grab the comfiest clothes I can find, but, if it was a high mileage day, I’ll often take the effort to find and pull on my calf sleeves. And my calves thank me for it.
So now, with the Saucony AMP PRO2 Recovery Suit (MSRP $200, but available for less), you can pull on a “calf sleeve” for your entire body, and, from my experience, it will repay you with a good night sleep and a great run the next day. Plus you look a bit like a superhero—my family made an AA badge (for Action Allison NOT Alcoholics Anonymous—focus!) for mine. It could even double as a Halloween costume—more bang for the buck!
The science behind the Recovery Suit is that recovery level compression and a fiber infused with 13 natural minerals will provide light muscle stimulation, leading to increased blood flow, which, in turn, means higher oxygen levels in the body. According to third party testing and testing by Celliant, makers of CellliantSport fabric which comprises 41% of the suit, this promotes quicker healing and helps to relieve pain. Saucony claims the Recovery suit improves blood flow by up to 32% over regular compression, which can actually restrict blood flow if it is too tight.
Recovery compression products, versus training compression products, generally offer less compression for increased comfort and longer wear per use.
Saucony takes the comfort factor further by utilizing an asymmetrical rise seam, Microban antimicrobial and a zipless envelope entry. It requires nothing more than regular machine washing and being hung to dry. Plus, the AMP PRO2 technology is fused into the fibers and will not wash out through normal laundering.
The jumpy legs and fevers/night sweats I often get at night after a long run or race did not happen when I wore the Recovery suit, which is a wonderful thing. My only complaint comes in the envelope entry, but I cannot think of a better solution. It’s fine for putting the suit on, but middle of the night bathroom breaks take a bit more alertness than usual to get in and out of it. However, the rest and recovery is well worth the effort.
It is so slim fitting, that it’s easy to wear it under other clothes. Just remember you have it on, in case, say you need to relieve yourself in a port-o-potty and you have to basically disrobe. One ingenious friend actually used it as a sling to hold his street clothes when he found himself in just such a tricky situation.
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Filed under Apparel, Non-Gear Girl ·
Allison Pattillo a contributing author to iRunFar.com.
All posts by Allison Pattillo
Serioulsy? I wonder how many African runners wear this kind of stuff to recover from their 50 mile training weeks?
This reminds me of the LetsRun “quote of the day” 2 days ago.
“If the most common question I get asked is, ‘How do I run a fast marathon?,’ the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th … most common questions have something to do with diet, running form, sleep, footwear, stretching, weights; anything but actual running. American runners seem to have an unending fascination with all these extra-curricular activities, yet we continue to get slower at running marathons … If you want to improve your performance in the marathon, stop worrying about minimalist shoes, caveman diets, and new-age running form, and start worrying about getting out the door and running a little more than you did last week. High mileage works!”
- American marathoner Pete Gilmore telling the truth.
It may be serious, it may not be. More people make money marketing, manufacturing and ultimately selling athletic gear than those earning a living from their athletic endeavors. This stuff is often psychological, fun, functional, or whatever the amateur athlete wants it to be. If Saucony can sell thousands of these units, hopefully 99.9% of these go to fit female runners!!!
Why do I keep checking to see if it’s April 1? Been doing that alot lately.
At the least, these make comfy pajamas on a cold night.
With any activity, there will be purists and those looking for the latest and greatest gadget. Is a recovery suit essential to finally breaking your PR barrier? Probably not. But can some people gleen benefits and be that much more inspired to get up and log another run? Yup.
It’s all about choosing what works for you. But if we try it, we want you to know about it. After that, it’s up to you!
But my super girl suit certainly is comfy on this cold, snowy night!
Allison, your right of course. After I get over my initial reaction I’ll probably find myself wearing a super suit, but it won’t be pretty!
Honey, have you seen my super suit?
The compression performance calve sleeves have been shown not to work unless your calves are cold — you could wear fitting knee-high socks. I swear by my light 7$ lycra ski socks.
Let the scientist test this suit on mice, then I will try it.
Paul, can you link the calf compression sleeve research. I’d love to take a look and see if it was a robust study. Some much physiological research is on a less than usefully sized-cohort, whatever the hypothesis.
Here’s a good review of the research:
http://sealegsgirl.blogspot.com/2010/06/fredism-and-compression-socks.html
Many readers may know Sea Legs Girl already. The title “Fredism and compression socks” would indicate that they don’t work at all, but some if the studies show some effect.
Bryon, promise me that I will never, ever see you in this thing.
Mike, you should be safe. I’d stick to compression tights for any events I travel to.
A compression suit without a pee hole ??? Who are they trying to sell this to????
Leg cramping in the middle of the night after a tri is bad enough, fighting to get out of a suit to get rid of some fluids is a nightmare for for me I do not want to go through…
I was thinking of using this suit, in addition to the stated use, for cold weather day running. At the very least I would be the oddest looking dude at the next 5k. I will take a few runs in it, that sounded odd, and see how it works out. I know they also sell a training suit, but that seemed too restrictive for anything beyond speed work. Any thoughts on training in this?