From advanced nutritional supplements to constricting threads, these five products will help you and your gear endure the rigors of competition.
**ASO Ankle Stabilizer
MSRP: $39.95
Website: http://www.asoankle.com/**
The choice for Andy Roddick throughout his career, the ASO Ankle Stabilizer is designed for prophylaxis against future ligament sprains. With its angled, figure-eight straps, the brace places the ankle and heel in a biomechanically neutral position, preventing ankle rolls while still allowing for dorsi- and plantarflexion. What results, ASO claims, is safe, unhampered movement.
**Tennis Ball Saver, by Gexco Enterprises
MSRP: $39.99**
It’s unfortunate but inevitable: Once outside the confines of a new can, a tennis ball will eventually go flat. Regrettably, this happens regardless of material wear, prompting many balls with near-new tread to be trashed. Enter the Tennis Ball Saver, a special canister that, Gexco claims, conserves up to three balls’ bounce height by storing them in pressurized conditions.
**GU Recovery Brew Canister
MSRP/Flavors: $32, 14 servings: Orange Pineapple, Strawberry Watermelon; $45, 13 servings: Chocolate Smoothie
Website: http://www.guenergy.com/**
GU Recovery Brew is chock full of nutriments that, GU claims, helps replenish energy stores and rebuild muscle fibers post-workout. Available in a variety of flavors, the mixture includes high-quality, tissue-repairing whey protein isolate, as well as a variety of recovery-supporting amino acids, carbohydrates, and antioxidants.
**Pro-Tec Roller Massager
MSRP: $29.95
Website: http://www.injurybegone.com**
The Pro-Tec Roller Massager probes deep into muscle tissue to relieve tightness and soreness that can lead to injury. According to Pro-Tec, the tool’s rounded-grip ends target and release fibrous knots, while foam rollers massage deep tissue, stimulating circulation and recovery. The tool also comes with an exercise program detailing various therapeutic techniques aimed at preventing injury and enhancing recovery.
**SKINS RY400 Men’s/Women’s Compression Long Tights
MSRP: $150
Website: http://www.skins.com**
In the past, a number of athletes, such as Andy Murray, have utilized compression garments as a means to expedite recovery from injury and muscle fatigue. One manufacturer leading the way in compression-based technology is Skins. According to the company, wearing their RY400 tights for at least 3 hours after physical exertion increases oxygen flow to your muscles, helping to reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness (or DOMS).