Flowgun Heat
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Achter de records, de races en de erkenning zit het stille werk dat niemand ziet. De vroege ochtenden. De herstelroutines. De keuzes die zich met de tijd opstapelen.
We sloegen de handen ineen met de lange- en middellangeafstandsloper Andreas Almgren – slechts enkele dagen voordat hij het Europees record op de 5000 meter brak – om de volledige cirkel van prestatie te laten zien. Niet alleen wat er op de baan gebeurt, maar wat het mogelijk maakt: hoe hij zich voorbereidt, herstelt en leeft tussen de lijnen.
Want prestatie begint niet bij de start. En eindigt niet bij de finish.
It starts way before race day. I laid out my plan for the World Championships more than a year in advance. It’s about the basics: doing the right training, feeling good in the training, and recovering well from it. If you get those things right, you’ll be ready to perform.
Most people only see what happens on race day. But it’s the pre-preparation that matters — doing consistent, quality training and recovering from it properly. That’s what makes the performance possible.
I actually try to avoid those ‘special routines’. If something doesn’t go as planned, I don’t want to get thrown off. My mindset is that I should be able to perform in any situation.
I usually avoid caffeine in the afternoons, so I can sleep. Before a big race though, I do take lots of caffeine. I might not sleep as well after, but by then I’ve already performed.
I focus on my goals and try to accept the pain, instead of ignoring it. Long-distance races are painful — it’s part of the process. I try to treat the pain like a companion. If it’s there, it means I’m doing something right.
When you’re in the zone, nothing else exists. You don’t worry about strategy or other runners. It’s just you, the race, and getting the most out of yourself.
In the final hours, I usually feel nervous — every race means a lot. But I focus on my training and preparation. If I know I’m in good shape, that gives me confidence. On the start line, I don’t think much — I just take in the atmosphere and go.
No, race day is where you show the work. It’s like a presentation — all the hard work happens long before. The race just reveals it.
It means being able to perform day in and day out. I train twice a day, every day — and I need to be ready for each session. Training tears the body down. Recovery is where you build it back up. Without it, training makes you worse — not better.
First, I get horizontal as fast as possible. Then I refuel with good food. After that, I use tools like massage guns or compression boots to accelerate recovery. Those tools are like the “cherry on top”.
Definitely. I’m turning 30 this year, and my body doesn’t bounce back like it used to. I can’t hit my training goals unless I recover properly. That wasn’t an issue when I was younger — but now it’s critical.
Cool down and stretch, food, sleep, and recovery tools like the Flowgun and Flowpression Boots.
I don’t see them as separate parts. To me, it’s all one cycle — a circle. You have to prepare to perform, and then recover to be able to do it again. I don’t focus more on one than the other — they all depend on each other.
There’s no magic solution. No single workout or tool that’ll get you there. It’s about doing the basics — really well — every single day. That’s what makes the difference.
Yes. I’ve always been curious about what top athletes do. When I was 12, I googled how world record holders trained. That curiosity led me to understand that hard work over time is what counts — not shortcuts.
I’ve had a lot of injuries — stress fractures, torn meniscus. Most of them came from pushing too hard and not listening to my body. I’ve learned to pay attention to the signs, and recovery plays a huge role in avoiding those setbacks. You need to train near the edge — but not over it.
This week, we’re sharing the full story with Andreas Almgren on Instagram — including
short episodes on how he prepares, performs, and recovers. From real training insights to
the tools behind his routine.
Mostly before workouts, especially in the morning. My calves are often sore when I wake up, so I use it to activate them. It helps make the first steps less painful.
Yes. Without it, my stride can feel off — especially at the start. I’m known for having a good stride, but I need to activate properly to keep it that way.
Not for me. It’s about activation — getting ready to go. You don’t have to be sore to benefit from it. It helps me feel more prepared, especially after sitting still.
Recovery is what allows me to perform — day in and day out. Training basically tears your body down and the recovery is where you build it up. I workout twice a day, 7 days a week, and to be able to do that I need to recover well.
They really help on tough double workout days. I feel less fatigue and more “spring” in my legs before the second session.
I use them for about 40 minutes at max pressure. I switch between “sequence” and “circulation” modes depending on how I feel.
Yes — every day. Even my “rest” days involve running 10 km in the morning and another 10 in the afternoon, so recovery is just as important.
Absolutely. I bring them to every training camp and keep them within arm’s reach at home. They’re part of my daily setup.