About Recoverygearlabs

Why I Started This Site

I was treating a Division I linebacker in my clinic last year when he pulled a $400 massage gun out of his gym bag. It looked impressive, all carbon fiber and LED lights, but when I pressed it against his quad, the motor stalled immediately. He'd been using this thing for three months, thinking he was aiding recovery, while I could literally push harder with my thumb.

That's when it clicked. The recovery gear industry is drowning in marketing hype and "wellness influencers" who wouldn't know a sarcomere from a smartphone. I've watched too many athletes—college competitors, special operators, and dedicated weekend warriors—waste money on overpriced junk that promises performance gains but delivers little more than placebo vibrations and good Instagram lighting.

I started Recoverygearlabs because someone needs to cut through the noise. As a physical therapist and strength coach, I've spent over a decade figuring out what actually helps tissue repair and what just makes noise. This site exists to save you from buying professional-grade compression boots when a $30 lacrosse ball might actually solve your problem, or from dropping four figures on a cold plunge that leaks after a month.

About Dr. Ryan Mast

I'm a Doctor of Physical Therapy and certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) who's spent the last twelve years in the trenches of sports medicine. My practice has always been split between the clinic and the weight room—I spent five years working with NCAA Division II athletes at the University of Central Missouri, treating everything from post-surgical ACL reconstructions to chronic overuse patterns that wouldn't respond to rest. After that, I shifted to working with military personnel, specifically preparing Naval Special Warfare candidates for the physical demands of selection. That's where I learned that recovery isn't a luxury; when someone's livelihood depends on their body performing under load, you quickly figure out what tools actually reduce soreness and what just feels good for five minutes.

My expertise comes from the thousands of hands-on hours I've logged manipulating soft tissue, assessing movement patterns, and prescribing home recovery protocols. I've treated the post-surgical shoulder that needs gentle percussion to break up scar tissue, and the lumbar spine that definitely doesn't need aggressive vibration. I've seen supplements that actually support collagen synthesis and others that are just expensive urine colorants. When I evaluate a foam roller or infrared sauna, I'm not thinking about affiliate commissions—I'm thinking about the patient I treated yesterday who needs real solutions, not marketing promises.

I hold myself to one standard when testing every product on this site: Does it objectively improve recovery outcomes? If I can't justify recommending it to a client paying out of pocket for physical therapy, I won't recommend it to you.

What We Cover

Recoverygearlabs focuses exclusively on the tools and supplements that bridge the gap between training and adaptation. If it helps you bounce back faster so you can train harder tomorrow, we test it.

This content is for athletes who train with intent, not casual gym-goers looking for shortcuts. Whether you're preparing for an Ironman, rebuilding after injury, or simply trying to keep up with your kids on weekends, the reviews here assume you demand equipment that works as hard as you do.

How We Test & Review

Every product you see reviewed has spent a minimum of two weeks in my home gym or clinic. I don't unbox items, snap photos, and call it a review. For massage guns, I measure stall force with a digital force gauge and track perceived muscle relaxation using subjective scales and actual range-of-motion improvements in clients. Cold plunge tubs get monitored for temperature consistency over 30 days and checked for seams that might fail under thermal cycling. Supplements undergo personal usage trials and research verification against peer-reviewed studies.

I evaluate gear based on four criteria: physiological efficacy (does it actually aid recovery), build quality (will it survive daily use), ergonomics (can you actually use it correctly without a degree in kinesiology), and value (is the price justified by the results). If a $50 foam roller performs identically to a $150 version, I say so. If a recovery supplement has questionable sourcing or underdosed ingredients, I document it.

Recoverygearlabs participates in affiliate programs, which means I earn commissions on some products purchased through my links. However, my ratings and recommendations are never influenced by these relationships. I turn down partnerships with brands whose products don't meet clinical standards, and I'll tell you outright when a cheaper alternative outperforms the expensive option. Your trust matters more than my commission percentage.

Get In Touch

Have a question about a specific injury protocol? Want to know if a new recovery gadget is worth the hype? Or maybe you just want to argue about lacrosse ball density versus TriggerPoint grids? I read every email. Reach me directly at info@recoverygearlabs.com.

Questions? Reach us at info@recoverygearlabs.com