ATHLETIC RECOVERY AND PERFORMANCE

Recover faster. Train smarter. Perform better.

Safe, at-home Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) to improve tissue oxygenation and microcirculation, reduce inflammation and DOMS, support cellular energy and accelerate recovery from muscle, tendon and ligament injuries - while supporting sleep quality and mental clarity for performance.

Start where you are.

Training doesn’t pause for sore niggles and slow recovery.
Heavy legs after every session. DOMS that lingers. Tight calves and hamstrings. Grumpy tendons (Achilles, patellar, elbow). Sprains and strains that won’t quite settle. Bone stress worries. Sleep that doesn’t restore. Travel, early starts, and you still can’t hit the splits. Sometimes you’re doing everything right - strength, physio, ice baths, nutrition - and you’re still not bouncing back.

With Cocoon, you can recover without leaving home.
We deliver and set up a premium soft-shell hyperbaric chamber in your space and guide you through a gentle, at-home HBOT programme - a 6-week rental with unlimited sessions - that fits around training blocks, taper, or rehab. Our focus is oxygenation, microcirculation and calming inflammation to support muscle, tendon and ligament repair, fresher legs between sessions, better sleep quality, and clearer focus — so you can get back to doing what you do best.

How HBOT Helps with Athletic Recovery & Performance

Inside a gently pressurised soft-shell chamber, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in your plasma and other body fluids. That extra dissolved oxygen can reach muscle, tendon and ligament tissue even when post-exercise microcirculation/perfusion (blood flow to tissue) is reduced. Better oxygen delivery supports mitochondrial energy, helps calm exercise-induced inflammation/oxidative stress and creates conditions that favour collagen formation and capillary growth - the foundations of athletic recovery.

What this can mean in training and competition

  • Faster turnaround & less DOMS – improved oxygenation and a calmer inflammatory response help reduce muscle soreness, so you can return to quality sessions sooner.

  • Soft-tissue healing support – oxygen-rich conditions support collagen synthesis and angiogenesis, aiding recovery from muscle strains, tendon irritation (Achilles/patellar) and ligament sprains.

  • Reduced swelling & stiffness – better microcirculation helps settle oedema and tightness for easier range of motion.

  • Better sleep, HRV & adaptation – many athletes report deeper sleep and a calmer nervous system, which underpin training consistency and recovery (useful in heavy blocks, taper and travel/jet-lag).

  • Sharper focus & decision-making – supporting brain oxygenation can improve mental clarity and reaction time around high-load training and competition.

At Cocoon: at-home only, programme with unlimited sessions, scheduled around your training blocks, with professional delivery, set-up and ongoing support. If you’re recovering from a head knock, see our Concussion & Brain Injury page for a dedicated plan.

Benefits of Benefits of At-Home HBOT for Athletic Performance and Recovery

  • Faster Turnaround & Less DOMS

    Faster Turnaround & Less DOMS

    By improving tissue oxygenation and calming exercise-induced inflammation/oxidative stress, HBOT can reduce muscle soreness (DOMS) so you’re ready for quality sessions sooner.

  • Soft-Tissue Healing (Muscle, Tendon & Ligament)

    Soft-Tissue Healing (Muscle, Tendon & Ligament)

    Oxygen-rich conditions support collagen synthesis and angiogenesis (new capillaries), aiding recovery from strains, sprains and irritated tendons (Achilles, patellar, elbow).

  • Better Microcirculation & Range of Motion

    Better Microcirculation & Range of Motion

    Improved microcirculation/perfusion (blood flow to tissue) helps settle oedema and stiffness, supporting easier mobility, stretching and return-to-play.

  • Sleep, HRV & Adaptation

    Sleep, HRV & Adaptation

    Many athletes report deeper sleep and a calmer nervous system. Better sleep and HRV underpin recovery, training adaptation and immunity, useful in heavy blocks, taper and travel/jet-lag.

  • Sharper Focus & Decision-Making

    Sharper Focus & Decision-Making

    Supporting brain oxygenation can enhance mental clarity, reaction time and concentration, helping you execute under pressure.

Why Choose Cocoon Hyperbaric Chambers

  • One of only two diploma-qualified Hyperbaric Therapy providers in NZ, following strict, medically informed safety protocols.

  • Dr Gary Dennis’ own recovery from brain injury and cancer brings unmatched insight and care.

  • The only NZ provider offering Functional Assessments alongside HBOT.

  • Premium chambers and expert care at honest, upfront pricing with no hidden costs.

  • Enjoy 24/7 home therapy with delivery, installation, and training.

  • Continuous guidance, check-ins, and adjustments to your plan for the best possible results.

  • Premium soft-shell design, non-toxic materials, sealed seams, and high-performance compressor with filtration.

  • Emergency pressure release, manual controls, dual pressure gauges, and clear viewing windows.

  • Designed for 7-days-a-week therapy, delivering up to 40% better outcomes than intermittent treatment.

  • Quiet operation, air dehumidifier, inside/outside controls and compact size

 FAQs

  • HBOT primarily supports recovery. By improving tissue oxygenation and microcirculation, and calming exercise-induced inflammation/oxidative stress, athletes often report less DOMS, fresher legs, and better sleep/readiness between sessions. It’s not a shortcut for VO₂max gains, but it can help you train harder, more consistently.

  • Post-session HBOT can reduce soreness and swelling, support muscle repair, and restore mitochondrial energy, so the next key workout or round feels more manageable.

  • HBOT creates oxygen-rich conditions that support collagen synthesis and angiogenesis (new capillaries), which are essential for muscle, tendon and ligament repair. Use it alongside your rehab plan (load management, physio, eccentrics/ISOs).

  • Our standard is a 6-week at-home programme with unlimited sessions, most days. For injury blocks or heavy training cycles, some athletes book a second 4–6-week block.

  • High-pressure hospital HBOT is for specific medical indications. At-home mild HBOT offers frequent, comfortable access that’s well-suited to recovery, soft-tissue healing, sleep and travel fatigue.

  • HBOT does not involve prohibited substances. Many tested athletes use it for recovery. Rules can change - if you’re in a testing pool, check current WADA/National Federation guidance.

  • Yes - athletes often use it after long-haul travel to support sleep quality, reduce swelling and restore day-to-day energy, especially during tournaments or stage races.

  • Yes. HBOT stacks well with cold/contrast, compression, mobility/soft-tissue work and your nutrition/hydration plan. We can suggest timing so modalities don’t clash.

  • Supporting brain oxygenation can improve mental clarity and decision-making, useful around heavy blocks and competition. For head knocks, see our Concussion & Brain Injury page for a dedicated protocol.

  • Mild HBOT is generally well tolerated. We screen for ear/sinus congestion, asthma control and any relevant history, and we teach ear-clearing techniques.

  • Relax in a soft-shell chamber as it gently pressurises. Breathe oxygen-rich air (often via concentrator/mask). Read, listen to music or nap for 60–90 minutes.

  • Pricing is a flat-rate 6-week rental with no per-session fees. In NZ, HBOT is generally not covered by ACC or standard health insurance outside hospital indications.

“The Cocoon helped with me with physical and mental recovery after long days of training."

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- S.J. (Americas Cup Skipper)

Support your recovery at home.

Start a tailored at-home HBOT programme with unlimited sessions, delivery, set-up, and ongoing support.