In the world of strongman, where raw power and endurance are key, every advantage counts. One innovation that has been making waves in the industry is the AIRWAAV mouthpiece. It's not just another run-of-the-mill mouthguard; it's a performance-enhancing tool designed to take your game to the next level. This comprehensive guide dives into what AIRWAAV is, how it works, and what sets it apart from other mouthpieces on the market, with a focus on its benefits for strongman athletes.  

Understanding AIRWAAV: More than a Mouthguard 

The first question that often comes to mind is, "Isn't AIRWAAV just a mouthguard?" The answer is a resounding no. While both mouthguards and mouthpieces are used in sports, they serve distinct purposes. Mouthguards primarily aim to protect teeth and reduce the risk of injury by cushioning impacts, commonly seen in sports like football or boxing. In contrast, AIRWAAV is a mouthpiece that offers a unique array of benefits, including optimizing jaw alignment, enhancing breathing, and maximizing muscular force. 

How AIRWAAV Works: Unleashing Performance Potential 

To understand why AIRWAAV stands out, it's essential to understand how it works: 

• Increased Strength: AIRWAAV incorporates a patented bite plate that ensures full tooth contact and proper jaw alignment. This, in turn, prevents neuronal overexertion and reduces the body's natural tendency to limit muscle use, resulting in a significant increase in muscular force when the mouthpiece is worn. 
• Enhanced Endurance: AIRWAAV's design encourages gentle clenching on the bite plate while directing the tongue down and forward under the front intake bar. This activates a reflex in the body, which opens the airway and reduces the respiratory rate by up to 20%. This translates to reduced lactic acid production and a lower perception of exertion during high-intensity exercise, ultimately boosting endurance. 
• Faster Recovery: Scientifically proven to reduce cortisol production post-workout by up to 50%, AIRWAAV aids in speeding up recovery times for athletes, ensuring that you're ready for the next grueling training session. 
• Improved Mobility: Clenching on the AIRWAAV mouthpiece also leads to a reduction in muscle tension or muscle tone, resulting in improved mobility, especially during movements that demand rotation in the neck, shoulder, hip, or trunk. 

AIRWAAV vs. Other Mouthpieces: Setting the Standard 

AIRWAAV stands out from the crowd of mouthpieces for several key reasons: 

• Bite Plate: The AIRWAAV mouthpiece ensures full tooth contact and jaw alignment, which prevents neuronal overexertion and enhances muscular force. Unlike some other mouthpieces, the bite plate is not malleable and will not collapse, providing a strong foundation for clenching. 
• Patented Material: AIRWAAV uses a unique material that contracts 24 hours after molding, ensuring a secure and customized fit tailored to your needs. 
• Intake Bar: The design of AIRWAAV encourages clenching on the bite plate and directing the tongue down and forward under the front intake bar. This innovation opens the airway, reducing respiratory rate by up to 20%, resulting in less lactic acid production and lower perceived exertion during high-intensity exercise. 
• Low-Profile Design: Unlike some bulkier mouthpieces, AIRWAAV boasts a subtle and non-bulky design designed to fit on the bottom jaw. This means that athletes can comfortably drink and talk while wearing it, making it a practical choice during training or competition. 
• Durability: AIRWAAV is built to last, with a typical lifespan of 9-12 months, depending on personal usage and clenching intensity. 
• Research Backed: Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to choose AIRWAAV is its solid foundation in scientific research. Peer-reviewed, published studies support its claims, instilling confidence in its ability to deliver the promised benefits. 

Choosing the Right AIRWAAV Mouthpiece 

When it comes to mouthpiece reviews and selecting the ideal one for your needs, AIRWAAV offers two distinct versions: HIIT and Endurance. Both versions deliver the same performance benefits, but they differ in fit.

AIRWAAV HIIT:

• Offers a relaxed fit that rests on top of the lower teeth.
• Wide bite channel
• Minimizes visible bite marks as it doesn't impress into the teeth (hence the relaxed fit).
• Customization is possible by heating it in the microwave and leaving it in your mouth for 2 minutes.

AIRWAAV ENDURANCE:

• Provides a tight and snug fit.
• Features a gummy material designed for biting during lifts.
• The patented material shrinks as it cools, creating a custom, locked-down fit.
• Achieving the perfect fit involves heating it in the microwave and biting down firmly, leaving it in for 3-5 minutes.

Strongman athletes vary in their preferences when it comes to AIRWAAV mouthpieces. Athletes like Mitchell Hooper and Bobby Thompson prefer the HIIT version due to the wide bite channel and relaxed feel, while others, including Max Boudreault and Sam Belliveau, opt for the Endurance mouthpiece due to the gummy and form fitting material. Eddie Williams uses the endurance for cardio and the HIIT for lifting. The most popular item within the Strongman community is the Hybrid Pack, which allows users to try out both versions and discover their ideal fit. 

AIRWAAV's reviews consistently praise its low-profile design and durability. Furthermore, the significant increase in airflow it provides is recognized as a substantial benefit for athletes across the board.

“I use the HIIT AIRWAAV during every workout. It opens my airway even when I’m relaxing, allowing for extra airflow. Air is crucial for performance.  Much like a turbo in an engine, the AIRWAAV is going to give you that bump to outlast and outperform the guy across from you. Not to mention it’s more than tough enough to withstand bearing down on PR’s. It’s my most valuable piece of equipment outside of my belt.” -Brooks Larkin Firefighter and Strongman Athlete

 

“The Airwaav Endurance fits perfectly, and I like that I can have a conversation with it in and leave in between sets, if I choose. I'm using the mouthpiece for my main lifts and even my accessories work and I feel it helps building the needed pressure.” -Shae B, AIRWAAV Customer

 

"Originally I purchased the Airwaav so I wouldn't damage my teeth anymore that I already did (I tend to bite down when lifting and my teeth were hurting after a hard session). looked at other mouth guards on the market but they seemed to big and bulky, the Airwaav is nice and slim and people can still understand you when your talking with it in. As soon as I got it fitted I could feel the increase in airflow with my breathing, which helped slow my heart rate down, and helped my recovery after hard workouts. The Airwaav does exactly what it states and now I know why the pros are endorsing it, it's because it actually works. 10/10 would recommend it to anyone who is looking for that extra something to help with your workouts." - John H, AIRWAAV Customer

Conclusion: Elevate Your Strongman Performance with AIRWAAV

Opting for a cheap mouthguard for heavy lifts may seem like an affordable choice, but it falls short in terms of durability, breathing benefits, and essential aspects like tooth contact and jaw alignment. AIRWAAV is not just another accessory, but a powerful tool designed to unleash your full potential. By providing a unique combination of increased strength, enhanced endurance, faster recovery, and improved mobility, this mouthpiece has rightfully gained attention from strongman athletes seeking that extra edge. With its patented bite plate, specialized material, and proven research, AIRWAAV stands as a beacon of innovation among mouthpieces. So, the next time you find yourself questioning whether AIRWAAV is the right choice for you, remember that it's more than just a mouthpiece; it's a game-changer in the world of strongman, ready to help you achieve new heights in performance.