A new breath of recovery:
NBOT at Flanders Cobblestone Paradise
Flanders Cobblestone Paradise, located in the heart of Belgium in Brakel, close to the route of Ronde van Vlaanderen, has long been known as the perfect retreat for cycling enthusiasts. The cycling hotel, also home to world’s best cycling teams during the Belgian classic season, nestled in the landscapes that gave birth to some of the world’s most challenging and iconic cycling routes, has now introduced an incredible new addition that promises to redefine how athletes recover – the Normobaric chamber.
What is a NBOT HBOT Normobaric & Hyperbaric?
A NBOT/HBOT chamber is a state-of-the-art pressurised environment where you breathe an optimised mix of atmospheric gases to enhance both performance and recovery. By increasing oxygen availability at a cellular level, it supports faster muscle repair, reduces inflammation, and boosts endurance — giving athletes a proven physiological edge.
At the same time, the chamber is designed as a comfortable and luxurious sanctuary, tailored to your every need. Whether you’re preparing for peak performance or accelerating recovery, it’s a rejuvenating experience that combines cutting-edge science with uncompromising comfort.
How does it work?
Inside a NBOT/HBOT chamber, the air pressure is increased above normal atmospheric levels. At this higher pressure, your lungs are able to absorb significantly more oxygen than usual.
This oxygen-rich environment drives several key benefits for athletic preparation and recovery:
- Enhanced oxygen delivery: More oxygen dissolves into your bloodstream, reaching muscles, tissues, and even areas with limited circulation.
- Accelerated recovery: The surplus oxygen speeds up cellular repair, reduces inflammation, and helps clear metabolic waste (like lactic acid).
- Improved resilience: Regular sessions can boost energy, endurance, and resistance to fatigue by optimising how your body uses oxygen.
- Support for healing: Injuries such as muscle strains, sprains, or microtears may recover more quickly due to increased tissue regeneration.
In short: the chamber uses pressure + oxygen to supercharge your body’s natural recovery systems, giving you a competitive edge while also providing a deeply restorative experience.
Facts and figures
The human body depends on oxygen to generate energy, break down nutrients, eliminate waste and toxins, support immune cell production, and maintain optimal brain function. For cyclists and other athletes, oxygen is especially critical — it fuels working muscles and helps break down lactic acid after intense performance.
Normobaric therapy takes these natural processes further. By combining the proven benefits of increased pressure and oxygen levels with the innovative addition of elevated carbon dioxide and hydrogen, it unlocks a new dimension of recovery and performance. This unique environment not only maximises oxygen delivery but also enhances cellular balance, accelerates repair, and supports overall resilience.
Is it high-pressure therapy?
Yes, a NBOT chamber does apply typical high-pressure conditions for treatment of medical issues. The conditions in a NBOT chamber are more safe than the conventional HBOT with 100%O2, convenient, cost-effective and above all much more enjoyable as compared to traditional high-pressure therapy.
Enhanced recovery for athletes of all levels
For those familiar with Flanders and its challenging roads, you understand that the Normobaric chamber becomes a significant differentiator. Cobblestones can wreak havoc on the muscles and joints, leading to intense soreness and fatigue. Riders who push themselves to the limits on these iconic roads need more than a standard recovery process.
Professional athletes are not the only ones who can benefit from the cutting-edge Normocare facility. Amateur cyclists, weekend warriors, and even those simply interested in the health benefits of normobaric therapy can experience what it means to optimise recovery and well-being.
The Normocare chamber offers a state-of-the-art solution for:
· Easing muscle tension
· Reducing inflammation
· Promoting a faster recovery
But there’s more! A session in the Normocare chamber is also a great preparation of your training. Pro-actively boost the oxygenation of your body and feel the difference when you race across those cobblestones.
Marcel, a local cyclist and frequent guest at the hotel, said "Coming here is like taking a step into the past and the future all at once. You get to experience the cobbles – the raw, classic cycling experience – but you also have access to modern facilities like the Normocare chamber, which really help you get back on your bike day after day."