San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle might’ve shared too many details about his recovery treatment.
In a recent episode of the “Bussin with the Boys” podcast, Kittle shared how he enhances his recovery using a Vasper machine, noting its positive influence on his testosterone levels.
“I incorporate it a bit during organized team activities (OTAs), but once I return for summer training, it becomes my daily cardio finishing my workout,” said Kittle, 31. “I start off with lifting, followed by running my routes and hills, then I end with a 20-minute Vasper session, four days a week. I absolutely love it.
“The machine also helps you sleep deeply at night, leading to an incredible slumber with vivid dreams. It’s fantastic… The notable benefit is, well, powerful results.”
Warning: Graphic language
The Vasper System is a recovery bike that utilizes blood flow restriction (BFR) and uses compression technology, liquid cooling and interval training to “create the effect of a high intensity (anaerobic) exercise without the wear and tear, time, effort or stress it takes to achieve the same results with conventional exercise,” according to the company’s website.
“I was like, ‘How do I say it?’ I just gotta say it,” Kittle continued regarding the sexual side effects.
“That’s how it was sold to players. It was like, ‘Look, it boosts your testosterone, you sleep really well, you’re going to feel great and you also blow huge loads.”‘
Kittle — who’s been married to his wife Claire since April 2019 after meeting at the University of Iowa — was skeptical at first.
“I was like, ‘Oh, that’s bulls–t’. Not bulls–t. And then that rumor started going around,” he said. “In 2019, there were six or seven coaches that were doing it all of the time… [like Mike LaFleur] one of my (offensive coordinator)’s, he was in there all the time, going to town.”
Kittle added that he’s “lightyears ahead” of where he was last year at this time mentally and physically after having a rare postseason off.
The 49ers failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020 with a 6-11 mark last season.
“The one benefit of not making the playoffs is you get an entire month off. I haven’t had January off since 2020,” he said.
“Mentally and physically, I’m lightyears ahead of where I was last year, which is pretty fun.”
Kittle signed a four-year deal worth up to $76.4 million with $40 million in guarantees with the 49ers in April, tying him to the team through the 2029 season.
He tallied 78 catches for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024, becoming the fifth tight end in NFL history to record at least four 1,000-yard seasons.
Veterans report to 49ers training camp on July 22.
San Francisco opens the 2025 season against the Seahawks in Seattle on Sept. 7.
