Many athletes train by the old concept, “no pain, no gain.” Now sports-apparel company Under Armour thinks it has a way to make that pain go away a little faster.

The Baltimore company is introducing a first-of-its-kind two-piece bodysuit this month that it says will help athletes and exercise enthusiasts recover more quickly from the aches and pains of tiny muscle tears caused by strenuous workouts.

The fitted, long-sleeved suit, which covers the body from chest to foot, is to be worn for 24 hours after a workout and pushes excess water from the muscles and into the bloodstream to reduce swelling and help micro tears heal more quickly.

It is gray with black patches along key areas of the body, including the calves and shoulders, and has Under Armour’s HeatGear technology, so it will keep wearers cool even if they wear it under clothes.

If it is a success, analysts say, it has the potential to jump-start a largely untapped market in the sportswear industry – “recovery” wear.

“It’s one of those things where, if it works – or, more importantly, if people believe it works – it can be massive,” said Matt Powell, an analyst with SportsOneSource, which tracks sportswear sales. “It can be a whole new frontier for us as an industry.”

The body-hugging suit, which Under Armour calls Recharge, came out of the innovation the company is pursuing to distinguish itself from competitors.

“We don’t want to be known just as the company who invented compression. We want to be the thought leader in the industry,” said David Ayers, Under Armour director of men’s team sports and international apparel.

Kevin Plank, Under Armour founder and chief executive officer, told shareholders at the company’s annual meeting in May that the creation of new products was key to future growth and that the company wouldn’t cut back on that during the weak economy.

“This brand has not yet built its defining product,” Plank said recently.

Under Armour used research by the University of Connecticut along with its own research to develop its Recharge suit, which goes on sale this month. The top will cost $89.99 and the bottom $99.99.

The suit works by using compression to target certain muscles to reduce swelling and decrease the duration of soreness. Much like a cast holds together a broken arm, it aligns and stabilizes muscles for faster repair.

The University of Connecticut tested the suit on 11 women and nine men who trained in conditions equal to or surpassing the severity of an NCAA-level football game.

They were taken through a full-body workout that included squats, barbell exercises and pull-ups. Using blood samples, interviews with the subjects and ultrasound examinations, they found that the subjects had less muscle soreness, less swelling and fewer signs of muscle damage after wearing the suit, said William Kraemer, the professor who led the testing and has done years of research on compression products. People also slept better and had more vitality the next day.

“Apparently this suit wasn’t that uncomfortable to wear,” Kraemer said.

Analysts say products that improve an athlete’s performance often sell well.

“Its success will depend on how effective the product will work for the athlete,” said Howe Burch, a former Reebok and Fila executive who now works for TBC, an advertising firm in Baltimore. “Athletes are looking for a competitive edge and something that will improve their performance.”