Posted: 5/17/2016 3:20:50 PM EDT
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I know this is an old subject and is akin to asking Ford or Chevy, less filling or tastes great, Ginger or MaryAnn but it's fun to have these debates every now and then. (Fun for me anyway)
I'm getting ready to turn 54. I started lifting at the tender age of 30. At that time I wanted to be huge so I watched and copied the guys that were huge. While doing squats most of them used knee wraps, therefore I started using knee wraps. Thankfully one of the bigger guys saw scrawny little me using them and told me not to be a pussy. He said that unless I was in there trying to break a world record the wraps would be counter-productive in two ways. They'd give my knees artificial support so they'd never get stronger and they'd also provide a spring-like affect so I wouldn't be working my muscles as hard as I should. From that day on I've never used them. Now let's get back to me turning 54, my joints aren't young anymore. I've had both knees surgically repaired. I'm back up to squatting 315 for reps but will never go above that again. (That limitation is due to back issues, not knees) So my questions are, do knee wraps actually provide protection? If so, should I start using them? |
| What you are probably really interested in are knee sleeves rather than wraps. Wraps are really there to add lbs(or kilos if you swing that way) to your max, IMO. Sleeves provide warmth, support, etc. and are easier to use. Rehband sleeves are very popular. From the ad: "Rehband Knee Supports supply joint compression and warmth to promote better blood flow and reduce the direct strain on the knees during squats, Oly lifts, etc." |
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Quoted:
What you are probably really interested in are knee sleeves rather than wraps. Wraps are really there to add lbs(or kilos if you swing that way) to your max, IMO. Sleeves provide warmth, support, etc. and are easier to use. Rehband sleeves are very popular. From the ad: "Rehband Knee Supports supply joint compression and warmth to promote better blood flow and reduce the direct strain on the knees during squats, Oly lifts, etc." Yeah sleeves is what you are looking for. Keep your knees warm while offering some support. |
You kids with your new inventions are awesome. 
So let's talk sleeves. Is it safe to assume that since they provide warmth and promote blood flow to the joint I should put them on at the very beginning of my session or should they be like wraps and only used for the heaviest sets? Any other precautions/limitations I should know about? |
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Quoted:
What you are probably really interested in are knee sleeves rather than wraps. Wraps are really there to add lbs(or kilos if you swing that way) to your max, IMO. Sleeves provide warmth, support, etc. and are easier to use. Rehband sleeves are very popular. From the ad: "Rehband Knee Supports supply joint compression and warmth to promote better blood flow and reduce the direct strain on the knees during squats, Oly lifts, etc." I use Rehbands occasionally if my knees get sore (patellar tendonitis symptoms)). |
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Quoted:
You kids with your new inventions are awesome.
So let's talk sleeves. Is it safe to assume that since they provide warmth and promote blood flow to the joint I should put them on at the very beginning of my session or should they be like wraps and only used for the heaviest sets? Any other precautions/limitations I should know about? Up to you, I usually put them on right after warming up. |
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Quoted:
You kids with your new inventions are awesome.
So let's talk sleeves. Is it safe to assume that since they provide warmth and promote blood flow to the joint I should put them on at the very beginning of my session or should they be like wraps and only used for the heaviest sets? Any other precautions/limitations I should know about? I think you may want to experiment a bit to see what suits you best. I don't use my sleeves every workout and usually use them just for my tops sets and anything after that. But I listen to my knees, which luckily aren't a problem, and sometimes I will put them on earlier if it feels right. I subscribe to the "protect yourself before you wreck yourself" mentality. |
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I think you may want to experiment a bit to see what suits you best. I don't use my sleeves every workout and usually use them just for my tops sets and anything after that. But I listen to my knees, which luckily aren't a problem, and sometimes I will put them on earlier if it feels right. I subscribe to the "protect yourself before you wreck yourself" mentality. Quoted:
Quoted:
You kids with your new inventions are awesome.
So let's talk sleeves. Is it safe to assume that since they provide warmth and promote blood flow to the joint I should put them on at the very beginning of my session or should they be like wraps and only used for the heaviest sets? Any other precautions/limitations I should know about? I think you may want to experiment a bit to see what suits you best. I don't use my sleeves every workout and usually use them just for my tops sets and anything after that. But I listen to my knees, which luckily aren't a problem, and sometimes I will put them on earlier if it feels right. I subscribe to the "protect yourself before you wreck yourself" mentality. Yep, my exact reason for starting this thread.
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Another +1 for sleeves here. I like the SBD and the Iron Rebel sleeves better than the Rehbands. They are longer and feel like they give a little more support. Just pay close attention to the sizing charts.
Also look at the strong sleeves as well. They seem pretty similar to the Iron Rebel and SBD's. |
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Another +1 for sleeves here. I like the SBD and the Iron Rebel sleeves better than the Rehbands. They are longer and feel like they give a little more support. Just pay close attention to the sizing charts. Also look at the strong sleeves as well. They seem pretty similar to the Iron Rebel and SBD's. The strong sleeves will be my next set of sleeves and I'll probably also order the slingshot sleeves at the same time. Mark Bell makes good stuff and I'm sold on his products. |
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Having used both SBD's and Rehbands, I have come to the conclusion that they (and any neoprene made sleeve) to be pretty much shite.
I would highly recommend looking at StrengthShop USA and picking up either their double ply or triple ply knee sleeves. They have actually worked to make my knees healthier. I am 41 and have knee pain and these have been tremendous. I also use them for "therapeutic" compression after running. I popped them on after a 10 mile run and was able to hit the gym later that day. Take a look....you won't regret it. Just check out the reviews... https://www.strengthshopusa.com/sleeves-wraps-straps/knee-sleeves/strengthshop-double-ply-thor-knee-sleeves.html https://www.strengthshopusa.com/sleeves-wraps-straps/knee-sleeves/strengthshop-triple-ply-odin-knee-sleeves.html |
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SBD Knee Sleeves I started wearing them for squats and have less pain afterwards. I sized for just mild support, not rebound. +1 on SBD http://www.andersonpowerlifting.com/default.asp |
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Quoted:
Having used both SBD's and Rehbands, I have come to the conclusion that they (and any neoprene made sleeve) to be pretty much shite. I would highly recommend looking at StrengthShop USA and picking up either their double ply or triple ply knee sleeves. They have actually worked to make my knees healthier. I am 41 and have knee pain and these have been tremendous. I also use them for "therapeutic" compression after running. I popped them on after a 10 mile run and was able to hit the gym later that day. Take a look....you won't regret it. Just check out the reviews... https://www.strengthshopusa.com/sleeves-wraps-straps/knee-sleeves/strengthshop-double-ply-thor-knee-sleeves.html https://www.strengthshopusa.com/sleeves-wraps-straps/knee-sleeves/strengthshop-triple-ply-odin-knee-sleeves.html OP, someone (could be mikepiet here-if so thanks! ) suggested these to me and I got the triple ply, totally worth it and work well for me. My knees are not great and it helps to support them while I am trying to focus on my hamstrings/glutes on squats.
I have never tried the wraps to keep things "warm" so no idea on comparison. |
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Great to hear that they have helped you! Happy to help!
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OP, someone (could be mikepiet here-if so thanks! ) suggested these to me and I got the triple ply, totally worth it and work well for me. My knees are not great and it helps to support them while I am trying to focus on my hamstrings/glutes on squats.
I have never tried the wraps to keep things "warm" so no idea on comparison. |