knee sleeves - how supportive?

[ali g]

i have got myself some knee sleeves but am thinking they may be too big?

while they feel reasonably firm on my knee the gape open at the top - especially when i squat to depth

does anyone who has used these know if this is how they should be fitting? or should they be a lot firmer and not gape at all?

i know they wont be as tight as knee wraps, but i was hoping they would at least give me a bit of support - at the moment i feel they make no difference to my squat if i have them on or not

[nate225]

Shouldn't open at top?

I use Rehbands that give some support, but moreso they keep your knees warm and seem to alleviate some aches!

Definately squat more in sleeves than without although I suspect its more to do with psychology than knee support.

[Pseudonym]

Good question, Ali. I've got a niggling knee issue that's stopping me from pushing my squats hard, so I've been meaning to ask the same thing.

For those of us who aren't powerlifters, do the knee sleeves provide sufficient support? Or should we just go straight to the wraps, nuisance though they are?

[nate225]

Good question, Ali. I've got a niggling knee issue that's stopping me from pushing my squats hard, so I've been meaning to ask the same thing.

For those of us who aren't powerlifters, do the knee sleeves provide sufficient support? Or should we just go straight to the wraps, nuisance though they are?

Good kneesleeves (like Rehbands - 7 mm neoprene from memory) are great for old knees, cheapy ones from sports stores less so.

Knee wraps provide MUCH more support but I think using tight wraps often can mask any problems rather than help. The decreased blood flow / decreased sensation of pain is not the best long term option as it could increase any issues you have.

I tend to use sleeves all the time & wraps only when going close to maximal weights.

No science in the above, just my thoughts!

[drizzt]

I'm pretty much the same as Nate, I start wrapping only when shifting more weight, but wear sleeves (Rehbands too) for all other squats.

When doing extended periods in just the sleeves, I do get the occasional niggle in the knees, but it is better than without the sleeves. I notice when I'm doing heavier stuff more frequently (and wrapping often as a result) my knees feel great.

AprillaRS on these boards says he gets some knee pain, and he squats exclusively in Rehbands (multiple times per week though, may not apply to bodybuilders). If he sees this thread he'll be a good one to ask :nod:

So IMHO sleeves lessen knee pain, but don't eliminate it. Wraps are better, but more time-consuming.

Like Nate said, no science-y stuff from me just my own thoughts.

[Pseudonym]

Thank you, gents. I've started stretching and rolling my quads more regularly too, and that seems to be helping a lot. So that plus the knee sleeves - I think we might be onto a winner! And if that still doesn't solve the problem, I'll upgrade to wraps for the heavy stuff.

[nate225]

Thank you, gents. I've started stretching and rolling my quads more regularly too, and that seems to be helping a lot. So that plus the knee sleeves - I think we might be onto a winner! And if that still doesn't solve the problem, I'll upgrade to wraps for the heavy stuff.

PMan's butter knife therapy is also an option, or its relative Steak's screwdriver handle massage! :grin:

[steak]

...and dont forget to roll the hammies and glutes. Try a tennis ball of soft ball for glutes :nod:

Re the sleeves - I get zip in the way of "support" really. but they do keep the knees warm prior to wrapping ie on the way up to heavier sets or during warm up. For this I feel there is great benefit.

[Pseudonym]

Heh, I don't have access to a foam roller, so I've been using a medicine ball. You know those ones that are hard as rocks? They're even harder when they're digging into a tender part of the quad. :pale:

[drizzt]

Just get a PVC pipe! 8)

[Big john]

With the Rehbands (this goes out to nate/drizzt) besides them keeping your knees warm do you guys sweat tonnes more with those sleeves? - from the knees down?

with the Tommy Konos i use they keep the knees very warm, but the amount of sweat that comes from them is insane! :shock: . its normal for me to leave a puddle of sweat in the squat rack after squats. id porb say Redmachine gets the same results as he uses them aswell

[drizzt]

Yeah bro, definitely! Wore them on the elbows last night (the narrow part of the sleeve fits surprisingly well on the forearm - must have small calves? :pfft:) while I was wrapping the knees and got the same thing. Tonnes of sweat!

[runveerun]

do you guys sweat tonnes more with those sleeves? - from the knees down?

I have the rehband knee sleeves too and I can only wear them to squat in as I sweat SO much in them, even if I have a double squat session I have to take them off in between or I would be a puddle on the floor of the house! They are like wearing a sauna.

[M.T]

2nd the PVC carry a small handsaw in your gym bag and go via some construction sties to the gym you never when you may get luckly only need half a meter no one will notice.

[jimmybro1]

Where can you buy knee sleeves?

Want some support for my volume work.

[BeastBuilder]

Can get them from liftinglarge.com

Two choices really

http://www.liftinglarge.com/Titan-Knee-and-Elbow-Sleeves

Heard good reviews about these pairs

or

http://www.liftinglarge.com/Tommy-Kono-Knee-Bands

I personally use these for knees and elbows and they are awesome, get a bit sweaty (that's how warm they keep you joints) but not hard to wash.

Just so you know, sleeves don't give you any support really, just keep the joint warm and give you that bit more confidence to push harder. Wraps on the other hand give support and you can quite easily get 15kg+ out of wraps on a Squat after using them for a bit.

[drizzt]

Depends how much you want to spend?

IMHO, Rehbands are the best - but these will set you back about $120 NZD after shipping for a pair. Bulletproof, IPF/NZPF approved, have never heard a bad word about them. You can get them from Jackals Gym.

A lot of people use T1tan, but I've seen too many break too easily to go back to them. They supposedly improved the design for the second run, but I saw a few guys with that batch who had them tear as well. I had a pair of the first batch that I only wore on my elbows, and they lasted 3-4 months. Comparatively, my Rehbands are going strong almost 2 years on (and I wear them pretty much every gym session). Still, they are a bit cheaper than Rehbands. You can buy them from a T1tan dealer, try Lifting Large.

I know a few guys that swear by Tommy Kono sleeves, although I haven't used them personally. They are thinner than the Rehbands and the Titans (5mm as opposed to 7mm I think?), but I've not heard of anyone that has durability issues with these. Technically, I think these aren't on the "IPF Approved Apparel" list, so if you were looking to compete in NZPF locally, you might have some troubles wearing them. You will probably be able to get away with it at a novice though. You can buy these from Rogue Fitness, or Jackals.

Locally, not a lot comes to mind, apart from checking out a Rebel store and giving a few a try. If you are looking to compete in NZPF though, make sure they meet the specs to be able to use them in comp. If they're just for training, go with what feels comfortable. Personally (from experience), I'd spend the extra and go with the Rehbands.

Hope that helps

edit - damn, beaten!

[BeastBuilder]

Haha, only reason I beat you was because you're a hell of a lot more indepth than me !

Haven't tried Rehbands but now I think about it lots of people use them too, I think majority of the cats up at The House have these (correct me if I'm wrong Drizzt :pfft: )

After I got some TKO sleeves for elbows and knees every man and their dog at Eastside wanted some so they are the thing to have down here. Have seen many of the guys training with them and haven't had any isssues yet.. Cept couple of the guys growing out of them and needing a bigger size

[jimmybro1]

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm just looking for some to train with I have knee wraps for competition, I don't feel they improve my squat at all though as beast mentioned. I can squat the same raw just feels more dodgy.

I haven't used them to often though may take a while to get use too.

Yeah I read the previous comments about making your legs sweat a lot that doesn't bother me TBH. Just received my OutBak belt yesterday so almost fully kitted out for my first competition!

Cheers again.

[red machine]

Yip as other have said don't think they offer much in support but I reckon I can squat more and be much more confident in them, just having that knee piping hot feels great, I use tk's they are 7mm of pure heating goodness, best place to get'em is bb.com as shipping was like $10us compared to 40 any where eles I looked (was a year plus back though)

Jimmy if you feel like knee wraps arnt improving your squat poundage then crank theses suckers up abit there should be an easy 20kg there

[jimmybro1]

Yip as other have said don't think they offer much in support but I reckon I can squat more and be much more confident in them, just having that knee piping hot feels great, I use tk's they are 7mm of pure heating goodness, best place to get'em is bb.com as shipping was like $10us compared to 40 any where eles I looked (was a year plus back though)

Jimmy if you feel like knee wraps arnt improving your squat poundage then crank theses suckers up abit there should be an easy 20kg there

I think its more the fact that I'm not use to them.

When I first used them strapped up tight and couldn't even hit depth so I loosened them a bit and could get depth. But was pushing weights I do without.

Will try again next max-effort day.

Winter is coming having warm knees could be quite helpful, the shipping for some of those sites is ridiculous.

[patrickstar]

apparently some lifters use XS knee sleeves to substitute knee wraps in raw raw PL feds where you can wear wraps

i would stick to lifting raw raw

[jimmybro1]

Does anyone know where I can get T I T A N Knee and Wrist wraps within the month?

[drizzt]

Liftinglarge.com usually deliver pretty quick. I order most (almost all) of my gear through them, and delivery usually comes within 10 business days even on the slowest shipping option. Quickest shipping I've received has been 5 days. You can pay more to get a target

I'd say they'd pretty safely arrive within a month, but as with anything from overseas, customs can be a spanner in the works...

[jimmybro1]

Cheers Drizzt will check it out.