What Are Knee Sleeves For?

Knee and elbow sleeves are designed to prevent tendonitis.

You can get tendinitis by performing a certain motion too often. I heard about knee sleeves for basketball for instance.

But I’m focusing about the tendinitis that can be caused by training heavy all the time.

For example powerlifters, they squat a lot or Olympic lifters and Crossfitters who sometimes perform snatches over 6x a week.

Protection is particularly important during exercises that put a heavy strain on your knees and elbows. Like squats and bench presses, but also walking a Yoke or performing log presses.

What Do Knee Sleeves Do?

But there are more reasons to use knee sleeves for squatting and bench pressing. Training in a cold environment can also make you susceptible for tendonitis.

Training in a warehouse gym or garage gym during those cold winter months for instance.

Knee sleeves are often made out of neoprene, and you wear them over your knees and elbows. The sleeves provide warmth and an improved blood flow.

Knee sleeves also provide compression, which counters light swellings. And because of that compression, your knee cap will stay firmly in position.

Knee & elbow sleeves can prevent pain and swelling during your training. But sleeves can also reduce swelling after your training. You just keep wearing when your training is done.

Note: Do not use the sleeves as braces. For instance, if your knee lacks stability it is better to have it examined by a professional.

Basically, you only need to wear sleeves during exercises in which your knees and elbows are hit hardest. Squat exercises of course, but also bench press exercises and certain strongman exercises.

Sleeves will keep your knees and elbows nice and warm if you train in a cold warehouse gym or garage gym. Put them on when you start your training and just leave them on.

So in my opinion knee sleeves are a good buy for every serious athlete. A pair of good sleeves can help you with your training.

Because sleeves provide support and warmth you can prevent aches and pains and still keep training hard.