It should be tight but not feel like a tourniquet.Ī few well-known and medical grade compression brands are CEP, Zensah, and Pro Compression.Īll-in-all, there is still a lot more research to be done on compression. Compression is usually measured by the circumference of your calf. There is a big difference from a $10 “compression sock” at a drug store versus a medical grade stocking with graduated compression.Ī medical grade or graduated set of compression socks or sleeves will cost anywhere between $30-60.ĭon’t buy the wrong size. Is compression gear worth the money?įirst and foremost, it should be medical grade. You also might find me walking around work with compression hidden underneath my pants in the winter. I do make an effort to wear them post workout or race. That being said, I’ve run PRs both with and without compression sleeves. Even if it’s placebo, I do find that I feel better. As someone who has sore calves, they make me feel better. I am an avid wearer of compression sleeves and have been for years: I find they fit better. My experience with compression socks & what I learned We all know running is mostly mental, so if it helps mentally, you are overall better off. That being said, anything that helps you feel better mentally is a benefit in the sport. There’s some evidence they could increase your performance by a small amount, but the best use is probably in preventing muscle soreness from workouts and races. Ultimately research has shown the benefits are more mental than physical. There is talk on whether or not compression socks have any benefit. Medical grade compression socks have been an essential tool for blood circulation in the hospital, but how does it help runners? What the research says Medical grade compression is a fancy term for the socks being tighter around the ankle and gradually get looser. It’s important to note that not every compression sock is created equal and it’s important to look for what is called “graduated compression”. In short, they are supposed to help you recover faster. The compression ultimately allows blood to get back to your heart faster, making it less likely to pool into your feet. The socks compress the veins in your legs and feet, as well as arteries and muscles. There are multiple varieties of socks that go to the knee, ankle cut, as well as “sleeves” which allow you to wear your own sock (my favorite!) Of course, any compression brand company will tell you that you’ll have tangible benefits but is it true? Are the benefits of compression socks or sleeves worth the price or are they just glorified tube socks? What are compression socks?Ĭompression socks are an elastic sock. If you ask most athletes, they swear by the benefits. If you go to any running race or event, chances are you’ll see multiple runners wearing compression socks or compression sleeves.
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