Content:
- What are knee pads?
- Why and when should you not use knee pads?
- Why do people use knee pads?
- Compression:
- Warmth:
- Support:
- Mobility
- Durability:
- Support:
- Non-slippage:
What are knee pads?
Knee pads are knee sleeves that go on your knee. They are generally made of neoprene, and they should fit pretty snugly. A reasonable approach is to ensure they hold pretty tight but not so tight. You would have to have someone else help you put them on. Another way of looking at it is if you need to take off between each set. They are probably a little bit tight, something a little bit less snug.
The main reason you might want to knee sleeves is if you have that particular medical condition known as cranky knees and if you have got achy knees when you are squatting. There are maybe some technical considerations to examine. There may also be some programming considerations, but your coach can help you with that. For your purposes, it is helpful to know that knee sleeves make your knee feel better.
Why and when should you not use knee pads?
Why do you do Crossfit six to seven days out of the week? For knee pads for Crossfit, you have minimal to no issues for a few reasons. One a lot of focuses on your functional training through CrossFit. Then strengthening the joint and stretching, if you use the knee sleeves when appropriate.
So, first of all, it is an accessory to your workout and should not be used all the time. It is like a weightlifting belt; you are getting a little heavier and need support and your core; pop it on, but you are not using it for lighter weights. Why? Because you need to develop a proper form first and, in doing so, strengthen all the muscles that are supposed to be stimulated. In that exercise, there is a study in the journal of strength and conditioning. But it showed that sometimes you should not use it because all the subjects started developing poor form. After all, they were relying too much on the sleeves.
Constantly strengthen the muscles, strengthen the joint and develop appropriately. It will be used for heavier lifts to relieve some stress off your joints and if it is going to be a high-rep Crossfit workout. All the high reps and the pressure that can be put on it through the repetitive movements, but first, during warm-ups, don’t use the knee sleeves. Make sure everything’s warmed up, and if you feel you can do the workout without them, you do not have to use them.
Why do people use knee pads?
People choose to use knee pads for a few reasons:
- Compression:
- Warmth
- Support:
Compression:
Studies have shown that compressing muscle promotes blood flow, and blood carries oxygen with it. What does oxygen do? It reduces and prevents lactic acid buildup and, in turn, helps you perform better. In that sense, warmth is the same when you use knee sleeves.
Warmth:
Now it’s come to the warming up the area. There are two ways you can warm up:
- It is through bodily movements, and you must do whole body exercises, like stretching, getting warm, and triggering and isolating those muscles you use.
- You can also warm up through percussive training therapy and wearing a knee sleeve. It will isolate that area, make it warm, and prevent it from cooling down as fast as if you leave it on again. That’s going to promote blood flow to the area. Oxygen reduces lactic acid buildup, and it will help you recover faster.
Support:
Lastly is supporting, knee sleeves have a lot of unique and excellent benefits, and they can probably be your favorite thing in your gym bag, even over your weightlifting belt. There is some voodoo magic in knee sleeves, so first of all, here are four things that you should look for: mobility, durability, support and not slipping down your legs when you are using them.
Mobility:
The knee sleeves, which have neoprene material, are incredible. These sleeves come in three sizes that are 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm. Three will be for your high rep, and you will be more mobile. Seven will be on the stiffer side, five are right smack dab in the middle, and they are just suitable for everything.
Durability:
Anything that you are going to buy is going to beat the crap out of your knee sleeves and get thrown in your gym bag. They get thrown in the wash, and they get used for all types of workouts, whether you are making lunges which means they will be banging against the ground. They could be the bar hitting them as you do deadlifts, just any activity. These things will take some damage, even if they are being cleaned.
Support:
The next is support; the knee sleeves with neoprene material and their fabric is sewn together will give you extra support.
Non-slippage:
This is number one on many athletes’ lists because many people get annoyed when running or working out; they can feel the knee sleeves slipping down their legs. It could never be set just right on the expensive knee sleeves with the strap. Even a kneecap hole helped keep them in place, which never would. When you are sweating more, it causes less friction and cannot stay in place and slides down. The knee sleeves with high-quality material will not move a bit, which is impressive. The reason is that there is a patent for contour design based on anatomical models.
