Not sure if this is the right forum for this question, but here goes… Is it advisable to do squats with knee “braces” like the one pictured here? (These are just simple neoprene “sleeves” that help to compress the leg muscles around the knee.)
What’s up: About five weeks ago, I managed to injure myself doing squats. Specifically, my “groin” muscle (that thick job that runs down the inside of the thigh) was in so much pain that I could hardly stand. Over the last few weeks, this seems to have cleared up, but the pain worked its way down my thigh and is now centered around my knee. My wife finally talked me into wearing one of these braces to see if it would help with the pain. It does seem to…
I can’t be 100% positive why I got injured (I THINK my form was good, etc.), but I have a really, really good theory: I’m flat-footed and always where arch supports (really expensive ones custom-made via my podiatrist). However, for some completely unknown reason (I was stupid??) I wasn’t wearing these while doing squats. So, my plan now of course is to ALWAYS wear my arch supports, but I’m also wondering about wearing these braces for extra support… And also so I can start squatting again, sooner rather than later…
I wear elastic sleeves on my elbows if im doing heavy pressing and I do the same for my knees when doing heavy lower body pressing work. For the most part they just seem to keep the joints nice and warm which helps prevent injury. Its not the same as using actual wraps to add poundages to your lifts.
[quote]josh86 wrote:
I wear elastic sleeves on my elbows if im doing heavy pressing and I do the same for my knees when doing heavy lower body pressing work. For the most part they just seem to keep the joints nice and warm which helps prevent injury. Its not the same as using actual wraps to add poundages to your lifts.[/quote]
Ditto here.
I wrap for max PR work. The neoprene isnt tight enough IMO but would be great for keeping the joints warm and add a little support. I have to take the wraps off if I go for more than one attempt. I like them good and tight and it is uncomfortable to leave them on. Good that it is helping you though.
i tried one once for squats. it had a full-circle patellar donut and really dug into my VMO going down. not good. maybe a plain sleeve with no patellar support at all may work, but then again wont provide much “support”. may as well throw on a cheap ace wrap
I use them on both knees for leg day. The boys in my family have had knee problems in the past, so I wear them for preventive measures. If they’re comfortable on you, I’d say go ahead. I can tell they help vs. wearing nothing.
I wear just a simple knee sleeve on both knees when I do squats or lunges. If I don’t wear them, my knees are pretty sore the next day and sometimes “grind” a bit. But when I do use them, I have no problems the next day. I am doing the Smolov program now, and my knees feel great. So, just the little bit added pressure/support around the joint seems to work for me.
Also, I bought a size smaller than what I guess is recommended on the box.
